awong

edit:removed quote A very nice piece! If I were to spend more time on it, this is where I'd attempt to start separating materials and layers. Between the leather belt and leather jerkin, maybe a few darkening washes (precision applied washes) to separate the two similarly colored items. A nice mid-toned green glaze over the cloak to smooth the blends, then some darkening washes to separate the hoodie from the main cloak and some of the major turnbacks too. If I squint, I'm also losing the separation between the green cloak and the jerkin, and the jerkin and the leggings...so maybe darken those separations (darklining). Looking forward to the finished images! -AW

I agree with Darius as well. Also, I think he'd look much more dramatic angled down having just leapt off the rock verses having him run up the rock which seems to be stealing away his momentum. I know most don't want their pieces manhandled but when someone, say a judge, were to pick up and look for the face, they would naturally place themselves below Logan's charge...they become the victim / target of Logan's wrath. In the other case, when looking at the face, the viewer is actually floating above looking down. That would put the viewer in a more "strategic" position (high ground) and I think a less dramatic view...(easier to photograph though...hmmm). Sorry for muddling the issue. Regardless, this is an awesome little piece and I can't wait to see what you come up with! -AW

Oh, I didn't mean it that way. I hope I didn't offend. I'm very familiar with the usefulness of the triads (whether going from base up, and down, or starting from shadow and then going up to highlights). What I meant was that I'm still tied to the literal triad. Whereas Anne can see a base tone and then add the appropriate colors from outside the triad to get what she's after I feel this odd pull to "stay the course" . That's why I asked my question. My initial (literal) assumption was that the base Anne suggested would lead to it's assigned triad highlight and shadow color to get Latina (I believe that was the coloration) skin, when she was actually suggesting that as a starting point...we still would need to add other colors and work out the proper highlights and shadows. It's something that I'd like to work toward, being able to dissect colors, deconstruct them and then recreate them with what I have in my paint box. The magic eye! (cue pixie dust sound effect ). Thanks AW

I'm wondering if the amount of time the body spent underground prior to its zombification would effect its coloring. I've seen many minis that show a lot of decomposition on the bodies. That would imply to me more time in the ground...maybe a darker, almost tanned leather color. "Fresh bodies" or unburied ones might still look pristine...think of how a mortuary would make up the hands and face, but the body would exhibit the handiwork of the coroner's office. You might try looking up movie make-up sites for really creative zombie work-ups and then just start playing with weird color combinations, splotchy, patchy skin tones...gore...lucky for me, I've never run into one so YMMV Would love to see what you come up with though! -AW

So, have all the images of what's come in been posted (either here or in show off)? It would be great if, when the thread is eventually closed (there are still outstanding minis I'm sure, so we have awhile yet), a collection of images of all the minis exchanged this round could be grouped at the end. It might be a nice sum-up of the experience...sort of a class yearbook and an inspiration for others unsure of what an exchange is all about. Or maybe just a page of links to where people have already posted so no additional memory is sucked up. I don't recall any previous exchanges attempting something like this, but I could be wrong...I've missed a few. I was thinking about something like...Summary Post / Round-up Post painter call sign (painter name ) --> recipient call sign (recipient name) -- link (or image if it was never posted prior) or painter call sign (painter name ) --> recipient call sign (recipient name) -- reaper mini name and cat number (or image if it was never posted prior) Are there ways of sticky-ing something like this as a permanent heading for this specific thread? That way, in the far future, if someone were to look up "exchanges" and click on this one, that summary post would be the first to pop-up. What dya think? Just a thought. -AW

So, have all the images of what's come in been posted (either here or in show off)? It would be great if, when the thread is eventually closed (there are still outstanding minis I'm sure, so we have awhile yet), a collection of images of all the minis exchanged this round could be grouped at the end. It might be a nice sum-up of the experience...sort of a class yearbook and an inspiration for others unsure of what an exchange is all about. Or maybe just a page of links to where people have already posted so no additional memory is sucked up. I don't recall any previous exchanges attempting something like this, but I could be wrong...I've missed a few. I was thinking about something like...Summary Post / Round-up Post painter call sign (painter name ) --> recipient call sign (recipient name) -- link (or image if it was never posted prior) or painter call sign (painter name ) --> recipient call sign (recipient name) -- reaper mini name and cat number (or image if it was never posted prior) Are there ways of sticky-ing something like this as a permanent heading for [strong]this specific[/strong] thread? That way, in the far future, if someone were to look up "exchanges" and click on this one, that summary post would be the first to pop-up. What dya think? Just a thought. -AW

Thanks for clarifying that. At my level, I'm always looking for the standard "base, highlight, shadow" combinations, I just assumed...It's a bit of a crutch that I've got to work through. Thanks AW

Thanks everyone for your kind comments! Valloa and Prophet, yeah I had fun trying to reproduce that icon. There was a lot of back and forth with that design, constantly correcting with the blue. Thanks Darius, I've been playing with the suntan triad lately, with really light washes of blue for the 5-oclock shadow and a bit of red on the cheeks and nose to liven things up a bit. Demonelf3, thanks for your comments. I can definitely see areas that need a lot more contrast, and strengthening edges would help that. My NMM is a hit and miss thing still, unfortunately. Froggy, I guess the tilt in his head does give him that stunned look . I was trying to work that into a look of exhaustion or ... even was toying with having him stand at a grave site, doing something contemplative...his stance just reads "tired" to me. Beo, Brunuwald, and Anne, I'm glad you like the face. I really spent the most time on the face (and the icon ). I will say that the sculpt of the face is really nice and makes the painting that much more enjoyable. Thanks again everyone! -AW

Quick question. When you all are talking about using so-and-so color as "a base", are you talking about it as a base coat? So, Chestnut Gold would be the base coat and you'd lighten and darken from that? Or are you talking about it as a basis for mixing Latino skin colors. E.G. taking X drops of Chestnut Gold, then mixing in other colors to achieve your desired colors? Or, are the two above the same thing? Thanks -AW

Firstly, Welcome back! Secondly, that's a beaut! I especially like your giving us the "actual size" images. I so often times forget that the mini isn't really meant to be scrutinized so closely that you could sniff the paint right off the mini . I agree with demonelf3, your treatment really makes him pop and I bet he looks fantastic on the table. Love the black NMM. So...we should be seeing much more soon right? -AW

Hey, my second mini posted in over n years True to form, this is another Exchange Mini, proving nothing gets done around my place unless a deadline is looming (but then, I can still manage to miss the deadline ). This was Silas the Cleric, painted up for Outkast Samurai for the last Mini Exchange (smoothly run by Cerebro1974). He's a P-65 version, my first from that series. Nothing different in preparation or procedures, but he was cheaper. Slight modifications include shaving off the mini's chest decoration and replacing that with a disc of GS. I then lifted OutKast Samurai's icon for the disc. I also repo'd his left arm so it looks like it's resting on that huge book at his belt. His previous pose made him look incredibly flat. I just bent it s-l-o-o-w-l-y. Painting was pretty straight forward. OutKast Samurai has received him safe and sound so I thought I'd throw him up for comments, crits, and condemnations. OS is also having pix taken and I'm hoping that they'll be much better, so the images may very well be updated (I can't wait). Thanks for looking and I look forward to all your comments and suggestions! -AW Oh, and he's up for votes, if you feel the urge

I've primed minis for Gencon (100 in one go). I just laid them out on newsprint, shot one side...waited until sufficiently dry, not long since it was a sunny day. Flip, shot again. Sort of like BBQ'ing . I think I also did multiple angles before flipping. Very light coats is the key. I then apply the bases later. I think Lars P's suggestion was to "sacrifice" 8-10 bases as your permanent priming bases. These would be what you'd always use to prime with...you could even permanently mount the bases on your length of 2x4, staggering them so you can get at all the nooks and crannies. You could probably buy a bag of bases as a one-time investment for that. -AW

I can't help you with the colors, but Man, that's going to look awesome! I sure hope you'll post some 'in progress' pics of your army. Steamy charred bases, burnt grass...man, the mind reels with possibilities! Good luck with it. -AW

That's a great link! In fact, you've posted a lot of very neat links L. It's starting to give the bug for armor again That is a nice rendition of water, and at a scale that's very ambitious! I agree that his water coloration is beautiful. The only thing I'm having any qualms about is his sand. Usually, wet or damp sand is a much darker color than dry sand. I'm not sure if that was an oversight or he was hoping the water medium would help alter the color of the sand...it just struck me as odd. He did "dampen" the front glacis plate for the one Sherman but the other doesn't have any indication of splashed water on it. For my project, I'm still struggling with how I'm going to deal with the sand color...it's all going on a small 1" base . -AW

Wow, 45 minutes! You did a great job considering the time pressure. -AW

I really like the color scheme. Is that disc thingy something you came up with? It's great, works well with the movement implied in the mini. Congratulations on a very dynamic piece! -AW

OOPs, Sorry. In my haste to get it out on time, I just slapped a shipping label on and sent it on it's way. Usually I include a note in the box as well. I'm glad you liked it. -AW

What a great site! Beautiful models too. I'm thinking that some of these would be great backdrops or game buildings for some of the chronoscop-y type minis. The metal Quonset hut and Sheet metal storage buildings look awesome. I'm looking forward to your reviews of the products if you get a chance to build them. So what scale would be the most similar to 28mm minis? -AW

Yowza, he's looking good! More close-ups please. The hair really is especially nice! -AW

10 bonus points for Kang. Correct usage of the term "schlorp". Ding Ding! We now return to our previously scheduled program... -AW

Very nice mini. I agree with the need for a little more shading (and highlighting) on the skin, although I am seeing some dark-lining at the skin edges. Beautiful work on the hair! and wood grain on the weapon. -AW

Wow! that's quite an improvement there! I really like the shin and arm guards. Those really pop out at me. -AW

Great landspeeder. I really like the camo. pattern on it. The whole unit looks tight! -AW

Love Orks! I almost started an army myself. The most character-ful codex of the bunch IMO. Great job on the vehicle. Looks like you had fun kitbashing that! 84 Orks! I'm looking forward to the group shot of that! -AW

Wow, I like the two goblins. You did a great job with the OSL! Great bit of freehand on the dancing girl. Working around such serious curves and direction changes isn't easy. You really are attempting some very challenging tasks, Bravo. -AW