60149: Winter Witch for SS exchange

[Corporea]

Yay Ub3r got my mini!  When his package arrive I thought it was hilarious we'd been assigned each other!!

 

So, here are the finished pics.  Below I'll go through a quick WIP on how I did it if that's ok in the showoff forum.  If not, I'll move it to a WIP thread.  But there aren't too many pics.

 

I had a lot of fun with this one.  It gave me an excuse to play with a wintery theme.  I tried to paint an ermine, but with them being all white, I'm not sure the contrast works.  there's a touch of freehand on the dress and on the crystals.  I dullcoated her Ub3r, but she's not sealed, so when you game with her, just be cautious.  the snow is baking soda.

 

 

I used brilliant blue, snow shadow, leather white, pure white, deep ocean, deep twilight, nightshade purple, fair skin and porcelain rose.  I was trying to make the crystals look like a spell effect, but in hindsight I'd probably add something swirly around the staff to connect next time.

 

Here's a quick step-by-etc-etc:

Sort of how I approach eyes and shading.  I like to block in some of the colors.  It took me awhile to decide what color to do the border of the skirt.

 

 

sorry for the focus.  here's a quick way to approach gems.  she's got these little circles on her belt begging for something shiny.  I shade the belt first, then do the gems because I think it's easier.  remember they're light at the bottom and dark at the top, with a little hotspot in the center of the dark area.

 

so here's the base:

 

 

I used a combination of sculpey for the bottom crystals and actual crystals for the long ones.  I bought the crystals in bulk (about 300 or so) from a girl on ebay. you can get them cheap.  I also sometimes make them out of bones sprue.  I baked the sculpey after positioning the crystals, but I took them off for the bake.

 

 

the tree is twisted wire with greenstuff on top.  I tend to paint up the base then attach the tree later because it's easier for me to paint.

 

 

For crystals, the base is whiter and the tips more colored due to where the imperfections form.  The edges are light to illustrate reflection.  each plane acts as a unique surface.  it's fun to try to get contrast between the planes, but still give the illusion of a solid form.  I use the edge of my brush run along the edge of the crystal to get the thin line.

 

Enjoy!  C&C and questions always welcome!!  I can try to explain more if you want!

What I love most about this mini is trying to figure out exactly how to attach that staff arm: where exactly is it supposed to point?!!!

[Pingo]

Corporea, you make the most beautiful vignettes.

[klarg1]

I absolutely love it, but I confess that it's a little less fun to look at, knowing that it's 20 degrees outside.

 

*brrrr*

 

 

I'll come back and enjoy your color scheme more in the spring! 

Edited January 20, 2016 by klarg1

[hosercanadian]

I appreciate the step by step. I have never come across a painting technique for crystals before. Thanks.

[Corporea]

I took a class from Angela Imrie a few years ago and she went through all the steps.  But the keys seem to be the gradient of color and the edges.

[klarg1]

I have learned a ton about basing from you. I need to try out some natural crystals. (What are you using? Quartz?)

[ub3r_n3rd]

Yay! A proper show-off thread for this wonderful piece of art! 

 

I was also pleasantly surprised that Corporea was my partner as I don't look in on Fan's spreadsheet so that I stay surprised until I get the exchange from my partner. 

 

This is an epic piece, just love her!  

 

I know that you did it so that I can game with her, but she's not setting base on the table to play with (only to show off to my gaming buddies) as she'll proudly be displayed on my shelf instead. She has so many nice little details, that I caught when looking at her such as the freehand snowflakes on the dress. The crystals are amazing. Corporea please PM me where/who you purchased them from if you wouldn't mind.

 

Thank you again for the SS package. 

[tiniest rhombus]

She and the base are amazing!

Lots of winter witches painted in the fall and SS exchanges, it's been fun to see everyone's take on the same figure.

[Corporea]

crystal quarry is the seller on ebay and it's the tiny micro quartz crystal points.  Since I paint them, the color doesn't matter and plain quartz is cheaper.

[Erifnogard]

I absolutely love the colors in this piece! Great job!

[Tricksay]

Love your take on this piece, the base is just phenomenal ! Thank-you for running through your wip, I can see where I could have improved on mine. Those gemstone you did on the belt are perfect!

And I laughed when you mention the whole "what angle" everyone puts the staff arm/hand. I played with that for like two nights trying to figure out how I wanted it to look....knowing that everyone does it slightly differently.

Great job.

[Limey72]

That is fantastic and the crystals are awesome ;) so good

[Tosek]

So impressed with the base

[primeval]

That is absolutely amazing! Great work!

[Citrine]

Amazing!