From cool to Meh... 2nd thoughts.

[James-]

1 hour ago, Kuro Cleanbrush said:

....Alternatively, that could have been a reference to Army Painter's line of inks/washes which have names like "Dark Tone", "Strong Tone", "Soft Tone", etc.  By the way, those Army Painter washes actually are pretty good compared to the other offerings on the market (and WAY better than the current GW offerings, in my opinion) and a great tool for this stage of your painting journey...

 

I do use army painter, I'm new to the craft as well and when I applied my first wash I was "holy crap! This looks awesome now" after having similar sentiments as you were. I now have those first minis as my profile pic and banner. Like Kuro said you got the paint in the right places! Now just add the shade watch the magic happen and follow it up with some subtle highlights and you will change your mind about this mini like I did about my first ones. Good luck :)

[Pochi]

1 hour ago, DaemonDoesMinis said:

I washed it with an umber i think to get shade in the many many little holes and waves.... those holes seemed to make bubbles too which added a kind of unwanted texture.  But, what do you mean by "soft wash" if you dont mind me asking?

Sorry, I should have been more specific. As Kuro suggested, I did in fact mean Army Painter's Soft Tone wash. You can do it yourself by seriously watering down your paint like a mid brown. I started with the Army Painter washes when I began painting and 2 years later I still use several of them frequently with the Soft Tone being used the most.

[Cyradis]

Currently I am enjoying Citadel premade washes and glazes, but I am finding that most (not all - it is highly color dependent) of their base and layer type paints are too thick. The way their layer type is, is a tiny bit thicker than I like my bases. And the base black and whites are a bit like working with elmer's glue until I thin them like mad. The washes are some of my best friends though. Those were one of my biggest "ah ha!" moments in painting. 

 

Alternatively, water down paints you have already. It just takes more stirring to keep consistent through use, I find. But it is more customizable. 

[Inarah]

The problem I see is that you are mixing warm colors and cool colors and it's not harmonious. You've got an orange-red, warm brown and yellow hair, which all sort of goes together, then the black and silver-grey, which clashes.  Change your black to a super dark brown, and the silver-grey to gold and you will see a big improvement.

 

As for the face and hair, I think if you put a little pink into your flesh color it would help.  Use the wash that others have suggested on the hair.  This will create some contrast between the two areas.

 

Great blending on the flame sword! 

[amuller33]

Things just look worse under a microscope... or a brightly lit photo> like others have said. Dont be hard on yourself and a little shade would go a long way for this guy.

AJ

 

[NecroMancer]

I agree with everyone, they look good!  

 

My only suggestion would be on the fire sword.  Whites and yellows are where the flame is the hottest and the orange and reds are the cooler.  So you have to paint fire (or lava) opposite as you would normally paint and highlight.  I would suggest that you put the white and yellow toward the base (hilt) and use the red and orange on the tip.

 

The paint job on the sword it excellent as far as laying the paint down and blending it but I would just swap how your colors laid out.

[DaemonDoesMinis]

tried a black vallejo wash on the majority and sephia on the hair and face. trying my idea of a few highlights on the brown so far.... but hit that wall so will hit it again tomorrow

[DaemonDoesMinis]

Well campaign starts saturday and wont have time to paint friday... so some quick clear coat and this is the trio. Guess we'll see how well they hold up in play. Thanks for all the advice guys. defiantely using the suggestions in here. more minis and ideas large and small in hand. Like say for instance ... BASES!! lol

Edited April 27, 2017 by DaemonDoesMinis

[lowlylowlycook]

The monsters don't stand a chance.

[Glitterwolf]

Nice!!!

 

Poor Dungeon Dwellers, they will be in big trouble!!!

[DaemonDoesMinis]

On 4/26/2017 at 6:52 PM, NecroMancer said:

I agree with everyone, they look good!  

 

My only suggestion would be on the fire sword.  Whites and yellows are where the flame is the hottest and the orange and reds are the cooler.  So you have to paint fire (or lava) opposite as you would normally paint and highlight.  I would suggest that you put the white and yellow toward the base (hilt) and use the red and orange on the tip.

 

The paint job on the sword it excellent as far as laying the paint down and blending it but I would just swap how your colors laid out.

I agree with what you say. Lol, in fact its why i painted it the way i did... i figured it being a wizard and magic and not exactly physical battle trained (contrary to what the figure would imply, that of a kind of battle mage) that he would naturally focus the energy to the tip of his sword (and being a level 4 ... not that well or large of a spot to begin with) assuming that it should be the focal point... the darker (and cooler by fire standards) colors are accurate as they are further away from the hottest point. But thats just how I envisioned him. if it were an actual flame from the hilt type of sword I would have painted it the way you suggested. Love the input, I liked fleshing out the reasoning behind the choice 

Edited April 28, 2017 by DaemonDoesMinis
for spelling