ChaiNs' attempts to learn how to paint

[ChaiNs]

Hey everyone,

I'm new to the hobby and I've been learning the ins and outs slowly. I've made two or three forays into painting, but this most recent one I've been taking seriously, going slowly and trying to get the techniques down.

I've completed two models from the Warmachine and Hordes range and am looking for feedback. Currently I'm focusing on learning blending techniques and getting a good colour scheme, so my painting isn't as clean and neat as it could be. I recently bought quality brushes with sharp tips so that should help me with cleanliness in the future. On to the models:

Here's my first test model, the argus. I know you CMON painters can pick a thousand holes in my technique. I'm new so don't hold anything back; I need all the learning and references you can throw at me!

Next up is my gorax. I always thought he looked like Blanca so I based my scheme off of him. I tried something new with the armor to get rid of the generic green and gold look. I ended up liking the mixture of gold/silver with purple/silver, but I feel the metals on both models seriously lack definition. I highlighted the silver trim with brighter silver metallics, but I couldn't see any transition with my naked eye. The area I'd like advice on the most is how to paint metallics well. I'd like to steer clear of NMM until I'm more skilled at painting in general. Any other feedback is also greatly appreciated.

Thanks so much for looking and again, give me all the criticism you can. I'm slow, I'm new, and I'm learning, so any advice you can give me is appreciated!

 

[ChaiNs]

Hi again everyone, I hope bumping isn't an issue on the forum. I'm about to start my next model, and I'd love to get some advice (especially on my metallic work) before I make the same mistakes twice. Any and all feedback is appreciated =)

 

[PegaZus]

Sorry, don't really have much criticism. Looks solid for a new painter. I think the most common refrain could apply, work on the contrast between highlights and shadows. And I still don't get that right anyway.

 

[TrystanGST]

Yep. Contrast. The green on the wolfdog looks a bit faded next to the gold. You've got smooth coats and clean lines, so just work on taking the colors a step or two beyond where you're inclined to stop.

 

[alim192]

heres some links to some blogs which have tutorials on how to progress on your painting

massive voodoo
http://massivevoodoo.blogspot.co.uk/2009/10/tutorial-overview.html

Volomir's blog
http://volomir.blogspot.co.uk/p/library.html

Sproket
http://sproketsmallworld.blogspot.co.uk/

Some of the techniques might be a bit to advanced for you at the moment, but they can give you a good idea on learning the basics. The sproket blog you will need to go through his posts as he gives you a lot of tips about nmm techniques and stippling, hope this helps.

 

[Dragonsreach]

OK I'm going to use the Argus here as my primary discussion point about the metals.
As with all model paints you need to thin them down with water. Metallic paints can look rubbish at first but you do need to allow several thin coats drying between each to get good coverage without losing detail on the model
Now for the Argus there are a number of areas where there are indentations which would benefit from darker tones of the main gold/brass colour, one of the simplest ways is to do the primary coats of gold/brass and then work a highly diluted darker colour into these areas (Sometimes called a wash or glaze). Don't flood the area always remember Less is More.
As for highlighting well this is where observation of real life comes in try to look on a reasonably bright day at things like Car Hub caps or Namebadges and see how the lightest points are broken up across the letters. That's the same effect you want to consider on the armour.
As for the Green areas I'd suggest that you create a Darkline between the gold and the green with a very dark brown then work the green back up to a highlighted colour towards the centre of the Armour.

Good luck .