Dark Angels - First one in 4 years. Opinions and help?

[matt15595]

Basically these minis are 'finished' to en extent but I would like opinions on them and criticism.

Dug them out last week (4 years after quitting) and then painted them. Strangely I seem better now than when I quit...

I know the photography is terrible but I didnt have much time with the camera.


They're attached



Cheers!

 

[The_Demonic]

They're looking fine for after a 4 year break, but a few tips:
Thin your paints, water is fine if you are in an area with clean/mineral-free water. It'll Make your paintjobs a lot smoother.
Highlight to a brighter colour, sharp edge highlights on spacemarines look very good. The face also needs more highlighting, and the cream cloth could do with a wash to darken the recesses a bit.
Highlight your metals too, mithril silver or an equivalent as an edge highlight improves them, and especially on things like the chainmail a black wash will help a lot

You seem to have got the right idea, but you just need to push it a bit further.

Happy painting!

 

[matt15595]

So there's a few things a need to crack on with and a few questions!

Thinning the paints - is this to make the blending between shades better? I live in a hard-water area so any recommendations for thinning? Also shall redo the armour or just smooth out the highlights as they are?

Brighter highlights - on everything or just the armour?

Should I do a wash on the armour too?


Thanks!

 

[The_Demonic]

So there's a few things a need to crack on with and a few questions!

Thinning the paints - is this to make the blending between shades better? Yes, also if you use several layers of thinner paints rather than one layer of thick, the surface you end up with will be much smoother.
I live in a hard-water area so any recommendations for thinning? You can buy distilled water very cheaply, or get some acrylic thinner from somewhere
Also shall redo the armour or just smooth out the highlights as they are? The highlights seem to be in the right place, so you could just blend them in
Brighter highlights - on everything or just the armour? Everything- contrast is important, the black could be highlighted up to space wolves/fenrisian grey (assuming games workshop) , the armour up to almost white at the very edges like on this ( http://www.coolminiornot.com/153114?browseid=2902327 ) or this ( http://www.coolminiornot.com/313167?browseid=2902327 ), the cloth up to almost white and the flesh up to a much paler colour, also for flesh mixing in a tiny bit of blue with the pink tones is good, makes it look more realistic

Should I do a wash on the armour too? Doesn't look like the armour really needs a wash, you go down dark enough in the recesses as it is

Thanks! No problem, most people on this forum will be happy to help

You've come to exactly the right place for advice, this forum is full of people muuuuuch more knowledgeable than me who will be happy to help.