first attempt...need help

[larrym]

In an attempt to demonstrate that I have no shame or ability, here\'s a photo of my first figure...ever. I learned only after the fact that maybe starting with an all white figure might not have been the most brainy thing to do but...

Anyways, I\'m wondering if at least one of you patient souls might tell me what I need to do to bring this figure to life. I\'ve chased white and gray washes back and forth til I\'m about to go mad and all I\'m doing is adding paint thickness javascript:icon(\'\')


http://woodnbits.com/Gandalf_the_white.jpg

Cheers --- Larry
http://www.woodnbits.com

 

[Shawn R. L.]

If this is your first, your\' doing quite well. If I had to comment I would say, do some MINOR highlighting and on the face, hands, boots, staff. Increas the contrast (darken the shadows) of the robe JUST A BIT. I mean, your real close now. Nothing jumps out at me as \'wrong\'. In the robe shadows mabey try addind JUST A BIT of blue or brown to the grey. Keep doing what your already doing. Good luck.:bouncy:

 

[Klute]

As it is its a very good first attempt.
Im assuming you have read up on the \"basics\" of mini painting.
Washes can be pretty hap hazard and patchy which will show up on a figure like this.You already know white is notoriously hard to paint.
Ive done this mini myself and if I was to do it again I would go for a white primer then a tan basecoat on the inner clothing layering up to white and a grey basecoat on the outer clothing layering up to white.
This would make them both white but with a difference.
Other than that more contrast on the skin.
Getting technical do some freehand around the edges of the clothing,all tones of white of course.
Dont do the eyes,if I remember right they arnt sculpted on this mini much.
Keep it up,good start.

 

[DanseMacabre]

This is really a good first figure, as you said the white is not one of the easiest color to start but as your first mini you must be very happy!
i agree with the advice of Shawn, but be very careful with the highlights if you\'re not sure about the color make some try on a piece of cardboard. I think the only thing you need is to practice.
Good luck.

 

[Trevor]

Looks good, this is a really difficult figure to do. I\'d be interested to see what you can do with soemthing with some colours in it.

 

[larrym]

Originally posted by Shawn R. L.
MINOR highlighting and on the face, hands, boots, staff. Increas the contrast (darken the shadows) of the robe JUST A BIT.

I\'ll try to do this but I confess to sort of stumbling along. In fact, I\'ve tried to darken the shadows and I can\'t seem to get the right mix or something as I either turn the whole thing gray or do mostly nothing at all

 

[larrym]

Originally posted by Klute
As it is its a very good first attempt.
Im assuming you have read up on the \"basics\" of mini painting.

Ha...it seems that all I do is read and stare at photos of great figures. In fact, I came across a note from someone that said the way to be a productive painter is to never look at figures online. It made me laugh as I certainly haven\'t been a productive painter

Originally posted by Klute
Ive done this mini myself and if I was to do it again I would go for a white primer then a tan basecoat on the inner clothing layering up to white and a grey basecoat on the outer clothing layering up to white.
This would make them both white but with a difference.

Great idea. I think I\'ll try adding a bit of brown to the shadows. To be honest, I\'m a little tired of fighting with the white and might just chalk it up as a lesson in humility

Cheers --- Larry

 

[larrym]

Originally posted by Trevor
I\'d be interested to see what you can do with soemthing with some colours in it.

I\'ve started painting a Halidir elf archer which has some moe color. The struggle this evening is in trying ot paint the only slightly raised gold filigree on the bow and quiver. I\'ve tried a couple times and failed miserably so I\'m hoping that the third time will be the charm but I\'m not hopeful

I have to say that in spite of the frustrations over my lack of ability, I\'m really enjoying the process. I\'ve been a modeler for a long time but I\'m better at building things than I am at the artistic side of things.

Thanks to all for your comments. I\'m sure enjoying this website and all the talent here.

Cheers --- Larry
http://www.woodnbits.com

 

[Trevor]

Wash it with brown or chesnut ink, no need to highlight.

 

[Shawn R. L.]

Take the above advice and, sorry to say it, PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE. It\'s hard but there is really no substitute. I don\'t know who said it but I like the quote- \'there is no royal road to knowlege\'.................practice................

 

[Klute]

For the filigree if you need to highlight it then use the side of your brush instead of the tip.Same technique is good for hair.
Put Gandalf down to experience and get on with the next.Grab some cheap minis to practice on that you dont mind making a mess on,saves stripping the good uns.

 

[larrym]

Originally posted by Klute
For the filigree if you need to highlight it then use the side of your brush instead of the tip.Same technique is good for hair.
Put Gandalf down to experience and get on with the next.Grab some cheap minis to practice on that you dont mind making a mess on,saves stripping the good uns.

Good advice all. I\'ve tried the side of the brush thing and there I think my problem is how thick/thin to have the paint and I\'ve just got to do more experimenting with that.

I agree about moving on but figure that I can also learn some by futzing with this Gandalf the White figure too. I might want to paint white again some day

As for the cheap minis, I\'ve got some Reaper figures on the way and I bought some Halidar archers too. That said, I spent the day playing Combat Hex Lord of the Rings so I didn\'t do any painting
:]

 

[Shawn R. L.]

This is some really good advice.............Put it down for a while. Watch a movie, go for a walk, paint something else. Come back to it in about a week. Sometimes a break is NEEDED.