Harlequin Solitaire

[ThinWhiteDuke]

So, I just started painting a few months ago. I have initially painted in a quite gritty style, this in my first shot at a more "clean" look. I really like the lightness of the Harlequins, so why not ... Please give feedback, as it'll help me when I move on.


Pic quality = iPhone + ordinary desk top lamp, hope it's ok ...

 

[MAXXxxx]

hmm.... again no pic (seems to happen to most everyone who just starts). please edit the post by: remove image readd image. that usually does the trick.

 

[ThinWhiteDuke]

Well if there are no images it's not easy to have an opinion

I tried adding them as attachment, does it work?

 

[MrJim]

Pics are showing up now.

 

[Rothskin]

Hello! I think you need use more layers for this miniature. And there is a big place in his cloak, you can take something there. Like check or some lines. Use some wash for the metal parts , the badab black is what can help maybe. I think you need some practice, see the article index in cmon.

 

[ten ball]

You are jumping to soon/harsh from the mid colours to the highlights. You need to increase your layers by adding more steps on the colours. As rothskin says you can control your metals with washes/glazes.

 

[ThinWhiteDuke]

Thanks for all this! Seems consensus is I need to work on my layering, and I couldn't agree more. In fact, I was actually trying to achieve a more toning effect on the cape, from Kador Blue at the center fold behind his/her behind, and towards Alaitoc Blue at the edge. The transition was made in several layers, step by step blending in the lighter blue. However, the edges between the different layers became too sharp, so I tried to smooth the transition with Drakenhof Nightshade mixed with Lahmian medium (1:3) in several layers. And this in the end pretty much screwed the transition up ... I think I'll try wetblending next time.

Metals: I experimented with shading with Druchii Violet (I think it show) but perhaps I could've gone with a deeper shade?

As I wrote, I've really just started painting (this is the first model I've tried to do with a more "clean" look, I've mainly played around with a grittier style before) so I'm very much into experimenting and learning. All suggestions are welcome!

 

[Rothskin]

Just paint and paint! You can try this: priming with a black spray, and use a white spray wher the light come, and you can do better shadows. Post the next pics! 8)

 

[ThinWhiteDuke]

Post the next pics! 8)

Will do

 

[MrJim]

That sucks about the GW shade. You really have to thin their stuff down a lot if you are going to use it as a glaze. I see a lot of complaints about GW's prices being high, but if you thin it down to the consistency and pigment levels of other brands (and where it needs to be for good results) it's not that high. I look at their stuff as paint concentrate. When I open a GW paint, I add about 25% more fluid to it (a blend of distilled water, flow aid, and retardant) and still have to dilute it 50/50 for base coating and even more for layering (or to get it to the consistency of Model Color right out of the bottle)

Also, if you are using GW stuff you will get better results using the Guilliman's Blue Glaze than you will using their shades as a glaze. (a lot less pigment to water down)

Another thing you might want to try that I use all the time, is to get a piece of gator foam. (heavy plastic coated foam core) I have a piece that I primed with black on one side and white on the other. I use it to test different paints, layers, and effects on to see how they work before trying something on one of my minis. Currently I am painting diamonds on it to make sure I have it down so I don't mess up my Harlequin troupe. Once the board gets to looking like a paint palette, I just scrub it clean and hit it with another coat of primer.

 

[ThinWhiteDuke]

Thanks for this! Thinning down the pain is something I've found difficult earlier, when I thinned it with water. Once I started using GW's Lahmian medium it turned a lot easier. (With water the paint's surface tension made it "blobby".) Good idea with pre-thinning!

I use to practice on my palette, but then without primer. Or on a piece of sprue. Gator foam sounds lika a good idea, though.

Curious to see you murder clowns!