my first CMON submission

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iLikeSpoons

New member
Greetings to everyone here!

I finnaly got my dirty paws on a digital camera, so I\'m going to document every mini I do! the first one I have photographed is a recently finished wolfen warrior. He is part of a large (15ish) commision of wolfen and they all have to be \"really dark\" :( I usually do my minis in light colors, so this is a bit of a drag for me. Anyway, he\'s supposed to look like a bulldog - black back and brownish front and snout. the weapon should look like a stone blade, and the chains and the rest of the metal is an attempt at NMM.
it\'s at:
http://www.coolminiornot.com/95302

so, please look at it and comment/criticise

EDIT: also added - his big brother:
http://www.coolminiornot.com/95305
 
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supervike

Super Moderator
Welcome, Ilikespoons. (I prefer forks, but not for soup!)

I like both of your miniatures, I commented and voted on both. I\'d suggest getting some matte varnish (testors dullcoat preferably) to help with the glossiness. I like the color scheme on both.
 
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iLikeSpoons

New member
Thanks for taking the time :D

actually, they are coated in matte varnish (acrylic matte varnish from rembrandt or somesuch art supply manufacturer), I just had to focus a LOT of light on it since it\'s so dark. Without the light, it looks like a dark blob with jewlery :(
Anyway, the next few doggies are going to be a bit lighter, so :flip:
 
airhead

airhead

Coffin Dodger / Keymaster
OK, if they are matted well and you are having to use that much light on them, you need to check out the link in my sig (the yellow writting that says I have a brain or something). Also check out the articles section here on photo work.

You can build a lite tent like the one in the link for about $10 with a window sheer or you can buy one on ebay for $25 or so if you wait and watch.

Keep painting and posting.
 
Einion

Einion

New member
I like spoons too but I think sporks are a little more versatile :D

Your paintwork looks nicely done well blended but your photos aren\'t doing you any favours - a bit more clarity, a little larger and less gloss will all help.

Originally posted by iLikeSpoons
actually, they are coated in matte varnish (acrylic matte varnish from rembrandt or somesuch art supply manufacturer)
Click to expand...
Most matt varnishes like this aren\'t quite as matt as those like Dullcote (more likely to be satin as others would define it).

If this is the case see if you can find some Tamiya flat base, by adding a little of this you can make even a gloss varnish dead matt, although the best results are achieved by airbrushing instead of applying by brush.

Originally posted by iLikeSpoons
I just had to focus a LOT of light on it since it\'s so dark.
Click to expand...
As airhead mentioned already if you diffuse your light you\'ll get a lot less apparent gloss when you photograph so it\'s well worth making the effort. This is one of the reasons I like to take photos in daylight on overcast days, you get naturally-diffuse light :)

Einion
 
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tzor

New member
It\'s not bad for your first photograph. I generally find that painting minis is pure skill. (Which I freely admit I only have a modicum of.) Taking digital mini photographs is something that requires knowlege and perspetive.

Glare is a major problem. Gloss coat, dull coat ... I get glare white outs from using inks. You have to get a general bright light effect without getting the pinpoint nature of most light sources. (In otherwords bright diffused light from multiple directions.)

I also find shdows to be a second major problem of light sources ... I\'ve seen some minis that I have taken with black areas as though I\'ve completely missed a spot and the black primer is showing through. I look at the mini and I see paint. When you have three dimensional objects already with their own shading / highlight effects a lightsource can be your worst enemy.
 
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iLikeSpoons

New member
Hey all, thanks for the replies... I\'m going to try and take some more photos tonight, then upload them in a few days.

concerning the varnish - now that I look at them up close, there is some sheen and it does look a bit \"satiny\" - the problem is that noone around here sells tamya products or dullcote, so I\'ll have to improvise...

will post when I get better photos...

wish me luck
 
Z

ZeCorto

Guest
Good job on those doggies, I concur with the matte comments.
And I\'m afraid to tell you: \"There is no spoon\" :D
 
D

Drake Farstrider

New member
Well it is clear that you can paint. The picture is reall yholding these down, fix that and you got yourself a winner. I like the darker tones that you gave the wolfen. It is nice not so see them in just greys. :D I look forward to seeing more of your stuff.
 
M

MClimbin

New member
I agree that you got some good paintin\' skills. :D

One thing you might want to try for killing the shine is a bottle of Vallejo Matte Varnish. You can order it online from whatever company sells Vallejo paints, brush it on and Voila! No more shine.

The cool thing about Vallejo is that you get to learn some Spanish while you are at it (Barniz mate = matte varnish). :D
 
mickc22

mickc22

Granddad!
Nice spoons!
...Looking pretty good so far, get the lighting sorted and the detail will pop out
heres a light tent on eBay. It\'s just an example he\'s got loads of different sizes too
(haven\'t personally traded with the guy, but at these price I may be tempted myself)
 
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