New painter looking for advice!

[WeylandBlack]

So I recently posted a couple of my latest miniatures. I'm pretty proud of how they turned out but I'm not so foolish to think they can't look better. Here are the links:

http://www.coolminiornot.com/350354?browseid=8068352
http://www.coolminiornot.com/350355?browseid=8068352

So, I'm working on getting tools to remove mould lines but I don't have any yet (or know really how to use them very well), so these have mould lines still. Other than that, I've been painting with Citadel paints, using a variety of brushes. Any suggestions, comments, questions, or general conversation would be very appreciated! Thanks very much!

 

[Dragonsreach]

Welcome aboard!:clap: We do like fresh meat...er victims.

Looking at the two examples you've posted I see you've already got neatness and pretty much covered thinned paints (pun intended). I'd suggest that the next steps would be developing greater tonal nuances and slower developments into the highlights.
Now both your postings are highlighting blue which can be a pretty unforgiving colour for highlighting but working the colours up in stages will give a better result.
So where you'd have paints 1,2,3 try 1,1+2,2,2+3,3 as the next step and if you find that works for you increase the intermediate steps (ie, 1,1+1\2 2, 1+2,...etc)

 

[brib4169]

For mold lines I prefer a simple 9mm snap blade utility knife. Olfa is the brand I see a lot of, but they are all the same. Find one that feels comfortable. Olfa does have some extra sharp replacement blades (they are black) that I really like. A lot of people use a #11 xacto /scalpel. They are very sharp and very pointy. It is very easy to slip and cut yourself or your model. I scrape my seams instead of shave them (hope that makes sense). So the xacto doesn't work well for me. Files and fine grit sand paper are also a very popular option. To work on your technique, use a chunk of sprue. It usually has a mold line on it somewhere. A piece with corners and angles would probably work even better.