question regarding display paint jobs

[rokkin]

Allright it might come off a bit silly but I went to my local GW this weekend and had a glimpse at the very nice paintjobs out for display..
One thing that struck me was that they seemed to almost be surrounded by some kind of haze, maybe one of you could describe how to achieve this look?
It feels like I can probably mix myself to the colour they were using but it doesnt get that hazey look?

do they mix in something in their paints(a secret medium :shut-mouth or do they just play the colorfulness?

happy painting!

 

[Webmonkey]

As for the models you observed,.. can you post some pics of exactly what you mean? There are several different simulated lighting effects,.. it would help narrow the field down a bit if you have some pics to show. Plus, it'll make sure that we are all talking about the same thing.

 

[MAXXxxx]

I second webmonkey's request.
I've read your post 3 times and still have no idea what you mean.

 

[MAXXxxx]

please give some examples. We'd really want to help, but I for one have absolutely no idea what you mean with the "hazy look".

 

[shponglefan]

Just a guess, but I'm wondering if the OP is talking about smoothly blended paints? I.e., where the gradation from light to dark is continual as opposed to stark contrast?

That can result in a "softer", more illustration-style look to the mini.

 

[rokkin]

yes, that could be it, like shponglefan said, if I were to pick something here on the site like these http://www.coolminiornot.com/270042?browseid=9725592 or http://www.coolminiornot.com/239353?browseid=9725592

 

[AndyG]

That's just smooth blending lots of layers or possibly wet on wet blending.

 

[Webmonkey]

Going with the chaos warrior example,.. let's take the green shoulder pads for example. In this case, I would likely start with a base color of the underlying lime green across the whole surface. Then add a bit of my darker color (a red or brown, both of which will have a "browning" effect on the green) to the same green (just a little,.. just enough to change it ever so slightly). Then you paint a thin layer (almost translucent) over a slightly smaller area of the surface. Then you adjust the color again,.. and again,.. paint a slightly smaller area,.. and again,.. and again,.. and again. When it's done, you'll have the brighter green out at the edges and corners, and it will gradually "fade" to the darker color that you see at the apex of the shoulder pad.

Don't be discouraged. Your first few times out, you are likely to get obvious "steps" in the paint between one color and the next. But with a little time and practice, you'll eventually get the transitions to smooth out.

Alternatively, you can do this process in reverse,.. the metal knee pad for example. You can start with the darkest metal color you have, then add a small bit of white,.. paint in a slightly smaller area,.. more little white,.. a little smaller of an area,.. a little more white,.. a little smaller area,.. etc. The process is the same, only that you are shifting from light to dark,.. or dark to light changes. Knowing which process to use when, is a matter of time, experience, and of course,.. personal preference.

Remember,.. there is no "wrong" way to paint.

(But then again,.. compared to most of these guys,.. I'm a total hack!!! So you may want to take my advice with a grain of salt)