Simple model; complex technique?

[Xtapl]

So...

I have, sitting in front of me, about 60 Games Workshop wolves (the ones that come with Goblin Wolf Riders). Since they make up the bulk of my army, I don\'t exactly want to go the \"drybrush grey/drybrush white\" route, since that will look kind of amatuerish when the judges come around to judge painting.

So, what I\'m looking for are ideas for how to paint wolves that give them more depth/detail/make them stand out more.

The models are EXTREMELY simple. That\'s kind of the problem. No little bits and bobs to pick out and triple highlight or anything.

How do you take the simplest models and jazz them up?

 

[t_haye2]

use two different wolf-tones, grey/black/white and the brown/tan/yellowy thingy. now the trick with GW wolf fur is to drybrush the first highlight, then pick out the fur with a small brush for the second and third...Don\'t forget to use ink glazes inbetween the stages though, that\'s what gives them their depth....
Anyway, don\'t let me dictate you, this is just how I would do it....

 

[Xtapl]

Thanks for the suggestions, Tammy.

Do you have any suggestions on a color palette? I was thinking scorched/bestial/vermin might work, with a tiny bit of bleached bone in the final highlight, and working chestnut ink as the glaze medium (well, maybe starting with brown ink, and switching to chestnut on the higher highlight levels)...

 

[Sand Rat]

Did a quick google search and came up with this --
http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=sunsite.tus.ac.jp/multimed/pics/animals/wolves-09.gif&imgrefurl=http://sunsite.tus.ac.jp/multimed/pics/animals/&h=600&w=800&sz=280&tbnid=0UlTC3JKNzIJ:&tbnh=106&tbnw=141&start=2&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dwolves%26hl%3Den%26lr%3D%26ie%3DUTF-8%26oe%3DUTF-8%26sa%3DN

some really nice shots - while they dont give a color pallette they give some ideas.

Edit - the shots on that page are in alphabetical order - and there are a bunch of other animals besides wolves there.

 

[Dragonsreach]

Try doing a quick general search online on wolves for ideas on the colours. I\'m no expert on wloves but I seem to remember that they range more to wards the grey with natural tan in places. (not much help I\'m afraid to say.)
The pallette that you are suggesting might work, but also consider using Dark Flesh/ Bestial Brown/ Vermin fur, as an alternate.
But following Tammy\'s lead I would also suggest that you allow the muscle shape to dictate the highlights and let the hollows stay slightly darker.

 

[t_haye2]

for browny tan wolves this is my fave: scorched Brown basecolour, go up to Vermin brown, then add in bleached bone, using flesh Wash glazes in between the stages...... i love flesh wash, best ink Gw makes imho...

 

[KingM]

*points at avatar*


The best thing I can suggest is to have a variety of colours, perhaps about 4 types if you have 60 wolves to do, it\'ll make them look a lot more interesting, and more natural

Perhaps using a different tone for the tops of the backs and top of the head would give you the greater variety you want