Sproket's Dark Eldar diorama

[Sproket]

Many thanks for the comments they have helped me to finally fix my ideas for the diorama.
I’d initially settled for a design with a smaller tree stump and spent a fair bit of time putting it all together.

To be honest I pretty much hated it on sight as I was making all the same mistakes over again. I needed to have the courage of my convictions and push the Dark Eldar element to the max. The tree had to go … I need more monoliths!

 

[Sproket]

Painting the Dark Eldar Monoliths/Spires 1 of 5

eee, there's lovely. In fact, it looked lovely before you took it apart, and now you have two lovelies The vertical nature of the new piece is very effective, and already gives the impression of spire-ossity. A few hellions and scourges flitting around it and you'll be laughing all the way to a Golden Daemon

How on earth did you do the stone effect? You said you used sculpey, but it's the weathering and general paint job that's impressing me the most. Was it airbrushed, or did you use pigments, or a general mish mash of techniques or what? I'd love to know (in fact, I'd love a tutorial, but since it's already made that may be a bit tricksy, I'd imagine.) Like yourself, I'm a big fan of the new dark eldar (and all things eldar, to be honest) and would love to make something of this nature, either as part of a diorama or (depending on time) as a tabletop terrain feature.

As I’d decided that the diorama needed another monolith I was able to take some pics of the progress so here is a Step by Step to painting the Dark Eldar Monoliths/Spires.
A general mish mash of techniques is probably the best description. The effect is built up in layers using mostly dry brushing and washes.
1. Base coat
Citadel Foundation Paints – Calthan Brown & Astronomican Grey. Basically any mid warm grey will do.

 

[Sproket]

Painting the Dark Eldar Monoliths/Spires 2 of 5

2. Dry Brush
Base coat + Vallejo Grey Primer.
An overall dry brushing with a lighter and slightly cooler version of the base colour. The aim is to bring out all the texture.

 

[Sproket]

Painting the Dark Eldar Monoliths/Spires 3 of 5

3.Wash
Citadel Colour Paints
Blazing Orange
Blazing Orange & Scorched Brown mix
Scorched Brown
I like to build up my washes with lots of layers so I dilute the colour right down and apply it in relatively thin coats. As I build up the intensity of colour I progressively darken the mix. I find this give me a fair amount of control on the overall finish.

 

[Sproket]

Painting the Dark Eldar Monoliths/Spires 4 of 5

4.Dry Brush
Base coat + Vallejo Grey Primer
A selective dry brushing to begin to emphasize the raised areas.

 

[Sproket]

Painting the Dark Eldar Monoliths/Spires 5 of 5

5.Highlight
Vallejo Grey Primer
I used grey primer because it was to hand & I’m lazy that way! Any light cool grey would do the job. The highlights are built up with thin applications of diluted colour until the desired intensity is reached. I also went in with some ink and refined the shadows/recesses.

 

[me_in_japan]

dude, you're a legend! Thank you so much for that step by step I'll be having a shotty at that myself, I reckon. Very much obliged to you, good sir

 

[Meph]

Rated for the step-by-step. That's a lovely job on that pillar. Simple techniques but lovingly applied. Nice!

 

[Sproket]

The new (new) diorama base

I can’t think of another mini painting/modeling project where I’ve had to revisit my ideas and rework things so much! I’m glad that I’ve persevered as the new base for my diorama is giving me the positive buzz for this project that’s been missing for a while.

For sure there is a lot to do (the minis not the least!) but this time it feels like I’ve got the tone and composition right for what I’m trying to achieve. I’ve set up a production line for icicles and have started testing out some options for snow. There are more Dark Eldar bits and bobs to add but I will be doing this cautiously and as a part of the overall composition. I don’t want to go overboard with the hooks and chains!

So here is the Diorama base as it currently stands. The elements are now all sculpted and assembled, bulk of the painting is done bar a few highlights and I’ve begun to build up some of the scenic details.

 

[me_in_japan]

It's looking great, but one thing that jumps out at me is the chain snares. They don't seem to be hanging straight down, and that throws the whole thing off. In terms of bitz, some skulls on spikes (as opposed to the spikes and skulls-not-on-spikes that you have currently ) would maybe push it in a kind of "trophy monument" kinda direction, where hellion gangs put the skulls of their latest kill to show off to each other.

Paint-wise, though. I can't fault it. Lovely tone and feeling. Can't wait to see where this goes

 

[Matt Cexwish]

Very Nice so far, Great Unusual Use of Colours... Very Clean and Alien Looking... Well done...

I would like to give you an advice on the Rocks and the Sculpted Parts in General... You are on a Great Way, but you could try not to make the Rocks look like Bubble Gum, but to keep their Edges nice and Sharp... The Problem with Sculpted Rocks is that they tend to "flow" back into a more relaxed shape, even after a couple of hours of curing... In order to achive a more realistic look you can use a Sharp Knife after it dried out well and sharpen the Edges (much like what you do when you Carve something... back into shape...)...

Besides that, the Chains should fall more realistically, but on the other hand it might be a Planet with less Gravity...?......

Keep on working, you don´t have to apply these changes on here (since that would mean to start over with the Sculpt...), but keep it in mind for future Projects...

Edit: I took another look and the Stone Work of the Alien Architecture might be okay with the Edges like that (after all they are Ancient and thus damaged by Wind and Rain...), but the Groundwork down below looks like Bubblegum... You could try applying additional Earth and Soil Effects on top of that (we have a Tutorial on massivevoodoo.com that shows working with real Earth to achieve a Great Result...)...

 

[10 ball]

Great painting - I agree with Matt about the chains - but the ground rocks could be volcanic so to give the rounded look. Anyway some great work here.

 

[Benihana]

You don't happen to go to UCD do you? I was walking to class today, came over a hill, and saw this:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/67085552@N00/6209186373/

I've been following this thread, so I was a bit shocked. If you haven't seen those, and want some more source material, I'd be happy to snap another photo or two!

Love it so far. I agree that it looks a bit volcanic at the bottom (especially in the third photo), so I think you're fine there. I agree with the hooks though, unless they are rope and there is evidence of wind elsewhere (cape blowing or whatever), it might be a hard sell.

Thanks for the tutorial! Looking forward to seeing more of this style in the future.

 

[Sproket]

Thanks for all the feed back guys it's given me plenty to think about.

It's looking great, but one thing that jumps out at me is the chain snares. They don't seem to be hanging straight down, and that throws the whole thing off. In terms of bitz, some skulls on spikes (as opposed to the spikes and skulls-not-on-spikes that you have currently ) would maybe push it in a kind of "trophy monument" kinda direction, where hellion gangs put the skulls of their latest kill to show off to each other.

Paint-wise, though. I can't fault it. Lovely tone and feeling. Can't wait to see where this goes

Very Nice so far, Great Unusual Use of Colours... Very Clean and Alien Looking... Well done...

I would like to give you an advice on the Rocks and the Sculpted Parts in General... You are on a Great Way, but you could try not to make the Rocks look like Bubble Gum, but to keep their Edges nice and Sharp... The Problem with Sculpted Rocks is that they tend to "flow" back into a more relaxed shape, even after a couple of hours of curing... In order to achive a more realistic look you can use a Sharp Knife after it dried out well and sharpen the Edges (much like what you do when you Carve something... back into shape...)...

Besides that, the Chains should fall more realistically, but on the other hand it might be a Planet with less Gravity...?......

Keep on working, you don´t have to apply these changes on here (since that would mean to start over with the Sculpt...), but keep it in mind for future Projects...

Edit: I took another look and the Stone Work of the Alien Architecture might be okay with the Edges like that (after all they are Ancient and thus damaged by Wind and Rain...), but the Groundwork down below looks like Bubblegum... You could try applying additional Earth and Soil Effects on top of that (we have a Tutorial on massivevoodoo.com that shows working with real Earth to achieve a Great Result...)...

Doh! The chains were stuck on when the monoliths were mounted at a different angle and I totally overlooked the fact that remounting the monoliths messed up the chains. Thankfully they were easy enough to remove so I'll see if I can remount them to hang in a more natural way. If not I'll have to make new chains.

I'm happy with the weathering on the monoliths. The idea being that they are so ancient that even the cracking and weathering has been weathered.

As for the rocks well yes I can see what your saying. I could try and claim that it's an attempt at a cooled lava effect but that would be a bit of a fib. I'm not too bothered as I've always intended that there will be further layers of scenic detail over the bare rock so I will be lessening the 'Bubblegum' effect. I think that he biggest problem is that by having all those rounded flowing forms in the rock right next to the more jagged looking slate the finished effect is neither one thing nor the other.
I've seen the massivevoodoo tutorials on using earth and to be honest was a bit skeptical. Well more fool me! I tried it out on a test piece and it gives a fantastic texture. I'm now in the process of adding some earth to the base and so far I'm really pleased with the results. It's a great tip - thanks.

You don't happen to go to UCD do you? I was walking to class today, came over a hill, and saw this:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/67085552@N00/6209186373/

Just goes to show that there is nothing new under the sun!
Or maybe Dark Elves have infiltrated UCD.

 

[Bloodhowl]

Doh! The chains were stuck on when the monoliths were mounted at a different angle and I totally overlooked the fact that remounting the monoliths messed up the chains. Thankfully they were easy enough to remove so I'll see if I can remount them to hang in a more natural way. If not I'll have to make new chains.

If you find you need to make new chains, why not just use a chain from a kid's costume jewelry necklace? There ain't nothing like the real thing, and you wouldn't have to worry about them not hanging right!

 

[me_in_japan]

If you find you need to make new chains, why not just use a chain from a kid's costume jewelry necklace? There ain't nothing like the real thing, and you wouldn't have to worry about them not hanging right!

seconded. Real chain (at the correct size) is great for stuff like that. One proviso is: it's a wee devil to paint, as it slips and moves around. I have yet to find a way around this, aside from splodging superglue all over it, and then, well, it's got superglue all over it, which is a whole other problem...

 

[Bloodhowl]

seconded. Real chain (at the correct size) is great for stuff like that. One proviso is: it's a wee devil to paint, as it slips and moves around. I have yet to find a way around this, aside from splodging superglue all over it, and then, well, it's got superglue all over it, which is a whole other problem...

I've never painted chain to the level Sproket is capable of, but how about keeping the chain tensioned between X-Acto X-tra hands, or pin it down to a cork board?

 

[Sproket]

Time for an update!
Having applied super glue and soil to the base I then had to work on it with some paint & pigments. I've also added a few pieces of bamboo root and some paper leaves to get a little plant life onto the base. There are more bits and bobs (and chains)to add as things develop. I will also add some snow & ice effects for which I'm testing out my options before slapping anything onto the base!

 

[greensamurai]

Love it, love the dark feel to it even thought it is quite a light piece. Will you be adding anything else to the base, looks like it is lacking something. Awesome though, can't wait to see it with mini's on it.

 

[Torn blue sky]

Top job, brilliant step by step, great composition, fantastic painting. Well done that man.