EDIT #2 Photos above show results of alcohol used to fix pigments to the model. Additional silver paint chipping was added as well
* EDIT Better color on the photos above. Added color to interior of coat.
I am about half way through putting my NOVA Narrative Death Korps of Krieg force together, and decided to paint up a test miniature. These miniatures are tremendously difficult to paint due to their small size. Knowing that, I thought a good strategy would be to desaturate the colors. My initial critique is that I should have painted the interior of the coat a contrasting color so it shows up better. Other than that, I am on the fence with the scheme. It looks dirty and dusty which seems realistic to me, but it also lacks the visual pop that normal goes with GW armies. The army will have two additional colors that may make things a little more dramatic. Vehicles will be painted a greenish color covered in dirt. Interiors will be green-white. The army colors will be orange and white, which will appear on flags, vehicle markings, and some infantry models. Do I proceed, or is it time to go back to the drawing board?
1st EDIT: Added white/grey to interior of coat (a little sloppy but the idea comes through)
Its good and will make for quick nice looking models. The desaturated colors work well with the fluff and make "mistakes" easier to hide. You can always add more contrast with some dark lining if you really want to define them more but that would negate and time you have saved. Maybe save that for Characters :)
ReplyDeleteI don't think these guys could be anything but grimmy and dirty.
ReplyDeleteYou could always try a mini up saturated as a test, then if you don't like the way he looks, bring him back down with some glazes and washes.
I just tried painting the interior of the coat a solid green-grey-white color. It looks weird. All of the sudden the guy looks like he is walking around with a white flag in the shape of a triangle attached to his legs.
ReplyDeleteI am going to try and implement both of your suggestions. I am going to paint a stronger green on the coat, and then tone it back afterwards. I just think the steel legion drab sprayed on the legs hid too much detail. The leg armor looks almost like the boots right now, even though small dents and scratches can be seen. I forgot to mention that maroon is the DKoK transfer sheet color, so there will be Maroon markings on the field guns and bombards.
I have 30 Death Riders to paint as well. I am guessing that they will take 40 hours to point, so I need to save time wherever I can.
Looking good. Are they up for auction at Nova ? Reference the pigments I have found the best rule is to disregard the instructions and apply them almost wet. They should dry within a minute in which time you can move it about.
ReplyDeleteThanks! These are for my personal IG army, though I suppose I could paint up some for charity. I've been waiting years to do this one, so it is a bit of a struggle to finally commit to a paint job.
DeleteI think the color theme works, because the most interesting and distinctive feature, the gas mask, stands out from the rest of the miniature.
ReplyDeleteI would just edge highlight the gun, to help it stand out as a recognizable element.
Maybe add a touch of color somewhere, too, say, a red icon or badge or insignia somewhere.
The gun is not even painted. That is just primer and over spray. It is weirdly consistent though. Maybe I will just edge highlight it and call it a day. :)
DeleteI really like the look of the model. It has a more realistic tone than "normal" 40k armies. I especially like the helmet with the rust and chips. I think it will make a very interesting army and that it will stand our just because it is painted in a more subdued tone. Also, any vehicles and other larger equipment added will help with the details and the over all look. Your standard of painting so high that I don't think the details are lost even with uneven colour fields, weathering etc.
ReplyDeleteI appreciate the comments. I just painted up another test model that adds a little more color to the mix. It still gritty, and I kept the dents and dirt/rust, but I added stronger blues and stronger greens. I am still concerned that the models are so small and the colors are hard to make out even in bright light.
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