Battle at the Black Gates Finished 15/08

Dead Marsh Spectre · **Posted:** Fri Jul 18, 2014 6:33 pm

Smooth Mally - looks great!

Harfoot · **Posted:** Fri Jul 18, 2014 7:09 pm

Ahhhhh, the Trolls escaped the baby chair!!!

Great work Mally :-)

Gandlaf the Grey · **Posted:** Fri Jul 18, 2014 8:56 pm

Thanks guys. I completely re worked the green cloth as I wasn't happy with my first effort.
I tried a true metallic metal that I have to admit I'm pleased with. The photos haven't quiet picked it out. There are lots of glazes to build up the metal as you see it.

Dead Marsh Spectre · **Posted:** Fri Jul 18, 2014 9:03 pm

The glazes are visible. That is the smoothness to which i was referring. Excellent metal work. I should have been clearer.

Amy · **Posted:** Fri Jul 18, 2014 9:07 pm

Looks great as always Gandlaf!

Sithious · **Posted:** Fri Jul 18, 2014 9:11 pm

I love the hints of color in the metal, it gives a mood to him, almost eerie. This mood is enhanced by the sickly green you have used in these pics. All of this plays against the flesh color to make a very interesting piece. Very well done, will be awesome once he is at home getting threatened by the eagle and Aragorn.

I am starting a game where every time you suggest Purple glazes for shading everyone takes a drink. No regurgitations.

Gandlaf the Grey · **Posted:** Sat Jul 19, 2014 7:05 am

D.M.S wrote:

The glazes are visible. That is the smoothness to which i was referring. Excellent metal work. I should have been clearer.

I'm pleased you can see them and no need to worry Kev

Sithious wrote:

I love the hints of color in the metal, it gives a mood to him, almost eerie. This mood is enhanced by the sickly green you have used in these pics. All of this plays against the flesh color to make a very interesting piece. Very well done, will be awesome once he is at home getting threatened by the eagle and Aragorn.

I am starting a game where every time you suggest Purple glazes for shading everyone takes a drink. No regurgitations.

I get your pint....
On a serious note I have been looking a lot at cold and warm colours and how to use them. For example, I've been using yellows to highlight the greens and browns on the troll, where they are in sunlight. Yet shading these colours with greens, blues and yes you guessed it purple.
What this should show is good transition between light and shade.
I have been trying to pass this on to others, but maybe I've gone a bit too far.

Dead Marsh Spectre · **Posted:** Sat Jul 19, 2014 9:00 am

Gandlaf the Grey wrote:

Purple

Burp!! I can't handle this game :rofl:

Joking aside. Can't wait to see the finished piece.

Sithious · **Posted:** Sat Jul 19, 2014 11:53 am

I didn't mean to poke fun. I hang out with artists all the time (My room mate has art I galleries and sell work, and designs graphics for all sorts of organizations. So I know full well what you are talking about with colors. And I know you are trying to spread the word. It is great. I have read articles and even watched video's where many of those principles are mentioned, applying them is not always easy. For example even if I was sitting at a table across from you watching you apply a glaze I would still be hesitant as to if I could apply it as well on my own model to achieve the same results you are attaining.
I think you are inspiring us, myself included, and it just may be a little while before I get the guts to try the advice on my own.

Gandlaf the Grey · **Posted:** Sat Jul 19, 2014 1:26 pm

Better to try and regret than think what if......

Sithious · **Posted:** Sat Jul 19, 2014 1:46 pm

Would you say it takes much longer to build up a series of glazes to get a good result over just shading using a brown or darker hue of the base color? I know from an artistic approach and final result they look different but is the painting time so much longer that it is noticeable? I only ask because I have limited time, at least until my little one is a bit older, and professional instructors don't really cover this. Watching a pro apply paint they do it rather quick and get good results and the thin layers do dry fast, so just wondering your thoughts on this process as you have progressed into it.

Gandlaf the Grey · **Posted:** Sat Jul 19, 2014 3:06 pm

The first thing is to get your paint consistency right, too thin and it takes forever, too think and it gets blotchy. Try this
http://www.reapermini.com/Thecraft/15
It does take longer and the extent you want to go to depicts the time it takes.
For example - I spent about 3 hours doing the armour and sword on my troll.
The whole figure, maybe 10-12 hours but that is with completely re working the cloth.
I also messed up some glazes by having them too thin, that seriously impacted on the time.
I am also a slow painter, so my timing could be double of some others. I like to take my time and try to get it right. It is all about the finish for me as I'm trying to get better.

Gandlaf the Grey · **Posted:** Wed Jul 30, 2014 6:50 pm

Here is Aragorn. Not the best of sculpts as the hands didn't fit properly and I had to get the green stuff out.
I've tried to work on highlighting black a bit better than I previously have and although it's an improvement it still isn't what I would call great.

The final part is upon me now, just the base to work out and put together.

Sithious · **Posted:** Thu Jul 31, 2014 3:06 am

Looks great.
I hate painting Black. I have made a couple of good ones, but it is tedious to balance how much to highlight while keeping it black. Also playing with warm greys and cool greys depending on the model, I prefer warm greys to paint for sure. So I think what you have done here is great, doesn't go too bright yet allows for accents of the fold details and doesn't detract from the focus of the model which is the face.
I didn't like this sculpt either, that is why I painted the mounted version and left this one in a clam pack of other models and bits to get too some other day.
In the end I would say this is a really good version and you make me think the model is better than those first impressions I had of it. That is a plus.

Son of Fundin · **Joined:** Thu Sep 26, 2013 7:04 pm **Posts:** 258

Hi Gandlaf, again a lovely miniature! I hate painting black, but you've definately done a great job!

The transitions on the whole model are as alway very smooth. For my taste the metal is just a little flat.

I am really looking forward to the finished diorama!

Gandlaf the Grey · **Posted:** Thu Jul 31, 2014 8:26 pm

Thanks Bennett
What you don't see is the tunic is a very dark green. I wanted some difference between this and the rear of the cloak.
For some reason the photo has killed the metal. It is much better than the photo suggests. I have no idea how this happened but I will look into it.
I have started work on the base today. I've cut out an MDF base and cast some rock face pieces. These have been glued in place and covered the outside with card.
I've even managed to paint this black and start with a sand covering on the top.
It's slowly taking shape.
The overall base size I've limited to 6"x 3".

Harfoot · **Posted:** Thu Jul 31, 2014 9:49 pm

Niceley painted, look forward to seeing the diorama, 6"x3" should be interesting

Fëanor, the mighty elf · **Posted:** Fri Aug 01, 2014 8:14 am

Beautiful! Aragorn looks magnificent. Just like he walked right out of the movie. :yay:

Aulë, the Valar · **Posted:** Fri Aug 01, 2014 3:24 pm

Beautifully painted Aragorn!!
I think the highlights on black are just right too.

mertaal · **Posted:** Fri Aug 01, 2014 4:08 pm

Keep up the fabulous work!

Battle at the Black Gates Finished 15/08

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