PoW's WIP: 6/16/2022 Khazad Guard

Gandlaf the Grey · **Posted:** Sat Mar 07, 2015 5:09 pm

It's usually best starting from a rich brown like bestial brown.

PowerofWill · **Posted:** Mon Mar 09, 2015 3:35 pm

Thanks everyone! @Harfoot, it is indeed non-metalic. i also @Ridgeback, Gandalf the Grey got it exactly right, I used Bestial Brown as my basecoat. I did change things up a little bit and shaded it a little bit with a mixture of Bestial Brown and Dark Flesh. Normally I just go straight from bestial brown, but I wanted a to create a little more contrast.

I did not get any painting done this last week unfortunately, but I'll try and get something done this week.

-PoW

PowerofWill · **Posted:** Thu Mar 12, 2015 4:30 am

So as I was about to begin working on this model some more, I looked at the armor again, and immediately hated it. Now, it looks alright in the picture, but in real life, I find it hard to look at. The main problem is the blending, or lack thereof. I think part of the problem too is that I wasn't completely sure how I wanted it to look, which led to many stupid mistakes. I must have been really tired by the time I finished painting it because normally I don't even bother posting a picture if it's this bad. I honestly don't think I'll be able to fix it, at least not in this month and still get the others done. Speaking of which, I'm going to be gone all of next week which is a huge chunk of painting time, so I'll be lucky if I get one miniature finished by the end of this month. I think what I'm going to do is forget about the easterling for now and move on to one of the haradrim warriors. I have some cool ideas for them, and hopefully I can finish it by the end of the month.

Sorry for the monologue, I just thought I'd let you all know what's going on.

-PoW

Sikano · **Joined:** Wed Jan 14, 2015 6:28 am **Posts:** 76

My favorite thing about these WIP threads is looking back to when they started. You have made major strides in your skills. Example: The first dwarf you posted and the Easterling you just posted have similar armor shading. This one is obviously a much better showcase of skill. Awesome job!

Gandlaf the Grey · **Posted:** Thu Mar 12, 2015 9:34 am

It is one of the issues with photography, it can give a false impression of what the real life figure is like.
I have looked at some and can clearly make out photoshopping and all its variations. Personally, I have adjusted some white balance on my camera, purely to try and show what I am looking at, but that's it, my skills are limited in that area.
I would be surprised if this figure was beyond repair, some mid tone work will help bring the blends in. I always like a couple of all over glazes of a mid tone to bring the transition together before pushing the shade and highs.
Good luck mate And hurry back.

PowerofWill · **Posted:** Sun Mar 29, 2015 10:46 pm

If I have time I have time I may try and fix it. Meanwhile, here's what I have for this month's challenge.

I'm really liking it so far, I just hope I can finish it in time. The only problem is that I got it glued to the base so I can't do anything real cool, but I doubt I'd have time for that anyway. I should have finished pics by either tomorrow or the day after.

-PoW

Dead Marsh Spectre · **Posted:** Sun Mar 29, 2015 10:54 pm

Fantastic highlighting and shading

theavenger001 · **Posted:** Mon Mar 30, 2015 4:22 am

Looking really good so far. I think you could sharpen the highlights a bit, the face and red cloth especially looks a little flat, but a really solid start.

PowerofWill · **Posted:** Mon Mar 30, 2015 10:27 pm

theavenger001 wrote:

Looking really good so far. I think you could sharpen the highlights a bit, the face and red cloth especially looks a little flat, but a really solid start.

I actually want the face to be darker because I decided to go with a dark skin tone like the haradrim in my profile pic. The cloth I think looks flat because it wasn't a very good picture, but I probably could have pushed the highlights a little more.
Here is the finished model.

Not what I was hoping for, but considering I painted it in two days, I'm pretty happy with it. I doubt I'll place at all this month, but it was a fun challenge just to get it finished in time. Any comments or criticisms are welcome.

-PoW

theavenger001 · **Posted:** Tue Mar 31, 2015 1:12 am

This looks much better. Looking at it now, I think the flash, or the lighting you were using on the former picture washes out the highlights. The skin looks good now, and the red is also better. I think the face is actually one of the best parts of the figure. A couple of areas that could be improved in my opinion. The first is a nitpick, but the yellow collar on the left (as viewed in the picture) has a bit of a blotchy final highlight. The other side is better, though I can't quite decide if I like the look of the bright edge highlight, or if it would be better to have that blended in more.

The other critique would be that the freehand looks a bit messy to me. the yellow to black to red all looks good, but that final white around the outside looks inconsistent in thickness, which isn't good when it contrasts so much with the cloak.

All in all, a great figure for the amount of time you had to paint him, even if he's not perfect (imho).

PowerofWill · **Posted:** Tue Mar 31, 2015 1:34 am

I totally agree with you on the free hand. I actually added the white outline kind of as an afterthought. I new it would be risky, but I thought I'd help it pop a little more.
The yellow I think looks a better in real life, there's more of a transition rather than an edge highlight.
Thanks for the comment, I appreciate it.

-PoW

Sithious · **Posted:** Tue Mar 31, 2015 3:14 pm

the yellow really pops. Nice color scheme over all.

garmenhord · **Posted:** Wed Apr 01, 2015 6:40 pm

That star looks good, well painted.

PowerofWill · **Posted:** Mon Apr 13, 2015 1:02 am

I've started working on my next entry, Gondor command. I've only fine the armor on the captain, and it still needs a little bit of work. All nmm.

The sword decided to fall off so I'll have to fix that sometime.
C&C welcome

-PoW

PowerofWill · **Posted:** Tue Apr 14, 2015 4:34 am

Got a bit more done today.

I still have some touching up to do on the armor, and incase anyone is wondering why I haven't painted the shield yet, it's a surprise

I'm really trying to push the highlights as much as possible, and of course, I plan on incorporating a good bit of freehand on the cloak.
Any help or advice is welcome, as well as any other comments.

-PoW

Dead Marsh Spectre · **Posted:** Tue Apr 14, 2015 8:38 am

The NMM is looking fantastic!

PowerofWill · **Posted:** Tue Apr 14, 2015 11:20 pm

Thanks! Here's some more

I forgot how hard and annoying painting checkered patterns can be. I want to highlight it more, but at the same time I don't want to mess up the pattern. I think I'll leave it for now, and If I have time I'll go back to it.

-PoW

a Hobbit · **Posted:** Wed Apr 15, 2015 1:15 am

That looks good!

gondor' heir · **Posted:** Wed Apr 15, 2015 8:17 am

Wow amazing painting skills! !!!

I must ask how did you paint the metal on your captain of minas tirith???

Again amazing work keep it up!!!

Gondor' heir!!!

Erunion · **Posted:** Wed Apr 15, 2015 11:34 am

The NMM is looking very good. I think you can get away without the highlights on the check pattern, since it is the underside of the cloak.

PoW's WIP: 6/16/2022 Khazad Guard

Who is online