Few things:
1) Had a new baby, which has drastically cut into my modeling, and especially my posting time. What can I say, priorities. Sorry for the drought.
2) I really wanted to try a few new techniques. Specifically,
- figure out a way to paint warhammer models with chrome paint
- find an ultra quick way to base models
- paint a 'clean' chaos army
I don't own any Games Workshop chaos armies specifically, however I did by the AoS starter so I had some guys itching for finishing.
Starting Out - Chrome Paint
I did some tests with the chrome paint on other surfaces, and realized that if you don't apply enough the result is more foggy, akin to GW metallics. This mean that to get the closest to true 'chrome' I would lose some detail. Also, because it was in a can, I had to do this step first and paint everything else on top of the chrome, making sure to keep the metal clean as I went up.
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| Ohhh, Shiney |
This created a few interesting issues - 1) It was like using a metallic primer, and all my other colors were impacted by this. They appeared VERY different than I'm used to going over a black primer. Also, because I thin them down, and because of the 'finish' of the chrome, most almost turned into glazes or washes... It was hard to get coats to really stick to the chrome paint.
I enjoyed the control I had, though, as a single layer of any color looked semi-metallic with the chrome under it. By applying second layers strategically, I was able to get the other colors to almost appear 'cosmic' or flow-y. I'm aware that doesn't make sense and that I made up one of those words, but I really was trying to go for a 'warp' feeling to the purple metal, and this accidentally achieved that for me. Like most of the things I like best in my work, this was an accident.
Additional Layers
It should be noted, I painted the models UNASSEMBLED! I knew I would have to do this because I'm just not good enough to get all the areas painted on such complex 3D models. Interestingly enough, the thickness of the chrome paint made dry-fitting the models extremely easy, and they held themselves together without glue.
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| Painting these AoS figures unassembled is so much easier and faster! |
There you can see a single layer of purple. I would go back and add a second (very thinned) to the recesses, along with a wash of nuln oil only in the recesses as well. This gave the purple a great ethereal feel and depth.
Washes Make You a Better Painter
I was quasi-speed painting these models. My goal is to have them all done in 2 weeks, working only 2-3 hours a day. To do this, I'm applying base layers to the models unassembled and not too worried about being sloppy. I'm then applying washes, especially thick where colors meet to add depth and hide my mistakes. Finally, I glue and assemble the models and apply the highlights only where I can reach, which makes sense anyway as if I can reach it with a brush it shouldn't have a strong highlight.
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| See how sloppy? No big deal, the washes hide all of that! |
Here you can see a model with sloppy base colors, although just by itself you can see the effect I'm going for on the axe. The washes will clean this up.
Quick Drybrush
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| Not going to lie, I actually almost prefer this model without his armor and cloak on |
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| See the skull on the left? Doesn't look 'big' because the eyes need more shadows |
I realized that I wanted to give a quick dry brush on top of my colors prior to assembly.
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| I never would have been able to paint his next if I assembled first. |
And here he is dry fit so I can start finding mistakes and seeing how the colors are working together on the model.
Chrome Shadows - First Big Issue
After working with the chrome and dryfitting the models, I realized that it didn't look realistic because it lacked connection shadows. I'm sure theres a more scientific word for it, but that's what I call the thing you achieve when you black-line a model. Where two chrome pieces met, there wasn't enough of a shadow to make the model feel like it was dynamic and had weight. So to achieve this, I went back through and did a SMALL black line with nuln oil. I used as little as possible, as when it drys GW washes matte your colors, and if the chrome loses its shine that complete defeats it's purpose. I only know this because I butchered one poor guy who now has the dullest armor in the army. LEARN FROM ME!
Bases - The Quickest Way to Base your Models
For the bases, I decided to not use any paint. I simply applied PVA glue, placed large pieces where I wanted them, then dipped in sand. Thats garden mulch, cork, and railroad ballast.
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| Only trick is to make sure your models feet fit - I place one on the flat cork for good connection |
Once the glue dried I just globbed on seraphim sepia
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| God that was easy |
This meant each base took literally about 60 seconds of work including gluing and painting, just not including dry time.
Work in Progress
I still need to finish lots more models, but I'm rather happy with how the army is turning out. My goal is to get every model to the dry brush and assembled stage, which is where all these models are now. Once everyone is there, I will go back and apply all the final highlights in an assembly line fashion.
AKA, please excuse the lack of layers and highlights on these!
