Blog Brunanburh's painting progress

[Brunanburh]

Hi folks,

I'm back to painting after 20 years off or so. Just thought I'd share my first ever seraphon- up till now I've been painting old heroquest and early 90s warhammer bits! I'm not great- I know that- but that's not why I paint. I find it incredibly relaxing and everything else seems to drift away..

Anyway, I wanted to go for a 'wet' look for my little guys, modelled on actual colours of some reptiles. I prefer the orange ones, though there's not a chance I can paint fine detail like teeth! I don't have many paints hence the basic scheme. I always appreciate looking at other people's work so thought I'd share my efforts.

Any helpful thoughts are always welcome! Apologies for the toaster quality photos.

Oops,multiple photos

 

[tom ndege]

Welcome back to paint!
Looks nice what you have done so far! I really like both schemes a lot!

 

[ravagekitteh]

Both of those colour schemes look great! I agree with you about painting - it's incredibly therapeutic.

 

[Aginor]

Cool color scheme. It does indeed drown a few of the detail but I imagine it looks awesome on the table.

 

[Crowsfoot]

Welcome aboard, both sets of skinks are vibrant and look good.

I returned 2 years ago after a similar 20 year gap and I'm more of a painter than a gamer.

Now the I don't have many paints should not be seen as a curse but a challenge, I try to limit my models to around 5 colours, using various shades of the same colour I find this adds a bit of realism to my models.

Regarding teeth etc just practice and you will soon be up to scratch.

Looking forward to seeing your progress and models.

 

[n810]

...
Those are some nicely painted skinks.

For painting teeth I find a 1/4" flat square brush helps,
well that and getting the white paint just thick enough
to go on smoothly while thick enough not to run into the
cracks between the teeth...
But you can though use a black wash to fix that.

oh and the trick is to just gently load your brush with white and,
just lightly touch a lot of the raised teeth in one brush stroke.

assuming that they are they are already painted black or a duller white.
this may take a couple of layers to get them as bright as you want them.

 

[Jorgik]

Awesome colour schemes! I specially like your yellow skinks!

 

[PhoenixTheCat]

These look amazing, and the photos aren't toaster quality. They at least have a background that makes sense, and isn't a random area of wall or a screen.

 

[Brunanburh]

Thanks for all the kind words. I've just bought the start collecting set so am thinking of a slightly different colour theme that still ties in with the yellow/orange and black. Will keep this updated.

 

[Warden]

Good luck with your work! Your skinks (and terrain) look great so far!

 

[Brunanburh]

So, after buying the start collecting set I moved onto the knights. I really enjoyed painting the cold ones. The models seem to have taken a bit of flack but I like them. I struggled with the claws- they either came out too white or too muddy, probably after over washing. I'm trying to paint everything on minimal paints to keep the cost down! I didn't bother with eyes this time. The orange went on the saurus really badly. I definitely needed thicker paint here! I'm pleased with the banner. All previous attempts at colour transitions ended badly! I had a blast painting these models. I also realised that I need a lamp- the 50 year old wiring in my house can't handle bright bulbs. I'm on to the saurus warriors now and having a pop at converting the skink trog rider into a priest.

 

[Slannta's Little Helper]

I think the colours you've done on the features work really well a nice looking unit all around too keep em coming

 

[Warden]

They look great to me, I like the banner! (I tried a similiar color-scheme on mine, yours looks very well blended though ). A lot of people don't like the saurus cav steeds; while they don't look as deadly as the dark elf ones I love the tiny little details in the kit. Yours is a great example why: I love the skull drums!

Well done

 

[Crowsfoot]

your knights look good, just going to take something you said and give a bit of advice.

The orange went on the saurus really badly. I definitely needed thicker paint here!

No you don't you just need another coat of orange, thick paint is bad really bad as it clogs detail and leaves lumps 2,3 thin coats is far superior and gives a clean crisp finish.

I struggled with the claws- they either came out too white or too muddy

A couple of ways to achieve consistent results, paint them cream/white and then just shade where they meet the hand/feet or shade them all and then relay the cream at the tip.

Great work so far keep it coming

 

[Brunanburh]

Next up are my Saurus. Generally pleased with these- looking back I think I should have used a different colour for the undersides. I had fun painting them and am looking forward to the carnosaur next! Thanks for all the tips- this is such a friendly and helpful forum. It reminds me of the internet pre-social media..

Please excuse the unfinished scenery and the cheap camera phone pictures!

 

[Brunanburh]

Finally I had great fun with this. I've seen and much admired other skink priest (starpriest?) conversions from the trog. I have a box full of skeleton horde minis from the early 90's so it seemed logical to attach one in a battle pose. Overall I think it came out looking more like 2 friends having a playful scrap rather than a full on fight but I like it! It's the first conversion of any kind I've done. I struggled with the blending- really need to watch more youtube tutorials or pick the brains of the folk here I guess!

 

[Aginor]

Finally I had great fun with this. I've seen and much admired other skink priest (starpriest?) conversions from the trog. I have a box full of skeleton horde minis from the early 90's so it seemed logical to attach one in a battle pose. Overall I think it came out looking more like 2 friends having a playful scrap rather than a full on fight but I like it! It's the first conversion of any kind I've done. I struggled with the blending- really need to watch more youtube tutorials or pick the brains of the folk here I guess!View attachment 37023 View attachment 37024

Haha awesome conversion with that fight scene right on the model!

 

[Warden]

Great work! I like how you have painted your cult-of-orange saurus, their shields look fantastic. And I liked the feathers.

And that skink looks great! If the skeleton wasn't already dead I could have sworn that skink priest was using him as a human sacrifice.

Thanks for all the tips- this is such a friendly and helpful forum. It reminds me of the internet pre-social media..

+1 to this

 

[Brunanburh]

It's been a while so time for an update.

In the last year or so I've started playing AOS and absolutely love it. My painting has changed from being just a hobby to getting models to the tabletop. So here's my big guy, Mixamatoadis.

I've found that I enjoy doing bases as much as (or even more) than the model. I added some old bits and some resin to make a swamp, though I couldn't really pick this up on the pic.

 

[Brunanburh]

I really enjoyed painting the Troglodon. I've had mixed results when playing with him though. The base came from cheap aquarium scenery I hit with a hammer!