Colour scheme "help"

[W0lfBane]

Hey gang,
I'm a new spawnling and upon emerging from the spawning pool came in possesion of a large army. (about 5,000 points if you are using 8th edition point system)
Most of them are unpainted and i am having trouble deciding how to paint them.
So far I want this:

• The army to look like a unique special snowflake (mostly don't want to use the base scheme and don't want to steal someone else's scheme)
• I want different units/ species (i.e. Saurus, skinks, Temple guard, Kroxies, etc.) to look distinct from one another
• I like bright colours but not the entire model. Rainbow lizards don't appeal to me. This is mostly why the base scheme doesn't appeal to me. It's like a sea of bright blue that my eyes want to rub out of existence.

I have an idea but i'm still open to inspiration and better ideas.
My idea is a light gray underbelly with Gray scales. Then afterwards depending on the unit they will have a distinct bright colour like blue or red or orange. The bright colour could be like a gradient (where the lower scales have a little bit of it and the ones on top have most of it) or just like a racing stripe on top or something

If you're having trouble visualizing it look at this carnasaur

Hopefully i'll have some free time and i'll paint up a test model and show it to you guys in the next week or so, and ask for opinions and criticism.

P.S.: Still open for other ideas (I'm mostly unsure on the gray and if it will look good with many different colours)

 

[Crowsfoot]

I have seen a variant skink in the Gw book a while back that was grey and always thought about painting some up.

SKIN
Base- Black, layer- Dark reaper, layer- Warpfiend grey.

SCALES
Base- Black, layer- Mechanicus standard grey, layer- Dawnstone.

 

[W0lfBane]

So i sat down and painted a super rough draft saurus warrior.
Opinions and criticism would be appreciated

 

[n810]

I think you are on the right track, but it could be a bit more refined, with smoother blends...
and possibly another brighter white highlight on the bone white areas...

Ps. if you want brighter colored bits, do a quick base layer of white under your color...

 

[tom ndege]

Good one! I like how you did the scales! There could really be a bit more structure on the spikes, but all in all looking good so far...

 

[Jorgik]

I also based my lizardmen colors on that carnosaur XD.
I really like your painting scheme, and mostly the scales. I like how you didnt paint the whole of each, it gives it a really cool-looking glowing effect. About the horns, I see them too monochromatic.i don't know if you applied more than one cloud, but it doesn't show. I´d also recommend you blend a little more the color of the crest, right now the color change is way too marked.
But overall really nice.

 

[W0lfBane]

I'll definately have to apply more details to future models. I pumped him out store quick (for my standards ) to see how the colors worked. I did learn some useful things from this like that I'll probably want to use a different gold color and that i might want to leave one "layer" of scales completely gray and then move to coloured scales.
I have an idea for the skinks and i want to try that out on a model first before moving on to painting the army. ( I'll post pictures cause I'm a slut for people telling me i paint good ) and then probably start a proper painting blog

P.S: Had my first game today. Fuck Nagash. I'm glad some warp monstrosity pulled him into the realm of chaos and i hope he stays there.

 

[spawning of Bob]

That's a rough? that would be good enough for my tabletop, sir.

I agree with others that the dry-brush on the spikes holds it back a bit. Although I can see the streaky effect you were going for, it ends up looking a bit chalky and dull. Paint'em solid and then run streaks of a different shade part way down from the tip or from the base.

I am also a fan of using a gloss clearcoat on teeth, claws and spines and weapons. It makes them look harder (or slightly wet). I have been using a litre tin of water based polyurethane floor polish for the last three years. Not likely to run out soon.

 

[Crowsfoot]

He looks good, the spikes just need more detail, maybe go screaming skull then white scar on the tips, I usually do a slightly watered down rhinox hide at the base.

The skin I would apply a blue glaze in certain areas again slightly watered down so it just gives a slight tinge to your grey.

Looking forward to seeing more

 

[TheDoctor]

Hi, I have painted my temple guards with the same scheme of your saurus...
The only difference is that my models' body is lighter than the yours.
In my opinion you have only to highlight the spikes and the teeth... Would you put a shield in the empty hand?
Doctor

 

[W0lfBane]

So update but first.....
@spawning of Bob : yeah i flaggelate myself and force myself to spend too much time putting too much detail on everything. Alos i didn't even bother coating him cause i think i'm gonna paint over him cause i think i can do better.
@Crowsfoot unfortunately i use Reaper paints (cause i love eyedroppers) so all those names are like a foreign language to me
Also you need not look forward more
@TheDoctor Yeah i'm going to give him a shield but later. I wanted him to be a test model so i grabbed the least assembled model i had.

Now it's a miracle I painted another model in less than a day. This is unprecedended quickness for me. Praise the old ones or sotek.(your pick)
Anyways first order of business , I looked up what real life Skink lizards look like and google gave me this:



And then i'm like huh that could work and painted up this:


I don't think I gave him enough time to dry so the sealant makes him look slick.
As always criticism and stuff is appreciated

 

[Jorgik]

I love it. it looks real cool and original. But maybe add more blue to the tail? And also I actually think that thr gloss effect looks pretty good. I'd consider giving it a gloss varnish, but I didnt see the dried one so I dont know which looks better, thats your decision.
Really like it

 

[spawning of Bob]

The skink looks great. I think you could go a lot brighter with some of his companions without getting gaudy.

 

[n810]

Yea, that skink looks great, and I think the gloss coats helps.

 

[W0lfBane]

Ok guys. I think i'm about ready to start painting and once i have a unit painted i'll start a proper blog the only thing i'm unsure about is how to paint the shields but i'm sure it will be fine.
Anyways thank you all for your help