My first skink - I've clearly got a long way to go!

[skinks_in_spaaace]

Hi there. Long time lizard appreciator, first time poster.

I've always admired Warhammer Fantasy from the sidelines, but never really got into it. With the ultra-high fantasy feel of AoS however, I've found myself being sucked in to getting some Seraphon. The whole 'Aztec Hologram Ghost' idea intrigued me, so I though I'd give that a try!

I glazed Gillyman Blue over white spray, with red gem paint for the frill and eyes. The obsidian was made with putting multiple coats of Nuln oil over the blue glaze, then varnishing it.



It's amateur as heck, but I think it looks okay!

Not sure it looks very space ghost, though. What should I try with the next skink? Different glaze? Less colours? Maybe that new GW ghost technical paint?

 

[Warden]

He looks good to me, nice simple paint scheme well done!

 

[Aginor]

Welcome!
That Skink looks better than many "first model" pictures, and definitely better than quite some of mine, good job!
If I could suggest one thing then it would be a dark (blue or black) wash over the big-scaled parts on the back, that would put some more contrast into the model.
(here is a pic of one of my first Skinks to illustrate where the black wash could go:

)


Looking forward to see you progress.

 

[Crowsfoot]

We all started the same and your skink is miles better than my first efforts.

For "Space ghost" try white primer then a coat of the new ghost paint or you can use any glaze/shade depending on what colour you want them to be, but the new Nighthaunt/Hexwraith paint or Nihilakh oxide will give the best results.

 

[skinks_in_spaaace]

Thank you all for the kind replies! I'm always a little intimidated when seeing the great models on display here, so it means a lot

Welcome!
That Skink looks better than many "first model" pictures, and definitely better than quite some of mine, good job!
If I could suggest one thing then it would be a dark (blue or black) wash over the big-scaled parts on the back, that would put some more contrast into the model.
(here is a pic of one of my first Skinks to illustrate where the black wash could go:

)


Looking forward to see you progress.

That's a great idea! I think I'll try doing that to the model (he's a test skink, after all!) and see how that goes! Watch this space!

We all started the same and your skink is miles better than my first efforts.

For "Space ghost" try white primer then a coat of the new ghost paint or you can use any glaze/shade depending on what colour you want them to be, but the new Nighthaunt/Hexwraith paint or Nihilakh oxide will give the best results.

I loved the ghost paint ever since I saw it, and I'm definitely going to give it a go. The problem is - how much do I paint not-ghost, to give it that unique look?

Maybe everything non-biological painted gold? What about gems? How many colours is too much when painting ghosts, you know?

 

[Crowsfoot]

Well with my standard troops in my death army I just went white primer, wash, drybrush white.

It’s really down to what you want to see on the table top

 

[skinks_in_spaaace]

I'm back, with some (lower quality) pictures

First off, thanks to Aginor for suggesting a shade. I put some Drakenhoth Nightshade on the little guy, and it really makes him pop!



Second, I decided to try a new technique. I got some of that new Nighthaunt Gloom and (failing to understand how to use it properly) coated a white-based skink in it. Not to be disheartened though, I then drybrushed it with Necron compound, then painted all the metal parts and eyes in Retributor Armour




I'm not sure if it's a scheme I'd use a lot (I'm suddenly veering towards organic lizards again) but, given a green shade or two, I think it'd be a FANTASTIC way to paint stone. Looks almost like jade!

What do you think?

 

[Warden]

He does look a bit stony, but the look great!

 

[Aginor]

I like both of them a lot!
Maybe go a little bit lighter on the blue shade so it doesn't pool that much, but it looks cool.

 

[Joshua Horchler]

Nice work with your first few skinks! I think it is awesome that you are testing out a lot of different methods and schemes. Best way to learn.

My biggest piece of advice that I stress to new painters is to not be lazy with your washes. You are going to be learning a lot as you keep painting but don't develop a bad habit from the get go! An all over wash/glaze is great. It is fast and blends your colors together. That being said I would suggest adding a little water to the stuff out of the pot for this technique. A great investment is also glaze medium. This really helps when you do an "all over wash" technique.

My last piece of advice is to treat washes like normal paint. Learn to paint in the shadows, rather than always doing an all over wash. I attached the below image which is a rough sketch of where you could go in, after your initial all over wash/glaze, with a second round of washing. This will create a more dynamic figure and add depth. You can do this multiple times and your shadows will be much darker, but only in the places that they should be! Which goes a long way. It is still a very fast method!

The below is how I always suggest people start painting. It takes no extra skill than you have now but just a little more forethought. I guarantee you will love the results. No layering, feathering, wet blending, or 2 brushing required.

-Fairly dark base layer/spray color

-2 rounds of light dry brushing with your highlight colors. Focusing on the raised areas (dry burshing is also a learned skill but takes very time)

-A watered down all over wash using water or glaze medium (basically using your wash as a glaze). This will blend the dry brushing together.

-1 to 2 washes in the shadows/recessed areas of the model.

(option final stage of doing follow up highlighting/drybrushing)

*protip. Washes can be laid down multiple times, but ALWAYS wait for them to dry. Bad things happen when you try to move a semi-dried wash...

I hope some of this is useful to you. Sorry for long winded post!

 

[Joshua Horchler]

I FORGOT THE MOST IMPORTANT THING!!!

Don't ever ever ever let mistakes dishearten you. I have made a million and it is the best way to learn. Also this is painting, you can always strip and repaint

 

[skinks_in_spaaace]

Thanks for the tops, all! I've got an update on our statue skink. A wash of Coelia Greenshade on the body and Reikland Fleshshade on the gold really added that extra depth.


What I'm currently really not happy with though is the base. The idea was to have it be barren ground, with grass spreading outwards from their footprints in geomantic patterns. But instead it just looks sloppy, and the flock turned to mush when I tried to apply a shade.

I've no idea how to create the effect I want. Maybe just use terrain paint, and carefully apply the PVA with a toothpick? I don't know

 

[Aginor]

I like how he looks.
The base is OK as well IMO, I have way worse ones.
As for your desired effect though: no clue. But I like the idea!