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GT XXXVIII (38)August 2005
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Pilzenbhir, Defender of the Plains by Whizard Hlavaz
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This figure represents a several pronged effort on my part toward bettering my paint. I primarily wanted to work my NMM towards a more convincing illusion. However, I also wanted to eliminate the "chalkiness" that seems to have been plaguing my last few figures and concentrate on smoothing out my layers. Lastly, I wanted to increase my level of attention to detail. I think I managed to succeed on all three counts, but you'll be the judge of that, won't you?
Anyhow… Let's look at how I approached these efforts.
The steel metals were rendered in Vallejo Model Colors Intermediate Blue, Pale Bluegrey, and White. A bit of Blackgrey was used to deepen the darkest shadows. Each steel item was first based with the Int. Blue and then shaded with a wash of a Blackgrey and Int. Blue mix. I then worked up towards the highlights using a 50/50 mix of Int. Blue/Bluegrey, straight Bluegrey, a 50/50 mix of Bluegrey/White, a 25/75 mix of Bluegrey/White, and finally straight White. Most of the layering was accomplished using wet-on-dry layers, though I did use a touch of wetblending on the sword blade to efface layer lines. The rust/dried blood effect was added using a very thin wash of Hull Red which was allowed to tide pool.
With the exception of the disks on the gauntlet and the gold filigree on the pauldron, the yellow metals were accomplished using different base colors followed by a standard progression through VMC Dark Flesh, VMC Ivory, and VMC White. The helm and non-magic sword hilt were based with VMC Ochre Maroon, which was shaded using VMC Flat Earth and a mix of Flat Earth and Reaper Walnut. Highlights were worked up using a 50/50 DF/Ivory, straight Ivory, a 50/50 Ivory/White, a 25/75 Ivory/White, and straight White. All layering was completed wet-on-dry. The verdigris was added using a very thin wash of VMC Bluegreen.
The hilt of the magic sword was based using VMC Camo. Orange Ochre and otherwise shaded and highlighted as above.
The gold disks on the gauntlet and gold filigree on the pauldron were accomplished using my standard recipe of VMCs Ochre Green, Lemon Yellow, and White. Wet-on-dry layers of 50/50 OG/LY, straight LY, 50/50 LY/W, 25/75 LY/W, and straight White were added to highlight a straight base of OG shaded by VMC Flat Earth. I let more Ochre Green come through this time to subdue the brightness of the yellow gold. I'm better pleased with the recipe for it.
The brass of the horn in the rear was accomplished following the gold recipe but using a horizon line of Reaper Walnut to deepen the contrast of the metal.
The copper of the pauldron filigree and necklace (not shown here – please see DarkVine.com for more pics) was accomplished using VMCs Red Leather, Dark Flesh, and White, following the standard layering progression as in the above metals.
All layering was accomplished by thinning the paint with straight distilled water. I stopped using any additives, especially matte medium, which I believe may have been the cause of the chalkiness of my previous few figures. Of course, the care in which I applied the layers probably added to my success. I used very thin paint, which I often allowed to pool and dry partially before I scrubbed it and any tidal pool lines away. The scrubbing enabled me to achieve some very smooth results, and I intend to use this technique more for this reason.
As far as the attention to details, I tried to apply bolder colors to the fig as seen in the wide use of bright purples and blues as well as add textures to cloth, metal, and leather through "scratches" of paint. In addition to the afore mentioned rusts and verdigris effects, I also tried my hand at some Trompe l'oeil painting – rendering the notches of the magic sword blade and the etched symbol upon it with black and white. Finally, I rendered the magic sword blade itself using the above steel technique, which I then "scribbled" on with blue and purple paint. Again, this effect can be seen more closely on darkvine.com.
And I guess that's that.
The base is made of cork, modeling sand, a piece of Hirst Arts Greek Column, and the gaming base provided with the model, painted to appear as wood. Leather was rendered in VMC Flat Brown, Beige Brown, and Cork Brown. The flesh was painted using a base mix of Vallejo Game Color Beasty Brown and VMC Brown Rose, followed by a progression through VMC Base Flesh to White, and finished with a glaze of VMC Brown Rose and Light Brown to warm up the hues.
I hope you enjoy the figure. It was a pleasure to paint, and I'm very proud of my accomplishments this time around. I should add a word of thanks, too. My efforts on this figure were inspired by the work of Thierry Hussier (Arkaal on CMON), who has kindly offered his advice to my work in the past. Thanks, Thierry! Hope you like this one! |
Poll results:
Number 3 overall.
First Place: 5 votes
Second Place: 3 votes
Third Place: 7 votes
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