Wednesday, February 8, 2012

A little patina


So, another week, another five Flagellants. This takes the total to 10 models for my Procession of Morr (9 Flagellants and one Corpse Handler). I have another 5 Flagellants primed and on deck.


I've decided to add quite a few bells and hourglasses to these Flagellants and also decided to paint them both with a bronzy/brassy sort of approach. This involves basecoating in Tinny Tin and highlighting up with Brassy Brass (both Vallejo Game Colours). On my first batch of five models I found myself adding a patina by mixing some GW Hawk Turquoise with a touch of Skull White and a quite a bit of Secret Weapon Miniature's Algae wash to get a nice approximation of verdigris.

With over 100 models to go, I also knew I couldn't keep mixing as I went, and mixing up a pot of that mix would be too tough, especially when it came to ensuring the paints didn't separate all the time.

I, therefore, asked Mr Justin at Secret Weapon Miniatures if any of his washes would do a better job of simulating verdigris in one pass. He suggested his Storm Cloud wash, which I promptly ordered.


Along with another Raphael 8404 brush, my newish brush of choice (and the brush of choice of a number of my favorite painters), and...


...a set of the SWM Green pigments, which will be very helpful when discoloring the bronze armor and accoutrements on my character models (once I get around to ordering that Lietpold The Black!) and centerpieces for the army. For an example of the Storm Cloud wash in use, check out the comet on the Flagellant flail above. Not bad at all with no mixing required : )


But speaking of brushes, a guy I know from my FLGS (Games & Stuff in Glen Burnie, MD) has been tinkering with a new product for folks who like to use two brushes when they're painting. The two-brush thing is apparently a method used a lot for getting some nice blending work done.

Anyway, Mike has been working with a supplier and has created this double ended brush, with yes, a brush tip at both ends. This means you "two-brushers" never have to worry about where to stick the other brush again, as Mike says "If you can twirl a pen you can use this brush". For more information (or to buy the brush) you can head to Mike's blog BadDadGaming!

Cheers
Dave

PS. Last night I discovered I'd reached a point I never thought I would reach in my life. Despite many, many purchases since their release in 2007, I have finally run out of Empire State Troopers! Looks like it'll be a trip to the store soon to stock up again for this Morr project ; )

10 comments:

  1. I love the patina and they have such great washes. Can you mention something about how you are making golds so bright with thin washes of purple? I've never understood that part.

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  2. The flaggellants look good, nice work on the brass. I'll need to try out the SWM washes sometime, though not easily available in the UK.

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  3. Thanks for mentioning the brushes Dave! I've gotten the first production run in stock at my site and ready to go. I'm also looking at developing additional sizes of brushes. Thanks again!

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  4. I love the SWM stuff, but I think for this I'd have cheated and just used the Vallejo (either transparent or glaze, not sure which) Verdigris.

    Also, mixing your own isn't bad if you've got a wet palette, but I suppose with young children that's going to have issues all it's own!

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  5. I've found a 1:1 ratio of DA Green and Hawk Turquoise to make a nice verdigris effect, but I'm definitely open to any product that means I don't have to mix colors.
    Nice work!

    Ron, From the Warp

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  6. Splendid Dave, and a really useful post. I like the double-headed brush!

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  7. Hi guys

    Thanks for all the comments. I hope to get some sculpting done next week for this project, right after I wrap up my KGL Hussars.

    @Unknown - I'll try to tackle that topic (purple glazing on gold) in another post, it needs a better subject to work on than these models.

    Cheers
    Dave

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