Tuesday, December 22, 2015

XVIII Legion - Salamanders WIP #1

Just burning to get more done (it's a Salamander's joke).
Having had the Betrayal at Calth boxed set sitting around for a while, I decided to start my idea of painting one model from each of the Legion colour schemes. Don't worry, the other 3 models are still being (slowly, as ever) done, and I'll post an update on them soon, but I really wanted to play with the greens of the Salamander's colours.

The base was done using Castellan Green, nothing much more to say about that really. Ensure a smooth coat and all (hint: the GW base brush is still great for that).

Highlighting was done a little differently for this model. I wanted a bit of front-facing highlights to indicate the light coming from a flamer that he'll be holding, so I decided to go for that. I had intended to try follow a few tutorials from Painting Buddha, but it didn't really happen (because I need a lot more practice).
At any rate, Loren Forest was mixed with Lahmian Medium to glaze up some highlights, running length-ways with each armour plate. I tried to make it more pronounced on the model's right side (which should be closer to the point of light).

Lamenter's Yellow was next glazed over the initial highlights. I find this brings out the green and makes it that much lighter, and used carefully blends in nicely as well.
To make the back areas seem more in shade, I then used the opposite approach: Guilliman Blue was glazed into various areas. Why yellow and blue glazes? Look at a colour wheel and it should be apparent, but also because green can be mixed from those two - adding one lightens the green, adding the other darkens it.

Nuln Oil was washed into recesses - not a green wash actually, it was deemed that a strong, and careful, application of black would make everything stand that much more.

It was after all this that I buggered up. I tried to put on a coat of purity seal to overcome a bit of tacky feeling and excess shine from too much Lahmian use. It didn't work - the purity seal frosted up, dulled everything, and generally made it look horrible. So I had to cover it with thin layers of whatever I could get my hands on to bring the look back. I think I've mostly recovered from that mistake, but I may make other components (e.g the helmet) look out of place later.
Following this, edges were highlighted very carefully with thin layers of Straken Green. I don't want the edges to be too brightly defined for this model, given the attempt at a bit of source lighting, but I'll need more practice before I'm any good at it.

-- silly painter.