Stormcast Eternals - Caution: OTT Minis

[Ray Rivers]

Thanks, mate!

I've been so worried about how to handle those shields since day one.

BTW, here is a photo of "the mob" and where they are progress wise:



So I still have lots of work to do!

[Major_Gilbear]

You know...

Just thinking about your comments here:

So... I was looking at the miniature and came to the conclusion that silver just didn't do the mini justice seeing as how these folks are celestial beings...

You could add a little bit of light blue "storm glow" to the recessed detail of their hammers (and perhaps to the recesses of their shields and eyes too)? That would add another nice bright contrast colour to the model and help them and their weapons look both more impressive and other-worldly/celestial without making their colour scheme too busy.

[Ray Rivers]

You could add a little bit of light blue "storm glow" to the recessed detail of their hammers (and perhaps to the recesses of their shields and eyes too)? That would add another nice bright contrast colour to the model and help them and their weapons look both more impressive and other-worldly/celestial without making their colour scheme too busy.

That's an interesting idea, though those recesses are quite small. I'll give it a hard think though.

[Captain Blood]

Ray, they look really good. Very taken with your gold paintwork. That is some seriously good painting.

[matthais-mouse]

... That is some seriously good painting.

You could say it's. .... golden

Looking great though buddy, the blue in recesse's would work well if you get the confidence any spares you can try on first?

[Ray Rivers]

@ matthais - I have a bunch of junk miniatures which I use to practice a technique before I actually do it to a miniature. Twice, so far, I have "practiced" before actually painting my Liberators.

@ Captain Blood - Painting the gold armor was fairly easy; I just followed the tutorial. The key is using a wash of Reikland Fleshshade over the base color, with one deviation. Instead of painting the "entire" miniature (as recommended in the video) I tried to place the wash only in places where I actually needed it (which is fairly easy as these are large miniatures). Afterwards, it was less time consuming to re-paint the base coat over the places where I didn't want the shade to show, and then the highlight. I really appreciate the comments though. Like MANY other members of LAF, I am a big fan of yours. Thanks!

BTW, I just received a new shipment from GW (there goes the monthly budget): Lord-Castellant (I love this guy), a box of Judicators and the Age of Sigmar Book. The book has tons of photos of mini's that have, so far, not been released and I can only say that they look tremendous. The amount of detail is absolutely gob-smacking.

[mdauben]

Really nice looking group of Eternals there! Love the gold armor, it turned out really good.   

I was generally disappointed with the release of AoS but despite that I was really tempted just to pick up the game just to paint up those figures.  I just really like them.   

[Ray Rivers]

Thanks, mate.

Concerning Warhammer, it was just the opposite for me. I never really got into the miniatures that much and, being a mass battle game, the thought of having to paint so many of them, turned me away. Mind you, as a historic gamer, it was going to be a hard sell anyway, but I did do a bit of WH40K.

So why did I jump in?

First it was the minis. It always starts with the minis...   I know most folks don't like the Stormcast Eternals and think of them as Sigmarines, but what I saw gave me a much more "ancient" than medieval vib, and I like that. I also like the fluff and as far as the Stormcast is concerned, the fact that these celestial beings are elite (which means I'm not going to have to paint lots of them) and the cool rules they have for deployment (lightening strike onto the table... very innovative IMHO). Couple that with the only real original Warhammer faction that I kinda like... Chaos... and well, I jumped in.

As said before, I now have the Age of Sigmar book and the models are marvelous. If you like the general feel of the original Warhammer factions, I can't help but feel you will be impressed by the new ones. The detail is just phenomenal.

All of that, coupled with the fact that I don't have to have hundreds of minis means I can paint them up nicely and don't need hordes on the battlefield to play. Having said that, the book definitely gives a vib for what looks to be some fairly epic battles, but I believe that is a ways down the road, allowing folks to first get some basic armies done and be able to increase them over time.

[Major_Gilbear]

For the blue in the recesses suggestion, maybe try something like this:

1) Thin a little white paint, and carefully let it "flood" into the recesses from your brush (don't overload your brush though!). Let this dry really well.

2) Thin a little turquoise ink or paint down with some water, and add a dab of matte medium (Lahmian Medium I think the GW stuff is called?). Carefully apply over the areas you've made white. It shouldn't cover the white fully, leaving you a nicely glowing blue-to-white effect. If you get a little turquoise around the recesses, don't worry as long as it's neat - you can even add a little more selectively, and it will enhance the glow effect.

I've been using this technique for years with coloured inks over white/yellow for things like lenses and eyes, and it's very effective when you want something that looks like it's glowing from within rather than the usual "gem effect" such areas receive.

[Ray Rivers]

For the blue in the recesses suggestion, maybe try something like this:

1) Thin a little white paint, and carefully let it "flood" into the recesses from your brush (don't overload your brush though!). Let this dry really well.

2) Thin a little turquoise ink or paint down with some water, and add a dab of matte medium (Lahmian Medium I think the GW stuff is called?). Carefully apply over the areas you've made white. It shouldn't cover the white fully, leaving you a nicely glowing blue-to-white effect. If you get a little turquoise around the recesses, don't worry as long as it's neat - you can even add a little more selectively, and it will enhance the glow effect.

Sounds easy. 

I have some Lahmian Medium so I'll experiment with the technique when I have the chance.

[Major_Gilbear]

Sounds easy. 

Cynic!

Seriously though, it's pretty easy to do. You just need a little confidence that it will work in the end, as it's easy to have a "WTF-have-I-spoilt-it?" moment part-way through. As you have test models, I'm certain you'll master it in no time at all!

Looking at various GW models, I'm pretty certain they use the same technique for things like painting spirits and ethereal swirls - just with two or three colour passes rather than one.

Anyway, enough waffling from me now - I'll wait and see your next update of crisply-painted models.

[Ray Rivers]

Almost done now...

Lightening bolts on the shields, scrolls, plumes and bases to finish.

[Major_Gilbear]

Looking good.  Have you given the hammers some blue wash?

[Malebolgia]

Excellent paintjobs on these. The gold and blue is really nice and rich.

[Thew1]

Fantastic work on the storm cast chappies. The gold blue combo really pops and your work on the metals is superb. I wrote these off like many others when I first saw them but your superb paintjob is making me reconsider. I also see what you mean about the ancient vibe. The sculpted armour has a later hoplite/Roman feel. Could be useful for ancient mythology/fantasy type figures as well. I know a friend of mine picked up the box set so I'll have to get a look at them sometime. Great work, looking forward to seeing more.