My struggles with Nomads Bakunin

[Tytus]

Hello all,

I'm new here, and you might say - I'm also new to Infinity. I started to collect Infinity's miniatures few months before and I say... I'm hooked and amazed how cool they are.

My main thing is - the amount of details is amazing, and painting Infinity's models is quite a challenge. Especially comparing to all GW stuff.

I would like to present here me struggles with Nomads Bakunin.

Comments and tips always welcome - I'd like to know, what you guys think. I'm new to Infinity and I'd like to imporve my painting skills and techniques.

Thanks a lot!

First photo - two Moderators I've finished few days ago.

[jherazob]

Seems to me like you're winning the struggles so far

[Claudius Sol]

Generally, those look pretty nice!

Things you could improve (and this is just me being nitpicky to try and provide some critique):
Work a bit more on your OSL, it seems too well saturated and isn't providing a translucent glow effect as well as it probably could.
Work a bit more on your skin shading, particularly for lighter skin tones. There is some variation, but it could stand to be a little better differentiated.
With the leather, I'd recommend painting some texture into it to give it a more realistic feel.
Tint your metals with color. Grey scale can work, but aren't usually faithful to the reflections and tone that normal metals have. Gunmetal has a slightly blue/green tone to it, for example and is affected by surroundings.

But seriously, these are quite good, so I hope you don't take my critique too heavily.

[Tytus]

thanks for all the tips. next time I'll try to improve skin tones. generally in life it looks more highlighted than here (making proper photos - this is one more issue I struggle with:), but I get what you mean...

textures - still in phase of trying it out. maybe next time...

OSL - anyone knows good tutorial for it?

[Tytus]

...at my workshop - Reverend Moira from the starter at the moment...

...but meantime, the model I've painted about two weeks ago.

comments, please:)

[el_presidente]

I think you'll have to rename the thread, you don't seem to be struggling at all Nice Zero!

[jherazob]

OSL - anyone knows good tutorial for it?

For your standard typical glowy lights and LEDs, i have collected a bunch in this Reddit post (that needs updating, i see a broken link now, can't fix that now, maybe later), but if you want to go further into full-on OSL, you can't go wrong with a Tutofig search, at a glance i see it's linking the ones most people always give, like the one on CMON or the Massive Voodoo one, plus others i haven't read.

[Claudius Sol]

warning: plug ahead

You seem at a level where Angel's book could benefit you pretty greatly in making it over a few hurdles that are difficult to navigate without a touch of guidance. He explains OSL a little and does a rather outstanding job of showing techniques for Skintones and Leather Textures. I'd recommend giving it a look through, if you can find it.

/plug

Seriously, though. For people are a level where you're at (which I'm still at due to lack of practice), Angel's book can really help with some of those hard to tackle small issues that make a big difference.
Though, you'd have to be able to discern what it is you need to take away. It isn't so cut and dry as a tutorial, but more a "here's how I do it, do you see what you can improve?" kind of experience.

[Andre61]

You seem at a level where Angel's book could benefit you pretty greatly in making it over a few hurdles that are difficult to navigate without a touch of guidance. He explains OSL a little and does a rather outstanding job of showing techniques for Skintones and Leather Textures. I'd recommend giving it a look through, if you can find it.

I agree 100%, you might find Angel's book on amazon. I'm not sure if there are any more and if it is it will cost you an arm and a leg. Your work is not bad at all, I to have done a Bakunin army and will soon be putting up some pictures soon

[Tytus]

thanks for all the advice. I was thinking about getting AG's book, but someone told me it's mostly about airbrush techniques, and since I'm 'traditional brush guy' I didn't bother to investigate it further. maybe I should give it a try...

soon - more Nomads:)

...and believe me -I'm struggling - I'm mainly used to painting GW models which are bulky and relatively easy to paint. Infinity - this is next level of painting challenge lot's of space for improvement:)

[Claudius Sol]

Angel's book has a lot of airbrush techniques, but also plenty of good brush techniques. It's a solid investment if you're wanting to improve your painting.

Of course, maybe not as solid if you don't have an airbrush. Though you can get a cheap one off of Amazon to apply some of the larger scale techniques.

[Tytus]

Next model finished. SF nun with Big Gun aka Reverend Moira. comments? I need some good tips on painting black... this is pretty annoying colour:)

In about two-three weeks I hopefully will have 300 pints fully painted Bakunin force, and finally will be able to play:)

[jherazob]

The trick to painting black that i've heard repeatedly mentioned over the years (haven't had to properly paint a mini in black yet myself), is to not paint actual back, but to use almost exclusively greys, because black is simply your darkest color and you can't properly shade a color that dark, so painting it the usual way is not an option.

Here's a tutorial on painting black that i see repeatedly being recommended by veterans.

[Mob of Blondes]

Pairing or painting?

What you painted looks like slightly shiny black, which, if it is what you wanted, is OK. And also OK with the orange, light grey (compensating darkness) and green around. It goes with everything, just make sure the rest match without black (red/orange vs green shades is classic).

rant

---

The way to paint black is to use black if the thing looks black. One pair of shoes I got disagree with all the $%&#@ about greys. They are like blackholes, because they are not shiny but "short hair leather" (whatever the English word... suede?), darn true deep black. Disorienting illusions if not for the stitches, laces, soles or dust... those break the black because they are grey thread, shiny "rope", grey rubber and shiny dust, otherwise they would be full black blobs. OTOH, some old tshirts could be painted with dark and even light greys... because they have been washed so many times they are becoming satin dark grey.

Look at what you want, and then copy it in miniature. Matt black can be near pure black.

[ARCangel]

I don't know if you did anything different, but the highlighting on the two moderators looks much better than on the Zero and the Moira. Also, the skin work on the right moderator is phenomenal.

[Tytus]

well. I'm not sure to be honest. maybe it's the matter of photo. I'm still in the process of mastering my photography skills:)

...or maybe they look better. thanks:)

[Section9]

Angel's book has a lot of airbrush techniques, but also plenty of good brush techniques. It's a solid investment if you're wanting to improve your painting.

Of course, maybe not as solid if you don't have an airbrush. Though you can get a cheap one off of Amazon to apply some of the larger scale techniques.

With some playing around (got some civilian models to practice on?), you can modify the airbrush techniques to work with a regular brush. Super thin paint that's closer to a glaze or orange juice than paint, thinned with glaze medium to increase the surface tension (so paint stays where you put it).

Especially for any shading, because you can always go back and add some more shade if it's not dark enough yet.

[Tytus]

[/size]Next model in collection. Moderator Sniper.

[Tytus]

Reverend Custodier ready. what do you guys think?

[jherazob]

Next model in collection. Moderator Sniper.

I see you there, Sophotect bits

[Section9]

Next model in collection. Moderator Sniper.
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I see you there, Sophotect bits

They do come with the sniper model, you know...

And Sophie should really know better than to leave a Mother-Forge unattended when there are Nomad operatives anywhere in the same star system!

[ARCangel]

Loving the sniper. The highlighting and shading on the flesh is really well done. I don't how you keep doing it, but I'm jealous.

[Tytus]

thanks a lot! practice I guess makes the master (long road ahead of me, still:)

[Tytus]

Sin Eater Observant with big gun is next. What do you think?