Horatio's Workshop

Hello again folks!

It's been quite some time since I have posted on this lovely forum, though I have lurked here and there. Up until recently, a combination of school and a new relationship had sapped all my free time, but thanks to the Summer holiday, I can finally set to work.

My painting skills are frankly quite amateur, so please please PLEASE provide tips and criticism for the models I post! Every little bit helps!

The first units I had set out to paint are the bowmen for my Tilean warband. The warband will have 3 at the outset. Below are the two I have started.



Next in line is one of the band's champions, the honorable Tenento Giovanni:


Finally, the first model I ever painted: a dwarf warrior with a two handed ax. I stumbled across him while finding my paint.


Also, is this a good way to post my images? Thanks.

Well, Horatio, you have the basics down; the snobby collector types would dub your work thus far as "table top quality". HOWEVER, I can see in your work pieces that are somewhat better than my own starting work. The next step might be to try some washes, & a bit of highlighting. FEAR NOT; each piece you do will be better than the one preceding it. SO...EXCELLENT START!

Let's see...

Do you use the paint straight out of the pot? You should water them down a bit as otherwise they are too thick and will cover details and create a rough surface.

When painting metals you should drybrush the metal colours rather than paint them straight on the model. Get some paint on the brush and then remove most of the paint from the brush (with a tissue or something) until you have very very little paint left on the brush. If you then go to the model you will only apply little paint on the surfaces. You can use this for the blades of weapons and on chainmail.

I look forward to your next minis.

Thank you for the the kind words. Tabletop quality sounds like a pretty good start, and there's nowhere to go but up, I suppose.

I must admit, I have used some paint straight out. I'll work on that in the future.

I decided to give washes a try. Here are those bowmen again, this time with their third member. Since this photo was taken, the feathers on those arrows have been dulled down and detailed a bit.


Next are my two warriors, Elmo and Orsino. I quite like the latter (on the right in the photo). I think I did quite well painting his rucksack, but alas, it wouldn't photograph...


Giovanni the Officer again. This time he has had a black wash. I think that black cape and the dark eyes are weighing down the model...


On deck are two youngbloods and my captain, Doriano. I am pleased with how those repositioned shoulders are looking.


What washes would you recommend? I've tried black (9:1) and am considering brown.
Feedback is welcome

LOOKIN' GOOD! That IS an improvement. With the washes a lot of the guys have had success with the G.W. washes...Badab Black & Devlan Mud are the ones I hear mentioned the most. I must admit that I haven't tried them.
For the flesh a reddish brown wash (thinned down regular paint) works nicely over a medium flesh tone; them highlight the forehead, cheeks under the eyes, jaw, chin, upper lip, & the bridge of the nose with a lighter skin color.
A black wash over the silver metallic areas or reddish brown over yellow metal gives them depth; then a highlight with one or more lighter metallic shades...dry brush over chain mail. Ink washes also work very well with metals.
For cloth do a darker wash of the base color, highlight with the base color, then go one shade lighter for a final highlight. TIP: for a vibrant yellow, do a wash over the base yellow with orange, then the normal progression of highlighting.
I hope I haven't confused you...if so, I'd be delighted to explain any of the steps in greater depth. Don't be afraid to experiment: we work in a very forgiving medium. The worst case scenario is that occasionally you have to do a soak & remove the paint to start again. HAVE FUN!

Thanks DeafNala. I fear I have a very limited selection of paints at the moment thanks to some economic woes, but I must say, your advice has helped.

Ink washes? Are those just done with normal ink and water or is there a special type I would need? Would india ink work? I think I may have a jar of that knocking around.

So, the latest of my creations, in the order I have made them. First up are the two youngbloods I mentioned: Cirino and Guerino. These two came out a little messy (though the skin looks far better in real life), but I think that my cloth painting has greatly improved. The bodies are freebies I got from Wargames Factory.


Next is the captain. His face looks a little bland now that I look at it closely. I am sure I can fix that up. The metals are a little overwhelming... perhaps I should add a sash?



After that I painted my two duelists. Duelists have a special rule which basically allows them to always have a shield in the form of their cape. I think that the one on the left, Osvaldo, is one of the better miniatures I have painted. His counterpart, Bonifacio, actually has an Elvis style haircut sculpted from greenstuff, though it is a bit difficult to make out against my makeshift backdrop.



I have a question about the use of greenstuff. Is there anyway to remove those little bumps and get it really smooth?

Thanks, Horatio

It is good to see improvement as I scroll down at the pictures.

Your browns, try painting them in 2 or 3 layers. They cower that musch better.
ANd take your time.

The greenstuff, make sure when you mix it, that you keep rolling it even after it has turned to green. The lumps might be the blue stuff that has npt been even out. I always twist my greenstuff.

Each new piece is an improvement on the ones preceding it....you're coming alone FINE! A wash & dry brush on the chain mail would tone it down a bit.
India Ink along with the water soluble types are what I normally use.

horatio they look really cool

btw what mini did you use for the captain..he looks like a wargames factory guy but i can't be sure

Yeah, the captain is one of the Late Republican Romans bodies plus a head and shield that I got as a freebie with them (I think it is from their Celts). The arms are repositioned Empire Free Company and the cape is sculpted on.

I wish these Romans had better molded feet...

yeah the wargame factory guys are pretty cool

thought i might use either the unarmoured saxons or vikings as a norse warband

Same. I just like to buy models one unit at a time. It's more manageable.

i guess...i just splurg on them

this means my funds are usaully rather low