Monday 8 February 2016

From AnneO'L-Hasslefree Moderns (25 points)

Rather than paint for points or for prizes in bonus rounds, I chose to use this years Challenge as an opportunity to push myself as a painter.  With that in mind, I set three specific goals for myself.  Expand the scope of genres I work in by painting historical miniatures (more is to come), paint teams and make a serious effort to improve my work on skin tones.

Today's figures represent my first attempt at trying new techniques to produce more realistic skin tones.  This first exercise involved using colours such as red, purple, pink, blue and lavender along with the Reaper Tanned Skin Triad to produce different effects. I will briefly discuss what colours I used on each figure and why I chose those colours.  All paints used are from Reaper.

Figures are from Hasslefree Miniatures, are 28mm and are sculpted by Kev White.






I wanted a very warm skin tone for this figure.  In order to achieve that I mixed different colours with Tanned Skin Shadow and glazed down from the base colour, Tanned Skin.  For most of her face I used Crimson Red. However, to produce the darker tones where the hair obscures the face, I used Burgundy Wine, which has a strong purple tone.  For the deeper recess on her arms I used Burgandy Wine, then worked up to Crimson Red and finally up to a pink using Old Western Rose.  This allowed me to produce different gradients within the shadows.  This is most noticeable on the back of the miniature I think.





As there is little skin showing on this figure, the technique was simple and straightforward.  I wanted a warm tone that was consistent with the overall palette.  This was achieved by glazing down into the shadows using Tanned Skin Shadow mixed with Burgundy Wine.  The resultant purple tone would contrast well with the red of his beret without compromising the warmth I was looking for.



In keeping with the cooler palette of his clothing, I wanted to produce a cool skin tone with this figure.  In order to do that, I mixed Winter Blue with the Tanned Skin Shadow and glazed down from the base colour, Tanned Skin.  As the highlights on the top of his head were quite high, I decided to finish with a pale lavender glaze to tone them down a bit.


Oftentimes there is some confusion when talking about glazes and washes.  When I am referring to a glaze I am using paint that I have thinned down with water to the point of being translucent, with very little pigment noticeable on the brush.  When doing this, one must use many, many layers before the colour is noticeable. However, as the paint is translucent rather than opaque one gains the advantage of producing interesting gradients and a multitude of colours. This is a watercolour technique. Also unlike a wash, the paint is not applied to the entire surface, rather it is targeted solely to the areas where one wants to produce a colour shift.   

There are two more figures as part of this group of Moderns.  Both are being done in a deep ebony skin tone.  I have completed the work on the skin tones and am now working on their clothing.  As the technique for producing such a deep ebony is more complex, I will post those figures on another day.  



These figures are worth 15 points and put me over my 100 point target.  


First of all Anne, congrats on hitting your target.  I understand that you will hang time on the benchmark but may have some more figs to add over the back half of the challenge.


Now that my administrative duties are over with let me just say "WOW".  Once again you have produced a triumph!  Wonderful paint jobs and I appreciated the tutorial on flesh tones.  Since you've rendered me almost speechless I'll just let the figures tell the story.  But I have doled out some more of my limited supply of bonus points your way once again. 

37 comments:

  1. Fabulous brushwork from Anne. Great to see her work again.

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  2. These ate some of the most impressive figures I have seen, really a terrific job.

    John

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  3. Anne your work is consistantly amzaing. Than you for sharing what you did. Can you share the paints you use, by that I mean a picture of the bottle or a small dab of it on paper so we can see the color you used? If you don't use a particualr brand its hard to judge the actual color. Great stuff.

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    1. It's difficult for me when people who use GW do tutorials. I've no idea what colours that translates to. I plan on getting round to doing an in depth tutorial after the challenge is over. I'll PM you the link on FB when it's done.

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  4. A triumph Anne! Absolutely amazing work, bravo. Your work on the various skin tones is brilliant (notes are being taken).

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    1. Thank you oh Great and Powerful Oz!

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    2. Oh, let's not stand on effusive protocol, just call me Most High and Beneficent Overlord - That's what all my (imaginary) friends call me...

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  5. Great job with the colors. Skin color was excellent, but other color schemes are striking harmony.

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  6. Fecking lovely Anne, my router has been down for 4 days, internet provider a little unhelpful, so commenting has been very tardy.

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    1. When I saw you drop off FB, I knew something had to have happened. Glad to here it was not something serious and nice to have you back online!

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  7. You make grown men cry Anne!

    Beautiful as usual.

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  8. Incredible results as always Anne. While I know you are focusing on the skin tones in this submission, I just have to note that a) the overall effort is outstanding and b) I love the work on the shoes on the third fellow, who looks kinda like an accountant who has snapped an heading back to the work place...

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  9. Fantastic as always. Tip are very useful indeed

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  10. Amazing painting work, really warm and full of life. The skin colour in this figures is fantastic!

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  11. Those skin tones are gorgeous Anne. Thanks for taking the time to share in the techniques used.

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  12. Absolutly fabulous paintwork and basing!
    I find that your skintones are like those of the artistic painters that are using oil paints " smooth,deep and rich".

    Congratulations Madame!

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  13. Simply beautiful work Anne. Your painting goes from strength to strength and leaves us mere mortals in the shade :)

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  14. Beautiful work once again Anne. You're a true artist!

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  15. I'd call those skin tones a smashing success Anne. Wonderful stuff. Even the cobblestones are something else!

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    1. Those are a right pain in the arse to do Millsy. That's about 20 layers of thin glazes on each stone. I hate doing them, but they look pretty cool.

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  16. Thank you all for the lovely comments. They are greatly appreciated!

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  17. Some of the best painting I've ever seen - wonderful work

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  18. I think these may be your best work so far. Amazing results. I really like how you are playing with warm and cool colours. That's really stepping into a deeper level with painting. Mixing warm and cool can be very tricky and is hard to master (if we ever do). You got a real talent and skill.
    Cheers

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  19. Excellent work again Anne, you keep upping your game

    Ian

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  20. Wow, Anne! Really lovely work! The colors are really vibrant and the glaze work is spot on. You definitely have the color wheel down pat!

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  21. Superb. I'm never brave enough to use "funny" colours on skin...... I think I'm doing well to use two different colours of highlights! I do like those stones too - very "pulp" feeling.

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  22. Well Anne, I do think Hasslefree will have to employ you as their new house-painter. Man, have you done these figures justice and then some...

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    1. Just Hasslefree?

      Any miniature company would be very lucky to have Anne painting exemplars!

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  23. Anne, you have always had one of the best painting styles. Your entries to the challenge this year are even more spectacular than last years.

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  24. Very, very nice! I'd say you achieved your goal of taking your skin-tones to the next level. Really appreciate the tutorials on how you did it, too. :)

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  25. Stunning pieces Anne! I'm always impressed by the way your colours seem to shine.

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