Painting Guide: Radagast

As a bonus figure in the pack, Radagast the Brown was included in the starter set, and while he does not have a part to play in the escape from Goblin Town, he is an excellent sculpt and comes with a sculpted base as well.  The base has a lot of hidden details I did not catch until I started painting/highlighting the base coat.

0.  Radagast started with a Matt Black under coat.
1.   Paint the flesh using Tanned Flesh.

1a. Wash the skin with Soft Tone.

1b. Highlight using Barbarian Flesh.

2.   Base coat the hair and beard in Monster Brown.

2a. Highlight the hair in Ash Grey.

2b. Add a second highlight Matt White.

2c. Wash with Strong Tone.

3.   Paint Radagast’s trousers in Oak Brown.

3a. Highlight the trousers with Leather Brown.

4.   Paint Radagast’s shirt in Desert Yellow.

4a. Wash the shirt in Strong Tone.

5.   Paint Radagast’s shoes with Oak Brown.

5a. Highlight the shoes with Monster Brown.

5b. Wash the shoes with Dark Tone.

5c. Add a second highlight of Monster Brown.

6.   Paint the log and staff in Oak Brown.

6a. Highlight with Leather Brown.

7.  The two spiders are painted Matt Black.

7a. Highlight with Uniform Grey.

8.   Paint the staff top in Crystal Blue.

8a. Wash with Blue Tone.

8b. Highlight with Hydra Turquoise.

9.   Paint Radagast’s coat in Leather Brown.

9a. Wash the top of the coat in Strong Tone.

9b. Wash the bottom of the coat in Dark Tone.

9c. Highlight the details with Fur Brown.

10.   Paint the satchel in Leather Brown.

10a. Wash the satchel in Strong Tone.

10b. Highlight the details with Monster Brown.

11.  Paint the leaves with Goblin Green.

11a. Wash the leaves in the satchel with Strong Tone.

12. Paint Sebastian in Oak Brown.

12a. Paint Sebastian’s face with Skeleton Bone.

12b. Highlight Sebastian’s spikes with Skeleton Bone.

12c. Add dots of Matt Black for Sebastian’s eyes and nose.

Some last notes:  

A. The eyes were painted between the Flesh Tone Wash and the Barbarian Flesh Highlight.  The eyes are done with a 5/0 brush.  First paint a horizontal white line and then place a black dot in the center.

B. AP Soft Tone is a good wash for flesh and other light colored items.

C. AP Strong Tone is a good general brown wash similar to Citadel's Agrax Earth Shade. 

D. AP Dark Tone is a good black wash similar to Citadel's Nuln Oil.

I added some Army Painter Summer Grass to the base and then painted the edge of the base in Leather Brown. 

Before we have the painting guide for the goblins we have the terrain tutorial I have been talking about.  In addition, beginning next week, I am going to be alternating between the painting guides and battle reports.  Shep played his first game of Frostgrave tonight and I will be putting together the 72 picture battle report this week.

I must thank TALE OF TWO PAINTERS for the inspiration for these tutorials.  Unfortunately, I do not have step by step photos like they do as I found their site after I was a quarter of the way complete.  They painted the miniatures using Citadel paints.  I felt a guide using The Army Painter brand was warranted, especially as there is no readily available conversion chart for Citadel and AP brands like the other major miniature paint brands (Vallejo, P3, Reaper, etc.).  When I painted these miniatures I only had the 42 bottle 2015 Mega Paint Set II, so there was a lot of mixing of paints to get the right color.

Painting Guide: Gandalf

The instigator of this little party, Gandalf the Grey, has arrived and is ready to begin!  Despite him coming out a little dark, this is one of my favorite miniatures I painted from the starter box.

0.  Gandalf started with a Matt Black under coat (which was probably why he turned out so dark).
1.   Paint the flesh using Tanned Flesh.

1a. Wash the skin with Soft Tone.

1b. Highlight using Barbarian Flesh.

2.   Base coat the hair and beard in Monster Brown.

2a. Highlight the hair in Ash Grey.

2b. Add a second highlight Matt White.

3.   Paint the inner cloak and sword belt with Deep Blue.

3a. Highlight the above with Crystal Blue.

4.   Paint Gandalf’s scarf with Wolf Grey.

4a. Highlight the scarf with Ash Grey.

4b. Add a second highlight of Ash Grey and Matt White in a ratio of 1:1.

5.   Paint Gandalf’s over cloak in a mix of Uniform Grey and Matt Black in a ratio of 10:1. (In retrospect I should have done just the Uniform Grey).

5a. Wash with Strong Tone.

5b. Highlight with Uniform Grey.

5c. Add a second highlight Ash Grey.

6.   Paint the staff, belts, and shoes in Oak Brown.

6a. Highlight with Leather Brown.

7.   Paint Gandalf’s gloves in Monster Brown.

7a. Wash with Strong Tone.

8.   Paint Glamdring in Shining Silver.

Some last notes:  

A. The eyes were painted between the Flesh Tone Wash and the Barbarian Flesh Highlight.  The eyes are done with a 5/0 brush.  First paint a horizontal white line and then place a black dot in the center.

B. AP Soft Tone is a good wash for flesh and other light colored items.

C. AP Strong Tone is a good general brown wash similar to Citadel's Agrax Earth Shade. 

D. AP Dark Tone is a good black wash similar to Citadel's Nuln Oil.

I based the miniature with coral beach sand for the rocky/sandy caves of Goblin Town and added some Highland Tufts and Meadow Tufts from The Army Painter Battlefields range.  I then painted the edge of the base in Ash Grey. 

Think we are done with the free peoples?  Nope, a special bonus figure comes with the set, making a trip all the way from Rhosgobel on the western boarders of Mirkwood.

I must thank TALE OF TWO PAINTERS for the inspiration for these tutorials.  Unfortunately, I do not have step by step photos like they do as I found their site after I was a quarter of the way complete.  They painted the miniatures using Citadel paints.  I felt a guide using The Army Painter brand was warranted, especially as there is no readily available conversion chart for Citadel and AP brands like the other major miniature paint brands (Vallejo, P3, Reaper, etc.).  When I painted these miniatures I only had the 42 bottle 2015 Mega Paint Set II, so there was a lot of mixing of paints to get the right color.

 

Weekly Workbench 3 September 2017

Historical:

My Scots Thanes for SAGA finally got their shields (title photo) and bases finished.  I was able to give them an overcoat today with the drop in humidity so they will be ready to go for some action soon!  Final pictures next week.

I also primed and started painting the Scots warriors and hope with leave this week I will have them knocked out before the next update.

Sci-Fi:

The Boromite Gang Fighters for Beyond the Gates of Antares have been painted and washed.  Some came out very dark and you can see the differences in versions I have done.  I will need to do some serious highlighting with red to get some of these Boromites out of the purple skin tone they currently have.

Fantasy:

As seen in the cover picture, I over-coated Shep's Chronomancers, Ivy's Elementalists, and Mugzy's Sigilists, which I painted this week for Frostgrave.  Tone of detail work on the Sigilist wizard and I still need to add a gloss varnish to some of the gold and they will be done.  I also put together two zombies from parts out of the Cultist box sprues.

I also started building another wizard, apprentice, and captain for the #Triplespruechallenge with the remaining pieces from the three sprues.  This time I have an Illusionist who needs at least one more pouch and a cape made from green stuff, the apprentice who has Monstrous Form cast on him, and the captain with some crushed cultist skulls.  I also clipped the built in bases for these guys as it has been a pain basing the others.

During some spare time while waiting for paint to dry, I started painting my Dwarf Runic Golem.  Long way to go on this guy!  Definitely a miniature to have an airbrush as painting this by hand is going to take some time, especially with trying to avoid brush marks.

Terrain:

I cleaned, built, and primed the Goblin Town platforms from The Hobbit Strategy Battle Game starter set and should have them painted by the end of the week.  They will make a great addition to the Frostgrave table as well as The Hobbit.

I also primed the foam tower ruin and should get that painted up and finished this week as well.

While not terrain, I tried using a wet pallet again, going through a couple of variations. So far this one, with the sandwich box, paper towels, and parchment paper seems to be working the best.  Other versions with a sponge would have the parchment paper drying out as I painted no matter how much water was in the container and it would curl up as I paint.  So far with the paper towel that has not been the case.

Stop by next week, should be a lot more progress with me on leave, though Saturday I have a Spartan Race, as long as Irma decides to leave us alone.  Make sure to check out the Painting Guide on Tuesday for Gandalf!

Painting Guide: Thorin Oakenshield

Finally, the King Under the Mountain, Thorin Oakenshield, deigns to make his appearance!  Lots of detail, as befits his status, but not my best paint job unfortunately, too thick of paint obscuring those details I just mentioned. Click on the pictures for a larger view!

0. Thorin started with a Matt Black under coat.
1.   Paint the flesh using Tanned Flesh.

1a. Wash the skin with Red Tone to get the ruddier tone of the Dwarfs.

1b. Highlight using Barbarian Flesh.

2.   Highlight the hair and fur between the boot straps with a mixture of Uniform Grey and Matt Black in a 4:1 ratio.

2a. Highlight a second time with Uniform Grey.

2b. Highlight the fur only a third time with Skeleton Bone.

3.   Highlight the scabbard, elbows, knees, boot straps with a mixture of Uniform Grey and Matt Black in a 4:1 ratio.

3a. Highlight a second time with Electric Blue.

4.   Paint Thorin’s scale mail, belt, scabbard top, and steel toe caps with Plate Mail Metal.

4a. Wash the mail, belt and scabbard top with Strong Tone.

4b. Wash the steel toe caps with Dark Tone.

5.   Paint Orcrist in Shining

Silver.

5a. Highlight with Blue Tone.

6.   Paint the hilt and pommel with Plate Mail Metal.

7.   Paint Thorin’s tunic and wrist guards in with Deep Blue.

7a. Highlight with Ultramarine Blue.

7b. Wash with Dark Tone.

7c. Create the cross hatch with Matt Black.

8.   Paint the scabbard with Monster Brown.

8a. Highlight with Desert Yellow.

8b. Wash with Strong Tone.

Some last notes:  

A. The eyes were painted between the Flesh Tone Wash and the Barbarian Flesh Highlight.  The eyes are done with a 5/0 brush.  First paint a horizontal white line and then place a black dot in the center.

B. AP Soft Tone is a good wash for flesh and other light colored items.

C. AP Strong Tone is a good general brown wash similar to Citadel's Agrax Earth Shade. 

D. AP Dark Tone is a good black wash similar to Citadel's Nuln Oil.

I based the miniature with coral beach sand for the rocky/sandy caves of Goblin Town and added some Highland Tufts and Meadow Tufts from The Army Painter Battlefields range.  I then painted the edge of the base in Shining Silver and Electric Blue. 

That finishes up Thorin’s Company but what about the one who brought this crew together?  Stop by next week to see the best fireworks maker in Middle Earth!

I must thank TALE OF TWO PAINTERS for the inspiration for these tutorials.  Unfortunately, I do not have step by step photos like they do as I found their site after I was a quarter of the way complete.  They painted the miniatures using Citadel paints.  I felt a guide using The Army Painter brand was warranted, especially as there is no readily available conversion chart for Citadel and AP brands like the other major miniature paint brands (Vallejo, P3, Reaper, etc.).  When I painted these miniatures I only had the 42 bottle 2015 Mega Paint Set II, so there was a lot of mixing of paints to get the right color. 

Painting Guide: Bombur

The last, but certainly not the least, of Thorin’s dwarves comes rolling in looking for a feast.  A fairly simple paint job but a very enjoyable miniature. 

0.  Bombur started with a Uniform Grey under coat.
1.   Paint the flesh using Tanned Flesh.

1a. Wash the skin with Red Tone to get the ruddier tone of the Dwarfs.

1b. Highlight using Barbarian Flesh.

2.   Paint Bombur’s shirt in Goblin Green.

2a. Highlight with Necrotic Flesh.

2b. Wash the shirt with Green Tone.

3.   Paint his boots with Oak Brown.

3a. Wash the boots with Dark Tone.

3b. Highlight the boots with Leather Brown.

4.   Paint Bombur’s vest in Leather Brown.

4a. Highlight with Monster Brown.

4b. Do a second highlight of Monster Brown and Desert Yellow in a 1:1 ratio.

4c. Wash in Strong Tone.

5.   Paint Bombur’s hair in Fur Brown.

5a. Highlight with a mix of Lava Orange, Skeleton Bone, and Pure Red in a 2:2:1 ratio.

5b. Wash the hair in Strong Tone.

6.   Paint the trousers and gloves in a Uniform Grey and Matt Black mix in a 10:1 ratio.

6a. Highlight with Ash Grey.

6b. Wash with Dark Tone.

7.   Paint the satchel in a 1:1 ratio of Desert Yellow and Monster Brown.

7a. Wash in Strong Tone.

8.   Paint the butcher knife and ladle handles in Oak Brown.

8a. Paint the metal of the butcher knife and ladle in Gun Metal.

Some last notes:  

A. The eyes were painted between the Flesh Tone Wash and the Barbarian Flesh Highlight.  The eyes are done with a 5/0 brush.  First paint a horizontal white line and then place a black dot in the center.

B. AP Soft Tone is a good wash for flesh and other light colored items.

C. AP Strong Tone is a good general brown wash similar to Citadel's Agrax Earth Shade. 

D. AP Dark Tone is a good black wash similar to Citadel's Nuln Oil.

I based the miniature with coral beach sand for the rocky/sandy caves of Goblin Town and added some Highland Tufts and Meadow Tufts from The Army Painter Battlefields range.  I then painted the edge of the base in Necrotic Flesh. 

Next week we come to the end of the company and the King Under the Mountain makes his appearance!

I must thank TALE OF TWO PAINTERS for the inspiration for these tutorials.  Unfortunately, I do not have step by step photos like they do as I found their site after I was a quarter of the way complete.  They painted the miniatures using Citadel paints.  I felt a guide using The Army Painter brand was warranted, especially as there is no readily available conversion chart for Citadel and AP brands like the other major miniature paint brands (Vallejo, P3, Reaper, etc.).  When I painted these miniatures I only had the 42 bottle 2015 Mega Paint Set II, so there was a lot of mixing of paints to get the right color. 

Painting Guide: Bofur

Bofur is the next one of this group of dwarves.  He comes swinging his mattock, showing the plight of many of the dwarves of Erebor since their exile began.  Another character with lots of freehand detail work to be done.      

0.  Bofur started with a black under coat.
1.   Paint the flesh using Tanned Flesh.

1a. Wash the skin with Red Tone to get the ruddier tone of the Dwarfs.

1b. Wash the skin again in Flesh Tone.

1c. Highlight using Barbarian Flesh.

2.   Paint Bofur’s hair, hand guards, pouch, and weapon wrap with Leather Brown.

2a. Highlight with Monster Brown.

3.   Paint his hat, boots, trousers, with Leather Brown.

3a. Highlight the boots and trousers with Fur Brown.

3b. Add a second highlight of a Skeleton Bone and Lava Orange mix in a 3:2 ratio.

4.   Basecoat the overcoat, tunic, and boot fur in Monster Brown.

4a. Add a highlight of Desert Yellow.

4b. Wash with Strong Tone.

5.   Paint Bofur’s mattock shaft and belt in Oak Brown.

6.   Paint his scarf and hat fur in Uniform Grey.

6a. Highlight with Ash Grey.

6b. Wash with Dark Tone.

7.   Add details to the overcoat, tunic, and wrist guards with Oak Brown.

8.   Paint the buckles and mattock head with Gun Metal.

Some last notes:  

A. The eyes were painted between the Flesh Tone Wash and the Barbarian Flesh Highlight.  The eyes are done with a 5/0 brush.  First paint a horizontal white line and then place a black dot in the center.

B. AP Soft Tone is a good wash for flesh and other light colored items.

C. AP Strong Tone is a good general brown wash similar to Citadel's Agrax Earth Shade. 

D. AP Dark Tone is a good black wash similar to Citadel's Nuln Oil.

I based the miniature with coral beach sand for the rocky/sandy caves of Goblin Town and added some Highland Tufts and Meadow Tufts from The Army Painter Battlefields range.  I then painted the edge of the base in Demonic Yellow. 

Next week everyone’s favorite dwarven wreaking ball lands on Bilbo’s door stop, be sure to come on by!

I must thank TALE OF TWO PAINTERS for the inspiration for these tutorials.  Unfortunately, I do not have step by step photos like they do as I found their site after I was a quarter of the way complete.  They painted the miniatures using Citadel paints.  I felt a guide using The Army Painter brand was warranted, especially as there is no readily available conversion chart for Citadel and AP brands like the other major miniature paint brands (Vallejo, P3, Reaper, etc.).  When I painted these miniatures I only had the 42 bottle 2015 Mega Paint Set II, so there was a lot of mixing of paints to get the right color.

Painting Guide: Bifur

The last group of dwarves arrives and Bifur is the first one to come tumbling through the door.  This older dwarf comes in a goblin ax embedded in his skull (have to tell these 13 dwarves apart somehow).  Lots of browns and greys used throughout this paint job and a lot of detail work.     

0.  Bifur started with a black under coat.
1.   Paint the flesh using Tanned Flesh.

1a. Wash the skin with Red Tone to get the ruddier tone of the Dwarfs.

1b. Wash the skin again in Flesh Tone.

1c. Highlight using Barbarian Flesh.

2.   Paint Bifur’s hair in Black.

2a. Highlight-1 with Uniform Grey.

2b. Highlight-2 with Ash Grey.

2c. Add a third highlight to the mustache with Matt White.

3.   Leave the black base coat on the spear shaft.

3a. Highlight the shaft with Ash Grey.

4.   Base coat the overcoat and boots with Oak Brown.

5.   Paint Bifur’s belt with Matt Black.

5a. Highlight the belt with Ash Grey.

6.   Highlight the Belt, overcoat panels, and boots with Leather Brown.

7.   Paint Bifur’s overcoat diagonal stripes, tunic, and fringe with Monster Brown.

7a. Highlight-1 with Desert Yellow.

7b. Wash with Strong Tone.

7c. Add a last highlight with Skeleton Bone.

8.   Paint the buckles, weapon blade & pommel, goblin ax head, sheath end, and sword hilt & pommel with Gun Metal.

8a. Wash all these metal bits with Dark Tone.

Some last notes:  

A. The eyes were painted between the Flesh Tone Wash and the Barbarian Flesh Highlight.  The eyes are done with a 5/0 brush.  First paint a horizontal white line and then place a black dot in the center.

B. AP Soft Tone is a good wash for flesh and other light colored items.

C. AP Strong Tone is a good general brown wash similar to Citadel's Agrax Earth Shade. 

D. AP Dark Tone is a good black wash similar to Citadel's Nuln Oil.

I based the miniature with coral beach sand for the rocky/sandy caves of Goblin Town and added some Highland Tufts and Meadow Tufts from The Army Painter Battlefields range.  I then painted the edge of the base in Demonic Yellow. 

Bofur and his ear-flap hat is the next dwarf to come tumbling through the door next week, be sure to stop by!

I must thank TALE OF TWO PAINTERS for the inspiration for these tutorials.  Unfortunately, I do not have step by step photos like they do as I found their site after I was a quarter of the way complete.  They painted the miniatures using Citadel paints.  I felt a guide using The Army Painter brand was warranted, especially as there is no readily available conversion chart for Citadel and AP brands like the other major miniature paint brands (Vallejo, P3, Reaper, etc.).  When I painted these miniatures I only had the 42 bottle 2015 Mega Paint Set II, so there was a lot of mixing of paints to get the right color.