I picked up this warmachine fig ages ago for use as a squat in one of my multitudinous half-started projects, but until now it's been sitting primered on the shelf. I wanted to try out some new technique and push my comfort zone a little bit, so I thought I'd take a crack at 'object source lighting' and try to have the glow from the thunder hammer shine onto the model a bit. I read a couple tutorials and got to work - I resolved that for the first try I should try the 'less is more' approach - thinking that if I screwed it up and it looked dumb, it would only look dumb on a smallish part of the model. Heh.
However, for a first try I was pleasantly surprised in how it turned out, and learned a lot about what I should do on the next attempt. I may have been a bit too conservative on the lit areas, but overall I was happy with the final results. I don't know that I'd do this for every model that may have something that could possibly glow, but for the occasional character model I may have to try this technique again in the future!
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Great stuff!
ReplyDeleteI think your technique is awesome. I would question the color. In the pics it almost looks to me like frost or ice.
ReplyDeleteConsidering it's your first attempt I still say it's a smashing good job.
Cheers!
Are you sure its your first time ... could have fooled me !!!
ReplyDeleteAwesome Job !
Thanks folks - I appreciate the encouragement!
ReplyDelete@Col. Hessler - Aye, I was worried that the blue came out a bit too light, but mostly I think it's a function of my paint scheme; all my power weapons are blue and force weapons are green. I think next go around I'll go with more of the darker blue 'glow' and try to get the light blue only on the most extreme edges.
@jmezz382 - I spent quite a bit of time reading up on the technique about envisioning where the 'light' would fall on the model, which I think is probably the most challenging part. Other than that it was quite simple - paint the model as you would normally, and then feather the 'glow' on top of the painted sections and it works a treat!
All in all it was much easier than I thought it would be - definitely worth trying on a test model if you haven't done so before!
Wow, good job mate. This is something I really need to try out soon...
ReplyDeleteNice job. The blue glow contrasts nicely with the coppery armor. Be Careful with your falloff, though; it's looking a little chalky on that smokestack. Just remember that something that kicks off a ton of light is also going to cast on the ground, too..
ReplyDeleteThanks!
ReplyDelete@sovietspace - I definitely recommend giving it a go. It was pretty fun actually.
@#2501 - Excellent advice. That's my main concern about the end result as well. Next time I need to do more deliberate highlighting rather than drybrushed feathering which made for the chalk/snow appearance I think. I didn't go all the way to the ground on this test model mostly because I erred on the side of caution. The next time I'll try a larger area of radiance. Thanks for the tips!