Hi all,

I've recently started painting some Galadhrim warriors using the paints suggested on the painting cards, so far the test model looks good but I'm a bit confused over the use of etherium blue. It looks as if it's meant to be applied as a final highlight, so from what I can work out this means that i should dust the raised edges of the cloak with a very tiny amount. Is this right?

It's the last highlight on the blue robe. Etherium Blue is one of the new dry paints. Personally I dislike them, they're hard to control precisely and (IMHO) end up looking messy. I'd take a little bit of white and a little bit of Alaitoc Blue (or whatever blue you used for highlights), mix them together on a palette, and use that as the final highlight.

If you'd like to use the dry paint, you put a little on the end of your brush and wipe off any excess. Once you have a little on the brush you sweep it lightly over the ridges of the area you want to pick up the color. It's drybrushing, a good technique to get the hang of but (again IMO) too messy for elves.

Thanks for the quick reply. I think I'll try mixing white and alaitoc blue then. Like you say it sounds less messy. I don't want little blue sprinkles all over the rest of the model!

I agree with RingOfGyges, I tried that combo for my Knight of the White Tower and I had to start over with the base coat. Either I need to play a lot with that dry compound, or it really does suck...and I prefer my old method of using normal paint wiped on a paper towel. Personally I would still drybrush (using normal paint) because I usually prefer the effect, though if the drybrush colour is too much brighter than the shade beneath it can look dusty.

I also don't like their suggestion in the new painting book and on the cards: base coat, wash, layer, layer. I find the wash darkens the base coat too much, and the contrast between that and the first layer is too high. I prefer base coat, layer, drybrush, wash; or base coat, layer, wash, re-layer, drybrush...depending on how dark the colour is.

Ok I'm gonna sound stupid here for an old pro but whats a painting card? Do they come with the minis now?

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You don't have to be great to start. But you do have to start to be great.

GW hand them out to beginners or you could probably ask for one. They are rubbish imho.

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12th GBHL 2013.
13th GBHL 2014
9th GBHL 2015


Mid Sussex Wargamers

Ah ok. Cheers for filling me in.

_________________
You don't have to be great to start. But you do have to start to be great.

I see what you mean about the wash making the basecoat too dark. It looks very unnatural and cartoony, especially on the cloak. Are there any guides around that use the new paints? I've been looking for ages and there's loads but they all use the old paint range.

The paints are pretty new, at least as far as paints go, since I expect I'll be using my old ones for a long time yet...and the LotR community isn't that big, so I wouldn't expect any new painting guides for a while.

I'm no painting expert and only get to a tabletop standard at best, but you might try this sequence, it's quick:

1. Kantor Blue base
2. Alaitoc Blue layer, covering all but the deepest recesses
3. Mix a lighter blue and paint or liberally drybrush.
3a. Mix an even lighter blue and lightly drybrush.
4. Wash with Drakenhof Nightshade

This can turn out dark if you don't go light enough in step 3, so this one takes a bit longer but gives you more control:

1. Kantor Blue base
2. Alaitoc Blue layer, covering all but the deepest recesses
3. Drakenhof Nightshade wash
4. Repaint Alaitoc Blue, but in a thinner band than step 2 (i.e.: leave some of the washed layer visible)
5. Mix a lighter blue and lightly drybrush.

Thank's very much. I'll give it a try and hopefully I'll have some pictures of the finished product to post soon!