Sunday, April 28, 2013
Inking the wee 15mms
Last week, I wanted to see if I could get a nice shadow effect by painting neatly on an ink wash on white primer. I usually block paint, acrylic wash and highlight but this time, I'd start with neat painting on the inked figure, cutting out the acrylic wash, leaving the ink to give the shadows. I quickly realized this was not a time save but I could see the detail better than painting a figure primed white or black. So THATS why some of you prime black and drybrush with gray before you start!
The result is a decent and darker look but not a time saver. At 3 feet, I can't distinguish these from block, washed and highlighted figures. If I keep this, it'll probably be to highlight the detail only for painting.
Ancient Spanish light horse finished with the block, wash and highlight method.
I got a good jump on the 96 Dailami foot this week. All that's left is 96 scratch-painted shields. Yea, all that's left is the hardest part!
I've got Dailami archers and ellies in the pan! I'm excited about doing Arabesque ellies.
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Inking is a life saver for us with terrible vision as it picks out the details as you say! Nice work by the way.
ReplyDeleteThanks Fran! It was surprising how much detail I could pick out this way.
DeleteYup, great work. I think for inking over white primer, or dry-brushing white/grey over black primer that it only works for pre-shading if you use very thin paint which is difficult to control for 15mm figures (and still awkward for 28mm)
ReplyDeleteGood point, Tamsin. I've found the fiddlier techniques just don't pay out for the time they take in 15mm. I have an army I did in triads and it is not 1/3 better than my usual army for the time it took. Back in the box it goes!
DeleteI love inking, it makes life soooo much easier!!!
ReplyDeleteI'm guessing it's especially popular with us gents over the age of, shall we say, > 40? ;-)
DeleteDodgy eyes don't help, do they?
DeleteNice work Monty. I really like your colored horse tack - I have never tried that, always opting for leather-browns instead, but this gives me some fun ideas. Thanks for the inspiration!
ReplyDeleteJonathan, thanks! Brown tacking on brown horses seems to disappear in 15mm. And black needs a grey highlight to stand out. So I do try to use a colored tacking to give the group a pop of color.
DeleteOoooh, I spy elephants!
ReplyDeleteFMB
I'd like to paint a 28mm ellie one day. One day!
DeleteI rarely use ink for making details stand out. Generally I do layers and go from the dark to light working very slowly up to my highest points. But I do singles and that works. If I were doing 15mm troops and armies, I'd do something along these lines. I have done it with my 15mm Essex horses and it worked a charm.
ReplyDeleteGlad to see you've got some colour up! My crocuses came up weeks ago, my daffodils are done and my tulips are now in full bloom. You get spring much later than we do. Enjoy it my friend!
Anne! I am workmanlike in 15mm. I did some top notch armies last year but there's always a press for more troops, more periods, more rules and more reasons to paint. Over time, they all cycle over to the selling block!
DeleteThe first year I planted 200+ crocus in my front yard, I had a neighbor ask me "Are those real?" Seriously, like I'd stick 200 fake tiny flowers in my front yard?
Your usual good looking paintjobs!
ReplyDeleteThanks Gareson!
DeleteVery nice figures...and crocus! Spring is a great period!!
ReplyDeletePhil.
We've gone without warmth and color in the yard for so long...it is a wonderful time of year!
DeleteGreat work on all of these, Monty. The stained guys turned out very nice. Good to see you're finally seeing Spring. Best, Dean
ReplyDeleteThanks Dean and I think the whole state of MN might have gone off the deep end if the snow went any longer!
DeleteIt's good to try out new ideas. I white prime and straight ink all my 18mm SYW stuff they look fine most of the time, little tweaking at the end with some dry brushing or a touch up occasionally ( cross belts etc mostly ).
ReplyDeleteThanks Tarty. I do want to keep dabbling and changing up things, if only around the edges.
DeleteI'd love to see your inked SYW stuff, for a better idea of what a person can do with this.
Well done on the inking!
ReplyDeleteChristopher
Thanks Chris! Looking forward to seeing your F & I war stuff on the table. And your Spanish spearmen!
DeleteGreate work !
ReplyDeleteNice to see that the spring have arrive:9
Best regards Michael
Thanks Michael! I hope it's springtime in Stockholm for you fellows as well. It's a lifesaver!
DeleteLovely painting on those Ancient Spanish!
ReplyDeleteSpring arrived here in Stockholm last week or so – a little later than usual. It's been a long winter ...
Jonas! I've been rushing this week and I missed your feedback, so sorry!
DeleteOur spring came and went, hopefully it will come back. Enjoy the sun and warm temps!
Still spring up there?
ReplyDeleteWe received another 3 inches down here...
A nasty turn of events. We got a dusting while my parents got 13" in Rochester. Sigh.
Delete