Plodding through Plaid.....painting miniatures thoughts

I posted the picture below tonight on a number of Facebook forums and had probably the best reaction to a photo for some time. Painting plaid is a daunting task and I have tried over the years to perfect it. The secret is paint flow, and shading highlights. I basically paint and wash like I do for all my models, then highlight, then add the lines, then highlight the squares inbetween. For the fine lines I have tried wet palettes, water, drying retarder and mediums etc, I finally settled on a idea I read on planet models forum using a single drop Vallejo varnish as the medium.  I find it works the best on a wet palette, dragging both together into a mix, too a milk consistency,  add a good brush, preferably sable, I used a 5/0 kolinsky on this piece, but a good 000 will give a satisfactory result as long as it has a good point. Brush washing also helps, as I paint almost every day I wear our brushes quite fast, so I like to wash them weekly so I can get a long service from a expensive sable? As for the lines I lay it down on my finger nail first to ensure it is correct, also I find a good magnifier is required, I use mine for all my painting now my eyes are failing me. I purchased it at a dress makers shop and have the brightest daylight globe I could find.

Hope that is helpful, not a expert at any means, but happy to pass on my tips.

Cheers
Matt

Komnenian Byzantines Cavalry Army

Komnenian Byzantine Army

A few bits off the table this month, some Byzantines for my mate in Australia Colin, 12 more bases of cavalry to complete this month. Miniatures are all Eureka with LBM transfers.

Komnenian Heavy Cavalry

Komnenian Heavy Cavalry

Komnenian Heavy Cavalry

Komnenian Heavy Cavalry

 

Komnenian Heavy Cavalry

Komnenian Heavy Cavalry

Komnenian Heavy Cavalry

Byzantine Komnenian horse archers

Byzantine Komnenian horse archers

Byzantine Komnenian horse archers

Byzantine Komnenian horse archers

Byzantine Komnenian horse archers

Byzantine Komnenian horse archers

Byzantine Komnenian horse archers

Byzantine Komnenian horse archers

Byzantine Komnenian horse archers

Byzantine Komnenian horse archers

cheers

Matt

New painting station

I have recently moved from a four bedroom home on the outskirts of Sydney into the inner west into a two bedroom flat with my lovely lady. I am closer to the new job, saving almost 2.5 hours of travel each day. The only downside is that I do not have a dedicated painting room, so I purchased a roll top desk (credenza) to be my painting station in the lounge room. So far very happy how it is working.

Congrats Mark

A Big Congratulations must go out to a fellow Goulburn Valiant Stormer and damn fine painter Mark Soley for his efforts in the Games Workshop 2011 Australian Golden Demon Awards. Mark has always been a cracking painter and has really improved out of sight in the last 8 years. One day he may return from the dark side!!!!!!

Fantasy Single Miniature
Gold ~ Sebastian A ~ Banshee
Silver ~ Chaos Sorcerer
Bronze~ Mark Soley ~ Savage Orc

And in the Open Competition his excellent Diorama "Kreig Gas mask Dog"

Gold - Mark Soley

Silver- Mike I - Stormboss

Bronze- Rodger B - Ultramarine

Cheers

Matt