I've been trying to get my head around how to approach this project for quite some time, especially since it includes more than 200 models and the owner is known for his attention to detail and appreciation for a clean style. Wanting to accommodate that, I've been researching painting techniques until I came across Thomas David (, scroll down to The Art of Thomas David: Speed Painting). This guys is, without a doubt; my new hero!
In any case I began by dividing up some of the many Skaven I was given and picked out units from the owner's wishlist that correlated with the Island of Blood (IoB) set. Construction was pretty straight forward apart from an annoying habit of the IoB Skaven to push their arms out of their sockets while the glue was drying. All the Skaven were clipped off their base and pinned to bases supplied from the owner, the Cobblestone Ruins from Dragonforge ().
The Skaven were then undercoated Chaos Black and I broke out my airbrush to start working on the new style of technique - zenithal highlighting with airbrush covered with brush-painted washes and glazes.
I decided to work with Scorched Brown, Bestial Brown and Bleached Bone. To begin with I used 4-5 layers, mixing as I went along; but I worked out that I could start straight with Bestial Brown and Bleached Bone and stick to 3 layers.
The idea is to let the airbrush build up the gradient on the model, creating an overall monotonous shade/highlight effect. I've only used my airbrush on vehicles until this, so it was a learning experience getting the pressure and viscosity of the paint right. I don't feel I'm anywhere near mastering that yet.
This shot shows the shades, but if you flip a model over to view it from the zenith the color will look more even:
Once the models were airbrushed, I started glazing them up. First off was Boltgun Metal on all armor, weapons, and other metal.
After that I continued with glazes of Scab Red for robes, Graveyard Earth for wood, Tin Bitz for brass works, and Calthay Brown for leather. Once all that was dry I washed the glazed areas with Devlan Mud to accentuate the shade. I also washed the fur with Devlan Mud while I was at it.
The pictures are crap, but should give you a rough idea. If you want to learn about the technique, buy and download Thomas's video from Miniature Mentor - it is awesome!
Once I got this stage I separated out the units (for my own sanity) and started working on their finish. Highlights of the robes were given selective glazes of Blood Red, and prominent leather features Snakebite Leather.
The skin had become too pale (next batch I'll airbrush Elf Flesh instead of Bleached Bone in order to add some more pink to the mix, heating up the temperature), which I solved on the fly with a quick but careful drybrush of Vermin Brown - then I glazed the skin areas Ogryn Flesh. The mouth was glazed with Baal Red before painting the teeth Skull White - and eyes were painted Blood Red with a dot of Blazing Orange.
Other details were finally covered, then I moved to teh bases. They got a heavy glaze of Mechrite Red, the airbrushing creating texture and gradient there as well. Then I washed it Badab Black, drybrushed brick with Blood Red and some Blazing Orange. Finally I washed rubble area with Devlan Mud and drybrushed the same area a bit with Codex Grey for a dusty effect.
For every unit I finish I learn and refine colors and technique, and once this batch is done I'll re-watch Thomas's video before going on with the next batch to freshen up my ideas.
I'm happy with the way they are turning out, but I wanted to share this particular project as an example of how certain sources and references can totally change how you paint - or at least give you a lot of new input.
Once I get comfortable with this, I'll finally be doing the Eldar army I've been dreaming of for years. My vision wouldn't allow me to paint it because it didn't suit the style I used for army painted (where speed and consistency is the essence), but this will open new doors!!
