Good evening dear readers of the Realm of Chaos (80s). Or indeed, good anytime of the day this post reaches you. I'm been somewhat distracted by family matters of late, so I haven't been as busy as I have wanted to be. With another Bank Holiday around the corner, I may find some more time in the not to distant to get the next figure in this range painted: namely Gollum himself.
Today with have the majestic Gandalf to talk about, and as you can see I've dared have a shot at painting in eyes as the final finishing touch... the first time I've attempted that little trick in many years... what do you think?
Despite buying some more brushes at Salute, I am still using my original veteran hairy wand. I'm a little put off replacing it because it is the last remnant of my old blogging life. No doubt, it's bristles will eventually fail and the new brushes will have to be popped from their packaging.
But that was not today. Additionally, this Gandalf figure is the first I've been happy enough with to post multiple side view shots.
As you can see here. I've been pretty traditional with my approach to this figure. Faded blue hat, silvery beard and grey travelling clothes are all archetypical grey wizard. I thought the flesh too was painted better than dear old Bilbo. Again, Bleached Bone has been my saviour here.
As you may be able to tell, I quite enjoyed painting this figure and am pleased with him. I can see that my highlighting on clothes needs further practise but it is a huge difference from my output earlier on in the year. I've been tinkering with getting gold right after puzzling over the pommels and grips of the Skeleton Horde's handweapons. Gandalf's pipe (no doubt preplugged with Old Toby) gave me the opportunity to do this. Gold base, orange/chestnut ink was and simple highlight. I picked up some Humbrol metallics in acrylic in Hobbycraft and have been giving them a whirl. As you will know, I'm looking for viable alternatives to the decayed metallics from my beloved '80s paint sets.
I was pleased with his bag. It looks like a decent leather colour and makes a useful contrast to all that grey and blue. I've found that I really appreciate Snakebite Leather and like Bleached Bone before it that shade is becoming a stalwart. Trouble is, I only have one pot of the stuff so matching it to some Coat d'arms paints in the future is a must. If anyone out there knows of another match, please do let me know.
Just a whistlestop today in Middle Earth...
As I said, I have my eye on Gollum and some more skellies in the not to distant future. If I can scrape more wallpaper off the walls I might be a proper set up yet.
Wish me luck!
Orlygg
Beautiful work. The eyes are very well done.
ReplyDeleteI am glad you think so... my hand wobbled a bit, but that was through trepidation or perhaps terror! (; I'm glad I can still use a brush to create character with their eyes.
DeleteWhat a beauty of a figure! So many cool details from the belt buckle on the hat to the pipe tucked under his arm. The painjob really helps them stand out and does the miniature justice!
ReplyDeleteHe is lovely, yes... And was sculpted by someone with a good knowledge of the story. Its sad that many modern figures suffer from over detailing. Sometimes less is more.
DeleteReally nice! The eyes look great. I think I prefer this model to the more modern Gandalfs.
ReplyDeleteThere are a few other old school Citadel Gandalfs out there, including the wizard I painted a month or so ago. They are certainly worth the effort in hunting down if you like the LotR setting.
DeleteWonderful. It's a great mini and you've done it justice.
ReplyDeleteI've a small collection of these minis (unpainted) and I'm enjoying seeing what you do with them.
Hopefully, you will add them to the painting queue not too far in the future. Thanks Mr.C
DeleteI have never been able to do eyes, so I'm very much in awe. Lovely colour choices on this one too; you've somehow brought out warmth in what should be cold colours.
ReplyDeleteThanks Kelvin... I think the warmth comes from the bleached bone/snakebite leather combination I'm currently using for highlights. In the recent past, its been white and white drains figures (at least when I use it) of their natural 'look'. Guess I relearned the hard way looking at my work over the past few months (;
DeleteYup the eyes are fine, nowt wrong there.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great pose that figure has too.
Less really is more.
Thanks Mike. The right eye looks slightly off to me but nevermind. Now, do I go back and add eyes to some of the other figures or leave them as they are??
DeleteFor now leave them, they are your journey back in material form.
DeleteI had done so. Though I'm tempted to add them to Bilbo when I finish the set... oh, decisions... (:
DeleteFantastic
ReplyDeleteThank you Ian (:
DeleteVery neat work. Love it. Though model-wise, I prefer the Gandalf from the BME1 boxe set, which I have myself. As for acrylics: I strongy recommend Model Color metallic paints, great range.
ReplyDeleteI will look out for those acrylics thank you Zhou. As for the BME1 range Gandalf, a lovely figure indeed. I hope you have done him the service he requires and have painted him up!? (;
DeleteSure I have... https://www.coolminiornot.com/452921
DeleteThanks for the link Zhou.. I'll have a go with these (:
DeleteLooks great!
ReplyDeleteThank you Mouse (:
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