Figurines

Translated by Sebastien Longuet
Proofread by Jez Fairclough and Grant Hill

I generally try to be as efficient as possible with my time when painting a miniature to tabletop standard, this is why I used the sprayer and inks so I could speed up the application of the colours.

I've chosen the mercenary Hell Moller for my first step by step

1) I start with a black undercoat



2) Next I apply another dark grey/green undercoat with my airbrush (actually it's not mine, I use the one from the office)



3) I start the "Zenital" highlighting of the miniature by applying a brown-khaki coat from the top, still using the airbrush.



4) I now apply a very light coat of brown-khaki mixed with white (this is the last step using the airbrush)



5) Now the painting starts... I paint the skin with flesh glazes and taking advantage of the shadows and highlights prepared by the airbrush. A layer of pure ink and two painted highlights are generally enough.



6) A brown ink wash for the hair...and a red glaze for the scar on the face



7) A light brown ink wash for the pants (or trousers) and a dark brown for the tunic, the gloves and the boots.




8) I quickly highlight the pants with a mix of brown, light green and white. I also apply a turquoise glaze to the headscarf and the leathers. When I highlight I always try to accentuate the contrasts.



9) Now I work on the tunic using the same highlights, and also work on the leather details (belt, weapon grips...)



10) I finish highlighting the headscarf with a mix of turquoise and ivory, I treat the metallic areas with a mix of grey, iron and turquoise.



11) I darken the metal with turquoise and black inks



12) I highlight the metal with silver paint



13) Eventually I weather my miniature with rust on the metallic areas and stains on the pants. I finish with the base and varnishing the miniature. It is now ready to be fielded!



It only took me two hours (thanks to the airbrush) to achieve but I have to admit I benefit from a lot of practice.

If you don't have a airbrush you may use a simple white spray paint for the Zenital undercoat/highlight. If you do you'd probably have to apply two ink washes rather than one for the base colours of the miniature. This takes longer but is less expensive.

See you soon for another step by step

Thomas David

26/01/2009 - Airbrush
par Bent

Hi Thomas, Thanks for the tutorial. Great work -- I was fascinated by the use of the zenitial highlights + glaze techniques. I am getting an airbrush now, no doubt about it :D What kind of airbrush and (maybe) paint do you use/recommend? All the best ...

31/10/2008 par Tzardauker l'infâme

I am astonished by the technique that you used! You created with the airbrush a shadow "convincing" and then you made transpire in the next phases. I do not know what to say! fantastic! You have to show other tutorial? Great work! Bravo!

20/09/2008 par Silveri

Have you used the new GW washes, as the pigment seems to be so strong?