Azog's Miniature Journey - WIP

Azog · **Posted:** Tue Mar 26, 2013 9:22 pm

Well I thought it was about time that I told the story of my journey in painting minis which has never been a strong point of mine (initially as a retrospective) but hopefully a way to kick-start my way back into doing things again.

I will use this thread to post my efforts over the years in roughly chronological order if I can remember it.

It all started in about 2004 when my 14 and 11 year old sons got a set of minis for Christmas. (Two Towers set I think) As a result dad was drafted in to painting up their figures and making some terrain. As a result I discovered the One Ring and the rest as they say "is History". I've been here off and on ever since.

The first ever figure I painted was I think a Cave Troll. I chose this because it was big and I was scared of trying to paint something as small as a 38mm mini. I has seen lots of fantastic stuff on the One Ring and thought I'd start big.

You might spot my Osgiliath Ruins in the background. More of that in my other thread ;-)

Again sorry no WIP pictures for this one.

I seem to remember using inks to add a bit of grime to this figure. Also ink for the toenails. Those brown inks came in handy over the years for me including adding extra grot to terrain and minis when required.

theavenger001 · **Posted:** Tue Mar 26, 2013 9:28 pm

This is your first ever painted figure? And you painted his eyes that well?! Regardless, he's quite nice (if you can ever call a cave troll nice...), though the inks have left him too shiny for me.

Azog · **Posted:** Tue Mar 26, 2013 9:36 pm

Thanks - I can remember how nervous I was uploading him onto the site for comment.
(New members please note). When I realised how supportive the members of this site were then all my worries disappeared.

Painting has always been difficult for me but I hope to get back into it soon. These threads are part of the way back in I hope.

I agree about the inks and yet it works for the toenails i think. I believe I was trying to follow a White Dwarf guide at the time. I seem to remember the eyes took a long time.

jbaxter1015 · **Posted:** Tue Mar 26, 2013 9:43 pm

I think it looks absolutely sinister! Well done and I can't wait to see more of your work.

I have been painting for a couple months now and the thing that freaks me out the most is highlights/eyes. I have yet to put highlights on any of my minis, I just use inks.

Again, well done!!

Azog · **Posted:** Tue Mar 26, 2013 9:59 pm

Thanks - remember it was 9 years ago so I'm hoping I've still got the eyes for it at 53 !

Nowadays I have got the advantage of a fantastic conservatory with a glass roof with lots of natural daylight, and my wife's magnifying light with daylight bulb. (She doesn't know about the pinching of that yet .. he ..hee)

I bought the "How to Paint Citadel Miniatures" book and the one about making terrain. Both came in very useful for me. Nowadays there must be lots of You Tube videos about how to do this and that to give you the confidence you need and many many websites.

My best decision was to get a good set of brushes and keep them clean and use multiple water pots. ( I used an old Early Learning Centre set of 6 in a tray).

I've recently got a new set of Vallejo paints as some of my old GW ones had gone rock hard.

Harfoot · **Posted:** Tue Mar 26, 2013 10:43 pm

Agree with you about the Vallejo paints, they are very good, slowly changing to them as well

ElfLover · **Posted:** Wed Mar 27, 2013 5:18 am

That is an amazing bit of paint work for a 100th figure let alone a first one

I absolutely love it, especially the blood you've added all over the figure :yay:

Crucium Giger · **Posted:** Wed Mar 27, 2013 9:02 am

The Troll looks very impressive especially for your first miniature

BillFerny333 · **Posted:** Wed Mar 27, 2013 5:21 pm

Not to sound like a broken record, but sweet jane that is incredible for a first time paint job.

I know what you mean too about the community here (and at TLA for that matter). There are always those defining moments when you first start at something that greatly influence your direction. The comments by the group here lend themselves to incouraging people to stay at it and get better rather than giving up out of frustration.

I am glad you are sticking with it, because with that much natural talent, nine years of refining it I am sure has lead to some incredible work.

Can't wait to see more Azog

Azog · **Posted:** Wed Mar 27, 2013 7:55 pm

Thanks - unfortunately I haven't had nine years of refining it - life seems to get in the way with work, teenage boys growing up into men (now 22 and 19), my wife having multiple operations etc.

Although I've been a mod here for years - I've watched in envy new members come on the site (many natural artists from my viewpoint) and do amazing things I can only dream of. Then quite a few have got busy with life (university / job / etc.) and just disappeared.

I'm not bad at bases though, and though others can leave me standing with terrain etc, I feel I have some skill in making scenery. I love the idea of creating a little bit of middle earth though buildings I leave to others.

Hopefully we will always be around if they want to pick things up again. That is my hope ;-)

Azog · **Posted:** Wed Mar 27, 2013 9:16 pm

I've found another picture featuring a head close-up.

Gandlaf the Grey · **Posted:** Thu Mar 28, 2013 10:42 am

A nice message and only too true. I'm 43 and life does get somewhat hectic - how did I find the time when I was younger ? We are now looking to adopt so what little time I have will all but go, but you never know, there may be a little artist who needs nurturing...

Harfoot · **Posted:** Thu Mar 28, 2013 5:51 pm

Good luck with the adopting Gandalf the Grey, my partner and I are currently looking at fostering.

Azog · **Posted:** Fri Mar 29, 2013 6:06 pm

Right moving on - an early normal -sized mini

A bit of black Orc blood on Glamdring

Gandalf the Grey

BillFerny333 · **Posted:** Fri Mar 29, 2013 6:20 pm

Very nice. I like the detail on the staff and the orc blood is a great touch.

Azog · **Posted:** Fri Mar 29, 2013 6:30 pm

I think the staff was using inks to make it more wood-like. I often use inks to give a wood effect on terrain so it seemed to make sense.

I've always found it difficult to do layers on clothing, something I hope i can get some advice on going forward.

I did do a check on Gandalf hat - many people do it a definite Blue but although it has a blue cast in the movie, it's not that Blue to me. It does have a hint of blue but the photo doesn't really bring it out.

ste271276 · **Posted:** Fri Mar 29, 2013 6:35 pm

Great Gandalf... Staffs are always a pain for me and spear staffs , bows etc.... Any tips?

Azog · **Posted:** Fri Mar 29, 2013 6:54 pm

I'm no expert ... lol

Just that wood can be done effectively with inks to give perhaps a more realistic look of wood. The ink runs into the lines and knots and you can then drybush or highlight some of the high points.

I'm not an expert on staff and swords, I remember a few years ago when NMM was all the rage, I saw some fantastic non-metallic swords and shields done without any metallic paint in sight. They were awesome.

Is Non-metallic metal a popular technique nowadays ?

BizzareWarstar · **Posted:** Sat Mar 30, 2013 11:30 am

Very nice painting Azog. The troll is amazing, painting is definitely not one of your weak traits. good stuff.

Dorthonion · **Posted:** Sat Mar 30, 2013 9:47 pm

Excellent painting. I just use real orc blood on my Glamdring (much cheaper than GW paint)

Azog's Miniature Journey - WIP

Who is online