HOW TO - Paint Black/Dark skin

[onlyonepinman]

Following my recent painting log with my ancient themed high elves, I have been asked what my recipe was for the skin tones I used. I started painting my Island of blood elves largely as an experiment into darker skin tones and invented an "ancient" themed colour scheme to accompany them. I'd seen on a number of websites that painters shy away from black skin because it's too difficult but having tried it I now beg to differ

So it is with great pleasure that I present to you this handy painting guide showing step by step how to paint black/dark skin tones, something that I personally don't feel we see enough of in fantasy and sci-fi wargaming.

You will have to excuse the quality of the photos, the only mini I had spare was a Lothern Sea Guard and the detail on the faces isn't great so this may not show the steps quite as well as I'd have liked. However, I have included a photo at the end of a miniature I painted using the same method. Also, this is the first ever painting guide I've ever produced so, feel free to comment as to it's quality so I can do better ones in future or ask questions about how I do things and even request other HOW TOs if you like.

[onlyonepinman]

Colours Used



You will need (in Citadel Colours, other paint ranges are available)
1) Rhinox Hide (Base)
2) Aggrax Earth (Wash)
3) Doombull Brown (Layer)
4) Tuskgor Fur (Layer)
5) Bugman's Glow (Base)

6) Kislev Flesh (Layer) - This is an optional final highlight and would normally only be used on character models

[onlyonepinman]

Step 1



Paint the flesh areas with Rhinox Hide

[onlyonepinman]

Step 2



Apply a liberal wash of Aggrax Earth

[onlyonepinman]

Step 3



Highlight with Doombull Brown

[onlyonepinman]

Step 4



Highlight with Tuskgor Fur

[onlyonepinman]

Step 5



Highlight with Bugman's Glow.

After this you can choose to either add the additional final highlight of Kislev Flesh or you can apply a wash of Reikland Flesh to deepen the colours slightly. On this model it was actually very hard to tell that the wash had been applied.

[onlyonepinman]

Here are some examples of models I've painted with this scheme.



This model does not use the final stage highlight.

[Ferny]

Sorry to go ot, but your gems are excellent! Also v impressed with the runes. I think in theory I know how to do both of these and just lack execution, but if you've got any tips on the plumes on the helmet I'd be grateful. I've painted a few in different ways and i'm not too happy with my results yet.

[onlyonepinman]

The trick on the runes was to just give them and the area around them a yellow glaze after painting which creates a mild.glowing effect. You could do this with pretty much any colour and glaze you choose.

I can put a Gem Stones tutorial up if you like. I'll see if I have any minis with plumage as well and I'll try and do a step by step plumes.

I've had very similar questions on other forums so I think I may start a blog for this kind of thing and I'll link to new articles as and when I add them.

[Ferny]

The trick on the runes was to just give them and the area around them a yellow glaze after painting which creates a mild.glowing effect. You could do this with pretty much any colour and glaze you choose.

I can put a Gem Stones tutorial up if you like. I'll see if I have any minis with plumage as well and I'll try and do a step by step plumes.

I've had very similar questions on other forums so I think I may start a blog for this kind of thing and I'll link to new articles as and when I add them.

That'd be grand!

[onlyonepinman]

You wanted a gemstones tutorial, well here it is. It doesn't show you how to do the same colour as the ones on the sword masters but the techniques are the same for ALL gemstones. I'll be putting an additional article up listing colour palettes for various different gemstones some time this weekend so if you follow my blog you will get email notifications of new articles as and when they appear.

[Ferny]

That's actually much clearer than what I've read in WD before - more steps, but smoother finish.

Looking forward to seeing plumes done if you get a chance .

[onlyonepinman]

Trying to find a model with a similar horse hair plume.