How are those Nexu coming? Looking forward to ordering the paints

How are those Nexu coming? Looking forward to ordering the paints

Ok thanks! I'm aiming to complete the filming this weekend.

How are those Nexu coming? Looking forward to ordering the paints

Ok thanks! I'm aiming to complete the filming this weekend.

I figured as much. I don't suppose you can reveal a paint list? I was planning to go into town today and get some paints for the trandoshans.

I've base coated their flight suits so far as that was all I could do without new paints. You were right. Canoflauge was deceptively simple!

How are those Nexu coming? Looking forward to ordering the paints

Ok thanks! I'm aiming to complete the filming this weekend.

I figured as much. I don't suppose you can reveal a paint list? I was planning to go into town today and get some paints for the trandoshans.

I've base coated their flight suits so far as that was all I could do without new paints. You were right. Canoflauge was deceptively simple!

Sorry for the late reply Muzz - had a bit of a hectic day! I think the Nexu are also going to be a little tricky to give a definitive paint list for as I'm using things like Screaming Skull which is just a very slightly lighter shade of Ushabti Bone so you may want to just use Ushabti if you have already have it. Having said that, here's the other new paints I'm using if you want to stock up early: Rakarth Flesh, Bugman's Glow, Daemonette Hide (all from the "base" range) Tyrant Skull (from the "dry" range) and Druchii Violet (a "shade"). I think that's it!

How are those Nexu coming? Looking forward to ordering the paints

Ok thanks! I'm aiming to complete the filming this weekend.

I figured as much. I don't suppose you can reveal a paint list? I was planning to go into town today and get some paints for the trandoshans.

I've base coated their flight suits so far as that was all I could do without new paints. You were right. Canoflauge was deceptively simple!

Sorry for the late reply Muzz - had a bit of a hectic day! I think the Nexu are also going to be a little tricky to give a definitive paint list for as I'm using things like Screaming Skull which is just a very slightly lighter shade of Ushabti Bone so you may want to just use Ushabti if you have already have it. Having said that, here's the other new paints I'm using if you want to stock up early: Rakarth Flesh, Bugman's Glow, Daemonette Hide (all from the "base" range) Tyrant Skull (from the "dry" range) and Druchii Violet (a "shade"). I think that's it!

Excellent. I can grab the paints tomorrow while I don't have to worry about work.

Just like to say again thank you for committing to this video series. I hope you can keep it up through the onslaught of expansions that have and will be released for this game.

How are those Nexu coming? Looking forward to ordering the paints

Ok thanks! I'm aiming to complete the filming this weekend.

I figured as much. I don't suppose you can reveal a paint list? I was planning to go into town today and get some paints for the trandoshans.

I've base coated their flight suits so far as that was all I could do without new paints. You were right. Canoflauge was deceptively simple!

Sorry for the late reply Muzz - had a bit of a hectic day! I think the Nexu are also going to be a little tricky to give a definitive paint list for as I'm using things like Screaming Skull which is just a very slightly lighter shade of Ushabti Bone so you may want to just use Ushabti if you have already have it. Having said that, here's the other new paints I'm using if you want to stock up early: Rakarth Flesh, Bugman's Glow, Daemonette Hide (all from the "base" range) Tyrant Skull (from the "dry" range) and Druchii Violet (a "shade"). I think that's it!

Excellent. I can grab the paints tomorrow while I don't have to worry about work.

Just like to say again thank you for committing to this video series. I hope you can keep it up through the onslaught of expansions that have and will be released for this game.

Also, we all know that you are also human and do need to eat and such things life calls into order, hehe.

What you are doing is super fantastic, Sorastro.

Cheers!

Sorastro, as I've posted earlier I have been following your channel, applying your techniques with some slight modifications due to the available materials in Turkey.

I need to ask you a few questions about varnishes. First here's a photo of the figues I've painted yesterday:

As you see I have coated these (and all other figures) with a bright varnish spray; namely Humbrol's Crystal Clear.

Although I'm happy with the result (not so much with Imperial officers) I'm seriously in doubt if they look good to other people.

So my questions are:

1- Can I apply matte varnish on bright varnish? Or is there no way back?

2- Why do you and other figure painters prefer matte varnish over bright varnish? (It's hard to photograph bright stuff in general but is it universally considered a bad thing in figure painting?)

3- Does bright varnish go matte over time & use?

4- What are matte varnishes called? I couldn't find any sprays with "varnish" written over them...

Thanks in advance. Sorry for my English.

Thank you Muzz and The Black Man; I really appreciate the comments. As long as people continue enjoying and supporting the videos I won't stop making them .

Gecimen - firstly, lovely work on your Vader and Roual Guards! Secondly, I really wouldn't worry about what other people prefer

So my questions are:

1- Can I apply matte varnish on bright varnish? Or is there no way back?

2- Why do you and other figure painters prefer matte varnish over bright varnish? (It's hard to photograph bright stuff in general but is it universally considered a bad thing in figure painting?)

3- Does bright varnish go matte over time & use?

4- What are matte varnishes called? I couldn't find any sprays with "varnish" written over them...

Thanks in advance. Sorry for my English.

1) Yes you can! In fact some people like to use gloss varnish for the extra protection it gives then spray with matte afterwards.

2) I can't speak for anyone else, and I don't think gloss is universally considered a bad thing - it's probably just down to personal preference. I personally want my IA minis to look as close to the characters they represent from the movies so like to apply gloss varnish just to those areas of the character that appear shiney.

3) Not as far as I'm aware, but I could be wrong!

4) Some might have "matte" spelled as "matt" like Vallejo's matt varnish (which is a brush-on varnish). Others have odd names like Citadel's Purity Seal. Army Painter also do a spray varnish. I've only tried one or two varnish products though; Perhaps other readers might have some other ideas..?

Hope this helps!

So my questions are:

1- Can I apply matte varnish on bright varnish? Or is there no way back?

2- Why do you and other figure painters prefer matte varnish over bright varnish? (It's hard to photograph bright stuff in general but is it universally considered a bad thing in figure painting?)

3- Does bright varnish go matte over time & use?

4- What are matte varnishes called? I couldn't find any sprays with "varnish" written over them...

Thanks in advance. Sorry for my English.

1 - I believe a matte varnish can be applied over a gloss varnish. The reverse certainly works fine.

2 - It just depends on what you prefer. Matte tends to look more natural for a lot of things. However gloss varnish can give a shiny coat where we would expect it (such as on your vader, but perhaps the coat would look better matte).

3 - I do not believe gloss varnish loses its shine over time.

4 - There should be some matte varnishes available in some local hobby shop. Failing that can you order from Amazon if Games Workshop is not available?

Lol I must have been a few seconds ahead Muzz

Man Sorastro, let me just say I have never painted a miniature in my life (Heroclix spoiled me) But I painted the E-Web and Stormtroopers using your videos. Did not realize it was going to be so easy! Nuln Oil (not a commercial) is like magic when it brings out detail.

Thanks so much man!

Lol I must have been a few seconds ahead Muzz

I think so! Anyway, you'll need to get that Nexu video out soon. Having bought the paints I'm excited with what you will do with those purple colours. Presumably for the eyes or gums but then there is the shade as well so I'm not sure. Either way that Deamonette Hide colour looks great.

Also, here's the Trandoshans I done today. I tried to make use of the new paint and do a desert camouflage but I think the Ogryn Green is a bit too similar to the Steel Legion Drab to stand out.

Edit:

Updated after adding some dried mud.

If figures have already been painted with Walmart craft paints, but not sealed, is it possible to strip them and start over using better quality paints? What would be the best way of doing this?

Thank you, very very much Sorastro & Muz333 !!!

Not only you have enlightened me on one of the important issues that I hadn't a clue about, also relieved me from thinking I messed up my figures for good

So thanks once again for the quick answers I'll go shopping once again looking for purity seal and something with the word matt/matte.

One more question if I may, (not as important as above though) how do you keep your brushes clean & intact? I also use Citadel paints (I think they're acrylic?), and at the moment I use just water whenever the brush dries, and turpentine & soapy water when I'm done with the brush, but it's very hard to clean the brushes with turpentine, and I have to let it dry for a few hours, otherwise the remaining turpentine ruins the paint. A friend told me to use alcohol, but I'm not sure which kind / how to use it...

Edit: now that I'm not embarrassed with my varnish; here's all the figures I've painted so far

So thanks once again for the quick answers I'll go shopping once again looking for purity seal and something with the word matt/matte.

One more question if I may, (not as important as above though) how do you keep your brushes clean & intact? I also use Citadel paints (I think they're acrylic?), and at the moment I use just water whenever the brush dries, and turpentine & soapy water when I'm done with the brush, but it's very hard to clean the brushes with turpentine, and I have to let it dry for a few hours, otherwise the remaining turpentine ruins the paint. A friend told me to use alcohol, but I'm not sure which kind / how to use it...

I use purity seal and haven't had any issues with it. However, like all sprays (paint or varnish) I hear a humid environment will cause issues. I believe the water particles get trapped causing a non-uniform layer that can cause a frosting effect with varnishes or an uneven blotchy look with paints.

For cleaning the brushes I've just been using a glass of water and some kitchen roll to wipe them down. So far my brushes have kept condition but perhaps isopropanol or something else would work better. I could test it with the isopropanol I stole from my lab for my white board where I track the Imperial Assault campaign.

I wouldn't be embarrassed at all. That's some very nice AT-ST's. Loving the custom look for General Weiss.

Thanks for the answer once again!

I use purity seal and haven't had any issues with it. However, like all sprays (paint or varnish) I hear a humid environment will cause issues. I believe the water particles get trapped causing a non-uniform layer that can cause a frosting effect with varnishes or an uneven blotchy look with paints.

For cleaning the brushes I've just been using a glass of water and some kitchen roll to wipe them down. So far my brushes have kept condition but perhaps isopropanol or something else would work better. I could test it with the isopropanol I stole from my lab for my white board where I track the Imperial Assault campaign.

I didn't have those issues with gloss varnish spray but I will watch out for it. Istanbul can be pretty humid on summers. Maybe I should finish all of them before summer comes

Please tell me what result you get with isopropanol

Thank you very much! I posted somewhat more detailed photos in this thread .

Btw, if anyone wants to design some custom patterns for such figures, trying them on Photoshop helps a lot

Question for you on brushes Sorastro, I picked up a Windsor & Newton series 7 size 2 brush for this (along with a variety of other sizes, but that's my primary) and it's starting to lose its point. I'm basically done with the royal guard and try to take care of it as I go, but that seems kind of fast.

Sometimes while painting the paint dries and no amount of rinsing gets the paint out so I use my fingernail to gently scrape the paint away, is that good practice? I also make sure I don't mash the brush in my rinse cup. Finally, when I'm done I have brush soap that I use to clean the brush and leave a bit in so it dries back into a point.

Am I doing anything wrong? Is that a normal lifespan for a brush? Suggestions?

Thanks

painting the paint dries and no amount of rinsing gets the paint out so I use my fingernail to gently scrape the paint away, is that good practice?

Thanks

Let me answer this for you so that Sorastro can put all of his time in producing more awesome videos: "Nooooooooooo!!"

Do not ever 'scrape' your brushes with anything. In a size two (quality) brush, the paint shouldn't dry up in the first place. Thin your paints. If rinsing can't get dried paint out, just use your brush soap. Your brush soap should always be able to get the paint off. You should be able to make your W&N last close to a year depending on how much you paint. I've painted 150+ miniatures with two W&N brushes and they are still going strong. I already bought replacements but as for now those are gathering dust. Considering how long they last, W&N are dirt cheap. Yes, I went there.

I do thin my paint quite a bit, so random question on that, I use airbrush medium to thin it, any issue with that? Also, how often do you rinse your brush while you paint? Maybe that's my issue, once I'm working on a color I keep going until I notice the paint is jammed up

My paint dries on my brushes quite often as well. The only solution I've found is buying new brushes.... My 2nd set of 0-3 and 0-5 brushes died today as I was painting trandoshans...

I started using a wet palette a few years ago and that has really cut my drying time down considerably while painting. I also exclusively use Vallejo paints, they have a great range of colours and keep from drying out longer in their dropper bottles.

So guys...what is brush soap and where do I get some in the UK? I'm also guilty of pinching the dried paint off the brush with my nails. However my brushes have kept a point all this time and I really mash it against the side of my glass of water when cleaning.

I should add I'm using the Rosemary & Co ones. Whenever I get a second set of brushes I'd like to try out a triangular handled one.

So guys...what is brush soap and where do I get some in the UK? I'm also guilty of pinching the dried paint off the brush with my nails. However my brushes have kept a point all this time and I really mash it against the side of my glass of water when cleaning.

I should add I'm using the Rosemary & Co ones. Whenever I get a second set of brushes I'd like to try out a triangular handled one.

Brush Soap: http://www.amazon.co.uk/The-Masters-Brush-Cleaner-Preserver/dp/B0009RRT9Y/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1430294976&sr=8-1&keywords=the+masters+brush

@perniciusducks: I rinse my brush a lot more than that. Probably every five to six times I load my brush.

I thin my paints with a mix of water, matt medium and extender. The extender specifically cause the paint not to dry as quickly. A mix of 50/50 water and extender is excellent for wet blending.

So, I'm thinking the Nexu video will get released tomorrow night. I think Sorastro's videos are usually a Saturday night.

Here's to hoping! Can't wait to see what he does with those waskally nexu...

Also, I finished my engineers, and my guardsmen are well on their way.