I love the over emphasised shadows. Folks look for their models to 'pop' and these certainly do.
I tried to copy this style on a model but it did not have that almost cartoonesque quality as you seem to consistently achieve.
May I ask what product you apply for shading and if there are any trick you employ?
ja, Ja, JA!
That is how I ALWAYS pictured the royal guards looking under their RED CAPES!
WUnderBar!
I love the over emphasised shadows. Folks look for their models to 'pop' and these certainly do.
I tried to copy this style on a model but it did not have that almost cartoonesque quality as you seem to consistently achieve.
May I ask what product you apply for shading and if there are any trick you employ?
Thanks for the feedback! As far as your question goes... I'll see if I can help -- if you want to post some pictures of your minis (or pm me), I might be able to give more targeted advice.
I don't have a special technique, and -- for the most part -- I use very simple products: Vallejo colours (and I only use inks, weathering powders or oils in rare and special cases -- usually for vehicles and rust effects). I start out with a dark background colour, and then slowly build up layers of highlights. So, for the Royal Guard, I started with a mix of Heavy Red and Black (probably a 2:1 mix) and worked my way in 5-6 layers up to the brightest highlight (which in this case was a mix of Red, Orange-Brown and Orange, in a mix of about 2:4:1).
Insofar that my miniatures pop (and I thank you sincerely for thinking that they do, because sometimes I wonder) -- I think this is a combination of three things:
(1) Good lighting in the photography. It is amazing how much the photo can add to the miniature.
(2) Black outlines. (I apply black outlines after all the other colours are applied. I think they add a lot of definition, and give the miniature a comic-book like feel).
(3) Fearlessly bright highlights. (This is something that I always struggle with, so the advice is easier to say than to do).
Good luck painting!
(2) Black outlines
Yes, that's the fella right there. Are you using inks or paint for that?
I follow Sorastros guides where I can and Im very much a Citadel paint user.
I feel like my minis could always do with one extra hightlight.
Ill take some photos and post them when I get the chance. Thnaks.
(2) Black outlines
... Are you using inks or paint for that?
I just use paints for my black outlines - I find the paint is easier to control than the ink, and the final effect is about the same.
As far as Citadel vs. Vallejo goes: I used to use exclusively Citadel, because it's what I grew up with. I switched to Vallejo because their ink dropper style paints last (literally) 6 times longer than a Citadel pot. And because Citadel kept changing their colour range. Anyway, in quality they are very similar.
I've finally gotten around to creating some galleries with pictures of every single Imperial Assault miniature, organized by faction (including the latest releases):
Rebels
http://www.oldenhammer.com/p/star-wars-imperial-assault-miniatures.html
Imperials
http://www.oldenhammer.com/p/star-wars-imperial-assault-miniatures_26.html
Mercenaries/Scum
http://www.oldenhammer.com/p/star-wars-imperial-assault-miniatures_12.html
Here's my favourite so far... Boba Fett:
