Inspirational Painting
I have seen some astounding paintjobs. While some see them and are tempted to break their brushes in frustration (at not being able to paint that well) I prefer to take it as inspiration. Something to show me not only that I can achieve more as a painter, but even to show me a specific direction that I can work on. One of my friends, Rob McKittrick is known as a fantastic painter. He wasn't always that good. He even keeps a few of his original models around, painted just as they were back when he started. He pulls them out when people are frustrated at his painting skill, so they can see how he started and that he got better by practice, not by being naturally good. As a quick note, I do not own most of these models, nor do I make any pretense of doing so. I am including them here because I find inspiration in them, and I hope others will as well. If you own these models, please let me know and I will happily attribute them to you.

This is actually the second page of these pictures, if you want more inspiration, please check out Inspirationalpainting2.htm. If you are interested in further inspiration, please check out Inspirational Conversions and Inspirational Conversions2.

This first picture is actually a good example of two painted-on effects. The lava base is a great example of a general painted-on effect (lava, in this case.) The color gradations and the cracked effect really heighen the look. In addition, if you look at the figure, it's also a good example of Source Lighting. The reds reflected on the lower parts of the model and the lower surfaces (cape, arm, dagger) really sell the effect of light coming from the lava.

This model has a really fantastic lens effect applied which really makes the lenses stand out and look like 3-dimensional lenses, instead of simple plastic with paint.

I have posted this picture before, but it bears reposting. This is a great example of standard Non-Metal Metallic painting, simply using shades and highlights of standard paints to evoke a metallic look, without using metallic-flake paint (such as Boltgun Metal or Mithril Silver.) While the technique has been enjoying a lot of popularity over the last several years, it is actually quite old.

These two have also been posted before, but they are outstanding examples of Sky-Earth NMM. They use extreme highlighting and shading to achieve a chrome effect. I attempted this effect on a model before and I came fairly close to it, but didn't quite hit the mark. It's definitely something that I want to accomplish eventually, however.

Shiny!

Overall
This next group is simply fantastic overall painting. Some of them have different effects applied, most of them have freehand painting, etcetera. However, they all have a lot of artistic touches and are great examples of overall painting prowess.

Lens and jewel effects, some NMM work, freehand painting and details to break up large areas. This model has quite a lot going on and looks fantastic!

Lenses? Check. NMM? Check. Freehand painting? Check. Details to break up large areas? Check. Enough said? Check.

More fantastic painting. I can't tell if the sword is NMM, but there's definitely freehand artwork and details to break up large areas and jewel effects.

More superbly-amazing-fantastic-ness. I'm not sure if those are NMM, but it doesn't really matter. What really makes this model so impressive is the smoothness of the painting and the subtle nature of the palette. Many paint schemes rely on using very striking colors to call your attention away from mediocre painting. (I won't lie, I've definitely done this!) But this model uses a very subdued set of colors and the skill of the artist really shows.

This model has jewel effects and freehand artwork that breaks up large areas, but what really makes it stand out in my opinion is the smoothness of the blending, whether on the weapon or on the model itself.

If you enjoyed this, email me and let me know

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