Bearded Dan's Painting Dark Eldar Painting Log

Figured it was time to get around to posting some finished models, though, they have since been unfinished via some Mean Green.

This was my very first raider. I hadn't painted a vehicle in quite some time, so It was a bit experimental.




This is my second Raider, better?



One of my early warriors

Dark Eldar Warrior 1

Warrior with Splinter Cannon


Half of my first Warrior unit.


Half of my first Wych unit


Second group of warriors, they hang out in a venom


WIP Venom




Unfortunately, everything you've seen is going to be stripped, because I'm just not happy with it. I want to take some more time on each model and put a bit more love into them. I feel like the highlights need to pop more. Things just aren't quite there yet. Any tips you guys could give me would be great.

Ah, highlights are the bane of me. I do like your models, and I think it would be a shame to start again, but if you want to make your highlights stand out more then I coul help.
First, do you wash over your highlights?

Not as of yet, but I was considering doing a light grey highlight and then hitting it a bit of wash to tone it down.

That is wise. If you start off with the colour you are using now with a thick highlight and then just catch the edges with a second highlight that is much thinner and only applies to the very edges, it should stand out more after a wash.

I'm looking forward to seeing more.

Thanks for that. Hopefully I will have something in the next week or so. I've been doing some work on some Warmachine models and I might have a couple other projects coming up for some friends of friends.

Love the green on the sail.

Is it air-brushed or is the light fooling me?

Which sail?

One is essentially just Vallejo Goblin Green and the other is a bit of wet blending based around the same color.

Got a warrior done. Let me know what you folks think.




Well, not quite done. This fellow needs a base. And some varnish. I will come back to him tomorrow and see if I feel like doing anything else to him before moving on.

And now, for an overdue update:

Some completed Kabalites:


A finished venom:


Some poorly taken photos of WIP Kabalites that represent my early airbrush experiments:


Clearly, the first setting I was using on my phone made for better pictures. I'll take more as I get things done. Everything complete in this post is currently everything I have complete. I wasn't able to make much progress at all this past semester as I was wrapping up my final semester of undergrad. Currently, I'm looking for a job. Some luck on that front. Considering going for an MBA since I might be able to pursue that degree at little to no cost to me.

Thanks to ESE for his continued input and inspiration. I really need some new brushes and more paints. At this point though, I'm not going back to repaint anything. Only forward progress from here so I can start on a new, better planned project down the road.

Kind of feel like I've done it all wrong.

Those Kabalites are looking quite dark and sinister My only critique would be to find a way to darken up the windshield on the venom. The green is a bit too LOUD and detracts from the ominous and dark look that you have going. I'd say that you are doing quite well

Thanks for the tip, I'll try to change it in others.

For now, I need to try to track down some good brushes for as cheap as possible on amazon since I have a giftcard. Or maybe a site where I can just use paypal.

Getting some work done on a venom.

I think the darker blended section at the top of the cockpit screen is looking great. I might take it a little further towards the nose. Damn nice looking my friend

Progress!







Once I've finished the metals, I plan to go back and fix the green areas, particularly the windshield. I haven't really touched the gunner yet. Will do that next. I need to do some highlighting on the flag to bring out the folds, it's only base coated at the moment. I am thinking about symbols for the flag and hull of the vehicle, but haven't worked anything out yet. Not sure what color I would do any sort of runes in. I just feel the model is going to need some more visual interest.

Let me know what you guys think.

Venom Complete!

THAT is what I was talking about. Looks awesome in BD! The extra blending on the windshield really payed off.

Getting friendly with the airbrush and Badger's line of Minitaire paints. Ignore the yellow flag.
WIP

Its looking great. I love the windshield.

Still need to paint the gunner, but I feel like this one is better than the previous two.

Any chance of a quick guide on how you did the canopy on your venom? I'd like to try something similar on my Razorwing.

I used an airbrush, but I can try and work something out.

What I got up to tonight:







That's three shades on the armor as a bascoat. Some brush work to begin to base coat other ares. All in a couple of hours. This airbrush is fun! Obviously still more base coating to do. Then some washing, highlighting, varnishing, and basing. I really don't think it will take all that long.

My current list:

I imagine I will be adding things to this before I get to the end...

Some more progress on the warriors:

Oh yeah BD, good to see you at it again! The green glow is looking great   

Thanks, ESE! Started using white paint followed by green and yellow inks to do the glow. So much easier and looks way more kick ass, imho.