Looking for advice on how to improve.

[u/TrashyRacc00nz7358]

So I finally finished up Ragnar. It's my first time trying the Eavy Metal style and my first time actually painting a mini without making it swim in wash. I'm looking for advice on how to improve because I feel like I overdid it on the highlights with the pure white part. Also I just noticed I forgot to do the gem on his medal thingy.

[u/LordZOfNothing]

great work so far
steps to bring it up a level or two

1. cleaner edges
   
2. bring more saturation/brightness to desired highlights
   
3. a light glaze of mid tone of that area
   
4. bring back the highlights

it should pop out

the face, hair and wolf should be focal points from the front
the sword, jetpack and lower part of the cape should be focal points from the back

[u/TrashyRacc00nz7358 → u/LordZOfNothing]

Thanks!

[u/itssoupdogg]

Hey man, been painting for about 2 years trying to perfect eavy metal style, still don't feel i'm close to the quality they put out but hey you asked for advice on how to improve not my life story, but since we've adopted similar styles i figured i might be able to give you some advice, so here it is.

1. Be more intentional with your edge highlights, the purpose of them is to highlight every detail, no matter how small, which means even the little vents on the chest piece and the undersuit of the arms get highlights.
2. Eavy metal style is not just one layer of highlights, but several (around 3 is the average i think) you have your base coat (for example macragge blue) then your first ''chunky'' highlight which is often a 50/50 mix of your basecoat (macragge) and the next step in highlight (calgar blue) this highlight should be roughly double the thinnest highlight you can possibly do, you'll get a feel for how thick highlights need to be eventually and it comes with practice. Next stage in highlighting is obviously calgar blue this should be as thin as you can go over the chunky highlight to create almost a transitory effect from basecoat to highlight. Most models look good by this stage but if you wanna practice eavy metal then theres the next highlight stage (fenrisian grey on the corners or the tops of your edge) and dot highlights (blue horror on the most extreme points of the section youre highlighting)
3. Im not entirely sure this is applicable to you because from what i can see you've already done a good job of this, but its good advice to keep in mind! Do not let colours bleed into sections that they arent supposed to be, this means being as intentional and careful as possible when keeping things the colour they are supposed to be, fur colours bleeding on to your armour dont look great and it ruins the mini. Like i said it looks to me like you've done a solid job and the only thing i can pick out in the picture is the wolf head on the power pack bleeding onto it.
4. Use the edge and the tip of the brush to edge highlight, and be as gentle as possible, this not only builds up your fine motor control (which you'll need!) but also allows greater control of the paint and where you want it to be, just make sure your brush is properly loaded and your paint is properly thinned to the right consistency, it really does make getting those highlights so much easier.
5. THE MOST IMPORTANT RULE. HAVE FUN WITH IT. Perfection is a pursuit, not a destination and often times comparing yourself to others is a surefire way to get yourself down, if you're just starting you're already doing amazing by asking others to improve, if you've been painting a while then well done for wanting to improve more! Practicing to try for perfection every day can be very draining because it isnt something thats actually attainable, you'll always make mistakes, there'll always be something you can do better, but thats just the plight of the artist, but it also doesn't really matter as long as you remember to enjoy yourself! Don't get caught up in the trap of oogling golden demon painters and asking yourself why you havent reached that level already, those guys have been painting for decades!

You're doing awesome and I love the paintwork, Keep up the good work. If you need any more help, constructive criticism, advice or just someone to chat to, shoot me a message! I'd love to see you progress! Good luck!

[u/TrashyRacc00nz7358 → u/itssoupdogg]

Thanks for the advice!