Removing the last of the bare primer layer as I try to avoid thinking about axe and tattoo progression.
A little bit more axe wrangling, trying to get the big blocks in place on the upper and lower blades. Definitely needs a good old scuffing and weathering pass.
Immediately sidetracked by non-metallic metal. The eventual headstone of every mini-painter.
Finally starting into a slow expansion of the tattoo. This is going to take a billion years.
Starting to sketch out what a full-sleeve tattoo might look like for a fantasy dorf. Ever get the feeling you’ve bitten off absurdly more than you can chew?
Beefy boi.
Starting on the shadow-side arm fleshtones.
Aside: I will always attempt skin ‘from black’ in the future. If you build up in thin layers you get such a developing sense of translucency for free.
A further ‘drama’ pass on the hair.
Hairdressing intensifies
Look at this absolute shambles of a workspace. Very much reflecting the mind behind it.
First beard(s) highlight pass sketched in.
Right. Let’s get started on that hair then. All of which is entirely composed of additional beards.
In contrast, the first ‘real’ (fake) highlight placement.
Tiny eye dots, tiny teef dots, and a patchy first couple of base layers for the skin, over black. The fool’s not even using a zenithal.
Okay. Now hear me out. Have I abandoned yet another 80%* complete mini because every part of my flesh and skin and soul rebels at the thought of ever even looking at it again? Yes. Technically, yes.
But! I’ve now picked up a vastly larger, more fine-detailed display figure that will need exponentially more patience and skill and time to complete. I see this as a clear win.
*~40-80%
Did I choose a sane, easily-accessible area in which to attempt the obligatory checkerboard pattern? No.
But will I at least finally learn from this experience? Also no.
First ‘contrast’ pass, what do we reckon? Better? Worse? Legally indistinguishable?
I think one of my problems is that I’ve pushed the skin so bright in the highlight (no regrets).
Two painting sessions in a single day, purely to appease @erikcats ‘s relentless whip-cracking! My knees won’t last. My ‘painting knees’*
I have though, quite literally, turned a corner.
*What?
At some point I’m going to have to actually paint the front of this thing…
A few more tippy-taps at lunch and I think we’ve veered into Accidental Hulk territory.