DDM Guild Repaint: April 2009

Megan Smith, a valued community artist and Chapter Master in Brisbane, Australia, brings us the third in her series of monthly DDM Guild Repaints. Up this month: the Troglodyte Brute From Demonweb.

Explanation and General Instructions

Megan Smith writes:

I really liked getting monthly repainted minis from Organised Play (when we actually managed to get them in Australia) and would like to keep that going for the DDM Guild. However, as we don't have WotC's vast resources, or Chinese factory labour, the repaints will be done by each Chapter that wants them. I'd suggest that the Chapter Master ask for volunteers — painting skill is not a requirement, and it should only take about an hour of your time to do 6-10 minis.

It will always be a common mini; the person doing the painting is welcome to use their own spares or to collect a mini from everyone who wants a repaint. You will need to paint enough for everyone in the group to have one, and if you can do a couple of extras to hand out to other people as advertising for the guild (or to give to the shop you play at) that would be great.

Each mini will use 1 or 2 paints (only one of which will be new). I'll be using (and testing my instructions with) Games Workshop's Citadel paints because they are very available in most places. If you don't want to spend the $3.50 or so a month, I would hope that the recipients of the minis would be happy to take turns supplying the paint.

If you already own suitable paints, it's not a requirement to use exactly what I suggest, but I'd recommend it, as I will have checked that one coat gives the coverage we need and that the wash (if we are using one) goes over it smoothly.

You'll need a brush—a size 0 round will work for all guild repaints—but if you'd like to be able to do washes faster, get something bigger, like a 2 or 3. Natural hair is generally better than synthetics, but anything that's relatively soft will work fine.

For the painters out there (and also the non-painters, I suppose), we are aiming for WotC factory quality in the paint jobs, so they are all the same and are fast to do. So, just do the steps outlined (ie. Resist the temptation to paint the eye, or do a quick highlight on the cloak, etc).

I'll put a thread up in Crafter's Corner on Hordelings each month, so that if anyone has questions, or needs assistance, s/he can get it. If you don't have a DDM Guild Chapter near you, feel free to make a repaint for yourself … and while you are at it, make a few extras to give to your FLGS (glue them to Guild flyers).

This Month's Repaint: Demonweb — Troglodyte Brute

Paint needed: Mithral Silver, Devlan Mud Wash (from Citadel/Games Workshop)

Normal painting supplies: paintbrush, water for rinsing the brush, paper towel.

This month's repaint is slightly more complicated than previous ones (though still very easy). I hope you'll think the end result is worth it. There are two pictures of the final results: one with less wash, and one with more. The in-progress photos feature figures with less wash. If you like the others better, just use more wash.

Steps

1. Clean your minis

Wash your hands first, then scrub each figure with a toothbrush, using warm water and dishwashing liquid. Then, scrub again with just the warm water to make sure there's no oil, soap, or anything weird on the surface of the figure. Throw them onto a paper towel a couple of times to knock off most of the water, then leave them to dry.

2. Paint them with Mithral Silver

• Shake the bottle of Mithril Silver paint, then open it carefully.
• Dip your brush in your rinsing water, brush it gently on the paper towel to remove the excess water.
• Dip your brush into the paint (it's often easier to work from a pool of paint in the lid) and paint all the armour (getting more paint as needed). Make sure you cover all of the original colour—it will really show up if any is left. Rinse your brush after each figure: brush it gently on the paper towel.
• Notice the orange arrows on the photos below. Be aware of the following:
  • If the paint is streaky, add another layer
  • Be sure to paint the edges of the armour all the way around the neck (it starts off skin-coloured)
  • Be careful not to paint the tail (though if any of it is already painted with the armour colour, cover it with silver).

• Once all figures are painted, leave them to dry (10-15 minutes, depending on the weather).
• Get new rinsing water, as what you have will be full of silver flakes (see photo).

3. Wash them with Devlan Mud Wash

• Shake the bottle of Mud wash, then open it carefully.
• Dip your brush in your rinsing water and brush it gently on the paper towel to remove the excess water.
• Dip your brush into the wash and apply it liberally all over the figure. It should flow off reasonably easily and fall off the high points, into the shadows, bringing out all the details.
• Keep getting wash and putting it on the figure until it is reasonably covered. If it pools anywhere it shouldn't, use the brush to move it to other spots. Make sure you get at least a little wash over the whole figure—if you miss anywhere, it will really show up in the final result.
• After you've painted each figure, it's a good idea to rinse out your brush. Leave the figures for 20-60 minutes to dry (exact time will depend on the weather).

Use your Guild Logo Stamp on the bottoms of the bases, and then you are … finished! Please tell us about your Guild Repaints. Post a picture in Crafter's Corner on Hordelings and tell us how many you've painted and given away. See you next month!