Many Mithril Pages @ Faerylands

Well to make things fair I am awaiting Master Orc's pictures to appear before casting my vote. Some very nice work here people

Comments:

Maenas; I like the strong colours of the cloak and the fine line work of the cloak’s patterns. The plate and mail look to be well done although the image of the final figure ‘flares’ a bit so I can’t see all of the detail or his face, but looking at your WIP shots of the almost finished figure I can see the details a lot better. A nice job on a nice figure.

Milo: Nice rendering of this figure, I personally like the muted colours you have used. I’m not 100% sure if you have given him a green skin or whether this is the photo effect, if it is green that would be my only criticism as I am a black/brown/grey skin fan for Tolkien orcs and goblins. Plenty of detail to highlight.

Gerold: Nice to see a different colour scheme for Lossarnach other than blue. Nice attempt at the facial features, I can’t remember the last time I was able to paint eyes on a MM figure. I guess he just about qualifies for this round as his shoulder plates are ‘plate’, LOL. As an added extra comment (Milo’s fault) regarding the red ‘paint’ of the shield being the same as the red of the clothes, a small point, but worth filing away for future reference.

Axel: I have used your image in the ‘link’ to view this figure as the picture is smaller and not so grainy (even if the same photo). The finished effect is very nice and makes the figure look imposing; I wonder if using a black ‘wash’ rather than dry-brushing would show the detail up better? Not a criticism, just a thought.

Turambar: I would expect nothing less than a mini-masterpiece from your work-bench. Great use of Oil colours and the rendering of the fine detail on Orodreth’s cloak is nicely done (I think I see what Milo means about weathering appearing to be behind the pattern, but I think I also see the white being a bit dirtier in those areas). I repeat what I have previously said on the post, 'so much detail in so little space'.

Orc: I will base comments upon the work in progress image (I hope all is well with you and the delay is nothing serious); if you do manage to post finished pictures I will edit. Difficult to see from the WIP if the plate armour is dull or just muted in colour, OR, looking at the McBride artwork, is it leather armour? I can’t tell, but I think that is what I am painting it as on my version (started, but not completed!!!). Hopefully the sword will be straightened as you have mentioned.

p.s. I should mention in response to Milo's critique regarding Ilildur's plate looking blue. This is in fact a surcoat (my intention anyway ) and not plate hence the colour.

Last edited by ddaines (Wed, Feb10 2016 10:07pm)

My comments:

Turambar : very nice piece in an spectacular setting, and the work with the coat is impressive. I don’t even think about beginning such a work. The drawing on the coat is well done, only shame of the ‘mud’ on it. Face also well done. The scenery is a great piece, but I am wondering : why is he standing there ?

Ddaines : I really like the way this figure is painted ; nice color pattern, smoothly painted face, and original setting, with an interesting story about the scource material of this scene. 

Milo : I like the way you have used different kinds of green on this figure, combined with some red and metal details. Maybe it’s a bit too much green, but after all that’s a matter of taste.

Maenas : I’m a big fan of this figure. The blue cloak is very nicely done, and the inner side is also well succeeded with the sponge effect. I'm going to try this myself… Face is well done, the blood spats on the sword look realistic. But the metal parts are a bit too shiny for me. Maybe because of the light when taking the picture ?

Axel : not easy to comment as the picture is blurry, although the metal parts seem well done. Face is hard to say…

Is there just the one vote cast? Or can't we see other votes from our own screen?

It does say non-participants can vote as well so no excuses

Last edited by ddaines (Thu, Feb11 2016 11:09pm)

Turambar wrote:

mmmmhhhh- this second edition of "painter´s league" seems to be a little odd . . .
The deadline has been extended, still works are missing, a member place only one single (and blurry)- pic, nobody wants to take part in the poll . . . The enthusiasm is outstanding!!!!!

It is a pity indeed, but I extended the deadline for the benefit of the participants. I Added orc to the poll because I though he would appear and post his final image, but a couple of days have passed and he doesn't commit so today I felt obliged to left him out. ;(
At the same time that could also have been the reason behind people not voting, just to respect him. Now that he is "out" I hope some more votes come in (though now I cannot modify the poll to delete his entry) Maybe this was an error on my part (starting the poll counting him in, but we are so few that every entry counts a million) so I am very sorry for that inconvenience.

So now onto my opinions about everyone's work

1. Orc: MS589 King Ostoher from Cardolan
As I commented above he can still post his final pics whenever he can, although the deadline has past I am interested in which his results where because his approximation was very interesting.

2. Turambar: M239 Orodreth of Nargothrond
As I said in the past, I love the "aura" on his work. But in this specific miniature a closer inspection lessens the final "punctuation" imo. a little "dusty" finish, and as some fellows pointed out before, hair, plate armour and background are a bit too similar. Also putting the mud behind the freehand on the cape was a bit of an error ;( anyways I feel obligued to say that the freehand on the cloak is awesome and it pretty alone could win the contest for me!!! In fact looking from an arm distance or a little more I think it is one of the best entries if not the best.

3. Ddaines: MS534 Isildur and the One Ring
Within all this long years I feel that your miniature paint is still improving so congratulations on that. I like the colours you have chosen for Isildur and the little story you worked for him although it is a bit big for a single entry and in other contests it could be moved onto a diorama category Reusing the "book stand" from the gandalf and saruman vignete was a good idea!!

4. Milo: M93 Zalg the Goblin-King
Your entry surprised me a lot, because I also feel your paintwork is improving, in fact I voted for your entry xP just for that and for trying NMM. The general impression matches my image for orcs pretty good (dark and dull). Your NMM aproach is good too as it cheats the eye in some places to believe it's metal so perfect for that (great 2nd try!!). I can also see a little red detail on the cape though I do not know what it is. Pity about the mold-line running though the inner-left side of cape!! The skin tone is good too being somewhere between greens yellows and browns.

5. Maenas: M247 Elf-warrior of Nargothrond
I agree with you all, pics are a little small and flare a bit with those metals. This is mainly because I rushed a bit while making the pics. I also agree with you Milo about the blood on the floor I overextended it a bit too much xP

6. Gerold: m432 Infantry with sword/axe (Lossarnach)
This is for an army so it is more than enough for that purpose. Painting a beard was a good idea because it gives a little differentiation from his other mates! Also giving him eyes was a good thing too since Mithril scale is enough big for miniatures to have eyes, although sometimes the sculpt C.Tubb puts on them gives us a hard time painting them!! If you want to level it up, you could add some shades to the chainmail (folds and "shadowy parts") and the inner or lower sides of the red robes. Also some highlights on the more exposed parts will benefit your final result (shoulders, chest..).

7. Axel: m273 Cirdan at Gorgoroth
Axel said that he was going to post some more pics, but he finally didn't so he really did not share his process that much, although he explained pretty well what he did in his post. The pic is blurry so thumbs down for that. Anyway looks pretty good and maybe could benefit from some more work on the skin and some matt or satin varnish over it (skin) would improve the final result imo. I must say that I like the miniature a lot and it's perfect for the contest aim (practising on metals)

And yes please, NON PARTICIPANTS ARE ALLOWED TO VOTE AND COMMENT in fact I ask them to do so, just to enrich all the process!!

Last edited by Maenas (Fri, Feb12 2016 11:58am)

Master Gerold I tell you what:
King Orodreth has to stand somewhere, right? As it is intended by the sculptor´s pose. This figure is STANDING somewhere.
But WHERE? What would you have made the decision of? A plain? A shore? A wood? A desert?
Well- reading the Silmarillion there is the destroyed bridge over the river Narog mentioned . . .
Further the destroyed Elven realm of Nargothrond by Glaurung. A dragon that is!
Use your imagination adn you will find the answer.

Congratulations master archer for your art deserves a win. I am happy to have voe for you.

Let's share a drink and discuss about next round with good fellows and ale.

So- Thanks to everybody who has voted for me- and has voted generally . . .

Well that "Ricard" is a "Pastis de Mareilles" but it is NOT the "Pastis"- which is a "Patis de Marseilles" also!
A "Anisado"-like, Pernod-like Degestif, with 46% much stronger than that Irish-Whiskey Master B. prefers.
Therefore you need a bit of clear water to enjoy that Ricard the most!
Not that sweet as a Pernod and has got a bit more "bite" as a Pastis- I would say!

You should defenetely have a try, Master Maenas!

Last edited by Turambar (Mon, Feb15 2016 10:41am)

You also can drink it on the rocks! Very nice indeed, as is all the painting work showed in the painting league here. Master Turambar, in my opinion your mini is the first choise for me too because I just love the "ambiente" you capture with putting the figures into these small dioramas!

Thanks for your answer Master Archer
My fantasy capacity is not that great anymore, so that information is what I needed