grand merlin
So I’m new to this hobby. I’ve been using contrast paints for about a month. Today I decided I would try using real paint and making a nmm shoulder guard. I’ve watched a few videos and something still isn’t right. Do I need more glazes? Is my lighting totally off? I don’t know how to the make smoother blends so maybe something with that. Any advise on how to improve would be super appreciated!
bronze mural
That's super good for a beginner actually. Like actually fantastic job
The only thing I'd do differently is orient the brush strokes towards where the grain of the metal would be
And if you want it to look shinier add a bit of highlight but seriously, for a first try knocked it out of the park
Curved metal has usually got a grain that goes in the direction of the curve like this. If you make your brush strokes all follow that shape, it'll naturally create that effect
grand merlin
Super nice of you to say that. Thank you! Also this is super helpful I didn’t even of think doing that!
bronze mural
Try it on the grenade. NMM effect is hugely enhanced when you do multiple metal objects showing the reflection from the same source
So follow rhe line of the highlight and try doing one aligned with it on the grenade
And then since the grenade is a circular object, it would have a second highlight line facing the ground, and shadows in between
grand merlin
Sounds good. I’ll give it a shot.
grand merlin
It does help with the grenade painted but idk why I just don’t get that impression of this being metal.
bronze mural
Idk, I'd call that really good execution personally. The final shine highlights came out a tiny bit chalky on the rim and you could do more around the dents.
You could also try black lining in the gaps, around the spikes, etc
That can help separate the shapes and volumes
I'm working my way through this one rn and the black lining is super important