Unveiling the Mysterious Orb Wizard
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- The Process of Painting the Wizard Pondering the Orb
- Choosing the Color Scheme
- Painting the Chair and Table
- Wet Blending Technique for the Chair
- Painting the Brown Robes
- Creating a Realistic Skin Tone
- Painting the Wizard's Face and Beard
- Airbrushing and Object Source Lighting (OSL)
- Experimenting with OSL on Different Models
- Challenges with OSL
- Painting the Blue Glow from the Orb
- Practicing on Different Models
- Creating a Blue Hue
- Highlighting the Blue and Painting the Orbs
- Adding Detail to the Flagstones
- Highlighting the Cloak
- Achieving the Effect of a Transparent Orb
- Conclusion
- FAQ
The Process of Painting the Wizard Pondering the Orb
In this article, we will explore the process of painting a miniature figure known as the Wizard Pondering the Orb. This particular figure is inspired by a popular meme and holds a mystical orb in his HAND. The purpose of this article is to take You through the step-by-step process of painting this miniature, from choosing the color scheme to adding the final touches.
Choosing the Color Scheme
The first step in painting the Wizard Pondering the Orb is to decide on a color scheme. The author initially painted the robes purple but was not satisfied with the outcome. The purple chosen, Leviathan purple, turned out to be shiny instead of the desired Fabric texture. As a result, the author decided to repaint the robes brown, which provided a more suitable look. The table was painted with a dark flesh tone to Create a contrast with the floor, chair, and robes. The chair was chosen to have a stone-like appearance, which added a distinct texture to the miniature.
Pros:
- The brown robes provided a better fabric look than the shiny purple.
- The contrast between the table and the rest of the miniature added visual interest.
Cons:
- The original choice of purple robes didn't meet the desired outcome.
Painting the Chair and Table
The chair and table were the first elements the author tackled. The table was painted using Villagio game color dark flesh tone, which turned out slightly lighter than anticipated. To add texture and depth, a wash of Agrax Earthshade was applied, followed by re-highlighting with the original color. The process involved darkening the details with the wash and adding a touch of sunset yellow for highlighting the rim.
The back of the chair was more labor-intensive due to the desire to achieve a smooth transition. The author experimented with wet blending, a technique that involves blending colors while they are still wet. Starting with a light gray color, the author gradually added a darker shade, creating a stark contrast. This technique allowed for a smooth transition and a visually appealing result.
Pros:
- Wet blending technique resulted in a smooth transition on the back of the chair.
- The choice of colors for the table added texture and depth.
Cons:
- The dark flesh tone for the table didn't turn out as expected.
Painting the Brown Robes
The author followed a standard process for painting the brown robes, using Rhinox Hide as the base, followed by Cadian Fleshtone for the mid-tone, and highlighting with Baneblade Brown. These colors were chosen due to their similar tones, making it easier to achieve a Cohesive and visually pleasing look. The highlighting was focused on the most prominent areas of the robes, adding dimension and depth.
Pros:
- The chosen colors for the brown robes worked well together and required minimal effort to achieve a nice finish.
- Highlighting added dimension to the robes.
Creating a Realistic Skin Tone
To create a realistic skin tone for the Wizard Pondering the Orb, the author followed a particular method. The process involved using Bugman's Glow as the base color, mixed with Ushabti Bone in various proportions to achieve different shades. The final highlight was done using more Ushabti Bone. This combination resulted in a Western European-looking flesh tone that appeared natural and realistic. The beard was painted using a standard gray color, highlighted with lighter gray tones.
Pros:
- The method used for creating the skin tone resulted in a realistic appearance.
- The use of gray for the beard and eyebrows provided a complementary contrast to the flesh tone.
Cons:
- The fact that the blue paint covered the face and beard made the time spent on them somewhat unnecessary.
Airbrushing and Object Source Lighting (OSL)
The author decided to experiment with airbrushing and object source lighting (OSL) effects on the Wizard Pondering the Orb miniature. OSL involves creating the illusion of light emitting from a particular object. The author tried this technique on different models, such as a Primaris Apothecary and a Necron Lord, to varying degrees of success.
Pros:
- The author explored new techniques to enhance the visual effects on the miniature.
Cons:
- The OSL effects did not produce the desired results on the tested models.
- OSL might not be necessary for tabletop gaming purposes.
Painting the Blue Glow from the Orb
The blue glow from the orb was a central element in painting the Wizard Pondering the Orb miniature. The author used a combination of spray painting and hand painting to achieve the desired effect. By spraying a basic blue hue on the character's front face and the top of the table, the author created a general blue tint that imitated the light emitted by the orb. The orb itself was painted using blue tones, with highlights towards the top to indicate brightness.
Pros:
- The spray painting technique created a convincing blue hue around the source of light.
- The highlight on the orb successfully depicted a glow effect.
Cons:
- The transparent effect of the orb wasn't entirely achieved due to the limitations of a three-dimensional object.
Adding Detail to the Flagstones
To emphasize the environment in which the Wizard Pondering the Orb is situated, the author added detail to the flagstones. Using a dark gray color as the base, the author highlighted the ridges to make them stand out. The flagstones were then given a patchy and weathered appearance using washes and other darkening techniques.
Pros:
- The added detail on the flagstones enhanced the overall look of the miniature.
- The washes and darkening techniques created a realistic weathered effect.
Cons:
- The effect might not be clearly visible due to the miniature's size.
Conclusion
In conclusion, painting the Wizard Pondering the Orb miniature required careful color selection, technique experimentation, and Attention to detail. The author successfully achieved a realistic skin tone, created a convincing blue glow from the orb, and added depth to the chair and table. While challenges were encountered along the way, overall, the painting process resulted in a visually pleasing miniature that would serve as a valuable addition to objective markers in tabletop gaming.
FAQ
Q: Why did the author change the color of the robes from purple to brown?
A: The original purple robes did not turn out well and had a shiny appearance. Therefore, the author chose to repaint them in brown, which provided a better fabric texture.
Q: Did the author experiment with any special techniques for this miniature?
A: Yes, the author tried wet blending on the back of the chair to achieve a smooth transition. Additionally, airbrushing and object source lighting (OSL) effects were attempted but with mixed results.
Q: How was the blue glow effect from the orb achieved?
A: The author used a combination of spray painting and hand painting to create a blue hue around the source of light. The orb itself was painted using blue tones, with highlights towards the top to indicate brightness.
Q: What materials were used for the flagstones?
A: The flagstones were painted using a dark gray color as the base, with highlighting done to make the ridges stand out. Washes and darkening techniques were used to achieve a weathered appearance.
Q: What was the overall time spent on painting the Wizard Pondering the Orb?
A: The author estimates spending between three to six hours on the miniature, although exact timing was not measured.
