As a commission painter, it’s important to get quality work out to clients quickly. Take those commission pieces from drab to fab with a few simple steps!
Several ways to speed things along are airbrushing clean transitions, blocking in details, edge highlights, and clean washes. This Alpha Legion Contemptor Dreadnought is the perfect way to see the best way to get your next commissions to stand out from the fray!
Commission Painting Secrets Revealed: Alpharius Style!
Take a look at this brief overview of the tutorial then be sure to watch the entire thing by pressing play on the video below!
To get started, use Necrotite Green by P3 to edge highlight along all the blue-green transitions. Hit most of the lines with this color, which really gets the transitions to pop. This also gives a reflective quality to the armor, which helps when you are not using any metallics on a traditionally metallic armor. Once the edges are highlighted, time for a wash!
Dab Dark Tone by Army Painter into all the silvers. Pull away any wash that pools to prevent staining. You can also apply the wash into the armor gaps, pin-washing to prevent staining the amazing transitions we built but providing needed contrast. Once the wash is dry, use Scale75 Heavy Metal to drybrush onto the weapon metals. Drybrushing on the metals helps develop that weathered look. For the rest of the metal, cut in a small highlight with a paint brush. Highlight the scroll with some white as well, tracing the edges carefully with that highlight to pop things up.
Next, glaze and splatter Engine Grime by Secret Weapon onto the silvers to bring out even more contrast and weathered look. Dab Blazing Ink by P3 across the hinges of the metals. Then apply Dark Sepia by Secret Weapon over the ink to reinforce the rust feel of the yellows. Add a little watered down black via splattering, and the weathering effect looks fantastic.
There you have it, the next steps in how to get your commission models from good to amazing! This model is now above tabletop standard and looks fantastic. There is still more you can do to add details as well, so stay tuned! Be sure to press play on the video below to see the entire process!
