Good Morning Jungle!
Quite a while ago we had another proud jungle painter in the studio for two days of MV Private Coaching. Andras from Hungary was visiting us in the studio!
Andras and Raffa discussed all the topics Andras wanted to cover in the two days via mail, these were:
MV Private Coaching
Review by Andras
When I settled with this mindset I was continuously discovering a little shadow or highlight to be added, a definition or wrinkle I have missed, a small detail overlooked, etc. And this is one thing that can really push the end result. Day 1 we have mostly progressed with skin, and face, also the loincloth received some initial colors. 10 PM I left the studio with a lot of thought and excitement for day 2, as the workshop was already exceeding my expectations. Not to mention that I have also memorized the Last Samurai OST, but tht is a different story.
Day 2 we started with the usual drill of coffee and intro discussion for the day. The face, fur and horns received further love during the day and the overall color scheme of the mini was becoming visible. We have further worked on the face with subtle glazes applying facial color theory. This was really pushing me out of my comfort zone - when I see a mini I consider nicely painted, applying a technique with a result I am unsure about send the chilles down my spine...but in the end it obviously turns out that
1) there is no mistake that can not be corrected, and
2) this is the right way to go as the face becomes vivid with color and expression.
Quite a while ago we had another proud jungle painter in the studio for two days of MV Private Coaching. Andras from Hungary was visiting us in the studio!
Raffa & Andras
Andras and Raffa discussed all the topics Andras wanted to cover in the two days via mail, these were:
1) Contrast - theory and practical application
2) In connection with the above some color theory
3) Clear painting / proper use of paint consistencies
And, if time allowed, they wanted to cover the topics:
5) Object source lightning
6) Basing
In the end, most time was spent to the first three topics. Raffa also had the feeling it was a good idea to spend more time there... the technical foundation of painting.
Let's hear about Andras' first hand experience:
MV Private Coaching
Review by Andras
This January I decided it is time for me to get some real
hands-on painting experience from the Massive Voodoo guys. Being a long
time follower of the blog and their work it was obvious choice for me
that once I make up my mind about a private coaching it should be with
the Voodoo crew. And what a good choice it was.
During
the initial email conversations we discussed that my interests will be
to understand and consciously apply techniques that make a mini "pop",
and help it come to life. The small but invaluable touches that push the
results from "this looks nice" to "wow". We have also settled on the
model, as I had a Satyr from Blacksmith Miniatures lying around that I
picked as a limited edition release, and wanted to treat it with the
proper brushstrokes.
The date approaching I became
more and more excited until the day finally arrived. I entered the MV
Studio where Raffa was already preparing some work for the day, some
great tunes in the background, minis in cabinets, all the painting,
basing, sculpting accessories on shelves...a real miniature painting
magic world. Immediate immersion!
Raffa was super nice and welcoming, we sat down with a proper black coffee and had an intro and recap of my focus areas, a check on the minis I have brough along to get real life examples, and slowly we moved into color theory, light situations and application of those onto a 3D surface.
Raffa was super nice and welcoming, we sat down with a proper black coffee and had an intro and recap of my focus areas, a check on the minis I have brough along to get real life examples, and slowly we moved into color theory, light situations and application of those onto a 3D surface.
Two days worth
of paiting seems a lot, but in such an ispiring environment where you
realize that there is so much these guys can teach you, and you want to
absorb everything, time just flies. We soon moved over from theory to
pratice, and got the minis primed. Raffa has found a Faun in the similar
vein as my model, from Studio McVey, so we could start our painting
using almost identical colors and methods, Raffa demonstrating as we
progressed while I was applying the techniques on my mini.
The
Devil is in the details, as you can often hear, and its no different in
the miniature painting world. One of the key take-aways of day one is
not to rush, but take your time with the current volume, or body section
you are working with. When you consider it is done already, put away
the brush, and start looking at the surface from every angle.
When I settled with this mindset I was continuously discovering a little shadow or highlight to be added, a definition or wrinkle I have missed, a small detail overlooked, etc. And this is one thing that can really push the end result. Day 1 we have mostly progressed with skin, and face, also the loincloth received some initial colors. 10 PM I left the studio with a lot of thought and excitement for day 2, as the workshop was already exceeding my expectations. Not to mention that I have also memorized the Last Samurai OST, but tht is a different story.
Day 2 we started with the usual drill of coffee and intro discussion for the day. The face, fur and horns received further love during the day and the overall color scheme of the mini was becoming visible. We have further worked on the face with subtle glazes applying facial color theory. This was really pushing me out of my comfort zone - when I see a mini I consider nicely painted, applying a technique with a result I am unsure about send the chilles down my spine...but in the end it obviously turns out that
1) there is no mistake that can not be corrected, and
2) this is the right way to go as the face becomes vivid with color and expression.
After this the eyes are the next step, before
we dive into a paiting techniques and tips, Raffa puts together a great
sketch for me, and demostrates it in practice on the model.The result
is astounding, and surprisingly realistic. With enought care I am close
to replicate it, which is again a great step forward for me. The mini at
this point is ~60% done with leather and metallic parts outstanding,
and these two areas will be the closing parts of the painting session.
There is a debrief in the end, and group photo!
All-in-all
awesome two days with Raffa, a whole lot of information and details
that you can only learn if you sit next to the person.
Both Raffa and
Roman are super-approachable nice guys, and there is no doubt that these
folks are the top of their game. My whole-hearted recommendation to
anyone who considers taking this private coaching, you will not regret
it.
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