My First Hyperion (with pics)

[kodiak888]

Well I received my first batch of B5 minis a little while ago, and this is the first I've painted. I picked it because it seemed simple enough at the beginning, and I have more Hyperions than any other mini. Apologies for the blurry pics.


Blurry & Above

Blurry Behind

Blurry Behind 2

Blurry Top Down

Blurry Side

Least Blurry, but shows to many flaws in paint job

The paint is to thick, the blending isn't all that great, the details are lost, I know, so don't be too harsh with the criticism. There is more highlighting than the pictures show, but it's mostly subtle. But all those squiggly supposed to be straight lines are genuine. You can't fake those. :?

I'm not 100% happy with the base either, I didn't use a traditional base (I can screw the Hyperion off of this one no problem though). I had a basic idea in my head when I started, and it was a good idea. I'm not sure what part of me killed it, but this is what was found in it's place.

And..... I suck with my camera, so the pictures aren't very clear. If wanted I could try again, I'm sure I will anyway when I have more to show, but any camera tips are just as welcome as painting pointers.

 

[Chernobyl]

most digital cameras have autofocus. typically, you press the shutter button about halfway, and the camera focuse on what is in the center of the picture. you may hear a small sound. then press the button the rest of the way.

Chernobyl

 

[kodiak888]

My camera auto-focuses, then loses the focus and takes a blurry pic. I tried it on macro and super macro (I think that's what it's called, the close up setting) as well as regular, and as from the view screen it will auto-focus (and for a second be crystal clear) but then keep "focusing" and take a blurry picture. Believe me, I took about 30 pictures of this dumb ship and those are the best. Despite my best efforts and changing all the settings around, it just does what it feels like. Oh well. I need a new camera anyway.

 

[JayRaider]

Nice work, an impressive start.
I like the details.
Most important thing is the enjoyment factor, i'm a very basic painter and assembler and my ships show this, but i still enjoy the whole painting thing etc.
I don't like the base though, i think its best to keep the base as plain as possible so as not to detract from the ship.

 

[Spike1382]

Could you describe your step by step painting process? Would make it easier to help improve your technique. However it's really pretty decent. I wouldn't add the gun bits until you've practiced a little more. If the model looks sparse you can always add them later once you get a set that looks good. The important thing is that you keep painting. I can count the number of fully painted armies/fleets I've played against in the last five years on my fingers. Can't wait to see more from you.

 

[kodiak888]

I'd have to agree with you about the base. I preferred the solid black to what I ended up with. It did seem like a good idea at the time though. I'm sure it will be back to black whenever I get more done and want conformity.

My painting technique is start slow, thin my paints, do gradual layers, then get frustrated and start using thicker coats. Oh, and I need steady hands to paint thin, straight lines.

This was mainly an experiment model. I used to be into wh40k, but that died out as I lost interest in GW, and I haven't painted anything in about three or four years. Well I painted the walls of my house, and a few fences, but I guess those don't count.

The gun bits were an experiment too, more so with green stuff than the model. I've used GS to fill gaps and the like, but never tried to make anything out of it. (not that little ball turrets with barrels were complicated.) They aren't great, but in person, you have to be about two inches away from them to notice they're not actually round. The dimples disappear, thankfully. The two in the back are by far the worst, they were my first two attempted. I think in the future I'll just stick some 1/32 brass wire onto the original turrets if I want barrels.

I'm going to go with a much simpler, less contrasting scheme next time though. The many black/dark blue on white lines are very unforgiving.

Thanks for the comments. I plan on finishing a decent fleet before taking them to the table. They won't ever win a contest, but they won't be the primer fleet either. :wink:

 

[Delthos]

Your problem most likely isn't due to your camera not focusing. I bet you aren't using a tripod. It's nearly impossible to take good pictures of miniatures without one. If you don't have a tripod, at least set the camera on a stack of books or something. You need to reduce the amount of jiggle. This is your enemy. Also use the timer or a remote shutter activation cable.

Also when using macro mode, your camera has a minimum focus distance. If you get closer than that your camera won't be able to focus. (If you have your manual it should be listed there) Don't zoom when using macro either. Move the camera to adjust zoom.

Now go have some fun taking good pictures.

 

[Darzoni]

Hey, that's pretty good for your first painted miniature.

1) only pick up a little bit of paint at a time and make sure your brush is moist so it helps thin out the paint.

2) Having steady hands has little to do with painting straight lines- patience does. Don't be afraid to paint the line overly thick in terms of width then slim it down by painting back over the edges little by little. Short quick strokes are actually straighter than long slow ones, I've found, but it takes practice to get that right. If you get some color into the crevices, water down a bit of your shade color and go back in with a well-pointed brush.

3) Love the base.