Hello everyone and Happy New Year!
To paint this mini I approached it as a 3D illustration, using comic as a reference.
The idea is to project the shadows on the mini as if it were a drawing;
that is to paint 2D shadows, just as if I was drawing it.
The first step is to take pictures of the mini under a strong light in
order to observe the shadows over the figure and try to emulate them
when painting on it.
As you can see, the shadows are quite defined on very specific areas,
especially on the eyes, nose and lips, as well as on the arms (from the
guns) and the head’s shadow.
Once the concept was clear, the second step was to apply the first
lights and shadows over the black and white foundation with an airbrush.
After, to emphasize the lights and shadows, I also painted the skin
with the airbrush using different shades before start using the brush.
This served me as a foundation to start with the shadows, focusing first on the mouth and nose.
I also sketched the shadows on the breast to use them as a reference for the face.
I continued working on the face, cleaning certain zones and finishing the shadows.
During the next few days I’ll post some more pictures of brush and airbrush work, using acrylic Golden paint.
Greetings to everyone.
José Miguel Caballero Delso