Thanks jason, Thanks gordy. Jason I hated busts at first then it was all I painted, I like full figures a little better because of the scene you can create with the groundwork. Mcsneed, it was kind of a trial by error so it is a convaluted mess of every color you can think of but I'll give it a go.
for the gold i base coated in burnt sienna then worked in raw sienna for the midtone till it was pure raw sienna. for highlites I started adding in naples yellow until pure naples yellow, then used white in the mix for the highest highlite until a line of pure white for the shine. i went in and added extreme shadows with violet to match it to the cape.
The white metal was way harder. I base coated in a dark grey then deep shadows with violet (to match the cape) working in highlites with any light blue you got then adding the shine and glints with pure white.
I think I need to put a gloss or matte varnish over the metal parts to create a little more realism.
It didn't turn out like I wished it would but i am going to keep trying it till i get it right. i wouldn't dare do an SBS till I can do the technique some form of justice.
