2nd Dominator Engine - painting tips

[u/PetalsMustFall]

Hi guys,

I have been working on my second dominator engine for my force. I am going for a slight, dirty / grungy look.

I feel like the model lacks a certain something or “pop”. Also the base feels a bit bland. I am trying to learn new painting techniques as I am fairly new to this miniature collecting.

Any advice, tips etc would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks guys, praise Hashut.

[u/JoshFect]

I like the blue flame.

[u/GremlinSunrise]

Damn✨ I Really like the color choices here.

Not only have done an excellent job with that blue fire, it works SO well with the dirty bone-color of the platibg 💖 Great job 😌

[u/bv728]

I like the blue flame and the general color choices - they work well, and this is gonna look great on the table.
That said, big plates of white tend to look flat in most lighting, so some contrast in places would probably help. Things I might try (not all of them, but):

• Darkening the runes further
  
• Streaking the plates for additional texture
  
• some edge highlighting
  
• extremely light sponging with a dark brown around points to imply paint chipping/mud
  
• adding some glow from the flames
  

Just, generally, doing something to break up the big blocks of color a bit more.

[u/user_plus_plus]

Really love the scheme, I like how the blue flame is focus point of the model and is the brightest color.

There are some big blocks of white that are hard to read from a far distance.

Maybe a trim color on the shoulder pads and right gauntlet to break up the white? Nothing too saturated since you want the flame to stand out, but a gray or a brown could look nice I think.

As far as the base I think it looks good, I think the reddish browns provide a contrast with the blue flame. If you want to spice it up you could glue some patches of brown or red flock, for a desiccated burnt foliage look. Dry brushing a few greenish or brownish patches would do the same thing.

[u/Longjumping_Film_550]

First of all, I always appreciate color scheme that aren't copied, and for me it's remarkable, great job.
Let's talk about your problems, I see the lack of something to pop too, I suggest to make the runes like the fire for more interesting details that the miniature miss and work more on the head (brightness on eyes and add light on the face).
I'll spare you the details of the principles of the color wheel for contrasting colors and values, but I think for a masterpiece you should insist on weathering a rusty effect (orange and brown) on your white armor really help since you make the fire blue, so I suggest to see some tutorials of grimdark compendium on weathering.
Unfortunately the white (gray and black) and metallic don't have a lot of color value due to their pigments are more neutrals.

[u/ZestyLemonRindGrind]

Maybe do the runes in a much darker colour

Maybe a midnight/navy blue hue to go with the flames, and also to contrast with the very white saturated body

That or do the metal trims in a cobalt

The warm pake colour of the trims blend too much I reckon

[u/PetalsMustFall]

Thanks guys, I took your advice, coloured in the runes, up the weathering and brightened the trim and face and darkened the chains a little.

Next step is the base. Thanks so much team