White Walker - Painting II: UCing

As with its predecesor, painting the White Walker is anything but linear or sequential. Broadly or thematically so. . . sure; but beyond that, you would not be taking advantage of what this splen- did canvas has to offer!

So as to provide some chromatic balance, and provide a hint of what the finished product will ultimately look like, I decided to undercoat the armour of the extremities: the vambraces and the greaves. This was quite straightforward: just a simple coat of thoroughly-mixed Andrea Brown Leather. 

Once thoroughly dry/cured, I will go back with a grisaille of flat black to set my tonal values, and then lightly drybrush/glaze with Reaper Orange-Brown, all the time keeping in mind the oil finish.

“When the cost of a hobby exceeds the fun and doesn't attract new people, the game is over.” -
Oscar Koveleski, August 2003

White Walker - Painting I: Oils

There is still some work to be done with the acrylics, but I wanted to proceed with the oils to see if my plan had merit. And I am delighted to report that it did!

The oils were applied in two fashions: glazing and stippling. I first glazed the indicated areas with blue-green overtones: this served as a cool unifying gradient that provided some contrasting re- flective depth. Once satisfied, I began stippling a textured overlay with Flake White. This is very much Phase I, and I foresee at least two more layers: 1) a warmish overtone; and 2) a final uni- fying overlay of a stippled white made into a translucent "paste" with Dorland's Wax. 

More to follow. . .  

16.10.2019--Phase II:

• A. Warmish overtones. These were selectively applied with Transparent Red Earth muted with W&N Raw Umber Light, blending carefully. 

• B. I decided to have two applications of the "unifying white". The first layer will be slightly-thinned Zinc White, essentially glazed. Once I am satisfied, I will proceed with the stippled Flake White "paste", applied to punch-up the highlights and create   a granular surface.

“When the cost of a hobby exceeds the fun and doesn't attract new people, the game is over.” -
Oscar Koveleski, August 2003

White Walker - Painting I: UCing

With the figure primed and a day off, it was time to break out the paints!

In an excellent kit preview by Mike on Britmodeller, the reviewer makes the following observation:

There are no decals as you'd expect, and the instructions tell you to paint the body white and give him blue eyes.  The "real" thing was actually a myriad of subtle shades of blue with translucent whitish highlights that will be taxing to replicate, but if done well will look exceptional. 

As I learned in the Hardhome project, the blue tones/filter were digital enhancements introduced during filming and/or post-. Thus, the extent of blue manifest is a subjective/artistic call depen- dent on your vision of the project and the depth of your research.The "real" thing was an achro- matic pastiche, with a myriad of subtle cool (blue) and warm (reddish) shades and washes, uni- fied with white/ish drybrushing that is selectively concentrated. "Taxing to replicate. . . " -- Abso- lutely! But well worth the effort given the potential. . .

First phase of undercoating is now done. The first coat was a proprietary dark gray with blue and violet undertones that was 'scrubbed' off the highlights. When it was almost dry, I applied a gri- saille of black into the deep recesses and crevasses to begin setting tonal values. Phase 2 will be careful drybrushing and streaking of lighter values DONE. Phase 3 will be washes of warm black to block-in the deep shadows of the flesh and finalize the tonal topography of the 'land- scape'. . .

“When the cost of a hobby exceeds the fun and doesn't attract new people, the game is over.” -
Oscar Koveleski, August 2003

White Walker - Painting: Priming

The figure, not including the pteruges or the ice-spear, is now primed!

By way of preview, as of this writing, the painting arc of the project will be comprised of six distinct sub-threads:

• Painting I: Flesh
• Painting II: Extremity armour
• Painting III: Pteruges
• Painting IV: Hair
• Painting V: Scenic Setting (Groundwork)
• Painting VI: Finishing/Wrapping-Up 

Stay tuned! 

“When the cost of a hobby exceeds the fun and doesn't attract new people, the game is over.” -
Oscar Koveleski, August 2003