Ayla

Well, here it is folks, my first ever finished mini- appologies for the crap base, my 'tutor' (and his kit!) has abandoned me for his sick bed, so I had to do the best I could with what I had to hand... cat litter! Photography is not a strong point of mine, but hopefully you can see well enough to comment! Comments, suggestions etc very welcome! I'm moving on to something I actually want to paint now, so hopefully will make a better job of the next one!

Not yet, but it might be...very soon if he's not careful! Small spiral tattoos on earlobes in blue too, I think!

Yeah, but don't panic, cause there are a couple of nurses from the mental ward here too Welcome CityBilly, only been here a week or so myself, but can already vouch for it being very freindly and helpful!

Thanks for all your encouragement and advice folks- some really helpful tips there, and I promise to try them all! Have been checking out some of the tutorials already- can't wait for my next week off work, when I plan to try loads of stuff out @Hinton and Frustrated Father- I'll let you into a little secret on the swords... I've done nothing to them at all! Haven't got that far yet- these are still WIP's. The effect you see is just from the initial wash, which was already on the mini when I 'aquired' it. Might just leave them like that now though! With regard to the higlights- I have started them, having followed advice picked up right here, planning to do some more work on them though. @Jondalar- Indeed I do have a truly fine teacher, with a truly massive head!

Well, you've all been so welcoming and so encouraging, with heart in mouth I am gonna post some pics of my current WIP's. Please bear in mind that I have only been painting two weeks, and have a VERY limited selection of paints! Any comments, critiques, hints tips and pointers will be very,very welcome. Firstly, this is my first attempt at flesh/ a face... ignore the rest of it, I've literally only done the face, haven't even done the hair and beard! These three photos are of one that began as an exercise in brush control, hence the random bits that have been done in no particular order, then became also an exercise in blending hi lights and an attempt at gems, and now I think I might even try to finish it So, there you have it, Amateur Ayla's second and third ever minis! Hoping that you guy's advice will help me improve... a lot!

I'm working on it Duende! My camera isn't great though, and I'm having problems getting close enough and taking shots that aren't just looking totaly washed out with the flash! I may have to be ultra nice to Jondalar and use his As welcome as I've been made, and as reassured as I am that no one will laugh (or at least not out loud!) I will post some soon, promise

Believe me, it was scary! Here's me, excuse the state, I believe I may have had one or two too many 'lemonades' when this was taken!!

@Hinton.... Just searched for some of your pics and I have to say...:You_Rock_ If I thought for one minute I'd be that good in two months, I'd be planning to give up my day job by now!

Wow! Thanks for the welcome guys! How nice to find such a friendly forum! When I finally 'finish' anything (have caught bad habits from himself already- got six mini's on the go at the moment!) I will post a pic... and cringe a lot no doubt but I'm sure from the welcome I've recieved you'll critique kindly:) I think he answered that one didn't he?!

Hi all! I'm not just new here, but very new to painting minis too... caught the bug from my other half- the old 'if you can't beat them, join them' scenario- and discovered I loved it! So new to it that really I have absolutely no idea what I'm doing, still mainly painting his-self's cast offs and 'don't wants' (generally badly and with lots of questions being asked), and saving the odd ones I've bought for myself until I can do a better job than I'm doing now... I have an awful lot to learn, so if it's OK with you guys I'll just lurk around here and see what I can learn from you all!:bounce: