How I Paint Things -

[@lunahula]

How I paint Skitarii: Step 1 - attempt to clean the mould lines to a good standard and set things up for sub assemblies. Step 2 - Realise that this is a sisyphean task. Step 3 - Give up and go back to trying to assemble familiar space marine primaris miniatures into sub assemblies, while giving mournful regretting glances to that box of skitarii. Step 4 - See some great deals on Mechanicus armies and wonder what happened to your miniatures, so get them out and look in on them, remember all of the above. Step 5 - Repeat step 4 every 3-6 months.

[@Yallan]

Literally the past 2 years for me, Primaris sub assemblies and all. My poor Skitarii Vanguard Alpha still holds his sword "triumphantly" in the dull light grey primer he's practically smothered in to this day.

[@scottywan82]

When you said Boltgun Metal, I felt my hair go whiter, lol.

[@Roberts7466]

I am really enjoying your How I Paint Things videos. I've been painting for 15 years, and for a long time, I got so hung up on painting things by hand, one stroke at a time, and everything had to be perfectly detailed. Over the past few years, I've realized that it doesn't have to perfect on every model. Your videos are a perfect example showing that you can achieve great looking models, with a little bit of patience, and not a lot of work. Thank you!

[@SonicSledgehammerStudio]

I think there's a tendency for us to want to push ourselves to 'perfect' every chance we get. There's something to be said for just kicking back, getting something finished and being able to enjoy the time spent rather than worrying about every brush stroke. Once these suckers are on the table they'll roll the same dice as anybody else's! ;D

[@Fox01313]

Looks great! As much as I learn from your vids I also want to go back to early hobby projects like the admech combat patrol box & repaint touch up another batch of minis + the vehicle. Also great little early hobby discovery from me, 2 ounce plastic sauce container & blue tac poster putty. Nice little portable stack of painting handles for a squad and the container doubles as a cup for bigger stuff like sand from a craft store, water when painting on varnish, loose bits to paint, ect.

[@johnkelley9877]

Wow! What a tutorial, new paint handle, Vallejo Wood Grain and a fast way of painting Skitarii Rangers. The figure looks great and I like the lighter red. I never heard of the Wood Grain color but I will check it out. The handle is very interesting and looks like a real winner. Thanks for sharing all of this neat information.

[@SonicSledgehammerStudio]

Thanks John! There was a lot to get through and I didn't want to space everything out across individual videos just to go, "Hey, hey! Check all this out!" Seemed like a bit of an info dump all in one go did the trick, anyhow. I always get a smile out of your comments. :)

[@johnkelley9877]

@@SonicSledgehammerStudio Thanks! I always learn from your tutorials. I realized the paint is to help get figures on the table but your style works for display modelers like myself. I always look forward to a new tutorial.

[@philboulle]

Great video as always! Happy to see you mixing in some Vallejo colours as I'm trying to add them to my mostly Citadel paint repertoire.

[@SonicSledgehammerStudio]

Thank you kindly! I figure that a lot of the time when people are getting started, there's a tendency to stick with a single brand of paint for familiarity's sake; doing these little 'rambling' experiments where I show how alternatives can mix in with Citadel seems like it might be a neat focus as we head into 2019. Not to imply you're a totally new face, of course, but you do bring to mind an interesting opportunity. :)

[@13Robzilla]

Thanks for the video and the heads up on that painting handle, love their wet palette and that handle looks good as well.

[@battlemind]

Such a good video - this is going to save me a LOT of time. I was wondering how I was going to simplify the Ad Mech from Kill Team.

[@adamfox1669]

Love your channel and your enthusiasm is catchy! Thanks. Love mechanicum. Super resource for beginners and veterans.

[@SonicSledgehammerStudio]

Thank you kindly! I think there's value in looking at the different ways we can do things. I've been at this for years and I'm always being shown new techniques that make things easier or shave a couple of minutes off of each miniature, so I figure it doesn't hurt to maybe 'repeat myself' a couple times on some miniatures. :D

[@adamfox1669]

You’re absolutely right! I love the gaming/painting community and there are always little things we can do to improve. I’m never 100% satisfied with my work.. but I think that’s the best way to be open to improving! Any time I come across new painters; I always suggest your channel as a wonderful resource. I also appreciate you taking the time to reply to comments- that says a lot to me. A real gentleman. Thanks!

[@adamfox1669]

Very nice work. I DO like that technical ‘wood grain ‘ colour you’ve used!! I’m a fan of the citadel range & Vallejo is also all over my work bench; so I’ll look into their wood grain stuff- thanks again for another wonderful resource posting!

[@SonicSledgehammerStudio]

It's good stuff! I tend to use whatever I can find that works. I can understand sticking to a manufacturer that you know and trust their products, but I'm forever picking up single pots from places I haven't heard of and giving it a shot. Always finding something new!

[@general_teryx5198]

Hey just a short question: How did you make the martian base? What colour have you used for drybrushing? :-)

[@SonicSledgehammerStudio]

This was Stirland Mud drybrushed heavily with Ryza Rust, then Eldar Flesh for the lighter bits. Very quick and easy!

[@jameslowrance4849]

My most favorite 40K Army. Then Iron Hands.

[@peterosborn7385]

I paint the legs and inside of the coat before I glue them together.

[@cmedalis]

I came here to post this same thing! I assemble my skitarii in halves - and glue together the waist join at the end of painting. seems to work ok ?

[@full_of_blood]

I really liked a lot of the techniques you showed in this video, thanks for the tips! Can you do a video on Night Lords and/or how to paint bone?

[@Fluffykeith]

Space Ooooh definitely, I’d love to see those

[@PurpleAngel8261]

Guys this episode is very special

[@SonicSledgehammerStudio]

I should hope so! ;D I'd feel silly if I went and said that and it didn't turn out to be very special.

[@barry7963]

I use a science measuring beaker for my paint water to avoid the tea situation. I think it helps me because it's not something you would pick up and drink from.

[@SonicSledgehammerStudio]

You wouldn't drink from a beaker? You and I might move in quite different circles! ;D Any excuse for mad science on my end! But something 'weird' as a paint container is a way easier solution than trying to remember left from right reflexively, no doubt.

[@longhunter5935]

Saw your Twitter comment on the Vallejo Wood Grain. Went to local shop and ordered yesterday. Thanks for the tip. I have 9 man skatari kill team that I get to the table ASAP. Just doing black capes. Any ideas on where to get number logo transfers for the capes.

[@SonicSledgehammerStudio]

Skitarii in Kill Team are awesome. :D The transfer sheets were in stock briefly on the GW web store but it seems like they've gone again. You might try eBay, or something like the Taghmata transfer sheet from Forge World might have plenty on it: www.forgeworld.co.uk/en-EU/Mechanicum-Taghmata-Transfer-Sheet

[@longhunter5935]

Coming from eBay. Thanks!

[@ps4streamingHD]

I discovered your channel a few weeks ago and I have to admit I watched a lot of content (archive as you like to refer it to). Can you make a top 10 most used colours by brand? I am new in this hobby and this kind of stuff can be very useful. Thank you very much for sharing all the amazing stuff!

[@russ5838]

Nice to have you back painting m8ty, :)

[@guylipscombe2112]

Half and inch more, wouldn't we all like that!

[@socalastarte6727]

Certainly the lovely lady on the right

[@guylipscombe2112]

@@socalastarte6727 Tell me about it 😅

[@dalemenko6546]

Perfect timing, just picked up a box set.

[@SonicSledgehammerStudio]

These guys are a lot of fun on the table. There's just something about them! I think they're probably the faction that went from John Blanche's crazy concept sketches to the tabletop with the least alterations; they look absolutely grim. :D

[@FrostandFists]

Really awesome work on this tutorial, my man! ~ Wolfbrother Methos

[@jhnlk]

Great tutorial and lovely result!

[@carltonbanks5167]

Do you have any ideas on how to do a desert camo for ig vehicles?

[@longhunter5935]

How is the black grey as to taking nuel oil shade?

[@SonicSledgehammerStudio]

Just how you see here! It's a really easy way to get a deep, just off-black finish to something, especially if you tap a little Dawnstone or something to highlight with.

[@MentoliptusBanko]

I used a container for soap balloons (e.g. www.pangraf.com/files/product/slika/1008/147.jpg) as a paint handle and it could turn its top around like that...and it was amazing. Too bad the whole container was not that comfortable to hold. I hope that handle you have is more ergonomic. If it is I'd certainly buy one!

[@Vidve]

Gold on the brain eh? Custodes painting video confirmed.

[@SonicSledgehammerStudio]

Not unless the price of a box comes down considerably... or I were faced with the fact they're somehow the best ally choices in the Imperial list? ;D

[@garethmason7920]

Love these videos. Could you possibly show how to paint blood ravens or Deathwatch

[@SonicSledgehammerStudio]

I haven't covered Deathwatch in a separate video yet since I've done both black armour and painting silver like Grey Knights already, but since a few folks have asked about a specific Deathwatch video it might finally be worth putting one together. ;D

[@michaellinford2790]

@sonicsledgehammerstudio I think I'm gonna have to go buy some of these dudes... You may of swayed my thoughts on them! I hope you're doing well buddy, this video has cheered me right up, listening to all your little brain farts! Take care pal, and enjoy the rest of your day 👍🏻😊

[@SonicSledgehammerStudio]

Thanks bud! Doing much better than I have been, so it's nice to be able to put something up. These Skitarii are a real joy to paint, if I'm honest. They're so ludicrously 40k it's hard not to enjoy them. :D

[@stevepickering5978]

Stunning

[@SonicSledgehammerStudio]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@ValkGame]

I have the Redgrass everlasting wet pallet and darnit it is just unbelievably handy and I'm a painting scrub.

[@SonicSledgehammerStudio]

It comes highly recommended from a fair few people I know. I'm going to have to take the plunge, I'm sure!

[@ValkGame]

@@SonicSledgehammerStudio I tried making my own wet pallet a while ago but uh... it got moldy. The pad in the redgrass one prevents that.

[@PixelatedSex]

Is there a major difference between the Game and Model lines of paint from Vallejo?

[@SonicSledgehammerStudio]

Not one that I've really noticed, except the Model stuff tends to dry with a slightly less pronounced sheen. By the time you've done all your bits and bobs over the top of it, though, you'll not see the difference.

[@netro32]

Love your videos, I've picked up the hobby because of you. A question for you since you are working on Skitarii; how would you go about handling the Rangers that have one eye covered with that multi lens face cam? (not sure what its called, just know it looks like it has 3 eyes.)

[@SonicSledgehammerStudio]

I know the one you mean, and I was actually thinking of doing one in this video. You can do it in exactly the same way, though - a small dot of white and a little Guilliman Blue will do the trick. If you want to switch up the smaller lenses to a slightly different colour, I'd suggest using Waywatcher Green since it'll help them stand out against all the red and brass on the rest of the miniature. Small spot colours of cooler tones will work really well on Mars-themed Skitarii. :)

[@DrewberryHobbies]

Looks pretty darn good :)

[@SimonTrimby]

What does the Vallejo wood grain do that one of the Citadel brown washes doesn't?

[@SonicSledgehammerStudio]

The easiest way to try and explain is that it's thicker. It has a much higher viscosity and tends to gum up fairly quickly, making it a weird cross between a typical paint and a shade, with the bonus that it has a much higher concentration of pigment. It's an acquired taste, but I've found it pretty useful!

[@SimonTrimby]

@@SonicSledgehammerStudio Thank you, I'll give it a try.

[@wither5673]

to be fair, ''boltgun metal'' is a way cooler name then ''leadbelcher''

[@doctoradventure413]

I like the effect you got with the bottom of the coat looking a bit dirty and worn most of the tutorials I've seen for admech have their equipment look too new in my opinion

[@HooblaDGN]

What primer is that? Great video! I’m about a day out from starting to build a bunch of Skitarii and your guides make great-looking miniatures with relative ease!

[@SonicSledgehammerStudio]

This is Army Painter's Fur Brown. It's good stuff! You want to be a little more sparing with it when spraying it on as opposed to Citadel's sprays, so - joking aside - a second thin coat after the first has had about ten minutes to dry will give you the best results.

[@manshultin6349]

Glad to have you back! Is there anything in the citadel range that would have a similar effect to that wood grain?

[@SonicSledgehammerStudio]

Unfortunately, there's nothing quite like it in the Citadel range yet - it might just be they don't assume there's a market for it. You could feasibly do a second coat of Agrax Earthshade over the rifle once the first dried, but I don't think it'd come out in quite the same way.

[@stefan_HEX]

I´ll design my own handle in CAD tomorrow :D i work with 3d-printing full time.

[@SonicSledgehammerStudio]

If you're on a mission, this is not a bad concept to crib from! The trick might be figuring out the little peg thingy underneath, but you might have an edge on that one. :D

[@edgar882]

Does it matter if you prime in black all I have atm is chaos and mephiston sprays

[@SonicSledgehammerStudio]

You might find you'll need to go back and do a second coat of the Flat Red in some places, but for the most part it's really a style choice. It might look a little darker overall once you're finished, but it won't make a massive difference.

[@CyblokGaming]

Quality video, as always. Any idea on how long he took you to paint?

[@SonicSledgehammerStudio]

Individually this guy would run about forty minutes. If I were painting in a batch of more, though, I'd say you could get a squad of ten finished to this kind of standard in 2-3 hours total with a bit of practice.

[@CyblokGaming]

Cheers!

[@dragonfist]

in regards to the handle, there are tons of painting handles that are released as designs for free on the internet and you just 3d print it. It just does not seem right to pay for such product

[@SonicSledgehammerStudio]

I don't have a 3D printer - I'm not sure they're on everybody's desk quite yet. If you've got one, then sure! Printing your own handle is easy. Otherwise the option is to make or buy your own, I guess.

[@dragonfist]

there are places (also websites) that can print things for you at really low cost :)

[@moeilijkebril481]

Don't call it a comeback! Good vid mate!

[@davedogge2280]

Never buy your grandma that likes painting miniatures a tea mug labeled with "Citadel".

[@SonicSledgehammerStudio]

The number of times I've had to double-check my little Mephiston Red mug is clean or not...!

[@niamhshannon6153]

jesus man, that's some milky tea

[@SonicSledgehammerStudio]

It's the problem of getting decent bags out here in Germany. It's a coffee nation; us tea drinkers have to make do!

[@carpemkarzi]

Nice handle and yeah it needs an option for a larger/longer handle. also ease up on the old jokes youngster. :) nice to see you back. Great vid

[@tetsuoswrath]

Your videos are always interesting. :{J

[@TheSalem777]

Can you paint a Sister of Battle from the Order of Sacred Rose ? plz plz plz :3

[@SonicSledgehammerStudio]

Sisters are a little harder to come by than Skitarii at the moment! If I were to do Sacred Rose, I'd start from Leadbelcher spray basecoat, give it a quick layer of Leadbelcher to make sure it's all smooth. Paint the outside of the cloaks with whatever black paint you like to use, and the inside with Khorne Red. Nuln Oil the whole thing, then brighten up the inside of the cloaks with some Mephiston Red. No big deal!

[@TheSalem777]

@@SonicSledgehammerStudio oh..but their armor is white. Tricky color for me... Leadbelcher will do better for Argent Shroud I think. In the case of the white armor...would you prime it white or grey? and what shade/wash would you apply?

[@SonicSledgehammerStudio]

Whoops! I should have enlarged the thumbnail, I suspect. ;) I'd definitely start from Corax White undercoat, then, but I'd still follow all the same steps with the exception that after the primer spray, I'd do a couple thin coats of Ulthuan Grey to even out the white basecoat first. Nuln Oil will do the job over that, but I'd suggest instead you might want to switch to Nuln Oil gloss since it collects and pools slightly differently compared to the ordinary version. Once you're done with your painting, just hit the model with a matte varnish and you'll never see the difference.

[@TheSalem777]

@@SonicSledgehammerStudio Thank you!, I'll give it a try and see how it goes.

[@Nick-we7lf]

you can 3d print these handle until the cows come home. There not that good IMO. Stick with Wooden Dowels.

[@zm0rc]

no offense to redgrass games but a paint handle from gw is 8 bucks and is perfect..solid pass.

[@SonicSledgehammerStudio]

I've actually got a couple of the Citadel handles, too. The main difference is the rotation and the extra bulk on the top. I really like the Citadel handle for the adjustable head space, but the rotation of the Redgrass one was dead useful, too. Swings and roundabouts, I guess! We don't know how much they're going to cost but ultimately, if you've already got what works for you, keep using it! :)