Sorastro's The Lord of the Rings Painting Series Ep.9 - The Balrog

[@Newt211]

Back when Sorastro was doing Imperial assault he was the guy I followed to paint it all. His videos taught me so much from someone who never painted minis before.

[@Sorastro]

Thank you! I'm so happy to hear that my videos helped you get into the hobby 😀

[@TheEldarGuy]

I concur!

[@grottoguru6473]

Hey again, been commenting on a bunch of your videos. I've gotten into mini painting and your videos are by far the best out there by any metric. I painted the balrog mini from the Lords of Middle Earth expansion to the War of the Ring board game and when I did I used yellow, orange and red in even parts to create my fire features and can see now I needed a LOT more yellow haha, excellent job as always!!!

[@Sorastro]

Hey! Thanks a lot (again!). I really appreciate that 😁

[@matthewmalovich64]

I love that we are back to LotR models! The balrog is a beauty! Might pick it up myself

[@Sorastro]

Thank you! 😁

[@thedisabledwelshman9266]

@@Sorastro amazing

[@coreyhammond5100]

Yesss! Doesn’t get any better than this...A Balrog and some Sorastro painting magic. Gonna be a good day.

[@Sorastro]

Aww thanks so much Corey 😀☺️

[@matteomeloni3681]

you created a masterpiece, saying that I love it would be an understatement. Absolutely stunning

[@Sorastro]

Aww thank you Matteo 😁

[@Hello-1814]

Wow! Spectacular! It is so dynamic and looks like I expect a fiery balrog to look! Awesome job!

[@Sorastro]

Awesome! Thanks so much 😁

[@Starman1014]

Oh my word! Amazing work, I've been saving up to buy this expansion. This video has me scouring my basement to find things to sell on Ebay. Nice job!

[@Sorastro]

Ha ha - thanks 😄

[@pedrocampos691]

Okay ok.

[@AvocationNation]

You took my mini painting to the next level with the first LotR series... thanks for posting another one!!!

[@Sorastro]

Thanks a lot Shane! I'm glad you liked it 😁

[@CentrurusVII]

Hooo, I totally missed that expansion. So busy with other projects. I completed my lord of the ring game last year. I used your videos and techniques for my whole project and the results a really great. Can't wait to paint this expansion with your help and tips! keep them coming!

[@Sorastro]

Excellent! Thanks a lot Frank 😀

[@Jim-yv8nl]

Boom! What a start, no messing around!!

[@Sorastro]

Ha ha thanks Jim 😁

[@RideDatDonkey97]

Wow! That looks awesome! Watching your videos always inspires me to want to paint more

[@Sorastro]

Thank you Jonathan! I couldn't ask for more 😁

[@pedrocampos691]

Cooooooool.

[@abubababamazana4298]

absolutely incredible painting, and what a cool model of the balrog, i might pick a balrog up myself because of how cool it looks

[@Sorastro]

Thanks so much! :)

[@MisterTroglodyte]

Your LotR content is my favorite and Oh man those embers are brilliant! Love the final change to the eyes as well. 👹

[@Sorastro]

Thank you! I'm glad I decided to alter the eyes; it was a small touch, but seemed to make quite a big difference 🙂

[@ivar_miniatures9383]

Finally Fantasy again ❤️ fantastic tutorial as always 👌🏻

[@Sorastro]

Thank you! I'm glad you liked it 😁

[@ramonosuke]

Another A+ tutorial. When I got to the highlight/shading of the wings, I was scared, but followed along as best as I could, and man I think it turned out excellent. Love the base as well, and for me it was a definite “trust the process” and you killed it. I literally have a handful of minions and heroes and I can put Journeys behind me. Thank you for videos and PDF tutorials, Sorastro. Would love to see you tackle some thing otherworldly like Cthulhu Death May Die, just to see your interpretation, but regardless of what you put out, I will tune in(and follow along if I have the game 😅)

[@Sorastro]

Thank you, sir! I really appreciate the kind comments, and I'm so happy to hear that your LOTR JIME minis are coming along nicely! 😀

[@BrianLiming]

Sorastro, that is so good. I've been doing all the other minis hoping this video would drop for the Balrog. I knew your treatment should be my baseline goal.

[@Sorastro]

Thanks so much Brian! I'm glad you liked it 😁

[@shenkyeirambo5601]

i painted a balrog once, several years ago by now, i have never been able to recreate the fire i did, but it involved reverse washing with brighter colours and a very very light drybrush with black at the end.

[@Ender-ud2cn]

Your Balrog is amazing ! Good job and thank you again to share it with us.

[@Sorastro]

Thank you Nicolas! I'm glad you enjoyed the video 😁

[@abenitez09]

Sorastro, you are the best, you dont need to promote other brands like Scale 75, you are at a higher level than the rest of youtubers =)

[@Sorastro]

Thank you! I'm not sure I understand though; I just use whatever paints I enjoy using.. you don't like Scalecolor?

[@ryanmchenry9131]

Thanks so much for posting this first! I’ve been holding off on the Balrog and checking everyday for your video. Came just in time for our campaign. I appreciate you and your coverage of this game series. Can’t wait for the music to drop too.

[@Sorastro]

Thanks so much Ryan! I really appreciate that 😀

[@adamg157]

Fantastic work as always mate. Great techniques used. Took me back to when I painted my Games Workshop Balrog a few years ago. Just my opinion but I'd personally have the crack in the body be more dark orange or red so that the large body of flames on the back and the weapons make more of an impact. It still looks stunning and I cannot wait to see what comes next from this series.

[@Sorastro]

Thanks a lot Adam! And nice idea RE going more reddish in the cracks 😀

[@petrtom5]

Díky!

[@Sorastro]

Thank you so much! :)

[@milenafighter8120]

Yes! Finally some traditional fantasy again!

[@Sorastro]

Hurrah! 😁

[@alancastellanos4199]

Beautiful work as always!!

[@Sorastro]

Thank you Alan! 🙂

[@willmontes85]

Beautiful. And great video. Love the tone on the wings!

[@Sorastro]

Thanks a lot Will! 😀

[@Nortic111]

Almost at 100K, well deserved when it comes!

[@Sorastro]

Thank you ☺️

[@sshim950]

Very cool! The osl (and contrasting blue) and the free embers are awesome! Thanks for sharing

[@Sorastro]

Thanks so much! Those are my favourite bits too 😄

[@stuartwalters96]

Really enjoyed the music with this tutorial so thought I’d check your description to see if you had mentioned it only to find out you create all your own soundtracks and you have 2 albums on various platforms!!! I just listened to both albums back to back via amazon and loved them! You’re a very talented artist in more ways than 1!!!!

[@Sorastro]

Thanks so much Stuart! I really appreciate that, and I'm glad you're enjoying the music 😀

[@Mailed-Knight]

To quote a marvelous little TV show about being the best version of yourself you can possibly be: Go beyond! Plus Ultraaaa! (maybe should have saved it for a Superhero video). Man Sorastro you painting skills are beyond expectations. I wonder if we'll ever get a Balrog mini that doesn't have wings but shadows that look like wings? And what would that even look like?

[@Sorastro]

Thank you buddy! Mm shadowy wings would be interesting.. 😁

[@13Robzilla]

I know this was one of your first series, but should of called do fire right. So many applications for this...I can't even. Thank you, just thank you.

[@Sorastro]

Thanks buddy! And you're welcome 😀

[@Auridus]

I'm considering buying this expansion just to get this model. The Balrog is one of my favorite monsters of all time!

[@Sorastro]

Awesome! 😄

[@Dmitry_Solid]

This lovely and searing fire🔥🔥🔥 Morgoth is happy with your painting😈 I Hope the miniatures for your projects will never run out!!!

[@Sorastro]

Thanks so much! I might worry about certain things, but running out of miniatures isn't one of them! :)

[@ThatGeekyMaker]

"The Balrog, a demon of the ancient world. This foe is beyond any of you..RUN!" -Gandalf the Grey

[@alcovitch]

He could have easily taken out this version of the Balrog. I've not been very impressed with FFG's interpretation of these classic characters.

[@PartTimeBox]

What's wrong with the interpretation?

[@alcovitch]

@@PartTimeBox This games whole line of minis look like poor mans LOTR. Obviously they didn't want to pay New Line Cinema licensing feels for the movie look, but sadly, these are so sub par in comparison. If i thought the game was any good at all (i don't) i'd swap the minis for the GW ones so they actually look like the characters from the books.

[@TheNicloHD]

As a mainly fantasy painter this was a blast. The heo Paintjobs were interesting too, but this is my groove

[@Sorastro]

Thanks a lot - I'm glad you liked it 😄

[@jarrettgarcia5927]

You are an inspiration. Thank you for all your videos!

[@Sorastro]

That's very kind - thank you Jarrett! ☺️

[@Skasloi67]

Simply amazing. Was waiting for this video the moment I bought the expansion !

[@Sorastro]

Thanks so much! I'm glad you liked it 😁

[@Henry-lk5pm]

Another fantastic tutorial Mark, thank you. Got Shadowed Paths on pre-order. So looking forward to painting all the minis from the whole game. Just another 1000 hrs of practice before I risk it. ;-)

[@Sorastro]

Thanks a lot Henry! Just work on the "minion" type minis first to build up your confidence; you got this! :)

[@Dovy1790]

Come on guys, lets give sorastro the 100k❤️

[@Sorastro]

☺️😄

[@Knekelvoeste]

Thanks alot for making this video! Really needed this to paint my own Balrog

[@Sorastro]

You're welcome Sven! :)

[@Gostivar11]

Well done! Very stunning work.

[@Sorastro]

Thank you very much! 😄

[@TenguMonk]

yes!! beautiful work as always sir!

[@Sorastro]

Thank you my friend! 😄

[@3lcost3]

Pure art! Hoping one day to paint this superb.

[@Sorastro]

Thanks so much Luis! You'll get there 😀

[@jsmit6868]

Yes! The LOTR content is the best content!

[@Sorastro]

Ha ha thank you! 😁

[@arilowen]

Finally! Thanks for sharing this video!

[@Sorastro]

You're welcome Ariel :)

[@pjpaintsminis]

A nice return

[@Sorastro]

Cheers! 😄

[@pedrocampos691]

Hey cool.

[@redhotswing]

Beautiful work! Also great timing for me: I'm about to try my first OSL.

[@Sorastro]

Thanks Kevin! Have fun with it 😁

[@nachtphonix1202]

What a great Job!

[@Sorastro]

Thanks so much! 😀

[@MrMagicchrisi]

Wow, I almost can feel the fires from Udun 🔥 Impressive work 💪❤️ Thank you for providing alternate colours since I do not want to support GSW in any way due to their bad behavior towards content creators competitors and business partners.

[@Sorastro]

Thanks mate! And oh no! I wasn't aware of that about GSW. Jeez it's a minefield out there huh!?

[@MrMagicchrisi]

@@Sorastro it absolutely is - and it's probably better not to know about all the troubles that exist out there 😊

[@Sorastro]

Ha ha! They do say "ignorance is bliss" 😁

[@mathiasmoucha1950]

Wonderful, once again ! Thanks !

[@Sorastro]

Thanks a lot Mathias 😀

[@Gajosus]

Great painting manual work. I have been waiting for that movie. SKAAL

[@Sorastro]

Thanks 😁

[@bennethos]

Fantastic tutorials !

[@Sorastro]

Thank you very much! :)

[@yurdonebacon]

Awesome stuff, man! Way beyond my skill or need, but interesting to see!

[@GamerAddictFrank]

I was so hoping you were painting the Middle Earth Strategy Battle Game version of the Balrog. Great video, but would love of you would paint the other one.

[@Sorastro]

Thanks Frank! I only really paint games that I actually play, but you could totally use the same techniques to paint the GW Balrog 🙂

[@KimHarderFog]

That is crazy good.

[@Sorastro]

Thank you Kim! I'm glad you liked it :)

[@zodiacbrave13]

Hopefully more KDM in the future!

[@Sorastro]

Hi! You can read a bit about my upcoming schedule here: sorastro.com/2020/07/13/coming-soon-summer-2020/🙂

[@seanral]

Great video. I learn so much from you. Would be awesome to see you do some GW Middle-earth SBG models!

[@Sorastro]

Thank you Sean! 😁

[@SaschaKleiber]

Is Scale Colors "Flat Black" the same as "Black"? Both have the same Code SC00...

[@Sorastro]

Hey man! Yes, they're the same 🙂

[@SaschaKleiber]

@@Sorastro Thx! ;-)

[@sunny15000]

Thanks a lot! Just finished painting my own Balrog mini, and thanks to your tutorials it looks quite good (still not as good as yours) :)

[@Sorastro]

Thank you Pierre! I'm glad the tutorial helped :)

[@VV_DOOM504]

Just awesome 👊🏼

[@Sorastro]

Thank you sir! :)

[@linbackerslbc1894]

I have all the base colors down. But I’m nervous to start painting the flames. You make it look so easy lol. Do you think the fluorescent yellow would be an ok base layer for the flames? Or is it to bright.

[@Sorastro]

Hi! You got this! Just keep the innermost parts of the flames as bright as possible :)

[@keithtalbot9504]

Thank you

[@Sorastro]

You're welcome Keith! 😁

[@holidayshobbies1296]

That was excellent

[@Sorastro]

Thank you! I'm glad you liked it 😀

[@jewishdictionary1715]

Holy shit it's gonna be sooo good

[@iletaitunjeutom]

Thank you so much for that video. I share my paint on my IG right now !

[@Sorastro]

Awesome! I'm glad you found the video useful 😁

[@lassebalzer1843]

Great work! Just one question, in this case you did no shading. Is there any specific reason why or would it be still possible / look good, after using some shading colors? 🙏🙏

[@ChristopherJoelThomspon]

I’m new to painting minis and watched SEVERAL tutorials. You simply are the best. Will you ever do specific vids about brush care? Skin? Faces? I notice you don’t use a wet pallet...why? The tip of your brushes are so pointed...what brand or # do you use? Sorry, about all the questions, but your tutorials are amazing! Oh, wait...your using a wet pallet with this video...haha

[@Sorastro]

Thanks a lot Chris! My videos tend to cover entire miniatures, so you won't find videos on specific "standalone" features such as skin or faces etc. However there is a technique index on my website with links to various painting techniques etc from the videos that you might find useful: sorastro.com/painting-technique-index/ I use the Rosemary and Co Series 8 (Sixe 2) brush: www.rosemaryandco.com/watercolour-brushes/pure-kolinsky-sable/series-8-pointed-round which has a lovely point and also can take quite a beating (I'm not especially kind to my brushes!) :)

[@ChristopherJoelThomspon]

Sorastro's Painting Brilliant! (Being American, I’ve always wanted to use that word) :) Thank you for taking time to reply!

[@Sorastro]

Ha ha - you used it very well 😁

[@zev-gb8dk]

Great work!

[@Sorastro]

Thank you! :)

[@8ballpaul]

The shading is so beautiful, but so difficult! I don’t understand how you do it!

[@Sorastro]

Thanks Paul! It's probably just practice.. :)

[@cerethpainting6606]

This technique would look amazing on the gw balrog too!

[@Sorastro]

Thanks man! 😁

[@alanrennox7340]

I think it would suit the GW model even better, FFG's sculpt isn't as good as it could have been, but Sorastro makes it look brilliant.

[@andreikoenig5718]

Is there a reason to do black first before fire? It seems it be more logical to reverse the order...

[@ulisesproypapafurioso2454]

You are the Master.

[@Sorastro]

That's very kind - thank you 😁☺️

[@ernieme101]

can a Balrog be beautiful ? yes , yes it can !

[@Sorastro]

Ha ha - thanks Ernest 😁

[@SaschaKleiber]

Awesome job! A pity though you’re using so many extra paints from now on. ;) thought you were trying to stay within the limits of the Vallejo set. Maybe I can mix the „missing“ colors…

[@guillaumebellanger9716]

Hi . This is not the most beautifull balrog of all time but your painting skills really gives life to an really unsoul mini. I heard some new musical material Very interresting. I can t wait To get a new fantasy cd from you .

[@Sorastro]

Thank you my friend! I really need to carve some time out to work on the next couple of albums 😀

[@BrianLiming]

You've probably covered this in other videos but you do you seal the miniature after painting? Might this model benefit from a satin finish with spot gloss?

[@Sorastro]

Hi Brian! Yes, I usually spray them with Testors Dullcote. 😀

[@ARCHANGEvideo]

Amazing work ! Are you planning on doing the rest of the roster ? Gandalf, Arwen, etc ... ?

[@Sorastro]

Thanks Raph! Yes, I'll be covering the whole set with a combination of videos and PDF guides like I did with the base game. 🙂

[@ARCHANGEvideo]

@@Sorastro Thank you so much !

[@mattmartin326]

Amazing. I'm sure the dislikes on this video are just errant clicks of people that tried to click the like icon but missed.

[@Sorastro]

Thanks Matt! Who knows.. 😄

[@juliejf4046]

Amazing! I've tried to do these reflecting on the wings, but failed, too hard

[@Sorastro]

Thanks a lot Julie! The OSL is a bit of a subtle art, but fortunately entirely optional 😁

[@knochenkotzer.666]

Impressive....... most impressive...... 😱😱😱😱😱😱😍😍😍😍😍😍

[@Sorastro]

Ha - thank you! 😄

[@joseluisrm6347]

Hi Sorastro! as always a great tutorial and a beautiful miniature. Is there an equivalence in Vallejo colors or other brand for Payne's grey ink? Thank you so much

[@Sorastro]

Thanks Jose! I guess a mix of the Black and Blue Vallejo Inks would be pretty close :)

[@juanfranciscosilva32]

Your videos are really amazing! Just a minor question, is there a way to replace the lahmian medium? Thank you!

[@papagrizzly7884]

Wow!

[@Sorastro]

Thank you Papa! 😊

[@jasperv]

Love it! Any chance you will make tutorials on ME: SBG models? :D

[@Phantom281]

Hey! Did you use a wash in this or just leave it with the paints? If you did use a wash what would you recommend and would you use different for the fire/ body?

[@Sorastro]

Hi Liam! If I didn't use a wash in the video then I didn't use a wash (nor did I feel the need for one).. 😀

[@Phantom281]

@@Sorastro No worries! Thank you for the reply :)

[@mbrad85]

How many coats of the brown/black base coat were needed? I just got my Scale 75 paints and find no matter how thin or think I use it there are ALWAYS streaks. Just curious about my suspicion that maybe you just don't show the process of multiple coats or is it that I'm doing something wrong when mixing paint....

[@Sorastro]

Hi Matt! I find that adding a little flow enhancer to the water that I thin with really helps (I use the Daler Rowney one). It alters the viscosity of the paint, making it much easier to achieve opaque layers, whilst avoiding over-thinning the paint 😀

[@BenjaminJones742]

Very nice, as usual :)

[@Sorastro]

Thank you Ben! 😀

[@Unreal_BE]

Thanks for this video, don't own the lord of the rings game yet but I'm sure I will one day. Any plans to do some descent expansions?

[@Sorastro]

Hi! Although I do have some of the Descent expansions I'm not sure if or when I'll get round to covering them to be honest. I am very curious to learn more about FFG's big Descent tease though.. 😀

[@pedrocampos691]

Yeah se vou povo okay.

[@user-ro1cs5hp5e]

Tbh I prefer the more expensive lotr games workshop balrog miniature that is really impressive in both size and price

[@momozatheone3650]

More videos please please please on painting LOTR JIME expansion!! Thank you :)

[@Sorastro]

You got it! 😁

[@EliezerFerrari]

Hi Mark! Is there a reason for you using Titanium White from Schmincke? I've noticed you use it in many videos. Great work!!!!!!

[@Sorastro]

Hi Eliezer! I just prefer the more creamy texture and coverage of the Titanium White compared to most "hobby" whites (which can also turn out a little chalky) 😀

[@Scooterspade]

Dear Sorastro, You thinking of doing the Witch King paint pdf / video also in some near future ? :)

[@Sorastro]

Hello! Yes, I'm producing PDFs for the two little guys in that expansion, then one final video for the Witch King.. 😀

[@Scooterspade]

@@Sorastro lovely !! Looking forward to that video. I did paint the 2 guys , but I'm missing some inspiration on such a dark figure , it's like black in black to me. Will you be doing a mix with contrasts too ??

[@Sorastro]

Possibly - I haven't decided on my approach yet tbh 😁

[@Scooterspade]

@@Sorastro no rest for the wicked! 😁

[@Sorastro]

Ha ha, indeed.. 😁

[@mikeglasswell-gameplay]

Nice work. i dont really like the Sculpt of the miniature. but you have given me some tips for Fire painting and OBS. Thanks again

[@Sorastro]

Thanks a lot Mike! I'm glad you found it useful 🙂

[@pedrocampos691]

Ooook.

[@pedrocampos691]

Oookkkay.

[@philippeferland3725]

Could be nice to put cotton balls and paint them to make smoke effects like in the movie!

[@Sorastro]

Nice idea! 😀

[@alanrennox7340]

Amazing paint job, well worth the wait, pity the sculpt isn't that great, but the paint job is 1st class.

[@Sorastro]

Cheers Alan! 😄

[@Pelupu]

OMG!!!

[@pedrocampos691]

OMG!!!

[@andrewheimburger]

This is great! Would contrast paints work for the fire on this model? What do you think the difference in appearance/effect would be? Thanks for your hard work putting these videos together, it has inspired me to take on painting my copy of JiME.

[@Sorastro]

Thanks a lot Andrew! Hmm I'm not sure how well the Contrast Colours would work for fire to be honest, because they're designed to darken the recesses, whereas with fire we kind of want the opposite :)

[@andrewheimburger]

@@Sorastro That makes sense. I haven’t used them before but saw them in one of your other videos. I think I was imagining using them more like a translucent layer rather than a recess filler. I suppose at that point I am doing the same thing I would with a normal opaque paint. Thanks for sharing your knowledge! 🙏

[@allglorytothehypnofox]

Most importantly, how do you keep your tips so pointy?!?!?!?

[@Sorastro]

Hi Jimbo! I think the Rosemary and Co brushes just keep a nice point tbh - I don't do anything special with them 😄

[@Fissi0nChips]

You're really getting into the obscure paint lines with this one. Not sure I like that. Great job on the paint though.

[@Sorastro]

Thanks Apoc! I do enjoy exploring different paint ranges, but if they're not for you, then I have provided alternative suggestions from the Vallejo Model Colour range throughout. Really though, the most important thing is the underlying principles and techniques rather than which specific paint brand is used. 😀

[@Fissi0nChips]

@@Sorastro ok, great! I haven't watched the full vid yet but I am looking forward to replicating this on my own Balrog.

[@AJDeLaRosa]

Obscure? S75 is pretty prevalent, even in the US. If your flgs doesn't carry it, I think it's worth asking for it. 👍

[@Fissi0nChips]

@@AJDeLaRosa S = Schmincke, DR = Daler Rowney? I've heard of Scale Color and own a few but none of these are anywhere easy to get for me and at a reasonable price. If it isn't Vallejo, Citadel or Army Painter it's obscure. Not everyone is Sorastro or has the availabity of paints some do...also not everyone likes Scale Color.

[@AJDeLaRosa]

@@Fissi0nChips I think that depends on your game store as to whether or not something is obscure. There are also many game stores who have online stores with massive stocks of many different brands. Scale is a more cost effective paint brand than citadel is but you are correcting that it's more expensive than Vallejo or army painter. Also you definitely don't have to like scale color.

[@romaindelmas9715]

interesting, I don't have exactly the same balrog figurine in my box !!! Anyone else ?

[@Sorastro]

That's strange! How is your Balrog different..? :)

[@romaindelmas9715]

@@Sorastro Yours is straight when mine is bending on his right side. The skull is thiner too. I checked to be sure and yep, definitely not the same ;-)

[@sebastiang.5032]

You made a horrible miniature look good. Well done!

[@Sorastro]

Cheers Sebastian! 😀