Sorastro's The Lord of the Rings Painting Series Ep.2: Hungry Wargs

[@ImaginerImagines]

You have really good technique combined with great voice and strong editing. I appreciate watching you because it improves my own paint jobs and frankly I just enjoy watching you paint. Thank you for putting these on for us.

[@Sorastro]

That's very kind! Thank you Michael :)

[@thebrewgeek]

Awesome tutorial. I really like it when you show multiple skin tones for the same sculpt. Very helpful.

[@Sorastro]

Thanks a lot! I’m glad you like the exploration of different colour schemes 😀

[@batadjole2280]

Thank you Sorastro, for bringing me to this hobby!

[@Sorastro]

You’re very welcome! 😀

[@christianringlstetter6814]

You are a legend! The figures look fantastic as always!

[@Sorastro]

Thanks Christian! I'm really glad you liked it :)

[@Hobbitmonger]

I love the cork rock basing technique! Great timing for me. I have Rockgut Troggoths to base and this will be perfect!

[@Sorastro]

Thanks a lot Brent! I'm glad you found the basing ideas useful 😀

[@annekekramer3835]

Great video, as ever. I'm looking forward to the rest! I also noticed that you now need over a minute to give credit to the patrons, congrats! Keep that up too!

[@Sorastro]

Thanks a lot Anneke! Indeed - I feel very fortunate to have such a kind and supportive following. :)

[@frankblaker8294]

Great. Good pace, clear and easy to take in. You make it look achievable, left me feeling positive.

[@Sorastro]

Thank you so much Frank! I really appreciate that kind feedback. 😀

[@bradyroberson4910]

I am an avid board gamer and just picked up my copy of Lord of the Rings. However, I have never been interested in painting any of my games but the passion you demonstrate in your videos is simply contagious and I just purchased everything you used in the videos, can’t wait to start painting these minis. Guide on my friend!

[@Sorastro]

Thank you so much Brady! Comments like this really help motivate me to do more. (And there will be much more..!) 😀

[@keithscholes6158]

Great video and illuminating techniques as ever.

[@Sorastro]

Thanks a lot Keith! It's amazing what some fairly simple painting techniques can do for a mini! :)

[@jason5890]

I am speechless. What’s even better is that you make this seem achievable to an amateur like me Thanks for these

[@Sorastro]

Thank you so much Jason! It is my ultimate goal to make painting accessible and achievable to anyone, so I really appreciate your comment. 😀

[@Crisfmartinelli]

Thank you very much for this video, it really helped me to pait my miniatures!

[@Sorastro]

Oh good! Thank you Cristiane 😀

[@_Gart_]

This looks fantastic! You make it look so easy.

[@Sorastro]

Thanks a lot! It's actually not as hard as you might think 😀

[@driesrenmans418]

Stunningly beautiful, as always

[@Sorastro]

Thank you so much! They were really super easy to paint :)

[@driesrenmans418]

@@Sorastro Thank YOU so much for making these amazing videos about them! :) Can't wait for the next installment ;)

[@jonathanfreeman5894]

Yet another masterclass from a true master. Looking forward to the next video. For anyone interested in how this game plays look up rolling solo, Adam Smith has done a let’s play which is great. I have commented on Adams video about your painting tutorials for this game as a source of inspiration for anyone new to painting 😊

[@Sorastro]

Thanks so much Jonathan! Really appreciate that 😁

[@MorShadi]

Fantastic video and great technique. I love how you explain as you go, but have no wasted time with your editing.

[@Sorastro]

Thank you so much - that compliment really means a lot to me :)

[@8-bite393]

The pronunciation when you say „Shade“ is quite stunning 🤩 ;)

[@Sorastro]

Ha ha, thank you kindly! 😁

[@vladimirzzz979]

Love those tutorials, thank you very much for your efforts, keep it up!

[@Sorastro]

Thank you for the kind words Vladimir! I'll keep doing my best :)

[@eamonnferguson3771]

Great video as always, nice to see the model colours getting a hit, cool techniques, Thank you.

[@Sorastro]

Thanks Eamonn! I'm trying to keep things simple for new painters by limiting the number of colours (and brands) that I'm using. I'm glad you liked it :)

[@andrewthielmann5342]

These videos are so very relaxing and helpful!

[@Sorastro]

Awesome! Thank you Andrew 🙂

[@13Robzilla]

Without sounding like a broken I would have nothing more to say than thank you. Really looking forward to the upcoming albums as well.

[@Sorastro]

Thanks so much Rob! :)

[@thanasisgeronimos9124]

so awesome and easy....excellent...

[@Sorastro]

Thank you friend! I'm glad you enjoyed it :)

[@brentbryan1563]

Well done, as always. Thank You !

[@Sorastro]

Thanks a lot Brent! 😀

[@kenrickfearn1448]

Why on earth would someone give this excellent tutorial a thumbs down ?? Some folks are just bloody idiots ...I just want to add the hobby holder is one of the best goodies I have ever purchased not just for figures I use it all the time for my model making too...it helps hold tiny internal tanks pieces etc and is really handy as you can just swap caps if you want to paint something else whilst leaving the other item tacked onto its lid without having to remove it ...very clever ...design plus they have now several variants available too... Ric

[@Sorastro]

Thanks Ric! I have to agree with you RE the Hobby Holder :)

[@igoritocampeao]

Wonderful, as usual.

[@Sorastro]

Thanks Igor! Much appreciated 😀

[@callindrill]

These are amazing... I love your work! Thanks for always producing such clear and wonderful tutorials to help us out. :)

[@Sorastro]

Thanks a lot Jon! I’m really glad you’re enjoying the series 😀

[@druidobianco9734]

Always love your videos, even if i do not plan to paint the exact miniature you choose. They are both instructional and inspirational. The best model i probably ever made is the demodorgon i painted following your tutorial. May i ask a question? It seems to me every painter onyoutube promote the use of wet palettes, i tryed it but it makes my colors too translucents and they sepatate if i leave them there for a day. I noticed you don’t use one in your videos. Is it a very important instrument that is better to master or do you feel it is optional? Thanks for the great videos and for any response

[@Sorastro]

Thanks a lot Druido! I do actually use a wet palette quite often (such as in my Kingdom Death Monster videos) but I don’t think they’re absolutely necessary to paint well. They do also require a bit of getting used to - to use and maintain - which is why I don’t use them for more beginner-oriented videos such as this. So in conclusion, I do like using a wet palette, and I think it’s a good idea to try them, but I don’t think they’re essential. 😀

[@opipainting8569]

Lovely video, well presented.

[@Sorastro]

Thank you very much! :)

[@MrRockhound24]

Amazing work. I love your videos. A really great job. 👍

[@Sorastro]

Thanks a lot John! I’m glad you’re enjoying the videos 😀

[@gimlon]

Perfect. I realy love it and you help me to get into hobby. I am bit of color blind ( i zave problem with green-brown, blue-purple yellow - green, dark red - brown etc ), but your guide help me a lot. Thanks to you i can mix colors base on your guide and minis looks awesome ! Thank you very much, it is realy helping me.

[@Sorastro]

Thanks a lot Tomas! I'm glad you found the guide useful :)

[@mihancic]

Love your videos, I don't have this game, but I learn a lot :)

[@Sorastro]

Thanks a lot miha! I really appreciate that :)

[@hekje12345]

Waiting from my Rosemary brushes from the UK and then I'm set. :) I hope you will also do the expansions as they will come out!

[@Sorastro]

Awesome! Yes I’m planning to also cover the expansions 😄

[@user-ro1cs5hp5e]

ty for sharing ur awesome work!

[@Sorastro]

You’re very welcome! 😀

[@arnolfostandolfi9730]

as always! awesomely entertaining video! i really like the way you edit and present a rather complex process decomposing it to small and really simple parts, it is really inspiring and motivating, thank you Sir for the really good content, your teachings will not be wasted!

[@Sorastro]

Thank you so much Arnolfo! I really appreciate that kind feedback 😀

[@RenierBanninga]

nicely done! Looking forward to the rest. :)

[@Sorastro]

Thanks a lot Renier! 😀

[@Thirtyfivemmfan]

Sorastro, Amazing work, as always. It was your videos that got me into the hobby of miniature painting, so thank you. I have always wondered, on the production of your video: Where do you find your soundtracks? They are always so perfect to the project at hand.

[@Sorastro]

Thank you so much Mark! I actually compose all of the music myself; you can find me on Spotify etc: open.spotify.com/artist/2zJSgwMsdPFboCdYvB7y7q?si=DX-49LGPTHKADvMs6seZ0g although I've yet to release the music from this particular series yet (but I will do). :)

[@gillman3000]

Great tutorial, thanks so much!

[@Sorastro]

Thank you very much! I'm glad you liked it 😀

[@myrandarosenbaum9332]

Just found your videos and this is awesome !

[@Sorastro]

Thank you so much Myranda! I'm glad you like the videos 😀

[@EclecticCamel]

These are perfect candidates for Contrast paints, imo.

[@Sorastro]

I agree! They just weren't out at the time I filmed this. I did however use them to paint Coalfang: sorastro.com/2020/02/17/coalfang-pdf-painting-guide/ 🙂

[@lukeaxx6911]

Loved this video and this series!

[@Sorastro]

Thanks a lot! I’m glad you’re enjoying the series so far 😀

[@Caratacus1]

Loving this series. It's pitched at exactly the right level for me. Are we hearing some brand new music Sorastro and will it be available to download?

[@Sorastro]

Thank you Caratacus! Yes - I composed all of the music fresh for this series. It will eventually make its way onto album No.4 next year (this year I'm aiming to get the Legion music released for album No.3) :D

[@Caratacus1]

@@Sorastro Fantastic news - am loving Oracle and Starborn!

[@Sorastro]

Thanks so much! 😀

[@Digitalfiendscom]

@@Sorastro When my daughter and I paint together, she always reminds me to put on your "painting music"...really helps you zen-out. :)

[@Sorastro]

@@Digitalfiendscom That's wonderful! Thanks for sharing 😁

[@akairu7413]

So much paint comes off your brush! Im trying this with army painter but i seriously gotta redo my brush after a few strokes... I dont know what im doing wrong at this point i even used flow aid to try and thin down ._.

[@akairu7413]

Looks great btw really inspires me to paint!!

[@Sorastro]

Thank you! It could simply be down to the brush you're using (some are a lot better at holding the paint than others), and also the quality of the paint that you're using.. 🙂

[@dartrr9716]

Great video! Sorastro I have question about brushes. How to keep them in good shapes? Maybe you could make quick video about it. That would definetly help many beginners.

[@Sorastro]

Thanks! Ha - I get that a lot; I'll definitely give some thought to making a video about brushes 😀

[@womblissimo6666]

I do not have anything like the ability of our friend here Sorastro .. but I do know a little bit about brushes .. The most important thing is that you have to understand the brush .. it has three distinct parts .. the tip / the body / and the part nearest the ferrule .. The tip (or perhaps the edge) is what we generally use to apply the paint to the model .. The body of the brush holds the paint - it is the reservoir - if you like.. The larger the brush the more it will hold ... You do not however want to load the brush to the point that the bristles near the ferrule (the metal bit) get loaded at all .. Once they get loaded - the paint will likely not flow out from there - and when that paint hardens - it will splay the point . And your brush is done - except for some kind of utility work. So - if you want to make really fine lines - a tiny brush is not really your best choice .. a medium bodied brush 1-3 with a very fine point (probably sable or equivalent) that is loaded to the middle will help you make really fine lines that will not run out after 1 second.. Super fine brushes have limited utility .. Given a choice .. if there was only one brush available .. I'd take a #2 high quality sable and make damn sure I never overloaded it - so that the point remained extremely tight. However - it's not even that simple - some people like harder brushes and others like softer ones .. But .. buy a couple of good sable (or good quality) brushes .. and never load them past the body .. treat the brush with deference and love .. Use crappy brushes when you want to beat them up with dry brushing or whatever .. Your great brushes are beautiful - treat them always with respect - you do not leave them standing in water - you do not overload them - they are delicate fine and magnificent .. and then -- they will love you back . My personal choice .. and it is mine -- other people's mileage will definitely vary .. are Windsor and Newton Kolinsky series 7 sables .. which I have to say was quite ridiculous that after ordering them online from England - I received at my door 3 days later.. however .. In the last 2 years - none of my Kolinsky 7 brushes is any less than it was when I first received it - but you need to treat it like a lover .. with deference care and love - then it will last you an exorbitant amount of time .. I bought (I think) 7 brushes -- I have pretty much never used any other than the #2 Buy a couple of good brushes and give them love -- you'll never regret it.

[@davidsmith8960]

I really like your stuff thanks for the great vid.

[@Sorastro]

Thanks a lot David! Watch out for Aragorn landing in a few days time too.. :)

[@basil1906]

I Need the Heroes!,!, Love the Tutorials!

[@Sorastro]

Thanks Basil! I'm working my way up to the heroes.. :)

[@Wh0isTh3D0ct0r]

Sorastro, could you do a video on brush cleaning? I really wanted to stop by at Celebration and ask you about that, but I didn't get the chance. I've bought some Winsor & Newton series 7 brushes, but I want to make sure that I know the do's and don'ts about cleaning them before I start to use them.

[@Sorastro]

Hi! I'm honestly pretty lazy when it comes to brush care but I'd be happy to put together a brief video or perhaps an article on my website on the subject (sorastro.com/) :)

[@adamproach]

Excellent videos, I’ve followed along and managed to paint all of the wargs and initial bad guys (goblin/orcs). Do you know if you’ll be putting videos out in this series a bit faster/what general pace? I want to follow along, but I’d like to move through the project as well.

[@Sorastro]

Thanks Adam! I’m planning to produce the next two videos in May, which will over the Wights and the Hill Troll. I’ll then begin working through the heroes (some of which I might group together into single episodes). :)

[@Heeeynald]

Heeeey! Nice tutorial, but i have a question, why, how and which inks i should use to paint minis? I'm from braSil and all the "officials" inks i see people using or indicating is really, i mean REALLY EXPENSIVE here in my country (1 Dólar = 4,02$ current money here) so... what kind of ink u recomend to me in this situation?

[@kendo5862]

“And now to add the base colour” “With your blood!”

[@Sorastro]

Ha ha 😄

[@grantkrick6005]

I noticed that you have gone for Badger primer vs your usual Vallejo black primer with this line. Is there any reason for that or just personal preference?

[@Sorastro]

Hi Grant! I'd heard good things about the Badger primers so thought I'd give them a go. I haven't honestly noticed much of a difference between the Badger and the Vallejo primers, but I do find the Badger doesn't clog my airbrush any where nearly as easily as the Vallejo does, so for that reason alone I'll be using the Badger going forwards. :)

[@timothykruse3362]

SO GOOD!!!!

[@Sorastro]

Thanks a lot Timothy!

[@marcellomonaco757]

Wht kind of plastic are made the wargs ? solid like GW plastic ? they are 28mm ? tnks :D

[@blakecurry3880]

How long does it roughly take to paint each set that comprises these videos, assuming you were just doing them yourself without having to film it all? I am using these guides as my first EVER paint job as I am picking up my copy of this game tomorrow, and I'm just curious as to how much time I should be blocking out for when I tackle each new section (see: each video in this series)

[@Sorastro]

Hi Blake! Hmm that's really quite hard to say. I guess if you're just starting out, you'll be a little slow until you get into the flow of things. You might spend say a weekend on the figures from the first episode, then maybe just an afternoon on the Wargs etc. (at a very rough guess). :)

[@ragnardagmer6546]

Great vidéo Again 😉

[@Sorastro]

Thanks a lot! :)

[@freakfire74]

These are EXCELLENT! Thank you very much. Will you be doing future expansions as well?

[@Sorastro]

Thanks a lot Mike! Yes I absolutely will be covering future expansions. 😀

[@freakfire74]

Great! I will be following your guides then! :)

[@Willow_Ufg]

Outstanding, what is this thing at the bottom of the bottle cap?

[@Sorastro]

Thank you! It's the hobby holder that I like to use; there should be a link in the video description for it 😃

[@dddmmm21]

Perfect timing!! My copy just arrived today! Btw, are you enjoying the game?

[@Sorastro]

Thanks mate! I haven't actually had a chance to play it yet as I just got back from Chicago yesterday, but I certainly will be giving it a go over the next couple of days :)

[@dddmmm21]

@@Sorastro Hey... I am in Chicago! What were you doing there?

[@Sorastro]

Awesome! I was attending the Star Wars Celebration (doing some live painting demos at the FFG booth). There's a few pics etc on my social media: twitter.com/Sorastros :)

[@Mailed-Knight]

We have wild wargs, fell warg, gundaburg wargs and now hungry warg... What will they think of next?

[@Sorastro]

Ha ha - "comfortably-full" wargs perhaps? 😂

[@Mailed-Knight]

@@Sorastro Definitely needs to be a thing.

[@captainbi-rownlee4752]

Is there a specifically easy way to blend Citadel paints or will it always be hard? By the way, you're amazingly helpful to me and my starting miniature business!

[@Sorastro]

Thank you Cpt! I don’t find Citadel colours particularly hard to mix myself. Can you describe the difficulty you’re having? 😀

[@captainbi-rownlee4752]

@@Sorastro I just can't get it out of the container in a consistant and helpful way for blending without having to clean the brush used for bringing it out 3 different times

[@Sorastro]

Ah yes - that is a bit of a pain! Perhaps it’s time to begin migrating to Vallejo paints..? (Or you could perhaps get some empty dropper bottles and transfer your Citadel paints into them?) 😀

[@captainbi-rownlee4752]

@@Sorastro That second option sounds much easier, but how would you rate the quality of Vallejo? I've never used them and also don't know how much they cost

[@Sorastro]

I think they're every bit as good as Citadel, and I believe they're also a bit cheaper.. 😀

[@chelseabrenegan6127]

I don’t feel that I’m getting that great a contrast in the darker parts of the fur. Any suggestions on highlighting the “manes” of the wargs so it looks a bit more like fur?

[@Sorastro]

Hi Chelsea! You could simply dry brush a lighter tone on to help boost the contrast :)

[@Balrog7]

YEAH!!!! Thanks

[@Sorastro]

You're welcome César! :)

[@barvelsupelec]

Amazing as always !! i've just command the game you made me want it :D

[@Sorastro]

Thanks! Ha ha - I seem to have that effect 😂

[@renatoe3417]

Your minis looks like already highlighted after base coloring them, is this because your plaint are thinner and your zenithal priming with white over black ? Thanks, i’m buying this games because if you :)

[@Sorastro]

Hi there! Yes, that's absolutely right! 😀

[@renatoe3417]

Thanks for your answer, please help hahaha I have so many questions, how do you thin down your paints ? Water and flow enhancer ? Could I use a flow enhancer that is made for airbrush? And, could I prime the minis using just a brush ? I’ve primed minis with brus with fine results but just with one color and I’ll love to make this zenithal white priming technique

[@ozikeri]

Worse thing I could have done today! Be a total beginner, paint mine, have a bath, watch this tutorial, go back downstairs, look at mine and cry 😭. Great video. Will definitely be using your tutorials for the rest.

[@Sorastro]

Doh! Thanks buddy 😁

[@bneffer]

Great video, using this as inspiration for my LothCats, and hope to get the LotR game soon! I noticed you use more VMC than GW paints these days. Any specific reasons why?

[@Sorastro]

Thanks a lot Ben! I’m pretty happy using most paint ranges to be honest, but I do really like some of the subtle tones of the VMC range, and for beginners I really feel the VMC starter set is a great way to get started. (Not to mention how much easier the dropper bottles are to work with!) 😀

[@ZeawensGamingChannel]

Hello. I recently found your channel. I've watched only 2 videos so far,and it's really awesome. I've been looking to get back into painting, and your videos are a great motivator. I was wondering if you would consider doing some of the bigger figurines from Nemesis board game? Keep up the awesome work :)

[@Sorastro]

Thanks a lot Nicolai! I really appreciate that. Regarding Nemesis - although the game looks pretty awesome, I don't think my schedule will allow me to take it on! Sorry :)

[@stormquiver]

Love it!

[@Sorastro]

Thanks Jordan! 😀

[@cyrilgiraud813]

Hello Sorastro and thank you again for all of your videos that are for me a source of inspiration. I'm going to start painting the Lord of the Rings - Journeys in Middle-earth figurines, so I'm looking at your new series on this game. I just have a question before starting my work because all of my paintings are branded Citadel. Would you know if there is a table of equivalence between Citadel and Vallejo because I will not buy everything in Vallejo please? In advance thank you for your answer and very good continuation. Still sorry for the syntax of my message is Google that translates for me from French to English. ;) Cyril

[@Sorastro]

Hi Cyril! There are a few paint conversion charts around on the internet such as this one: www.dakkadakka.com/wiki/en/Paint_Range_Compatibility_Chart although it's not always especially accurate. I actually have one that I've been working on myself but it's currently only available to patrons over on Patreon (www.patreon.com/Sorastros). I think as long as you have a roughly approximate colour from the Citadel range your LOTR minis will turn out fine however :)

[@cyrilgiraud813]

@@Sorastro A big thank you to you Sorastro for your quick response and the link, I will attack the painting. :)

[@Sorastro]

@@cyrilgiraud813 No problem! :)

[@BirdExplorer]

Any remote chance of you doing Hellboy the Board Game? Would love to see that!

[@Sorastro]

Hi Casey! I'd love to actually, but my plate is just too full at the moment :)

[@Mikael198702]

I just love your videos, they are made in a way that is easy enough to follow for an amateur and end up having amazing results :)

[@Sorastro]

Thank you very much Miguel! I'm very happy to hear that :)

[@andreasschulz4362]

Ep.3 coming soon?

[@Sorastro]

Hi Andreas! Yes - I've just got some PDF guides to finish, and I'll be starting on Episode 3 next week (followed by Ep.4 soon after) :)

[@andreasschulz4362]

@@Sorastro nice, thx

[@Sean-or1bv]

When do you use the lacquer? Is that the final step?

[@Sorastro]

Hi Sean! Yep - it's the last thing I do. Although you could do it before sticking the grass down if you like 😀

[@Sean-or1bv]

@@Sorastro Compared to the priming, how heavy should the lacquer be sprayed on?

[@Sorastro]

I'd suggest a light coat from a couple of angles. You can add a second layer once dry too for extra protection if you like. 😀

[@Sean-or1bv]

@@Sorastro When painting a few imperial assault figures, the lacquer muted or made the figures look 'fuzzy/foggy'. Any idea what I may have done wrong?

[@Sorastro]

Can I ask which varnish you are using?

[@imperialadvisoraremheshvau3788]

Wow new vid so soon! Taking new vitamins?

[@Sorastro]

Lol buddy! No, I completed this video before I left for Chicago (patrons get 1 week early access) :)

[@yuarthur455]

Love All your videos but still, Where are those Green Horde juice at !! :)

[@Sorastro]

Ha ha - Thanks! :)

[@yuarthur455]

Sorastro's Painting joking aside thank you for all your great vids, started trying to paint using your video as guide line for the Black Plague character and dead eye walkers, getting better with every try. Thank you sir

[@Sorastro]

Thanks mate! I really appreciate that. (I did actually do a video for the Deadeye Walkers ages ago!) 😀

[@yuarthur455]

Sorastro's Painting I know I used it as a guide to paint mine, all your videos production quality is off the chart

[@Sorastro]

Ah got it! And thanks - I really appreciate that 😀