Painting Killa Kanz

Recently finished up some Killa Kanz and lookin' to share a quick step by step. My approach is a bit more relaxed than I normally paint, with a focus on contrast rather than transitional blends. It is a speed painting approach- that is if you consider 3 hrs or so fast. Ok here we go....

Step 1: Build and prime Mephiston Red

Nothing fancy here. Straight out of the spray can Mephiston Red will do. I build all my Kans with rocket launchers with leftover bits from other boxes. Play a lot of marines, vehicles and the golden boys, so you know the drill...

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Step 2: Line shade with ink/mix

Here I used a violet ink, but there are more than one way to do this. You can mix Drakenhoff Nightshade with Contrast Blood Angles red, or Incubi Darkness with Mephiston red (thin it down) or in a pinch just use ye ol' fallback Nuln Oil. Dark to almost a black purple is ideal. Gives your red shades a rich look. Directly apply to recesses with a junk brush (inks and contrast paints will generally tear up a nicer brush). Don't overthink it ya git. Just go fasta...

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Step 3: Add Metal and Black

Here I paint the metal areas with Iron Warrior base. Also paint the occasional hose black. And touch up here an there with black and Mephiston Red if something annoys me.

Next, nuln oil the metal. You know the drill. Oh and for goodness sake, lay the nuln oil on thickly. No sense in being all subtle about it. Save that for the pointy eared gitz.

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Step 4: Make it go fasta...

Apply three of the following colors in order (across the entire mini), moving to the edges of the shapes as you apply. First Evil Sunz Scarlet, then Troll Slayer Orange, then edge highlight with Lugganath Orange. Don't worry about blending so much. Just make it pop. As my old college art teacher always said, "when you sin, sin BOLDLY'.

• Think thick heavy brush strokes like Van Gogh (fancy eh??)

• I use a pretty big brush here. Size 10. Holds a lot of paint and still has a pretty decent point

• I do go back and touch up here with Mephiston red. Sometimes I can't help but blend a little. I then scold myself for tryin' to be a fancy git.

• DON'T skip the Troll Slayer Orange! It is a goopy paint that doesn't go on smoothly, BUT it adds a nice and rich tone to the red...gives it a fiery feel and helps my charge rolls succeed (no it doesn't)

• Don't get too skimpy with the Lugganath either. Make sure those edges are nice and bright!

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Step 5: Add the yellow bits..

For a base yellow I mix 1 part Jokaero Orange to three parts Yriel Yellow. This gives me a nice, rich and strong yellow base. I picked this up painting Bad Moons...used to love em, but too much muckin' about with all the dice and stuff and not enough face to face krumpin'...but I digress.

• Once the yellow base is down, blend up using straight Yriel Yellow then mix with white then thinned white for edge highlight. Don't spend too much time, but do make sure you get those edge highlights for tha POP.

• Averland Sunset sucks for a base yellow. Don't use that. It is too gray/brown and is better for other stuff like edge highlighting browns and leather. Use my mix. It is the best. Trust me.

• BTW, Joekaro orange sucks for a base orange. BUT it is my favorite color for all things not orange. Just a fantastic color for blending in highlights to browns n' stuff.

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Step 6: Tusks and Base

If ya got some tusks, then base with Zandri Dust. Then mix Zandri with black and start adding lines, pulling your brush from the base to the tips. Then add lighter lines with Flayed Ones Flesh. Then black lines. Then white lines. Don't worry about em being straight. After that, coat the entire tusk with Agrax Earthshade. You know you have it. Everyone has Agrax. Agrax is the everyman wash. It is nice and handy for just about all things.

• I also added Agrellan Earth to the base. I am on the fence about this. I think I might like my old basing technique better, but for now it is nice and quick.

• A note about the checkers and flame patterns. I paint it pretty quick but there is no real trick to doing them to the level you want. It takes practice. Lots of practice. Like battalion level Harlequin type practice. Don't sweat it. Just give it your best shot. Your Gretchen will be proud.

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Conclusion

So there ya have it. I probably forgot some steps but ya'll are gown up Nobs, so you will figure it out. I added some grass and tufts to add a little color to the bases. I am ready to rock and roll with these fellaz!

This painting technique is for the normal eye on the tabletop, not so much for the phone camera eye. Want a lesson in mini painting humility? Take a picture of your work with your phone and zoom in. I did this and quickly learned that I don't have enough magnification when I paint and I have a long way to go with my blending. But I am getting there. But for these fellas, magnification is not as important. It will really stick out on the table. Also, following these steps will help you go fasta, always make charges, roll plenty of sixes and help your favorite sport ball team win all the championships. It will. Eventually. I promise. Sort of. Ok probably not. Go forward green skins and may tha Krumpin' be wid ya!