How to paint Games Workshop miniatures? In this tutorial we will show you different painting techniques for decorating your Citadel miniatures. In this new guide we will see which steps to follow to paint the Gil-galad model!
Welcome back to Painting workshop by techigames! After the previous tutorial on Bilbo Baggins, which you can view on this page, here we are with a new guide in which we will illustrate how to paint your own miniature of Gil-galad with very simple techniques using colors Citadel and be able to expand your collection of models Games Workshop than undertake the Strategic Battle Game in Middle-earth.
We remind you that the miniatures, colors and all the tools for modeling are available on the website www.games-workshop.com.
Tutorial 22: Gil-galad - How to paint Games Workshop (Citadel) miniatures
Gil-galad he was the most powerful King of the Elves in the Second Age of Middle-earth. Always a brave and skilled leader, Gil-galad promptly joined King Elendil when Sauron attacked Gondor to face the Dark Lord. During the Last Alliance of Men and Elves, the two Rulers marched on Mordor and fought on every battlefield with such courage as to constantly instill trust and hope in their soldiers and with the aim of destroying once and for all the armies of Evil. and liberate the Free Peoples of Middle-earth.
learn more on King Gil-galad we refer you to the Wikipedia page.
To know the different basic painting techniques, which are essential for all Games Workshop miniatures, we recommend that you visit this page.
Set Games Workshop with Gil-galad and Elrond available on the website
Phase 1: cleaning and assembling of Gil-galad | How to paint Games Workshop (Citadel) miniatures
As already seen in the previous tutorials, the first thing to do before starting to paint your Gil-galad miniature is to prepare the model by carefully removing any excess burrs that remain after the casting process and you can use a classic. utility knife or wire cutters. Don't worry if you mistakenly etch your model, as these small marks will be covered in Citadel paints later. It may happen that the lance is slightly bent, so in this case just gently bend it in the correct direction, but be careful not to break it. Once this is done, fix your Gil-galad miniature onto the base with the cyanoacrylate glue.
Your model of Gil-galad mounted on the base
Practical tip: in case the lance breaks, use a very small amount of green matter between two drops of cyanoacrylate glue to create a solid and lasting binder. In this case, however, wait a day before painting the model to allow the green matter to dry well.
Step 2: Gil-galad base color | How to paint Games Workshop (Citadel) miniatures
Once you have assembled the Gil-galad model, you will need to give a background of color to better adhere the shades that you will apply in the following phases. Always remember that the important thing is to completely cover the metal your miniature is made of. To get a uniform layer of color use Citadel spray and in particular Chaos Black, but if you want you can also use Mechanicus Standard Gray, since Gil-galad is characterized by bluish tones. Be careful and make sure you use this technique in well-ventilated areas.
Citadel Chaos Black and Mechanicus Standard Gray sprays available on the website
As an alternative to the spray, you can apply Citadel Abaddon Black paint in a bottle. It can happen that this is too thick and to solve the problem add a drop of water and dilute it slightly on a palette, but be careful not to overdo it, otherwise it will not be enough to cover your miniature!
Gil-galad at the end of phase 2
Step 3: Paint Gil-galad's chain mail | How to paint Games Workshop (Citadel) miniatures
Gil-galad's chainmail is particular, as it is characterized by a shade of blue on the bottom, which can be glimpsed under the shining silver. To obtain this color, first apply a uniform layer of Kantor Blue, then pass the Runefang Steel with the dry brush technique; finally, once the color has dried, lightly wash with Citadel Drakenhof Nightshade ink to achieve a bluish sheen effect.
Citadel paints for Gil-galad's chainmail
Step 4: Paint Gil-galad's Elven Armor | How to paint Games Workshop (Citadel) miniatures
The ancient elven armor of Gil-galad is very similar to that of King Elrond, in fact it is characterized by a golden hue mixed with a green shade. To decorate it, first use Warpstone Glow as the base tone; then apply Auric Armor Gold on each plate with the ruling technique and with a fine-tipped brush, so as to show the green underneath. When the color has dried, dry brush Runefang Steel evenly to add a touch of brightness to all raised parts of the armor. For the area around the neck, use Altdorf Guard Blue instead of Warpstone Glow and decorate the reliefs with gold, then repeating the same operations described above.
Citadel shades recommended for painting Gil-galad's armor
Step 5: Paint Gil-galad's Elven Robes and Cloak | How to paint Games Workshop (Citadel) miniatures
Gil-galad's robes and coat are characterized by a deep blue color. To paint these dresses, you should resort to the layering technique: first of all apply Kantor Blue evenly and then spread a wash with Nuln Oil ink (you can also vary with Drakenhof Nightshade). When this is dry, it restores the base tone on all external parts. At this point, create an equal mix of Kantor Blue and Altdorf Guard Blue and begin to lighten the raised areas. For the second coat of highlighting use only the Altdorf Guard Blue, then apply the last coat of highlighting with a compound of Altdorf and Alaitoc Blue in proportions of 50% -50%. For elven decorations, use Auric Armor Gold exclusively with the XS Artificer Layer brush, as it is an extremely precise operation that requires a steady hand.
Citadel paints to decorate elven robes
Your Gil-galad model at the end of stage 5
Step 6: Painting the Gil-galad Supreme | How to paint Games Workshop (Citadel) miniatures
Gil-galad's supratunica is made of a silvery fabric typical of the Elves of the Second Age. To paint it, make an equal parts compound of Ogryn Camo and Ironbreaker - this will be your base color. Then apply a very light coat of Nuln Oil and then progressively lighten all the external areas by adding increasing quantities of Runefang Steel. Use the latter color to refine the edges with the edging technique.
Citadel colors suggested for the Gil-galad supra
Step 7: Paint Gil-galad's Spear | How to paint Games Workshop (Citadel) miniatures
To decorate Aeglos, Gil-galad's beautiful spear, start applying Gorthor Brown on the wooden part, then highlight it with Baneblade Brown. Once this is done, spread the Ironbreaker on the blade, define the details with Shade Nuln Oil, then, when the ink is dry, use Runefang Steel to lighten the areas in relief. Finally, use Auric Armor Gold with the XS brush to highlight the elven decorations.
Gil-galad with decorated Aeglos
Step 8: Paint Gil-galad's Face and Hair | How to paint Games Workshop (Citadel) miniatures
Gil-galad's face should first be painted with Cadian Fleshtone as the base color. When the flesh color is dry, apply a very light wash of Reikland Fleshshade (or very diluted Rhinox Hide) to darken the grooves of the miniature and thus create a shadow effect. Finally, apply Kislev Flesh with the ruling technique to highlight all the raised parts such as cheekbones, nose, forehead and chin. To decorate brown eyes, use White Scar and Rhinox Hide, while Gorthor Brown is fine for eyebrows.
Citadel Shade Reikland Fleshshade to shade the faces of your Games Workshop models
For the hair you can apply Rhinox Hide evenly, then shade everything with Nuln Oil and finally dry brush the locks with Baneblade Brown. To paint the crown use Auric Armor Gold with the precision XS brush.
Gil-galad with painted face and hair
Step 9: Paint the Last Details of Gil-galad | How to paint Games Workshop (Citadel) miniatures
Paint Gil-galad's gloves with Kantor Blue, while the boots with Rhinox Hide and, after a black wash with Nuln Oil, highlight with Alaitoc Blue and Gorthor Brown respectively by applying the dry brush technique in the first case and that of the screen in the second.
Step 10: Decorate Gil-galad's Base | How to paint Games Workshop (Citadel) miniatures
You can decorate the base of Gil-galad giving space to your imagination; for example apply Citadel Texture Stirland Mud or Astrogranite on top to create a rocky effect and paint the sides with XV-88 or Mechanicus Standard Gray. When the Texture is dry, gently drybrush a lighter color over the top of the base to highlight, such as Karak Stone in the first case or Adminatum Gray in the second. To complete, you can add Mordheim or Middenland Clods, in order to enrich the base with tufts of grass.
Citadel Texture Stirland Mud and Astrogranite to create different rock effects
Clods of Middenland and Mordheim
Alternatively, you can also paint the entire base with Mournfang Brown and glue some synthetic grass or modeling flock with the classic vinyl glue.
Base made with common modeling flock
Practical tip: to apply the static grass, first spread the glue on the upper part of the base, then dip it into a jar containing the grass, so that it adheres perfectly.
Once this is complete, your model of King Gil-galad is ready to ally with Elendil and declare war on Sauron!
Your Gil-galad miniature is complete!
How to paint Games Workshop (Citadel) miniatures - Tutorial 22: Gil-galad
This tutorial from the Techigames Painting Workshop dedicated to decorating Games Workshop miniatures (eg Warhammer or Lord of the Rings) also ends here. For any questions or requests we are available via the comments box below!
Appointment to next Saturday with a new tutorial!
