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The Blood Elf Project – Done!

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The title says it all so first let me share some pictures with you and then I’ll share some thoughts on this project on the whole afterwards.

I should start off by saying that I’m using a new background for these photos and I’m curious what you all think about it. I used photo paper that is a bit glossier than what I was using and I think I actually like how it looks for this project anyway. The extra shine in the background fits this mini to me anyway. It strangely reminds me of the photo backgrounds we used for school photos but I figure this mini is worthy of a “glamour shot” or two! I also hope you like the basing on this Blood Elf. I tried to capture some of the look from the fantastical landscape that Blood Elves live in. I know some of you liked the base bare but I think an extra bit of color works here.

And with that, a project that started in May has ended at the beginning of October (just a few days before my birthday, in fact!). I had no idea what I was getting myself into when I started on this project but I’m very proud that I saw it through with only one small break. That is the epitome of patience and dedication. The model was generally fun to paint and that helped (even if assembly was a frequently a pain). What I’m most proud of is how I executed my vision completely and there’s not really too much that I can say could be better on this which is not something I often say! I’m proud to have this tribute to both High Elves and Blood Elves to place in my display cabinet someday soon. Hopefully, I’ve convinced a couple of elf-haters who frequent this blog that they can be just as awesome as any other Warhammer mini too. But that is enough of a victory lap, I want to talk about something that has helped me get to this point for anybody out there who enjoys painting but wants to improve. I’ll give you a free tip!

I didn’t wake up one day able to paint this mini. I did it by practicing and learning as many new things as I could. Let me give you some examples. A year or two ago, I painted this Eldar Farseer.

On this project, I painted gemstones for the time (as a serious painter anyway). While I think these could be improved now compared to the ones I just painted, it gave me the confidence to paint a ton of them on the Blood Elf.

Let me show you two more projects. In both of these 40k display projects, I played around with painting green and red respectively. While I didn’t use the exact same scheme in the Blood Elf, they helped pave the way for me to be able to paint the distinct red and green colors you see on my most recent project. Experimenting with colors has been key for pushing my painting and the more you can do that, the more you’ll be able to grow as an artist. Everything in this hobby builds upon each other in a way and the only way you can improve is if you keep developing new skills and refining the ones you have.

So what I’m driving at is practicing things you aren’t good at or haven’t done before makes you better. The more you can build up your skills, the better you will paint. Keep trying new things and new techniques and you will get better. I would have never gotten to this point if I didn’t keep experimenting and I encourage you to do the same thing. If I went from painting Mansions of Madness minis poorly around five years ago to what I am doing now, then you can get better too if you want to. Just keep practicing and looking for ways to improve.

With that said, I want to say thank you to everybody who has followed this project. I know you’ve had to look at this sculpt an awful lot and I appreciate all of the encouragement you’ve given me along the way. In some ways, a project like this isn’t just the work of an individual. A group of people often help encourage and lift that person up so they can achieve something special and I think all of you did that here.

I’m already ramping up on my next few projects so expect to see some totally different things from me in the near future. Don’t be surprised if I stick with some gaming projects for the near future as a way to change up the pace and do something where the stakes are a little lower for a bit either!

48 thoughts on “The Blood Elf Project – Done!”

  2. Great model, and it’s been fun watching it come together into the finished piece. Also as a painter I love it when what I learn from one project carries over into the next, and certain techniques go from ‘I’ll try this and see how I go’ to just being a standard thing you do to a model.

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  3. Pure brilliance mate. Absolutely breathtaking. Definitely Golden Demon Award material.

    The basing does the model justice, so good call there.

    I like the background. Much better than pure white in my opinion.

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    1. Thank you very much, mate! I am starting to look forward to entering something in the Golden Demon, maybe next year if all goes well. I’m glad the basing and background worked out too. I liked both but always happy to hear what others thing too.

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  6. Grumpygnome said everything I wanted to! 🙂 Even more impressive now! I thought the base was fine before but it looks that much better now. Background’s fine as well. I’ve enjoyed following this all the way through. Have a good birthday! 🙂

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    1. Thanks, mate! I’m glad you’ve enjoyed it and that you’re painting a few more elves now too. Mission accomplished (as an infamous former US President once declared too early)! 😀

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  8. “That is the epitome of patience and dedication”. – Couldn’t agree more my friend. Very, VERY well done indeed. Your skills blow my mind. Just found you on insta too via our fly on the wall podcast page. Great stuff you should be super proud.

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  9. I can only echo what others have said above! Once again, you have us doubters wrong, your base additions worked very well. I think I recognize some of the tufts, but what is the yellow flowers and the bush at the base of the statue?

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    1. Thanks, Bret! Everything that I used on this base comes from Martin Welberg studio via Scenery Express. The tufts seem sturdy and easy to use for wargaming but the bush in the middle is really fragile and sheds pieces any time I touch it so I can only recommend their bigger plants for dioramas which is a bit of a shame. I think the quality of them is above Mininatur which was my go-to previously as you know 😉

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    1. I’m so glad to hear you think it looks like WoW! That is what I was going for but slightly more realistic looking if possible. Thanks for the kind words and support along the way!

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  11. Excellent work throughout Jeff, you’ve really put a sense of life into this project, and the additional work on the base has elevated the model not detracted from it.
    Agree totally about your comments about adding new skills and learning from previous endeavours, and the same thoughts work on scenery making and sculpting as well.

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    2. I’m really glad to hear you think so, Dave and thanks for your support along the way too! I will have to remember that when it comes to scenery and if I ever try my hand at sculpting. You just have to keep practicing with it until you get where you want to be!

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  12. It’s an amazing miniature. Probably the best I’ve seen on your blog and I don’t know how you’ll ever be able to top it. Just bc I was curious, I went and found the model on the GW site and your version is hands down more superior than the example they have up there. Even a better choice of colors.
    I would find a miniature that expensive and that crazy detailed too intimidating to even try to paint.
    Happy birthday as well. Did you get yourself another crazy miniature? 😀

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    1. Those are very kind words indeed! I’m sure the GW painters are under a tighter schedule than I was to get this done in their defense 🙂 In hindsight, I might have been wise to save painting this for the Golden Demon but I can always take up some other kind of project if it looks like they’re going to hold it next spring.

      While the mini was $50, I can’t complain about the price considering how long it took to paint. I would be more upset if I try to use it in games and broke a piece off to be honest!

      Thanks for the birthday wishes! I did ask for some new minis but nothing like this one. Just some plain old gaming pieces 🙂

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  13. As much as I love your earlier figures this one is really quite special. We’ll done on completing such a fantastic piece and for taking your time and not rushing it!
    All your effort was worth it and you should be rightly proud. 🙂

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    1. If there is one thing I tried to remember (and that you often wisely remind me of) it is not to rush it so thank you for that, mate! 🙂 Its a relief to have this project done and to be able to do some “lower stakes” painting now.

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  14. Wow, that looks just perfect! I feel slightly less inadequate seeing that you worked on this over five months but it is truly awe-inspiring to see such a gorgeous mini fully painted. I’ve loved seeing your work-in-progress posts too.

    I really agree that practice makes perfect; we can all get better by doing more of anything and even professionals can continue to develop. I really like that you took the time to share your older (but still lovely) projects so that we can see the progress that you’re making with your skill levels.

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    1. Thanks, mate! There is definitely a time to results ratio. Sometimes it looks like people crank out display pieces quickly but they either paint full-time or it takes a long time to finish a project like what happened here.

      I always want to dispel any myths that someone is innately better at something than others. That is why I always try to explain or point out how I’ve gotten better. I hope it helps inspires others to push themselves and do their best! Practice really does make perfect in this case 🙂

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  15. Wow… What a piece! What impresses the most is how by applying that skillful NMM, you turned that… thing… on top of the helmet, from something I would consider chopping off, to a dynamic eyecatching point of interest! But the choice and balance of colors is up there!

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    1. Thanks, mate! The helmet is pretty crazy and I’m glad the way I painted it, saved that part of the mini for you. That is a big compliment as far as I am concerned!

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  18. What a stunning finished model! I really like the base too, the tufts and foliage really add to this mini and its colour theme. So job extremely well done!

    A gorgeous collection of fully painted mini’s you have right there and this new one is my favourite so far, so beautiful!

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    1. Thanks, Gero! I have appreciated your support on this project and I look forward to getting my minis displayed one of these days if I ever get done buying furniture and whatnot for the condo!

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  19. An absolute triumph Jeff, and you have every right to feel as proud as punch!
    The basing is perfect, it just looks so natural and fits the scene to a tee.

    I can’t agree more, practice and experimentation is the best way to improve, it has certainly helped me along the way; I can only hope that at some point in the furniture, I too will find my Elk!

    I have to say, though, personally, I’m not keen on the glossy background and prefer the one you took the other models in front of. I think the reflection distracts the eye away from your wonderful work.🤔

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    1. Thanks, Justin! 🙂 I couldn’t have done it without everyone’s support. You will certainly take on an epic project that really shows off your skills. I’d say get something from GW and leave your painting schedule open and you’ll create something great!

      I have been a bit lazy about getting a non-glossy background and this is a good reminder to try and do something about that. I’ll work on that and see what I can come up with, hopefully for the weekend’s post!

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      1. I do keep thinking about it. Joan of Arc has got some nice minis that I want to get done, but it always comes down to time. At the moment I want to get everything done for the games we play, and unfortunately, there’s quite a lot!
        At some point, I will take the plunge, as you say, it’s the best way to improve, pushing yourself.

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  20. Bloody hell Jeff this is amazing!!!I cant say I have seen a finer piece of art ! so well painted I’m not surprised you are proud of it. When you say that your skills didn’t come overnight it was practice practice and more practice it reminded me of something my brother in law said to me on getting our retirement property. He said I was lucky!! bullshit there was no luck, I spent nearly two years researching this town and the properties available! So great work mate, I do like the back paper and as for the base I’m glad you didn’t leave it bare as it really has complimented this fine piece!!

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    1. You’re too kind, Pat! Sadly, I think I already have ideas for how I could have done better but that’s the way things go 🙂

      Your example is a really good one. Hard work, practice, and patience will see you improve and go farther than you thought possible. Thanks for the kind words and support 🙂

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      1. You on the money mate 🤔even when everyone else appreciates your work you later look at it and think , Ah! Bugger I should have done it differently 🤔, human nature I say !

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