THE BALROG Here, we explain how 'Eavy Metal team painted the mighty Balrog! Be sure to click on each image for a larger version!

Balrog painted by Martin Footitt. Shown slightly smaller than actual size.

ASSEMBLING THE MODEL

After cleaning up the model by removing any flash lines and filing them smooth, the fit of all the parts was tested before starting to assemble the model. First, the wings were pinned together and then pinned to the body. As the assembled model is quite heavy, it is a good idea to pin it to a base. The separate components were then glued into place and any gaps were filled with green stuff. A small amount of shaping the green stuff to resemble cracked skin was required in some places. Finally, the model was given an undercoat spray with Chaos Black, followed by painting slightly watered-down Chaos Black over any areas that the spray had missed.

PAINTING THE MODEL

Any sections of the model that were going to be painted with a fiery flame effect, such as the sword and mane, were now painted Skull White. The recesses between the cracked skin and on the wings were also painted with Skull White. There was inevitably a small amount of paint overlap, but any mistakes were rectified at a later stage.

An equal parts mix of Fiery Orange and Orange Ink was then painted over the Skull White, followed by shading with a slightly watered-down mix of Fiery Orange and Red Ink. Red Gore was then added to the mix and applied as an ink wash to the flames on the sword and mane. A mix of two parts Golden Yellow to one part Skull White was painted on to highlight these sections, as well as the larger cracks in the skin. Skull White was then added to this mix for successive highlight stages. The flames were then given a glaze with a watered-down Yellow Ink. Any areas where the paint had overlapped onto the wing or scales had to be carefully repainted with Chaos Black.

Two parts Chaos Black to one part Codex Grey was mixed together. This was then stippled onto the fleshy areas, such as the belly and arms.

Codex Grey was then added to the mix until it was roughly equal parts, and then this too was stippled on as a highlight stage. Bleached Bone was added to this mix for the final stipple highlights.

FINE DETAIL

The horns were given a basecoat of equal parts Chaos Black, Bubonic Brown and Codex Grey. Bubonic Brown and Bleached Bone were added to the mix for the first highlight stage, followed by adding Bleached Bone for each successive highlight. The Balrog’s cracked skin was painted with a basecoat mix of two parts Chaos Black to one part Codex Grey. The first highlight stage was done by adding Codex Grey to the mix until the two colors were in roughly equal quantities. Final highlights were made by adding more Codex Grey until the mix was now roughly two parts Codex Grey to one part Chaos Black.

FINISHING TOUCHES

A small amount of Codex Grey was mixed in with some Chaos Black and painted onto the tips and edges of the claws. Once the model had been varnished, these parts were then given a few coats of Gloss Varnish.

Sand was glued onto the base with PVA or white glue and then, once dry, given a Brown Ink wash. This was drybrushed with a mix of Snakebite Leather and Fortress Grey, and then flocked with static grass.

The stones on the base were painted Chaos Black, and then Skull White was added and drybrushed on in successive stages. The handle of the axe was painted with Scorched Brown, followed by adding Bestial Brown for the first highlight stage and then a small amount of Bleached Bone for the final highlights. The metal was painted with Boltgun Metal, then highlighted with Chainmail and Mithril Silver before applying a thinned down Brown Ink wash.