Reaper Miniatures Werebat - 77448

2019-06-05 update - finally released by Reaper as model number 77448

This is the Werebat from the Reaper Miniatures Bones3 Kickstarter - given number 169 as part of the Kickstarter, the model has not yet been released in either bones or metal at this time.  Once released, I'll come back and give it a proper number and appropriate sculptor tag.

First time using Reaper Miniatures MSP paints (MSP = Master Series Paint).  I picked up their three cases of MSP HD which provides the entire HD range.  A couple observations after using their paint in comparison to the Vallejo Game Colors...(a) you can use the paint straight out of the bottle without any water - it contains extender and flow which makes it flow silky smooth off the brush and takes a bit longer to dry; (b) it dries dead flat and sucks light out of the air - ok, maybe an exaggeration, but there's no glare at all; (c) it takes a couple coats - it's more translucent / less opaque than the Vallejo - this can be beneficial if you're layering or blending but does make double the work when putting down a base coat; (d) there's no system with the HD range, you have to tinker on your own making shades and highlights of your base color.

Here are my thoughts on Reaper's MSP paints... if you're a beginner, stick to GW or Vallejo's - it's easier to paint using a system approach with more opaqueness to the paint.  However, as soon as you break into that intermediate level and above, then switch over to Reaper.  You have greater control of the way the paint comes off the brush and onto the model - it's silky smooth, dries to a crisp flat, and I found that I didn't need to dilute - I was able to paint straight from the bottle - in fact, I used a Kolinsky sable brush size 8 to paint the entire model.  I've never been able to do that with any other paint before.

Again, working on fast good painting - I tried keeping the paints to a minimum and techniques simple so I could bang this model out within a few hours.

Painting instructions for Werebat:

Step 1: Undercoat model with Stynylrez green primer (this is awesome on bones)
Step 2: Use Ash Grey on the skin
Step 3: Use Ruddy Brown on the fur
Step 4: Use Solid Black on the wings
Step 5: Use Winter Blue on the rock formation
Step 6: Use Jungle Camo on the ground
Step 7: Use 1/3rd Solid Black with each of the basecoat colors with a bit of water to make a wash and apply to each section
Step 8: Use the base color to provide an initial highlight
Step 9: Use 1/3rd Solid White with each basecoat color to provide highlights except use Tropical Aqua as highlight color on the rock formation and drybrush Nightsky Blue on the wings
Step 10: Use Desert Tan on talons and claws
Step 11: Use Solid White to highlight talons and claws
Step 12: Use Witchcraft Purple on the tongue

Kickstarter paint total: 84 + 1 Werebat = 85