W

hile most of the Painting Masters

weve interviewed to date have a
tale to tell of many years
painting, having been in the hobby since
their early teens, Anjas story is quite
different. In fact, she joined Eavy Metal
only two years after first starting to take
painting seriously.
I wasnt really aware of the hobby until
my early 20s, having been introduced to it
through friends, says Anja. I was
immediately attracted to the painting side
of the hobby. As soon as I picked up a
paintbrush I knew it was for me, although
the first model I painted left a lot to be
desired. But when I
decide I want to do
something I become
quite passionate
about it. Soon I was
painting every day,
constantly practising
and improving.
Over the next few
years Anja spent
most of her time
painting models,
often staying up
through the night to
finish a commission. And commissions
came thick and fast as Anja garnered a
reputation online for her excellent paint
jobs. However, as with any top-class
painter, the lure of joining the Eavy Metal
team soon beckoned. I was surfing the
Games Workshop website and clicked on
the careers button. At that point they were
advertising for my dream job so I applied,
not expecting to hear anything back. Two
months later I was moving from Stockholm
to the UK. Id never planned to leave
Sweden but there I was moving to a whole
new country within eight weeks of a
speculative inquiry from the website.
Anja has now been part of the Eavy
Metal team for four years, a veteran by any
measure, and has had plenty of time to
develop a distinctive style, but when we
asked what that style is she was reluctant
to define it. I dont like to self-analyse my
painting, says Anja. I view each project
separately and have never consciously tried
to impose a specific aesthetic on a model.
Still, looking at Anjas fine work, especially
the models showcased on the following
pages, you can see certain similarities and
common facets that do mark them out.

Anja seems to favour cool colours such as

blues, purples and greens. Turquoise,
which is an amalgamation of those colours,
features strongly in many of Anjas personal
projects. I do like turquoise, confesses
Anja, I find it contrasts well with dark
colours as well as reds and yellows.
Talking of red, you dont often see it on
Anjas models; is that a deliberate aversion
to the colour? Well I dont think its
intentional, as I said I dont evaluate or
plan my painting like that. However, subconsciously Im probably thinking that
because red is such a strong colour and
easy to use then Im more likely to try
something different
and solve the
problem another
way, as I rarely take
the simplest route.
So what about us
less talented types
who arent afraid to
use the simplest
route to getting a
nicely painted
model, whats Anjas
advice for improving
our painting skills?
All I can really say is: practice and more
practice. Try to avoid long periods away
from your paints. Im even rusty at the
moment because Ive been away for two
weeks so it takes me a day or so to get my
usual brush control back, before the
muscle memory kicks in. The upside is that
painting skills improve exponentially so it
doesnt take long before you are painting to
a good standard.
Unlike our previous Painting Masters,
Anja has yet to enter a Golden Demon,
although she has entered a few online
competitions, which shes gone on to win.
Maybe this year, says Anja when we ask
her if shell be entering the infamous Open
category of Golden Demon. I need
something that will fire my imagination,
and inspiration always comes when you
least expect it, so the more I dont think
about it the better the chance that
something will come to me! Thats how all
my personal projects have come about.
Whether she enters this years Golden
Demon or not, were sure youll agree that
the models on the following pages would
all be worthy entries, and we look forward
to seeing what Anja produces in the future.

I need something
that will fire my
imagination, and
inspiration always
comes when you
least expect it.

PAINTING
MASTERS

ANJA WETTERGREN

Weve been casting our eye across the globe

for Painting Masters to feature recently, so
this month we decided to look a bit closer
to home in our own Eavy Metal team. We
asked Anja Wettergren if shed mind sharing
her favourite painting projects and telling us
how she started painting miniatures.

Painting Masters is a
showcase of the
talents of the worlds
greatest miniatures
painters. This month
we focus on one of
Eavy Metals own.

Vampire Lord
This exquisite paint scheme is one of Anjas favourites to
date. The turquoise armour contrasts really well with
the yellow and ochre in the wings. The Vampires flesh
is grey, but a purple wash has altered the hue. Another

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PAINTING MASTERS

standout feature is the non-metallic-metal technique on

the sword. Red has been used as a spot colour for the
eyes, the pouch and the tassle tied to the end of the
sword hilt a rare use of the colour by Anja.

Necromancer Diorama
Anja actually created this brilliant piece as a Christmas
present for her boyfriend the lucky chap! The model is
painted in the cool colours that Anja is so fond of, and
these work really well with the Undead theme. The models
are largely made from several Plague Cart kits. The

Necromancer himself is the Plague Cart driver with the

scythe taken from the Empire Wizard kit. The greatlooking Zombies also come from the Plague Cart and even
the fencing behind the models is made from lots of Plague
Cart components.

www.games-workshop.com 99

Warrior Priest
This Warrior Priest won an online painting competition
where the subject was after the battle. The base is a
crucial part of the models theme. Anja also used a
palette of natural and earthy colours; the cloth parts of

Death Korps of Krieg Guardsman

Anja generally prefers to paint Warhammer figures, but
this Forge World Guardsman inspired her to have a go at
a 40K model, precisely because it was so different to what
she usually paints in her spare time. The muted greens
and browns from the coat lining and rusted armour
complement each other, while the orange in the lenses
provide a sharp focal point.

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the miniature are painted in muted greens that contrast

well with the bronze and silver of the armour. The rear
of the cloak is also worth inspecting for the freehand
design denoting the Emperors initials.

Dark Elf Dreadlord

This Dreadlord was painted for an article in WD349.
Conversion work was restricted to changing the crest
on the helmet. The cool, lacquered green armour is
complemented perfectly by the dark blue leather
straps, sleeves and cloak. The non-metallic-metal
technique was used on the sword blade and hilt to
contrast with the shiny effect of the armour.

Eldrad Ulthran
This Eldrad figure is from the Studio collection. Anja has
chosen this model as its one of her favourite in-work
paint jobs. Again, cool colours such as Ice Blue and Hawk
Turquoise play an important part of the colour scheme as

seen on the eyes, gems and the head of the staff. The gold
Ulthw Craftworld rune painted in freehand on the back
of the model is simply outstanding, as are the myriad
runes painted along the edge of the cloak.

Aenur, the Sword of Twilight

Aenur is a favourite amongst many painters. Anja had
seen many great paint jobs on this model and wanted to
add her own to the pantheon. She decided to paint him
as a Dark Elf, using a deep turquoise for the cloak and

painting a freehand Dark Elf design along the edge of

the cloaks lining. The sword blade and leather belt
were painted in rich purples to complement the cool
hue of the cloak.

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