Glow-in-the-dark Amulet of Daylight - Troll Hunters

This project is based on a 3D model from Micaldez at Cults3d (https://cults3d.com/en/3d-model/game/amulette-trol...

I printed it in PLA and did a simple paper color print for the background night sky picture that is attached when you buy the model.

I also wasn't too good at taking pictures during the process so I am using some of the final pictures to show intermediate steps. Sorry about the potential confusion.

Also, the painting method is difficult to explain in text and I am sure that there are better resources elsewhere, but it is essentially just a method for making something look like old metal: Dark metal for the base, light (silver) metal for highlight and a thin shade that can seep into all the details and crevices, making them darker.

Model

• 3D printer
• Amulet 3D model (link below)
• printout of Amulet background (link below)

Other

• superglue
• small files

Paint gear

• ultra fine brush
• small/medium brush
• glow-in-the-dark paint
• primer
• dark metal paint
• light metal paint
• dark shade paint

Model bought from Micaldez @ Cults3D - https://cults3d.com/en/3d-model/game/amulette-trol...

Print the 2 main 3D models (Front and back) at 0.1mm layer height and at least 20% infill.
I printed this one at 95% to get a bit more weight.

For more details, print the model 120% scaled

On a normal paper color printer, print out the background night sky picture that follows in the 3D model zip

Go over the printed parts with a fine file to even out the worst irregularities

Give all the printed parts a base coat of primer to make sure the paint will stick.

Paint all parts completely in the dark metal paint

Using some dark/black thin paint, coat the printed parts and let the dark paint flow into all the small details and crevices.

If using Citadel nightshade it is already the right transparency and viscosity but you may have to play with the texture to get it right otherwise.

When the shade has dried out, dip a brush in the dark metal color and push it around for a bit on a piece of paper or so to dry it out. Continue until there are no more drops on it and it is almost dry.

Now brush across the parts in a superficial manner so that the brush does not go all the way in the details and you leave some of the dark shading in the details.

Using same technique as before, dip in the lighter (silver) metal color and dry out the brush again.

This time the strokes are even move superficial, hitting only the edges to give a sense of shine

The glow in the dark paint I used was not covering very well and I wanted it to shine brightly so I gave it many coats with drying inbetween.

Using the smallest brush you can find (or a toothpick / anything else pointy) start filling in glow-in-the-dark paint in all the runes.
I was not precise enough to not also paint outside the runes so I kept a clean piece of kitchen paper to wipe on the surface for each rune I had filled (As you can see on the final picture, I didn't manage to wipe off all of the paint so there's still a bit that glows outside of the runes)

When all of the runes are filled, both on the front and back, let it dry and repeat.

I repeated about 5 times, I believe.

This bit was the most tricky part.

I wanted to have the picture show under normal light, but light up in a similar 'night sky' manner in the dark.

I ended up coating the print on the backside, using A LOT of paint to make it soak through to the front. This also took a number of coats.

When the back was done I added a thin and even coat on the front by adding a pool of paint and pulling it over the print with a business card, so that brushstrokes wouldn't be visible

To finish the printed nightsky, I painted some of the clouds with glow-in-the-dark and added droplets of glow-in-the-dark paint to a number of the stars as well

Cut out the glow-in-the-dark treated nightsky printout. Add a bunch of of more glow-in-the-dark paint to the 'cavity' in the backside part and push the printed nightsky cutout down on it to add a final bit of glow.

Seal it all up by painting a generous layer of acrylic lacquer over the picture.

Now paint a layer of clear acrylic everywhere on the individual parts and let it dry

Assemble the parts using superglue and tadaaa!