This on are not my first one's of curse. I start collecting miniatures when i was 12 or 13 years old, have something like 1500pts. army. but that was everything. I stop collecting miniatures and came back to hobby after Island of Blood show up. so i have like 12 years of brake. After i came back to WFB my first miniatures are Swordmasters as you see them up in topic. Probably all is about patient.
That's my very first ones, painted much to fast and not patient and as you see wrong command group too... Too young and too furious
Answer for your question about gold. Paint on magician and swordmasters its original SHINING GOLD. And guy on griffon is painted with alcohol based Vallejo Liquid Gold 791 "Gold". Hard to work with that, its going off in seconds but give a nice look.
I will take a look on this wet brush Technic. Have some archers waiting for some attention
Keep on going!
Maciej!