SEARCH FINESCALE.COM

Enter keywords or a search phrase below:

Painting figures question

1341 views
9 replies
1 rating 2 rating 3 rating 4 rating 5 rating
  • Member since
    March 2005
Painting figures question
Posted by paradox01 on Monday, April 25, 2005 12:40 PM
Hello all,

I'm about to attempt to paint 1/35 scale figures for a diorama and as this will be my first attempt in doing so thought I would post here for any tips you guys/gals may have before I learn something the hard way. Any advice will be greatly appreciated!

Thanks,
Paradox01
  • Member since
    December 2002
  • From: Valrico, FL
Posted by HeavyArty on Monday, April 25, 2005 1:07 PM
Check here for lots of articles on figure painting.
http://www.armorama.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=Sections&file=index&req=listarticles&secid=11

Advice: Go slow, practice, practice, practice. Use good quality, small brushes.

Gino P. Quintiliani - Field Artillery - The KING of BATTLE!!!

Check out my Gallery: https://app.photobucket.com/u/HeavyArty

"People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf." -- George Orwell

  • Member since
    February 2003
  • From: Southern California, USA
Posted by ABARNE on Monday, April 25, 2005 2:42 PM
For a few general suggestions, I paint the flesh areas with Testors ModelMaster Skin Tone Light followed by a wash of Testors ModelMaster Skin Shadow. It seems to give a decent look for caucasians, and you can go lighter or heavier on the darker wash for a little variety.

When painting the uniforms, tweak your your colors a bit (lighter, darker, slight different shade) for different articles of clothing and knap sacks and satchels, even if all are supposed to be the same color. Use a dark wash in the folds of the clothing to high- light and give a three dimensional appearance.

Use a tiny brush to add details, belts buckles, etc. A good magnifying light is really desirable when for this. Don't forget the eyes. When you're holding the figures in your hand, painting eyes probably seems preposterous, but with a tiny brush to do the whites and a tootpick for the iris/pupils (and the magnifying light!) it is not as difficult as it might seem and will really make your figures pop out.
  • Member since
    February 2005
Posted by Kevleerey on Tuesday, April 26, 2005 9:24 PM
What kind of brush material is best? (Nylon, sable, camel hair,etc.), and what brush size works good for small details, like eyes?
  • Member since
    December 2002
  • From: Valrico, FL
Posted by HeavyArty on Tuesday, April 26, 2005 10:22 PM
Red Sable is my personal favorite. OOO (3 O) or 10 O brushes are best for detail items such as eyes.

Gino P. Quintiliani - Field Artillery - The KING of BATTLE!!!

Check out my Gallery: https://app.photobucket.com/u/HeavyArty

"People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf." -- George Orwell

  • Member since
    December 2002
  • From: Massachusetts
Posted by ajlafleche on Wednesday, April 27, 2005 8:06 AM
I've found some really good 18/0 for eyes and highlighting in acrylics.

Remember, if the women don't find you handsome, they should at least find you handy.

  • Member since
    November 2005
Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, April 27, 2005 1:19 PM
I wrote a small guide for painting figures with humbrol and oil colors.

I'm not the best painter (quite q beginner actually Blush [:I]), but the method gives nice results, and you can master it quite quickly.

the only problem is that its in hebrew, although there are many photos.

you can find it here: (the colors are humbrol, games workshop and oil, and their names are in english).

http://www.degem.net/figures/articles/painting/page1.html

http://www.degem.net/figures/articles/painting/page2.html

http://www.degem.net/figures/articles/painting/page3.html
  • Member since
    February 2003
  • From: Southern California, USA
Posted by ABARNE on Wednesday, April 27, 2005 3:04 PM
QUOTE: Originally posted by Kevleerey

... what brush size works good for small details, like eyes?


Very small is ideal. I think I use 10/0 which is pretty darn tiny, although while trying to paint eyes on a 1/72 pilot, I was thinking that even smaller might be good.
  • Member since
    November 2005
Posted by Anonymous on Friday, April 29, 2005 8:35 PM
You could try using a pin or a tooth pick to paint eyes, pupils, and teeth or whatever. The point stays constant and contolling paint isn't that difficult. Pins work best in my opinion and you can clean them up easier.
  • Member since
    November 2005
Posted by Anonymous on Friday, April 29, 2005 9:58 PM
QUOTE: Originally posted by braxat2000

I wrote a small guide for painting figures with humbrol and oil colors.

I'm not the best painter (quite q beginner actually Blush [:I]), but the method gives nice results, and you can master it quite quickly.

the only problem is that its in hebrew, although there are many photos.

you can find it here: (the colors are humbrol, games workshop and oil, and their names are in english).

http://www.degem.net/figures/articles/painting/page1.html

http://www.degem.net/figures/articles/painting/page2.html

http://www.degem.net/figures/articles/painting/page3.html



Any translation sites that could be used to translate it?
JOIN OUR COMMUNITY!

Our community is FREE to join. To participate you must either login or register for an account.

SEARCH FORUMS
FREE NEWSLETTER
By signing up you may also receive reader surveys and occasional special offers. We do not sell, rent or trade our email lists. View our Privacy Policy.