Are there any "rules"?

Personally, I typically assemble the whole figure minus the arms, head and helment (if one). I build up the arms and hands as sub-assembles. I also try and leave the weapon as it's own sub, but most 120mm figs have the weapon molded as part of the hand.

But, for the most part, I pretty much follow the above "instructions" ... of course in my own order as does everyone else.

The best thing/advice that I can give has already been stated ... find out what works best for you and go with it. Then, just pick up on other techniques and try them out. I've found great techniques from other that I've been able to work in with or replace mine.

my 2 cents....

I join the list of those who completely assemble, then paint- from inside to out. Uniform to belts to gear. I keep as mush skin off of the build (heads, hands) as possible and paint separately.

I have been trying the Vallejoo shading method, but I can't quite get a grip on the technique. At least, I am not happy with my results. 

I recommend going through the Figure Forum search, and look up figs by Fingers Eddie and ajlafleche. Two different masters / schools of styles at work (oil shading and acrylic shading, respectively). Pull from what you like. I have figures with combined oil and acrylic shading. Worse things have happened in the modeling world.

This guy is a combo of oils and acrylic shading / highlighting, picked up from both of those mentioned painters:

Hope this helps... just have fun with it.

Steve 

I use Vallejo (Say that to yourself, Tacobuff.. Vallejo.. Not Vilajo ) the most, and often Citadel paints. And every now and then, a bit of Tamiya is needed...

I really enjoy the Dragon figure line (same line you're building right?). 

I trim the pieces of the sprue, remove flash, assemble, fill gaps, add gear, paint either the hands and face (or any other skin), paint the rest the base color, then add highlights in uniform, finish faces. 

Hope that helps, oh, and if you need a paint line, I use Tamiya acrylics (though most everyone here will frown at me when I say that).  I've heard vilajo are the best.

Great Figure by the way, the eyes are fantastic!

Stern0 wrote:

This is one on my latest and with current techniqe the best I can do. The tanker is only washed to bring out detail, I am going to try some noted techniqes soon, mainly painting shadows and highlight. Thank you all for the great tips!

I ususally completely assemble and then paint my figs...but everyone has a different style... 

This is one on my latest and with current techniqe the best I can do. The tanker is only washed to bring out detail, I am going to try some noted techniqes soon, mainly painting shadows and highlight. Thank you all for the great tips!

I follow the same sequence for any figure, whether it's a 1/48th Monogram pilot, or a 54mm Prussian hussar for my toy soldier collection.

1.  Clean the unpainted figure first, removing mold release compound (eg, on plastic figures) or accumulated dirt and dust (eg, on an old Stadden figure in a 3-figures-for-$10 bin at a toy soldier show)

2.  Clean any mold seams, sprue gate scars, etc

3.  Assemble the figure, if necessary

4. Prime the figure.

I repeat 2, 3 and 4 as necessary, because often priming shows places I missed.

5. Paint the figure.  I usually start with the basic skin tone and paint from the inside out, for any exposed skin and uniforms, then go back and pick out the details like facial features, uniform details.  That can include applying washes for highlighting, too (I can't paint faces in 1/72, too small.  Burnt siena to the rescue!).

6.  Apply any sealers as necessary

Those aren't necessarily hard and fast, of course.  There may be times when I do one before the other, or maybe leave one out (Stadden figures come primed from the factory, for example).  But it's a general sequence.

Hope that helps!

Brad

Basic rule: It Depends.

Generally, I paint equipment before attaching it to the figure. I usually assemble as much of the figure (arms/legs) as possible before painting. Sometimes, this is not at all practical, such as a figure with crossed arms that has a lot of detail on its chest. Whenever possible, I paint faces before attaching the head to the torso.

Stern0 wrote:

...Are there ...rules or is it personal preference?...

RULE #1:  There are no rules.

Do what you like.

Well told by Agentg there.. Altough I'm far away from a master, I have more or less developed my own pattern..

Just paint, paint a little more, and paint a little more.. and tada, your own pattern!

One idea to you, that I have suggested to quite some "newbies" (not that you are, because I don't really know) is to buy a pack of infantry from Games Workshop's Warhammer 40.000. Preferably Imperial guards: Cadia shock troops... Altough sci-fi, you get 20 top notch moulded figures in 28mm (1/56th) for 18£ (27$). Theyare excellent to learn on

-Huxy