Figures - Simple System Help

Glad I could help... Picked it up from Shep Paine's book, How to Build Dioramas...

Any suggestions as to a book/reference?

That book, if you only ever buy ONE modeling book, is THE book to have on your bench... His figure-painting tips & techniques are just the ticket for the beginner/intermediate 1/48th-1/35th-scale figure painter IMHO... Plus all the other great info in there...

The cosmetic mirror is a good idea as well.. I just use a little craft mirror, but I think I'll trade up now that you mentioned it..

Here's the rig I use right now..

Hans von Hammer wrote:

Simple... Just hold the figure up to a mirror to check it after a while.. Your eyes "get used to" or "trained" to the way it looks while you're painting, so looking at it in the mirror reverses the angle and things you over-looked just kind of "jump" out at you..

I have to try that next time. Sounds like a great method to catch missed details. I would also recommend artists oils. The blending that can be done, specially on skin tones on larger figures is fantastic. You don't have to spend a lot of mula either. I picked up an entire set of artists oils from Hobby Lobby, minus the 40% coupon for about $10. 

dupes wrote:

Getting some good advice here...did a quick check trying to find the "How to Paint Realistic Military Figures", not looking good so far ($100-$125 for used copies). Anyone know a source that might still have some in stock?

E-bay Buy it Now for under $30.

modelchasm wrote:

Also realize that as you're building these things, that your nose is always about 6in away. Get into the habit of stepping back and looking at your work. Most pieces are meant to be viewed no closer than say 12in. Most people will not get RIGHT up to you figures and eyeball them.

I agree.  As I'm painting 1/35 figures, I'll hold the figure out at arm's length to see how it looks.  This helps remind me that most people viewing my figures will not see every little mistake.

The larger the scale that you are dealing with, the more suttle the feathering can be. On 1/35 figures, I might only use three different shades at the most, but its all a matter of how you blend them in.

Also realize that as you're building these things, that your nose is always about 6in away. Get into the habit of stepping back and looking at your work. Most pieces are meant to be viewed no closer than say 12in. Most people will not get RIGHT up to you figures and eyeball them.

Thanks for the link to the post...awesome tutorial.

 I have one question for you, though...I'm reading all about glazes, but each glaze tutorial shows about five gradiated glazes on top of the base color. Is that even possible in 1/35? Some uniform folds are about 1mm.

May I suggest Games Workshop's book "How to paint Citadel Miniatures";

http://www.games-workshop.com/gws/catalog/productDetail.jsp?catId=cat1290178&prodId=prod1290009&rootCatGameStyle=books

It covers all the basics, and includes step-by-step painting of different figures. This is all about figures. Of many kinds. As said, includes all the basics and step-by-steps. HIGHLY recommended! I bought it just a year ago, but I still learned alot!

Did I mention it's highly recommended???

-Lasse

I have to agree with mike. I've used this particular book for almost every build .... 1/35 - 1/16.

As far as start a system .... each builder has his/ her own technique. I, personally, tend with build everything up, minus the head and hands (unless they have gloves on). I've found that, again, for me, that its easier to paint everything in substructures. I usually break it down to the body + gear, the head, the helmet, the weapon, and the hands. I don't like painting everthing before assembly b/c of trying to get the colors to match up. And there's always the factor of damaging the painted area during assembly.

However, most of this is discussed in the above book. And this is just my two cents ....

Good luck!

I agree that most books are too advanced.  It seems like they would rather show off their work than teach techniques.  This book is different. How to Paint Realistic Military Figures by Lynn Kessler and Don Winar.  It covers all the basics such as shading and highlighting with complementary colors.  There are chapters on painting black, white, and camo uniforms, painting armor and even horses.  I can't recommend this book enough.

Also check out this figure tutorial by Hermesminiatures: /forums/957910/ShowPost.aspx