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Figure Help

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  • Member since
    May 2008
  • From: Budd Lake, New Jersey
Figure Help
Posted by BeltFed on Sunday, May 15, 2011 5:36 PM

Im having some trouble painting figures.  I dont seem to have any issues with painting the faces, but cant seem to get the highlights/ shadows on the garments right.  It always looks garish and unnatural.  If anyone has any tips or links for advice, that will be greatly appreciated

  • Member since
    April 2008
  • From: Philadelphia PA
Posted by smeagol the vile on Sunday, May 15, 2011 11:01 PM

go buy and try using oil paints.  They blend VERY well and the edges are easy to blur, making it look realistic.

 

Also, dont try to use black, use a darker color then the base

 

  • Member since
    March 2008
  • From: The Bluegrass State
Posted by EasyMike on Monday, May 16, 2011 7:56 AM

Define "garish and unnatural."  Sounds like you are going a little too heavy on the shadows and highlights.  Subtle is better.

Smile

 

  • Member since
    April 2008
  • From: Ventura (at the beach) in California
Posted by *INDY on Monday, May 16, 2011 7:31 PM

Can you post a pic with an example?

 Likely get some more useful advice that way.

"Well...you gunna pull them pistols, or just whistle Dixie?"

  • Member since
    May 2011
  • From: Blue Springs, MO
Posted by tissy on Friday, May 20, 2011 8:40 AM

Try using oils.  Thy have a longer working time that allows you to get a better blend.  Also take a look at a color wheel for artists.  It may help you with blending.  Stay away from black and white for shading and highlighting.

tissy

  • Member since
    February 2004
Posted by mike91978 on Saturday, May 21, 2011 4:21 PM

If you're painting in acrylics, try covering the uniform in well-thinned coats of the base color. This should help tone everything down some.

  • Member since
    September 2007
  • From: Truro Nova Scotia, Canada
Posted by SuppressionFire on Saturday, May 21, 2011 4:40 PM

tissy

Try using oils.  Thy have a longer working time that allows you to get a better blend.  Also take a look at a color wheel for artists.  It may help you with blending.  Stay away from black and white for shading and highlighting.

Agreed with the above ^^^

In the process of painting a Ultracast 1/35 scale WWII late war Canadian tanker.

Am posting pictures now so stop by and check out the thread. Not saying my techniques are the best yet somehow i seem to get decent results. He is wearing a canvas coverall suit so with the lighter color is a challenge to get a realistic look.

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y211/razordws/GB%20Badges/WMIIIGBsmall.jpg

 

 

  • Member since
    October 2009
  • From: South La
Posted by Ti4019 on Saturday, May 21, 2011 10:33 PM

you can do oils, or modern acrylics such as Vallejo.  Get a book on painting figures, dont matter which or what subject, there are many out there and you can learn from all of them.

I learned in oils, but after 20 years using oils switched to acrylics. Currently I use Vallejo and Reaper gaming paints and have not touched my oils in several years other than for painting large scale anime eyes.  I learned a lot of techniques at the Vallejo site on how to apply acrylics in super super thin layers. the layers let me build up the color the way i want it and use a filter effect.  On a 54MM i may have 10 micro thin layers. One of my larger figures I have close to 30 layers, so thin it does not obsure detail.

One of these style manuals (There are many of these on the market, all with different opinions on painting) that will guide you.

http://www.aviationsupermart.com/store/p/16538-Modelling-Painting-Figures.html

If you aren't having fun, you're doing it wrong! Build to please yourself and they will flame you every time!

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