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Tips for painting 1/72 scale figures

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  • Member since
    December 2002
  • From: Harrisburg, PA
Posted by Lufbery on Wednesday, August 23, 2006 12:18 PM
Dave,

This forum thread and this web site have some great tips!

Regards,

-Drew

Build what you like; like what you build.

  • Member since
    February 2004
  • From: Weymouth, Dorset, UK
Posted by chris hall on Wednesday, August 2, 2006 4:52 AM

Smile [:)]Approve [^]

Cheers,

Chris.

 

 

Cute and cuddly, boys, cute and cuddly!
  • Member since
    November 2005
  • From: Southport, North West UK
Posted by richgb on Wednesday, August 2, 2006 3:48 AM

Just tried this method on a couple of pilots for my lads hawk. I did them quickly , just waiting for the paint to be touch dry, but they've come out OK. My 8 year old son thinks I'm fantastic..."you're really clever daddy...."

Rich

...this is it folks...over the top!
  • Member since
    February 2004
  • From: Weymouth, Dorset, UK
Posted by chris hall on Tuesday, August 1, 2006 9:10 AM

Hi, Dave,

yes, I dry-brush the flesh as well. I find that, in this scale and over a black basecoat, tans work better than flesh tones. Here are a selection of articles on Games Workshop figure painting techniques.

Cheers,

Chris.

 

Cute and cuddly, boys, cute and cuddly!
  • Member since
    December 2002
  • From: USA
Posted by weebles on Tuesday, August 1, 2006 8:19 AM

Chris,

Do you dry brush in the flesh as well or just the uniforms?  Tell me more about the "Games Workshop method".  Is there a reference for that somewhere? 

Thanks

Dave

  • Member since
    February 2004
  • From: Weymouth, Dorset, UK
Posted by chris hall on Tuesday, August 1, 2006 4:19 AM

Hi, Rich,

thing is, with my method (and it's not really mine, I first read about it in an issue of FSM in the late 1990s, where some guy had used it on the 1/48 figures you get with the Revell ProModeller 1/48 B-25), you don't really need good eyesight, the dry-brushing does it for you. In any event, I tend to take off my glasses for detail work, and just hold the model up close! Big Smile [:D] You're right about the outlining, sorta just happens automatically, so long as you don't dry-brush too hard.

As to how long it takes to paint a figure, well, as with most modelling, most time is taken up waiting for the paint to dry. You've really got to give the base matt black enamel coat (best sprayed on) at least 12 hours. I'd say it takes a couple of days to paint a simple figure, but I normally paint them at the same time as I'm doing something else, so no extra time is used in painting the figures at all.

Cheers,

Chris.

 

Cute and cuddly, boys, cute and cuddly!
  • Member since
    November 2005
  • From: Southport, North West UK
Posted by richgb on Tuesday, August 1, 2006 3:01 AM

Hi Chris,

I really like the way you've painted your figures, they look great. Maybe I should start using your method, although maybe your eyesight is better than mine!! I suppose base coating in black means that you can  outline  the details on the figures such as around the pockets, belts etc ,rather than doing it after the main coat has gone on. Your method seems alot easier. How long does it take you to paint a figure?

Rich

...this is it folks...over the top!
  • Member since
    February 2004
  • From: Weymouth, Dorset, UK
Posted by chris hall on Tuesday, August 1, 2006 2:50 AM

Hi, Dave,

I normally use Citadel acrylics for dry-brushing figures. The Games Workshop-approved method of painting relies heavily on dry-brushing, and their paints are really good for this purpose. In this case, though, I may have used Humbrol enamel H.96 for the blue of the uniforms, because it's a very good match for the colour of the real thing.

Cheers,

Chris.

 

 

Cute and cuddly, boys, cute and cuddly!
  • Member since
    December 2002
  • From: USA
Posted by weebles on Monday, July 31, 2006 11:00 PM

Greetings and thank you all for the tips. Chris, that's exactly the look I want to achieve.  What type of paint do you use for your dry brushing? 

I was able to pick up this set on my side of the pond.  Smile [:)]  I think I'm going to practice on them and then use are more animated group for the final project. 

Thank you

Dave

  • Member since
    February 2004
  • From: Weymouth, Dorset, UK
Posted by chris hall on Sunday, July 30, 2006 4:10 PM

Hi, Dave,

Revell Germany make a set of figures specifically designed for this kit .  Not sure if you can get them on your side of the Pond, but if you get stuck, mail me, and I'm sure I can sort something out. As to painting, I  like to undercoat 1/72 figures in matt black, and then dry-brush the main uniform colours and a highlight shade. I then just touch in the detail, not trying for every last button and eyebrow. Here are some Airfix 1/76 RAF figures painted using this method.

For 1/72 figures, I find that less is more.

Cheers,

Chris.

 

 

Cute and cuddly, boys, cute and cuddly!
  • Member since
    November 2005
  • From: Southport, North West UK
Posted by richgb on Saturday, July 29, 2006 4:33 PM

Hi there,

If the figures are moulded in a dark plastic, try painting them first with a lighter base coat, that way you can see all belts, equipment etc better which makes it easier to paint and also shows up any imperfectionns and seam lines. I also find it much easier painting in good day light. I've tried in bright artificial light but when I've looked at the figure again the next day there are loads of bits I've missed or painted over.

Good luck,   Rich

...this is it folks...over the top!
  • Member since
    March 2006
  • From: Boyertown, PA, USA
Posted by Dubau on Saturday, July 29, 2006 1:55 PM
" You've experienced a set back, and without set backs and learning how to fix them you'll never make the leap from kit builder to modeler "
  • Member since
    December 2002
  • From: USA
Tips for painting 1/72 scale figures
Posted by weebles on Saturday, July 29, 2006 11:30 AM

I'm looking at adding figures to my 1/72 U-Boat.  I'm looking at Warrior or Hecker & Goros as options.  I would appreciate any tips you have for painting figures this small.  I'm new to figures.

Thanks

Dave

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