4 out of 5 prefer heads

 Hello All,

 While waiting for the troops to arrive, I went ahead and painted this victim with the Vallejo acrylics. The right eye on this figure had a casting air bubble that I tried to fill with primer, but it popped like a nasty zit. I think that's why he's squinting now. He got pussied in the eye.

 I thought I would tag these here rather that start a new post.

 I forgot to mention, the camera I gave my daughter, against my will, still had my tripod connector attachment on it, and a nice little macro addapter. These are hand held macro's. Don't Figure.....where are those instructions? Oh that's right Kids don't come with them.

 Best Regards,

 Hello all,

 I can't recall having primed that figure, now that you mention it. If I did it would have been an enamel primer. The more I set here and think about that one, I don't think I did. I used a Gunze Sangyo on these 4. The Vallejo did stay very well even when subjected to a good bathing of mineral spirits. I'll definately give that a try.

Try distilled water from the drug store. I got a gallon last year for about $2.00. I pour out a little into a condiment container from take out and cap it between sessions.

You've got the right brushes.

Had you primed your panther commander? Acrylics aren't too fond of sticking to plastic. I spray my figs with a misted coat of Floquil gray primer from a rattle can. I've never had Vallejo's lift when applying additional coats and I'll do that as soon as it's dry (sheen is gone).

ajlafleche wrote:

Did you properly thin your Vallejo paint? You should start with about 1:1 paint and distilled water and apply thin light coats to build up color. Are you using really good brushes?

 Hello ajlafleche,

 When you apply a second thin layer with the acrylics what keeps it from lifting the coat underneath? That's why I've been using them as a base coat for oils. With the oils I still thin the pizz out of 'em, but not to a wash. That way they don't build up. I did apply the acrylics way to thick when I attempted a previous painting(Panther commander), that maybe the reason they lifted. I use nonchlorinated tap water. I had read somewhere that chlorine effects the color or something. I think another mistake I made is too drastic of a change between shades. With the oils a little dark shade goes a long way, just ask the troopers who were eating chocolate with their feet.

 The brushes I use are Vallejo kolinsky sables(#0, 1, and 2). A decent set with nice points. I just recently added a Isabey #8 kolinsky flat filbert to the set for drybrushing. That brush ROCKS! Also added W/N fan, I've been using that one with the dot washes. I have an Andrea #0 sable for the oils and enamels. Overall, I think the brushes are a good set. I've a couple of synthetics for beater brushes. I've used those things for what some would consider "War Crimes" If I ever get my camera back I'll post a shot in the "Tools" forum.

 I am going to have my way with those Acrylics. Until then I'm still practicing, practicing, and practicing. And I think I will absolutely love acrylics when I successfully (IMO) paint a face with them. Hopefully the next "Mass Attack Attempt".

 Best Regards,

 Thanks for the input, Dougum, I kinda thought after I painted them, that would have been the best path to choose. Once again I didn't follow the beaten path.

 Ajlafleche, I used oils, with a base coat of acrylic, on the face and Vallejo acrylics on the uniforms. I still haven't tried acrylics on the faces to shade with after goobering up my Panther commander. Poor chap looked as if he'd been set on fire. Suffering major third degree burns to all his exposed flesh. Anyway I might give it another try on my next batch.

 Thanks everyone for viewing and posting. I'll try to get my camera back from my daughter so I can get some more close ups on the next "victims".

 Best Regards Everyone,

They do look good, closer shots pls.

I like them, and thats a fantastic job especially if you've not had that much experience. I'm not even close to even thinking about trying figures. Much less trying it and having the courage to post them! Great job, keep us posted

Cheers! Doug (the one in Indiana)

I have found that completely assembling figures is the easiest way for me.  If not you leave gaps in the parts that are glued together.  I like to glue the parts then putty and sand the figure before priming and painting.  Just my

Doug 

 Sorry guys for the pics,

 I can't get any close-ups with the lens I have on this camera. My daughter borrowed my other camera and hasn't returned it yet. I did add some more shading but it ended up being more of a wash because the paint on the faces had dried. It didn't blend very well. I thought they needed more shading but my other attempts ended up looking like they feasted on a box of chocolates? So I figured less is best. I'll give it another go when I get another set of figures and my camera back. Hope I can get it right before I run out of paint.

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 1..,2..,3..,... Do the Shuffle,

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 I do have a question, "Do you assemble the entire figure,w/equipment, then paint?" I didn't on these. I thought it would be easier to paint them first.

 Here are some of the closeups.

 Doug1, I did figures with oils way back when I was 16 or so, but I've been out of the loop(or just plain looped) for nearly 25/30 yrs. Porbably more like 25, I built the occasional aircraft for my son, That was about it. Since getting back in the saddle I've built these 4 and like I said earlier, the others. Most of my projects do not have figures. I felt that I needed to get back into the figures to truely enjoy all that this wonderful and amazing hobby has to offer. Well another aspect of this hobby is the photography. It's a new lens so please be gentle on the photographer, if I dare to call myself that. Oh did I mention that this is not the camera my daughter borrowed, I mean, I gave to her, against my will. Hopefully she'll take better photo's than I do. 

 This guy had a mishap when I tried to add shading and an oil wash resulted, and because he was painted in oils his flesh started moving around, sorta like Joan Rivers face. A lot of the oil paint lifted off and I was left with the base Vallejo. I tried painting him with the Vallejo's and they layed real smooth, smooth as a shaved peach. I'm wanting to try the Vallejo' on a fresh project rather than an attempted save, but I got this new lens and wanted to see how the pics turn out.

 This guy is still in oils. Dougums, I should have known better to assembled the figures w/equipment first. I filed all the items and checked the fit, but everyone knows what happens when you try to use plastic cement over paint. It ended up being an experience I care not to repeat. I regard instructions in a different manner than most do, I feel they're more of a guideline. Given the chance to circumvent a step, I AM THERE! Never mind the reports of Icebergs, Fire that 4th boiler and FULL STEAM AHEAD! I've been dodging Iceburgs since.

 One thing I can see from all these close ups is that I've got A LOT OF TOUCH UP! The lens that I was using would not get close ups, period.

 The entire time I shot these picks I kept being pesterd by a fly. I have no idea how he got in here. He was drawn to my work lights. The troopers were sent into a coordinated anti aircraft defense,

 This is the MG34 that came with the DML infantry set. The rear sight was molded in the up position, I set it in the spray position! They tried their best to down that enemy buzz bomber, even the fly swater missed.

 but then they lost the target....... EGADS!!!

 This trooper must have lead the attack on the low countries and had a wild time in Amsterdam! He's still got a buzz going on there.

 I guess they really do look like poo, just ask the fly. Fooled him

 I'm now being dive bombed by a moth. I think I better check the screens!

 Best Regards,

Looks good. Could we get some more pictures from different angles.

David