Adam: Nuttin Honey I found a guy here in town purely by luck that sculpts and paints figures. He said while on vacation next week he would give me some hands on instructions that would give me a better idea of what and how I should be doing this.

Marc: You said it all  buddy. This guy John I was telling you guys about should be a step in the right direction to see this all in the flesh process,at least I hope so.

Thanks for checking on me

Tony Lee

Hi ya Tony... looking good. He's coming together.  Fun learning something new isn't it.  Can be a fun, rewarding... and humbling... experience.

I did something I very rarely, as in can't remember the last time, do when I finally get in on a multi-page thread.  I went back to the beginning and read every single post.  I think maybe the word "debate" caught my eye on 1 of the pages.

Having done as few figures as I have I am fore sure a newb.  Hard? Easy?  No, different.

Gamera said it best...

Armour guys consider aircraft difficult because of all the decals.

Aircraft guys consider autos hard because of trying to get a perfect clear gloss finish.

Auto guys consider armour hard because of all of the tiny 'fiddly bits'.

So frankly are figures hard or easy? Everyone will have a different opinion.

And when you add your comment Tony about what your dad always said to you.  It's another skill set that has to be learned.

When and armor/aircraft guy like me attempts a figure, as I am now, wow that is a whole 'nother kettle of fish.  I am used to painting the vast majority of a model with an airbrush and a paint brush to pick out a few details.  The amount of colors and color mixing.  The different brushes that are used. The different techniques... highlights... shadows... blending.  And... OMG...the number of time you have to change your brush and clean the one you are putting down makes you want to run screaming into the night.  And as someone else said, sorry to whoever it was I can't remember, it really has to be "right" since you know what people look like.

It's only hard because we don't know how to do it yet.  What's the fun if you could do everything 1st time out?  And if it was that way for everyone we modelers would not be the incredibly good looking, steadfast, and talented people that we are.  Yes?

10 days Tony--whats up around them parts?

Not a tick anymore cause I stuck a hot match to its butt and he backed out. I think there will be two down inside out of sight so that will leave maybe two more topside.

Remember I said "Maybe"

Tony Lee

Tony,I think that spot on the back of his neck is a tick! Figure is looking good,but I have to tell you that marders were crewed by more than one.Can't wait to see the rest of them.

Looking good so far Tony.

Hi Indy: The last instructions I got was to let my figure dry completely before doing anymore shading.

No start on the Hornets yet but I bought the German w/M-1943 caps, w/helmets and the one with various sidecaps.

Happy 4th

Tony Lee

~~Well Tony what's news Buddy? Any start with the Hornet squad?

Which set(s) did you get anyways?

Good Morning

Shaded sun light shots. Still a cheap camera but better lighting.

Hey Adam I got the Hornet heads two days after I ordered them from Tankrat. I opened them up yesterday and took a look and man those things have great detail. I can see where they would be much easier to paint because the details are sharp and deep,not mushy like plastic.

I'm with Ed about the eyes,guess I would have to experiment with them to really decide.

My mother and grandmother used that saying all the time,I miss them both so much.

Tony Lee

~I finally got around to a test use of the Archer scale Eyeball decals.   (thanks again Ed)

ONly three tries Tony? You're way ahead of the pack. My 1st head with oils was an abortion countless times before I had one I liked.  Well done my friend, he looks quite acceptable. When those Hornet heads show up I'd recommend you keep the momentum going by getting started with them.  ...a bit more practice and youre Aces--           ---One thing:

"Im as happy as if I had good sense"

Tony, as the guys said - just a matter of practice. Once you learn how they go a lot easier.

I've got to confess. What you see took three tries today. Thanks goodness it's oils and for the two photo lamps for heat.

Its been a long day my friend

Thanks, Tony Lee

Hey great job Tony!

As I said my first figures were a disaster, I wish they'd have looked half as good!

SHHHHsssssss don't spread that around man how else can I get all those at-a-boys if people knew?

I'm putting myself through all this just so my SPGs look finished for a change.

Thanks Brian you're one of the nice guys in my book.

Tony Lee

First figure my butt Tony, your a ringer ain't ya!  Been doin this a while already, right?   Seriously buddy, I think you have it nailed!  Good on you and now you have no excuse to not include more figures with your builds!

Brian

I feel like I made some good progress today and i'm as happy as if I had good sense.

I mixed up an oil flesh formula that I found on the internet and followed the instructions as how to cut it for shading and by gosh it didn't come out half bad to me.

Unless something comes up i'll be starting on the uniform next.

Thanks for the comments and for coming by to check on the project.

Tony Lee

Tony, he is looking real nice buddy!  Not bad at all for a first go!

Brian

I just finished getting the oils I needed Saturday Adam and looking for advice as to what it needs before moving on. Some say go on to highlights others say more shadow in the creases of the face.

I was going to mix the oil flesh and start in but I will wait out the rest of the day before I do anything.

Tony

~~Yeah Tony--

He's coming along. have you got the oils out and tried the highlight blending yet?

OK guys and gals am I headed in the right direction with this?????

Thanks for looking

Tony Lee

Got my Archer German Panzer uniform decals this morning and all I can say is i'm sure glad i've got an Opti-Visor.

Tony Lee

Indy: I'm not going to argue with you and I'm not advising anyone on not painting the whites of the eyes. I apologize for not being clear. What I meant to say is that back when I started modeling in the '80s the Paine book was widely available so I picked up most of his ways of doing things. Modeling has changed a great deal since then and I'm trying to learn new stuff like pre-shading, dot filters, etc. That's one of the major reasons I've been following this thread since I've been hoping to learn new stuff from you as well as others on the FSM forum,

As I said most people these days do paint the whites and I've been doing it for some time now as well. As you said the figure doesn't really look right if you look at it closely or photograph it if you don't paint them in.

In fact Paine's section on painting figures is entirely devoted to oils, I've been using acrylics for years now. So sorry about my rambling about the 'good old days'.

Gamera

Paine says since at the range you're looking at most figures the whites of the eyes will blend into the flesh tones of the face he doesn't paint the whites of the eyes at all. Over time I've noticed that most people expect it so now I do it using ivory rather than white. I don't even try to do the iris just dotting the center with a small tip Micron pen in black.

Of course the hobby hasn't gone anywhere since Shep Paine and he's right about everthing-but----The range we are looking at the figures here shows if there are eyes or not or if they look real or goofy, --especially zooming the photos to 3 or 4 or 5 times the original size. What he said is true if your talking about looking down at a table with a 1/35 th scale scene on it but totally doesn't apply to the way we photo figures and dioramas and view  them. Of course, he probably wrote that before there was an internet. I just know a flesh colored blur doesn't cut it for me----you dont need perfectly painted eyes, but  some white in the corners(or even one corner of each eye) goes a long way.

Gamera

 I don't even try to do the iris just dotting the center with a small tip Micron pen in black.

Hey, now that is an interesting idea!  Thanks for th idea Gamera!

Brian

Sorry Gamera, i've been running around the net finding different peoples techniques and printing them off. Yeah i'm about to start on the shadows and highlights.

Ordered some Hornet heads Wednesday afternoon from Tankrat and they arrived this morning(Friday). Holy smokes,those are really nice,the detail is outstanding.

Tony Lee

Tony: he looks good to me so far, you just need to add the highlights to his face.

Chuck: wow, great job on Wonder Woman!

NH: looks good!

I hate doing eyes. Shep Paine says since at the range you're looking at most figures the whites of the eyes will blend into the flesh tones of the face he doesn't paint the whites of the eyes at all. Over time I've noticed that most people expect it so now I do it using ivory rather than white. I don't even try to do the iris just dotting the center with a small tip Micron pen in black.

That's the word Tony--that he was sculpted to be "Mike" the Sergeant from S.P.R.

I guess really for that you'd want the 'RANGER" insignia set, huh?(he had the diamond shape moulded onto his shoulder and I killed it)

That guys looks like the sergeant in Pvt Ryan. Tom Sizemore was it?

Tony Lee