Figure modelling and painting

Nigel.D · 27-01-2006

As a person who is so bad at figures and figure painting is there anyone on here who could do a bit of a peice on them please?????

adzam · 27-01-2006

http://www.scale-models.co.uk/showthread.php?t=1574

awaiting for this one to be updated

**John** · 28-01-2006

Or the same thing is and has been for quite some time in FAQ http://www.scale-models.co.uk/faq.ph...ure_painting_1

No.6 · 28-01-2006

I will get back on the case

Nigel.D · 28-01-2006

Cheers guys now why couldnt i find that (doh!!!!)

squiffythewombat · 29-01-2006

im in the process of writing several tutorials for painting 54mm and 1:35th figures, its one of the few things im good at. Nigel i will happily let you have the proofs if you like?

Nigel.D · 29-01-2006

That would be sooooo brill squiff please

**Bunkerbarge** · 30-01-2006

Nigel,

Attached are photo's of my first ever attempt at figure painting. I realise that compared with Squiffy's they look quite crude but I was actually quite pleased with the results. The thing is they are enhancing a model rather than being the centre of attention themselves so I am hoping that the overall effect will be worthwhile.

I used the techniques that were described in Squiffy's tutorial and I think the last one I did, the captain, actually worked out quite well. I deliberately did not paint the eyes on him as well as I think it is beyond my current level of expertise and would spoil it if I got it wrong.

At the end of the day give it a go and see how you do.

squiffythewombat · 30-01-2006

nigel...do you have MSN? it would make life 100times easier?

Richard...erm, did you follow my tutorials or no.6's? Most of my tut's are for acyrics and enamels as im not fond of oils except for washes.

EYES----

This is the one part of figure modelling i get asked about the most and here is how i personally do it (and im by no means a master)

Always paint the eyes first no matter what the scale! Start by cleaning the area and if possible keep the head seperate; its easier! Then using straight white paint in the eye sockets, dont worry about being neat!

Now get a fine brush and dab a small "dimple" of blue or green into the centre of the socket. This will take some pratice but re-do it if you have to or your eyes will look lopsided. There is a formual on how to get the eyes dead straight but i will need to draw a diagram for that and upload it later.

Once you have your blue dab, find a smaller brush or pointed object and place a very small dab or pure black in the centre.

Now paint in the rest of the face remmbering to go over the extra white left on the model from painting the sockets.

GOING PRO_ if you think, o0o0o0o thats easy i can do that then its time to take it one stage further. Scale will be the limiting factor in how much detail you can add.

Follow my instructions with the white socket and blue iris. Now mix a darker blue and paint a small semi circle at the bottom of the iris. this produces your shadow. Now mix a blue one shade lighter and add a semi-circle to the top of the iris thus creating a highlight. Now between these you can add the pupil.

When adding the pupil you can paint it as a ring, filling from the centre inwards. Leave a tiny 5% gap at the top of the pupil so the blue shows through. This will make a kind of reflection in the pupil. Obviously these techniques are VERY hard with 90mm and 120mm so its almost not worth bothering with 54mm or 1:35th as you will end up "overdoing" the model or plying on too much paint. Im able to do this with 120 & 90 but 54mm is just too small, even with a 00000 brush!

I best leave it there or i will be nattering all day....

**John** · 30-01-2006

I bought some figures last week I fancy giving them a try, so any and all advice is good

btw Richard they look really good, if my first attempt turns out half as good I will be happy