WIP The learning cliff...

SCOTS DRAGOON · Aug 4, 2024

My last post had undercoating and blocking in of acrylics.https://www.planetfigure.com/posts/1426104/

I have began to attempt painting eyes and had a reasonable finish with one eye on the 15 th Hussar. Not so good on the other. The Nelson bust eyes have been ok ish but might do again. The decorations seem best with a wash over metallic colours.

The 24th foot is coming along ok . Lots of clean up work on all three.
Oils next if I whenever I get there !

The Minifigs French Carabinier mounted band is a joy :wacky:

But I persevere.

Briggsy · Aug 4, 2024

Nice progress Jimmy, Nelson eyes aren't bad mate just maybe add a little more shade in the corners by his nose. The Hussars right eye just needs a tidy up at the lower lid and the 24th is looking great. The mini figs are far too small.for me!

Cheers Simon

DaddyO · Aug 5, 2024

A couple of suggestions which might help with the eyes -

The only place for white is the tiny catchlight (highlight spot) to add to the eye when it is finished. Depending on the skin tone you'll find light flesh or something similar will look better

Have the eyes pointing slightly off to one side rather than straight ahead; this adds life to the face and tends to disguise errors. (The centres will roughly be the same distance apart as the corners of the mouth)

If you are right handed try painting the left hand eye first (When you hold the brush in your right hand it covers over the right hand eye which makes it very difficult to match the position unless you turn the head upside down)

For position I usually paint a tiny spot or line on the left hand eye, then do the same on the right before painting the iris.

Keep practicing and don't be afraid to wipe off or paint over if you're not happy with the first attempt. The more eyes you paint the easier it gets so it's worth roughing a face on a practice figure and spending an afternoon just painting and then re-painting the eyes over and over on the same figure.

Hope that helps
Plenty of excellent painters on here which will help you if asked

Paul

Here are a couple of mine -

Nap · Aug 5, 2024

Hi Jimmy

Wise words from Briggsy and Paul

Well done on getting going with these , none are the easiest but your getting there , I’ve got the 2 David Grieve pieces near my bench so following this with interest

The 24th looks big but fun

With eyes ....if your right handed turn the piece upside down to paint the left eye

Just remember you learn something with every brushstroke

Look forward to seeing more

Have fun @ the Bench

Nap

SCOTS DRAGOON · Aug 5, 2024

Briggsy said:
Nice progress Jimmy, Nelson eyes aren't bad mate just maybe add a little more shade in the corners by his nose. The Hussars right eye just needs a tidy up at the lower lid and the 24th is looking great. The mini figs are far too small.for me!

Cheers Simon

Hi Simon
thank you for your comments. The Nelson image should have been better. I am repainting the eyes until I am happy . The Hussars right eye is ongoing, and the 24th is also ongoing. The band is penance for several previous lives.

Cheers Jimmy

SCOTS DRAGOON · Aug 5, 2024

DaddyO said:
A couple of suggestions which might help with the eyes -

The only place for white is the tiny catchlight (highlight spot) to add to the eye when it is finished. Depending on the skin tone you'll find light flesh or something similar will look better

Have the eyes pointing slightly off to one side rather than straight ahead; this adds life to the face and tends to disguise errors. (The centres will roughly be the same distance apart as the corners of the mouth)

If you are right handed try painting the left hand eye first (When you hold the brush in your right hand it covers over the right hand eye which makes it very difficult to match the position unless you turn the head upside down)

For position I usually paint a tiny spot or line on the left hand eye, then do the same on the right before painting the iris.

Keep practicing and don't be afraid to wipe off or paint over if you're not happy with the first attempt. The more eyes you paint the easier it gets so it's worth roughing a face on a practice figure and spending an afternoon just painting and then re-painting the eyes over and over on the same figure.

Hope that helps
Plenty of excellent painters on here which will help you if asked

Paul

Here are a couple of mine -

View attachment 497130 View attachment 497131 View attachment 497132 View attachment 497133

Hi Paul,

I have printed off your comments for reference during cursing, going crossed eyed, and reassuring myself on progress after re-entering the hobby after several stress free decades.
I hope to enter BMSS competition next month with a view to winning the Big Box Of Crisps award .

Thanks
Jimmy

SCOTS DRAGOON · Aug 5, 2024

Nap said:
Hi Jimmy

Wise words from Briggsy and Paul

Well done on getting going with these , none are the easiest but your getting there , I’ve got the 2 David Grieve pieces near my bench so following this with interest

The 24th looks big but fun

With eyes ....if your right handed turn the piece upside down to paint the left eye

Just remember you learn something with every brushstroke

Look forward to seeing more

Have fun @ the Bench

Nap

All going well. I have stood on my head to see if that works. But not good for drinking tea.

With each brushstroke I have learned I am getting no younger, and lessons will be learned.

Huzzah !

theBaron · Aug 5, 2024

DaddyO said:
A couple of suggestions which might help with the eyes -

The only place for white is the tiny catchlight (highlight spot) to add to the eye when it is finished. Depending on the skin tone you'll find light flesh or something similar will look better

Have the eyes pointing slightly off to one side rather than straight ahead; this adds life to the face and tends to disguise errors. (The centres will roughly be the same distance apart as the corners of the mouth)

If you are right handed try painting the left hand eye first (When you hold the brush in your right hand it covers over the right hand eye which makes it very difficult to match the position unless you turn the head upside down)

For position I usually paint a tiny spot or line on the left hand eye, then do the same on the right before painting the iris.

Keep practicing and don't be afraid to wipe off or paint over if you're not happy with the first attempt. The more eyes you paint the easier it gets so it's worth roughing a face on a practice figure and spending an afternoon just painting and then re-painting the eyes over and over on the same figure.

Hope that helps
Plenty of excellent painters on here which will help you if asked

Paul

Here are a couple of mine -

View attachment 497130 View attachment 497131 View attachment 497132 View attachment 497133

If I may add to Paul's excellent tips...

For the whites, I use a very light gray as the basic color.
Addressing handedness, I'm right-handed. I paint the left eye holding the figure normally, facing me. For the right eye, I rotate the figure so it's upside down, with the right eye on the left. As Paul points out, the nose is in the way. This removes that obstacle, even if I'm painting it upside down.
I like to make a figure glance to one side or the other, too. Paul is spot-on. If you make your figure look to one side or the other, that will hide imperfections. And I know, because I'm estropic, to use the formal word. My right eye goes out and looks to the right of straight ahead. It's very noticeable at five feet away or more. But when I look to one side or the other, it's virtually unnoticeable. Same with a figure.

Hope that helps!
Prost!
Brad

SCOTS DRAGOON · Aug 21, 2024

Nearly there with Horatio, many attempts with the eyes caused me phone the Samaritans, who advised me to check next flight to Switzerland (or try plant pressing).

It's OK, but not near what I am reaching for (a revolver at this rate) Still, might get a big box of crisps at BMSS interbranch next month. No sleep till Knowle.

Briggsy · Aug 21, 2024

Coming on nice Jimmy, the decorations look good, inks or thin washes do really make a difference on the metallics. His eyes are looking better, he's definitely getting there.

Cheers Simon

Nap · Aug 22, 2024

Hi young Jimmy

It’s getting there , as Simon says the eyes are better and the hairs the same

Nice to see you’ve put a dark wash on gold

You won’t need any revolver or flight ticket ....enjoy every session ......and the box of crisps

Thanks for update

Have fun @ the bench

Nap

Nap · Sep 5, 2024

Completed pic of Nelson

https://www.planetfigure.com/threads/nelson-completed.684955/

Nice one Jimmy

Look forward to seeing the Hussar

Happy benchtime

Nap

WIP The learning cliff...

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