1st Figure under construction close to done

[Mike Stevens]

Hi all,

Please take a look. The casting is an old Valiant figure. Swedish Grenadier 1812. I have a lot of work to do yet but would appreciate feedback.

Thanks

http://www.planetfigure.com/forums/album.php?u=5747

Mike

 

[tonydawe]

Hi Michael,

For a first effort its not bad, but obviously you've still got a lot still to do.

I'd focus on the face and particularly the eyes. Eyes are the key to a good face,and a good face is the key to a good figure. As they currently stand, the eyes look very unnatural and "zombie-like".

If you haven't already seen them, I suggest you try to find an excellent "How to paint eyes" guide produced by Shep Paine. The other thing to do is to stareat your own eyes at the mirror and observe their shape and composition of the lights and shadows.

 

[Clarence1]

Hi Micheal,

Nice work so far. Like Tony mentionned it, the key here would be the eyes. To give you a good idea, think about your figure as someone you could see from a distance. Try to look at peoples from 10 or 20 feet away and try to see the diffrent details, like the eyes. What would be the color of the pupil or can you see the white part of the eyes?

Another thing that could help your progress would be the choice of the piece that you are gonna paint. Make sure that the figure is well sculpted. Bad details is impossible to fix with paint. A good and well casted figure will help you to paint the small details. I'm not saying that the figure you picked is not a good subject but for your next project you can ask around what would be a good figure to paint.

And if you can, try to get a friend or a group of figure painters to share their tricks. They will help you to get better.

Keep painting, you are gonna get better!!!

Clarence Prigent
Gatineau, QC

 

[Uruk-Hai]

Not bad for a first try. As pointed out the eyes should be trimmed down and that will actually help a lot. What is your next project?

Could mention that my great, great, great grandfather actually served in the same kind of uniform 1809-1816 in Upplands Regiment. Seeing action in Finland 1809 belonging to a Vargerings Regiment. (Hastily recruited Replacement Regiment.) Taking a russian bayonet in his thigh in close quarters at Helsinge.

Cheers
Janne Nilsson

 

[jcichon]

Michael I see your in Dallas also. Drop me a PM and we can talk shop since we are in the same area, though I am in Wylie actually

 

[Mike Stevens]

I have two projects ongoing right now. An El Vejo Dragon British Grenadier Guard from the Crimean period and a Historex French Legionaire. Both 54mm. One Metal and resin figure respectively.

Thanks for the feed back and the history lesson.

Mike

 

[Uruk-Hai]

We are looking forward to see your progress in these figures, Mike.
A good tip when starting out is to but the highest quality figures as they are easier to paint.

Cheers
Janne Nilsson