Absolute Beginner Asking for Some Feedback.

[Chris '75]

Hey all, I've just recently gotten into figure painting having been a plastic modeler (mostly aircraft) for years. These are my second and third attempts at a few old Almond Miniatures from the 80's (120mm I think?). I'm pleased with them for being some of my first few, but I'm hoping for some feedback on technique, tips, criticisms, etc as I find that I'm enjoying these so much. Obviously, practice makes perfect and I've been fortunate enough to have gotten a hold of a huge supply of figures of all types so I will keep chugging along. But in the meantime I would appreciate some specific tips any of you far more experienced and skilled painters could throw my way. Oh, and any feedback on photography is welcome as well,

 

[Chris '75]

I guess I should add, acrylics (Vallejo) under oils (W&N) is what I was using.

 

[bagelman1952]

It may be your photography but the colours look dirty and muddy which suggests you used black in your shadows. The paint also looks as if it has been applied too thickly.

 

[tonydawe]

Hi Chris,

I'll start by saying I'm not much help in terms of photography, however I might be able to assist you with some painting tips.

Firstly, using oils over acrylics is a very effective technique for getting the best of both mediums; the coverage and flatness of acrylics, with the depth and texture of oils.

The secret to using both types of paints is to ensure you keep your acrylics dilute, and your oils even more dilute.

I would also recommend that after you finish painting your acrylics and before you start applying the oils, you spray a coat of clear flat sealant, such as Testors Dullcote or Modelmasters Lusterless Clear over the figure to create a barrier between the two types of paints. This prevents the oil wash from getting under the acrylic paint and causing it to lift or bubble. It also means you can wipe away the oils if you're not happy with them, and the underlying acrylic paint will not be wiped away as well.

As for the actual painting itself, I'm sure you understand that acrylics are designed to be applied in thin layers and for the colours to build up gradually to achieve the very subtle variations and transitions. This requires patience and persistence, two ingredients that many beginner modellers (and some more experienced ones) don't have in abundance.

I can assure you that after 40 years of painting models, I'm still learning and still improving.

Keep your acrylic paints thin. The ratios I would recommend are

Base coats 1 drop water for each drop of paint
First highlight/ shadow 5 drops of water for each drop of paint
Second highlight/ shadow 10 drops of water to each drop of paint

As you can see, these ratios require many, many dilute applications before the colour starts to build up, but if you follow these ratios you will see some amazing results. There are some really good SBS tutorials on Planet Figure that can explain the process of painting with acrylics to you better than I can.

Once you have sealed the acrylics, the application of oils over acrylics is more like applying a stain wash, rather than painting.

The objective should be to deepen the colours and create some subtle variations in tone and texture without changing the overall harmony of the colours. Once again the use of many dilute applications of dilute oils mixed with white spirits or some other diluting agent, is the key. Oils have far more substance than acrylics, so it doesn't take much for oil paints to accumulate in layers and build up to obscure surface details on the figure. Keeping your oil wash mixture dilute prevents the oils from building up.

I tend to applying my oil washes in controlled dabs with a relatively small brush (0 size) and then allow the oils to run into lines, gaps and folds in a natural way. It takes time and patience, but the effects are much more natural and you can achieve some very subtle effects as a result.

Whatever you do, try to improve with every figure and don't be afraid to experiment and try something new. We are all "making it up as we go along" to a certain extent, and there are no hard and fast rules to follow. Do what you feel works for you, and keep working to improve your technique. I hope this helps and I look forward to seeing your painting technique improve as you progress.

 

[Einion]

Great post Tony

Obviously, practice makes perfect and I've been fortunate enough to have gotten a hold of a huge supply of figures of all types so I will keep chugging along.

That's going to be a huge help in your development Chris - hard to paint lots and not get better

I wouldn't recommend doing it too much (or too early) but you can easily strip metal figs in particular and repaint them down the line, once you feel your painting skills have improved to the point where you can do the sculpting more justice. It's good to keep pieces for a while at least, as clear references of your painting development.

Since you're just starting out do you have any specific goals for the long term (a style or quality level you're aiming for)? This may partly dictate what short- and medium-term goals you should have, which techniques to work on first or most etc. One thing in particular for example that you may want to factor in to your painting - or avoid entirely, depending on your taste - is recreating more of a specific topside lightsource* which if you do it right greatly improves the realism of a paintjob, even before improvements in blending, colour mixing or what have you.

*Often now referred to as zenithal lighting, basically the same principle as the older 'stop-sign rule'.

Einion

 

[Chris '75]

Hey guys, thanks so much for the feedback. Einion, I should actually say these are my 3rd and 4th figures as I stripped my first one and started over... so I'm definitely familiar with that concept. I've been checking out the SBS's and have a bunch of books in my collection already on the subject and there's just so many different techniques at this point I'm just trying to get a method that I can get comfortable with.

I was having the hardest time with layering acrylics until I read your post, Tony. Not sure why but it finally just clicked and I've had some good luck with it (I've primed a couple toy action figures to practice on). My Hulk's pecks and abs are very nicely highlighted right now... haha.

I'm still trying to get that same "click" to go off with oils though. Using them as diluted as you mention, Tony, seems so counter intuitive to me for some reason and I find that I'm not building any shading and that I end up just getting the area wet. Acrylics dry fast, so I am able to layer them as described, but to build layering in the same fashion w/oils is just not working for me yet... I still find myself wanting to place a less thinned bit of oil, or even a dab of straight oil and "pull" it into the area and blend/stipple it in. But, I know for sure, especially on the figures above, the oils are way too think.

Short/medium term goals for sure are to just to get comfortable with a specific technique and go from there and get these layering, blending and feathering to at least a competent level. At that point I'll worry about more advanced techniques and styles.

In any event, thanks so much for the feedback, it has been a great help. I get the impression this forum is for the more advanced guys but, I wanted to get some harsh (in a good way) feedback and I appreciate it much! I will definitely keep spending time in the Painting/Beginners and other forums for more tips and tricks.


Chris