WIP Acrylics or Oils for large scale figures

[m-Eastwood]

I was wondering what would type of paint would be best for 8 to 16 inch models? Or should i use a mixture of both?

There is so many amazingly painted models here that are painted with Acrylics and/or oils.

Looking for something with good coverage as well.

Cheers
Michael

 

[housecarl]

Now that is a question Michael. I don't think the size of the piece would dictate the best medium, it's just a case of using what suits you. I know that a lot of painters use both, and some get great results using oils over acrylics.
Both have their own advantages/disadvantages.
So it's a mater of finding what you like,
Carl.

 

[megroot]

Totally agree with Carl.
Because i'm painting with oils i should say for blending and highlighting on large scale figures it is easyer with oils then acrylic.

Marc

 

[m-Eastwood]

Thanks for the information guys! i will have have fun trying both kinds.
I've also been told that you shouldn't paint acrylics over oils. Is this true?

Mike

 

[housecarl]

This might help on both paints. http://www.tbforum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=6592&highlight=acrylic+oil
Carl.

 

[JasonB]

Thanks for the information guys! i will have have fun trying both kinds.
I've also been told that you shouldn't paint acrylics over oils. Is this true?

Mike

I do it all the time. After the oils are dry of course. Sometimes just for whatever reason I go back over the face to add the brightest highlights and will use acrylics, sometime oils. Never had a problem either way. On something as large as that, I would do a lot of the work with acrylics through an airbrush. Because I can blend oils much better than acrylics, I think they are better the larger the scale of the figure, but I know there are people that can blend acrylics almost as well as oils, so its up the the individuals comfort level as to which type of paint to use.
Cheers
Jason

 

[Einion]

Now that is a question Michael. I don't think the size of the piece would dictate the best medium, it's just a case of using what suits you.

What he said.

Once you get to a truly large size, acrylic and vinyl paints are no longer ideally suited to brush application and oil arguably come into their own (and the reverse is sort of true too) but obviously you can paint successfully in either medium at both large and small sizes, as can be seen from work that's actually produced.

One thing I would say if you're using acrylic/vinyl paints, once you go past around 1/16 scale having access to an airbrush is a great boon, not just to save on effort and tedium but also to help achieve good results.

Einion

 

[m-Eastwood]

Awesome info guys.

I have myself an airbrush, which i have used on some large but fairly simple sculptures, its great for covering those larger areas quickly.

Quick question, whats the difference between vinyl paints and acrylic/oils?

I really appreciate all your information guys!

Mike

 

[housecarl]

Not sure on the vinyls. Acrylics water based, oils funnily enough oil. The fundamental differences would be drying times. Acrylics taking seconds, oils days/weeks. There is some differences with opacity, but I'm not up to speed with oils.
Carl.

 

[Einion]

Quick question, whats the difference between vinyl paints and acrylic/oils?

'Hobby acrylics' we think are actually vinyl paints, adapted from cell-vinyl animation paint used for traditional animation.

In terms of drying time, a lot of oil painters (most?) speed-dry using heat, by placing the figure close to a lamp or by putting it into a crockpot or a purpose-made drying box - more info in other threads. With this oils can be dried overnight or within about 4-6 hours.

You can even speed things along when using acrylics, using a hairdryer to quickly dry between layers.

Einion

 

[m-Eastwood]

Awesome guys.

Another quick question.
What are good paint brands out there that i should consider getting?

 

[m-Eastwood]

I also had no idea that oils took so long to dry on models!
I've only got limited experience painting with acrylics.