Advice Please

[Steve Arthur]

Hi Folks,

Here are some images of figure number two that I am attempting. I was wondering if you guys thought I should add more highlights to the face or would that be overworking it, or have I underworked it? I'm not sure if the photos show enough detail to tell, but I would appreciate any input. This one does not to be going as well as the horse and rider of the first one. Any advice would really be appreciated.

Thanks as always
Steve

 

[mikec55]

Steve,

I always figured that with those little warhammer type guys, the more highlighting, the better. This one's off to a good start tho. Look forward to seeing him when he's done. I have an ogre fellow myself I'm working on that I might post when he's finished.

Mike

 

[Steve Arthur]

Mike,
Thanks for the advice! I did go back and add even more highlights to the face, the muscled areas, and his stomach and you know, it did in fact really make a difference with it. It really made those little facial details pop. Which, is the reason I chose to do this one; I was really attracted to the detail of the face, but I've been terrified that I would lose it with too many paint layers. Perhaps the greatest hurdle I need to overcome, is knowing when to set it down and walk away from it so that I avoid trying to finish it in one setting. This is a new facet for me, and it's been difficult to remind myself that it takes more time and a slower hand than a regular model kit.

At 40 you would think that by now I would have acquired more patience.

 

[Jimmy S]

Come on Steve grab a real figure and get started...........You obviously have the talent..

 

[Steve Arthur]

Hi Jim,

Yeah, I would like to grab a real figure, but I think I'd like to practice a little more on the smaller ones. I've read that you should begin with the smaller ones to hone your skills for the larger ones and being the way I am ( a bit picky ) I would want my first real figure to look really nice. Baby steps-- baby steps.

Thanks tho for your comments, it does make me feel better about my work.

Having a nice Spring in Oz?

Best Wishes
Steve

 

[Anders Heintz]

Hey Steve,

It's looking good so far, even better with some more highlights. Are you painting in acrylics? Keep working on it!

 

[Steve Arthur]

Hi Anders,

No this one is in oils and enamels again. I just like that really smooth finishand ease of blending you can get (if I do it right) with the oils.

Thanks for encoragement!

Steve

 

[Lancer]

Hey Steve
It's always been my experience that it's easier to start with a large figure and work my way down! For example if I'm using 10 colors to shade and highlight a 120mm face or uniform I find I'm using less as I scale down eg. 5 colors on a 54mm. It's easier to drop colors as you scale down than to try and figure out which ones to add as you scale up! Might not work for everyone but it's a system thats worked for me!
Cheers
Mark

 

[Jimmy S]

Steve I agree with Mark. Big figure=big mistakes that are easier to see. I have never done a figure straight out from go to whoa and use the oven cleaner with a monotonous regularity, even up to the final stages. I now have some bad figures (120mm) on which I will practice a technique or a colour before hitting my latest baby. This is especially true on cammo uniforms. I have a Verlinden British Desert Storm figure (shocking sculpting) who has been painted over 70 times in various incarnations!!! So let's get amongst it, the range and scales are endless and send those little warhammer dudes back to the toyshop!! (I'm sure Colorado Miniatures will be on here next......)Jim.

 

[mikec55]

Steve--
I've been painting for only 4 or 5 years, off & on, but I started with the 1/72 scale soldiers & then moved on to warhammer types. It wasn't until I attended my 1st toy soldier show in Chicago in 2001 that I saw the huge variety of 54mm & larger figures available. What a revelation that was! My gray army grew by leaps & bounds after that but I still like to pull out an ogre or gremlin every now & then for a change of pace. Many of the warhammer techniques you're using also work well with 54mm guys so go ahead & take the plunge.

Mike