applying sheen to skin

[godfather]

Any suggestions for applying a bit of sheen to the flesh areas of figures. Should I only do it on the high areas? I do remember once reading about liquin being useful but can't rember if it was diluted or not.

 

[Uruk-Hai]

Use Satin like Vallejo. Usually its enough to have it on the highlight unless the skin is very flat.

Cheers

 

[mvonb]

Also the oils from your own skin can give a real natural gloss to the figure's skin. A bit difficult to apply, but free and always available.

MfG

Martin

 

[RobH]

I've used gloss varnish and matt varnish mixed equally (from Andrea) and thinned quite a bit, applied only to the highlight areas. By thinning and using a semi gliss approach you can build up subtle sheens without ruining the piece until you're happy

 

[KeithP]

I think that you are using oils?

Add abit of liquin to the flesh base mix. You'll get some shine. Or, you can add some to your highlight mix.
Also, one from Roc that also works, after the flesh is really really really dry (really). Lightly brush a 1-1 mix of linseed oil and turpinoid.

I have used both of these to get shines on flesh, leather, etc.

Keith

 

[iceman]

I don't think that I'm one to give advise here, as I am very much a beginner with figures (abot 3 months), but using acyrlics myself I know what you mean. To impart some shine on to skin or leather I use Humbrol satin cote, although I do also use Vallejo satin. I also find that it seems to tone down the difference between the highlights and shaded areas, I don't seem ever able to get the mid tones right, which I know is the correct way of doing it but it works for me. I have posted an image of my latest figure's facea 180mm Le Cimier French Hussar to show what I mean, hope you don't mind.

Regards

Tim

 

[pkess]

I add a couple of drops of stand oil or Liquin to my basic flesh oil color. I never like using overcoats of any type because you never know how they will turn out, usally either too shine or dry with a white tone to them. I also add a drop for polished leather work. One techinique that I really like for polished shoes or boots is to use a final coat of real Kiwi natural shoe polish. Paint the boot normally and after it is completely dry, brush on a coat of Kiwi natural shoe polish. Let this dry and very lightly busff with a clean tissue. Looks like real leather!

 

[KeithP]

Yikes! What a great tip, Phil. Thanks!

Keith