WIP Critique Arabic Warrior 1187AD & Questions

tiberius57 · Feb 12, 2012

Couple of years ago, after I exercised on few plastic figurines and tried to have a feel on different techniques and mediums (oils and enamels), I was able to paint this Arabic Warrior 54mm, placed by me in 1187AD. I was reading a lot and surfed the net, watching lots of photos and other video materials available. BTW, The Planet was one of my prime sources of inspiration. Still is. In the same time, was very intimidated by the level of painting showcased on this site.
The Italeri Arabic Warrior allowed me to experiment with oils for skin, fabrics and leather and enamels for painting metallic parts. The results are mediocre in my eyes, but at that time was a landmark for me. I learned about my limitations but also about the limitations brought in by the quality of the figurine. Lights & Shadows were main topic of the time.
One of my challenges is oil paint control. Dilution and application. My first question is how are you controlling the paint transfer to the painting area? More specific: When you paint faces, after you applied a base coat, are you dividing the work area in zones like shadows, mid tone and highlights and then blend the contact line ? Which is the best practice?
Your help is much appreciated!

Meehan34 · Feb 13, 2012

I'm not big on oils for small figures for the very questions you have asked. For me they are too hard to use on small figures but great on larger ones and busts. I stick with acrylics for the small ones. Hopefully someone who is an oil painter will have good answers that I can learn from too.

Mariner · Feb 13, 2012

Zeno,
My first try at figure painting was 28mm horsemen. I did 1 in acrylic and 1 in oils, and the results were close, but the oil was harder to control. I agree with Mike; practice with acrylics (as a Planeteer told me once, dilute, dilute, dilute!) and use oils on larger figures.
Just my thoughts.
And don't be intimidated by the level of skill you see on PF. I was almost scared away at first but posted my work anyway and got tons of help. That's what we're all here for, so jump in

Cheers, Mary

tiberius57 · Feb 16, 2012

Meehan34 said:
I'm not big on oils for small figures for the very questions you have asked. For me they are too hard to use on small figures but great on larger ones and busts. I stick with acrylics for the small ones. Hopefully someone who is an oil painter will have good answers that I can learn from too.

Thanks Mike!!! Hopefully we will get the answer.

Mariner said:
Zeno,
My first try at figure painting was 28mm horsemen. I did 1 in acrylic and 1 in oils, and the results were close, but the oil was harder to control. I agree with Mike; practice with acrylics (as a Planeteer told me once, dilute, dilute, dilute!) and use oils on larger figures.
Just my thoughts.
And don't be intimidated by the level of skill you see on PF. I was almost scared away at first but posted my work anyway and got tons of help. That's what we're all here for, so jump in
Cheers, Mary

Thanks Mary!!! I used acrylics for few projects and I liked them a lot. Still I'm very interested in controlling oils and I don't want to rule them out.