Bust or full body for a beginner?

[swordhome]

hi, i am new. Just wonder should i start from bust or full body figure? which is more easy to paint and for technique growth? thx~

 

[Alex]

Very interesting question
I think that the most important thing is to paint a figure or a bust or whatever that you like a LOT...
Also, do not pick up a big project at first.. take either a small bust or a small figure... 54 or 75 mm and just paint it the way you want.

 

[swordhome]

Very interesting question
I think that the most important thing is to paint a figure or a bust or whatever that you like a LOT...
Also, do not pick up a big project at first.. take either a small bust or a small figure... 54 or 75 mm and just paint it the way you want.

Thx Alex, i think i would try from a bust, bigger size and more easy to learn the light and shadow

 

[BigDaddy]

Try a bust. Like Alex said, a subject you like. Keep it simple so you're not overwhelmed at first by the complexity. A Young Miniature bust is a good choice.... minimal cleanup, easy to paint. 1/10 scale will allow you to understand lights and shadows, and painting eyeballs that you can actually see...
Matt

 

[swordhome]

one more question, i like to paint with AV acrylics, how and what to use to wash out if i don't satisify without damaging the resin？

 

[mick3272]

one more question, i like to paint with AV acrylics, how and what to use to wash out if i don't satisify without damaging the resin？

Thats Simple DETTOL I have used enough of it to float a battleship. . Leave fig submerged in dettol for a few hours, scrub paint off with tooth brush whilst still submerged, when clean give fig a good wash with warm soapy water. I'm doing two figs at the moment and both have been in the dettol bath three times no ill effects, apart from my temper for cocking them up.
Mick

 

[swordhome]

Thats Simple DETTOL I have used enough of it to float a battleship. . Leave fig submerged in dettol for a few hours, scrub paint off with tooth brush whilst still submerged, when clean give fig a good wash with warm soapy water. I'm doing two figs at the moment and both have been in the dettol bath three times no ill effects, apart from my temper for cocking them up.
Mick

cool，i believe you had surface on your fig before painting，so dettol wont harm the surface？

 

[mick3272]

No it wont harm it it will just take it all back to the resin, If you search this site for Dettol you will find a shed load of info. Ron T is the expert.
Mick

 

[swordhome]

No it wont harm it it will just take it all back to the resin, If you search this site for Dettol you will find a shed load of info. Ron T is the expert.
Mick

thx Mick

 

[Diegoff]

Thx Alex, i think i would try from a bust, bigger size and more easy to learn the light and shadow

Yes, it is important that the subject pleases you, but, generally speaking, the busts are more dificult than figures. The bigger the surface, more difficult to paint.

 

[Ferris]

I would also say that bigger scale things are more difficult. It may be easier to paint details on a bust than on a smaller-scale figure, but I think it is harder to make convincing lights and shades,q partly because you have to be more subtle.
I'd suggest trying a 75mm full figure. I find it is a nice compromise between big and small.

Another suggestion: despite feeling like a beginner, start with a nice figure and not the cheapest 'practice figure' you can find. Better figures are easier to paint and will be more pleasant to look at even when not painted to perfection. Just keep some cheap crappy figure at hand for experimenting, but don't waste time and energy trying to finish them.

Good luck and have fun.

Cheers,
Adrian

 

[swordhome]

I would also say that bigger scale things are more difficult. It may be easier to paint details on a bust than on a smaller-scale figure, but I think it is harder to make convincing lights and shades,q partly because you have to be more subtle.
I'd suggest trying a 75mm full figure. I find it is a nice compromise between big and small.

Another suggestion: despite feeling like a beginner, start with a nice figure and not the cheapest 'practice figure' you can find. Better figures are easier to paint and will be more pleasant to look at even when not painted to perfection. Just keep some cheap crappy figure at hand for experimenting, but don't waste time and energy trying to finish them.

Good luck and have fun.

Cheers,
Adrian

Very good suggestion Adrian, thx

 

[mick3272]

This will sound great coming from one who has never done a bust. But I feel the face will make or break a Bust, so if starting out I would go for the full figure.
Mick

 

[Bailey]

This should be a fun adventure, so the most important thing is to paint what you want to paint. That goes for both the subject matter and the scale. If you like the idea of busts more than full figures, then pick a bust. Nobody's first figure is perfect, so expect to make mistakes and learn from the process. But you might as well be practicing on the types of figures (bust or full figures) that you think you'll be doing more of down the line.

If you're using acrylics (and it sounds like you are), then you may find it is difficult to get smooth blends over larger areas. It can be done, but takes practice. So that it something to keep in mind. I might suggest starting with a 54mm or 75mm figure (blends are still hard, but they don't stand out as much on the smaller scale). Smooth blends on a bust are a bit easier if you plan to use acrylics with an airbrush or if you plan to paint using oils. Another option is to use a drying retarder and wet blend your acrylics. It's an additive you can mix into your paint which allows you to treat them more like oil paints and blend directly on the figure.

Starting small with a 54mm figure also has the advantage that they are often quicker to paint. But not everyone is comfortable with that size, so if you think that might be too small for you then 75mm and 90mm are also options. You can also look for slightly smaller busts. Most are around 200mm scale. However, a few months ago I saw an announcement about several 90mm busts from Pegaso Models. I just checked their website and don't see them there yet, but hopefully they will be up soon. If anyone else knows where to get them, please let us know.

I would also second Adrian's comment about getting a nice figure to start with. If you do want to go with a bust, then Young Miniatures is a great choice to start.

 

[theBaron]

I'll second the others, practice on some smaller figures first. As far as stripping paint goes, I use the automotive de-greaser Super Clean. If you're in the US, you can find it at WalMart or at automotive supply stores.

Prost!
Brad

 

[kansas kid]

Well, I'm late getting into this question you raise. And I will say
that your querry brings up some of the very basic things about
being a model builder/figure painter. The previous posts are
right on the money I feel. However, there is one thing I feel
that should be mentioned. We learn by doing. . . . that means
that you need to paint a lot of figures in various scales. And
don't do like me when I was young. I was so disappointed when
I failed with a modeling project. Now, I realize that a failure
does teach us a great deal. We not only learn from our successful
efforts. Just get in there and paint a great deal. . . and you will
grow and get better by putting the time in. Figure modeling,
like any other form of this incredible hobby means you have to
put the time in, and learn from experience. Yes, it will not all
go right, but that will teach you as much as the times when it
does go right. Do not set up a "failure or success" kind of
mentality. Just enjoy the experience. It isn't the destination,
my friend. . . . it is the journey that counts. . . . Good luck,

The Miami Jayhawk

 

[kansas kid]

Well, I'm late getting into this question you raise. And I will say
that your querry brings up some of the very basic things about
being a model builder/figure painter. The previous posts are
right on the money I feel. However, there is one thing I feel
that should be mentioned. We learn by doing. . . . that means
that you need to paint a lot of figures in various scales. And
don't do like me when I was young. I was so disappointed when
I failed with a modeling project. Now, I realize that a failure
does teach us a great deal. We not only learn from our successful
efforts. Just get in there and paint a great deal. . . and you will
grow and get better by putting the time in. Figure modeling,
like any other form of this incredible hobby means you have to
put the time in, and learn from experience. Yes, it will not all
go right, but that will teach you as much as the times when it
does go right. Do not set up a "failure or success" kind of
mentality. Just enjoy the experience. It isn't the destination,
my friend. . . . it is the journey that counts. . . . Good luck,

The Miami Jayhawk

 

[housecarl]

cool，i believe you had surface on your fig before painting，so dettol wont harm the surface？

You need to prime the figure first.
Auto primer is probably the easiest and most economical option.

 

[samson]

I am also new but I can echo the statement find a subject that interests you . And also buy what the best figure you can afford . I have learned getting a cheap bust or figure no matter how much experience you have painting you can't make a bad sculpt look good . And this will just add fusstration to what should be a fun or relaxing hobby.

 

[swordhome]

So lovely you all for giving me good ideas, actually i have bought a resin bust and a pegaso 75mm, looks what i need is just start. i will try from a bust. of coz, 75mm will after. i think two will give me different experience i can apply to other scale. and one important is i would wash out and keep trying