Help with red please . . .

[Willem]

Well-met everyone!

I am new to figures and only on my second/third one now. I did one in oils about 12 years ago which was not all that good but I thoroughly enjoyed doing. Coming back to modelling after 12 years I thought of having another go at figures . . . and trying acrylics as main medium.

I am not very happy with the results so far but the figures shown here on pF is my inspiration to keep trying.

I would appreciate some advice on highlighting red. The mixes I used are as follows (all Vallejo):
(Base): Flat red 31
(Highlight): Flat red 31 + Basic skintone 17 (x2)
(Shadow): Flat red 31 + Burnt cadmium red 34

The result was more "pink" than I wanted/liked.

PS I will post pics shortly on vbench for comments.

 

[housecarl]

Willem, I'm no expert but I use "orange red 27", and then a little yellow to brighten it further if required. That seems to work for me.
Carl.

 

[Willem]

Thank you, Carl

Thank you for the advice Carl.

I did not have the specific color . . . but mixed something up that came close to the color chart.

After blending in the new highlights the pants on the French Caporal looks better than before.

Once again, thank you.

Willem

 

[Anders Heintz]

Here is what I use for reds, though they vary depending on what it is, faded, brilliant etc etc.

But a good basic mix is:

Base: Cavalry Brown + Black +Scarlet (or Carmine Red depending on how bright you want it, scarlet is brighter)

Highlights: Base + more Scarlet or Carmine + Brown Sand for a bit more muted red

Shadows, base plus more black


The key to painting reds is to have the base color enough 'off' red that you can add more pure red to the highlights. You want to avoid using white or yellow for highlighting red, unless you want a pink or orange tone. You can use Sunny Skintone though have to use it sparingly or it will turn orange on you. The flesh tones does help to tone the read down a bit making it more of a faded red.

Hope this is of some help. I painted this figure with a variation of the above mix.

 

[N.Delgado]

Hello Willem. I use a similar mix of Anders. I would add violet red or prussian blue for firsts shadows.