Hi all Newb

[tonphil1960]

Hi all, New to the forum. I have been painting figures to go with my 1/35 armor and have managed to get my skills pretty good, but want to get into more fig. painting. Nepoleonic and Knights mostly.

The question which I am sure has been asked millions of times.

What do you prefer, Oils, Enamels, Acrylics ???

I have used Enamels 95% of the time, I gave acrylics a shot but the drying factor killed me. I do however paint Landscapes in open air on location in oils and was thinking about giving them a shot on Figs. I have read many articles on all the methods, so I need some personal observations.



Any opinions would be helpfull.

Thanks Tony

 

[Figure Mad]

Welcome, your transition to the Dark Side is now complete...... :lol:

enjoy, there is no better website

Dave

 

[Guy]

Welcome to the Planet Tony. In answer to your question, I would go with what you are most comfortable with. I use mostly enamels but can also use the other mediums. I use tube oils for flesh and I guess the rest depends on what effect I am wanting to achieve as to acrylic or enamel.

 

[John Long]

Several years ago just as the acrylics were gaining momentum in the US, I decided to give them a go. I had used oils and enamels until this point. I decided I would go back and forth and figure out which medium seemed best for ME. That medium turned out to be oils. I'd guesss it would split 50/40/10 (oils/acrylics/enamels) if you were to poll users on their preference of medium. Try each for a few figures and see which one feels like home.

 

[btavis]

Paint with whatever works for you and that you find most comfortable. I paint with all three: acylics, enamels and oils. Each medium has its own merits/demerits and many painters use combinations of the three. Over time you will find what is best for yourself. Truthfully, it is the painter and not the paints.

 

[thegoodsgt]

I'm an oil man.

 

[tonphil1960]

Thanks everyone, Yes I think I am going to stick with the figs for a while. I am pretty sick of spending 6-8 months on model. I love the idea of just goig into my room and just painting. Maybe some softskins once in a while though. I went to the LI show last year, man, unbelievable work. I am just getting started (seriously) so my work is nothing like the artists work I have seen.

What I love about the fig painting is, it is actually an art. They take up almost no space and are impressive to look at.

Another question, heraldry?? How is it possible to paint the intricate designs needed on shields and tunics? I am working on a Pegaso 13th C Knight now and even though the shield design is fairly simple I don't think I will even attempt it.

How many of you guys paint without using an airbrush at all?? I paint in my garage,(no heat) and it's a chore to get it warm for a 1-2 minute spray job.

Thanks Tony........

Any Northeast Figure shows this spring?

 

[PJ Deluhery]

Hi Tony, and welcome to the planet. You are launching into an art form that will provide a lifetime of satisfaction and challenge. And you’ve come to the right place.

As for which medium to use, I’d agree with the above observations – try them all and pick what works best for you. I use oils and acrylics and the occasional enamel – depending on the job and the effect I need. I also use an airbrush, which I'm trying to use even more than in the past. Don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t mix media. As Bob said "It's the painter, not the media." And don't forget to have some fun –VERY important.

As for shows, I don’t have my calendar here, but you should get to the “Jersey Show” (NJHMS) which I think is around March 19th in the Ridgewood area, and MFCA which is May 6 – 8 at Valley forge PA. Both excellent venues. Also, you should plan to attend World Expo in Boston the weekend of July 1 – 4. Hope to see you there, man. Good luck.

Happy Painting!

 

[PJ Deluhery]

As to your heraldry question:

This is the method I use – borrowed from Phil Kessling.

"A method that I use for heraldry is to copy the pattern to scale. I then rub the back of the paper with a soft lead pencil. I position the drawing on the figure or shield with paper medical tape because it won't leave adhesive when removed. I then go over the design with a pencil to transfer the outline of the image. I then paint as I would normally: undercoat in acrylics and final painting in oils. For intricate patterns, I paint freehand. I paint the backgound color as if there is no pattern. I usually paint the shadows and highlights with more contrast than usual. After this dries , I start painting the pattern with the darkest shadow color, gradually working up to the highlight color in various layers. I use oils and do not thin the paints. There was a good article in the last issue of Figurines on painting patterns."

Here’s the link to this discussion: Heraldry

ALSO, search this site for "heraldry" and you will find other discussions.

Happy Painting.

 

[Uruk-Hai]

Hi Tony!
And welcome to the Planet.

I still think heraldry is among the hardest things to do. But practise makes it easier.
For this shield a first had an image which I shrunk til the apropiate size. Then I carefully positioned it over the base coloured shield with carbon paper between and outlined the patter. Be sure that mirrorlike patterns is aligned properly.
Next I started painting the yellow, touching up with the red, touching up with yellow etc til I had a result I was satisfied with. I had three other tries wich failed and ended up with basecoating the red again.
http://www.kitpic.com/is.php?i=3324&img=Ri...d_I_005_Web.jpg

More about this figure here:
Couer de Lion

I use mostly Humbrols, I gave Vallejo a try but it ended up in stripping the figure. Now almost a year later Im ready to give it another try.

 

[tonphil1960]

Thanks guys, I can see how the transfer method works with the Heraldry, still no walk in the park though.

Janne, your fig is very nice, good job on the sheild. I saw a book in the post.

Where is a good place to get reference books, besides the Osprey's for Nepoleonic and Knight figs?

Thanks Tony

 

[Uruk-Hai]

That is no book, its actually an old Military Modelling. A friend of mine did the same figure portrayed as Richard. I liked the heraldic design of his piece very much as I thought more simple on apropiate for the time. He gave me the magazine from which he got the inspiration. Also its so much easier for folks like me that cant draw or paint to copy something rather than making up a new design.

I usually start by searching the net for heraldry and patterns. Look at other peoples figures, steal, sorry borrow, a little bit here and little bit there and suddenly you got your own design. Sometimes books but I mainly relay on the Osprey books and articles.

 

[Guy]

Originally posted by Uruk-Hai@Jan 21 2005, 03:22 PM


Look at other peoples figures, steal, sorry borrow, a little bit here and little bit there and suddenly you got your own design.

I thought we all did that :lol:

 

[tonphil1960]

Oh OK, I thought is was a book, I have many mags here I could use for Ref's I guess. MilMod, Military in Scale, Military Modelcraft. Which Figure mag. is the best??? In English

Thanks Tony

 

[gordy]

Welcome aboard!

 

[tonphil1960]

Thanks Gordy, I have a question though. I have set my E mail setting several times and still do not get mail to nitify me of replies to posts????

Thanks Tony