How are figure meant to be looked at?

[godfather]

I was wondering when you paint figures is the assumption that they will be looked at from a far or close up? Becasue I find that when I look at my figures from a distance they look good and the eyes all look good BUT when I get close i see brush strokes etc and the eyes look like blotches teh figure looks like crap I guess it alaso doesn't help that I sometimes look through an optivisor

 

[KeithP]

Talino-

This is a very interesting question.

I really don't judge specific distances. I paint for myself (and family) to view and not for shows (yet ). I use an optivisor too.

I have gotten alot of benefit for using my digital camera for trying out poses, dry fitting parts, and placement on the base. Camera's can often catch flaws that we miss the first time with our Mark 1 eye balls.

Keith

 

[John Long]

In my mind figures beg to be looked at closely. If you go to the shows, you'll go around the tables and if something catches your eye as you pass, you'll always go in for a closer (12"-18" or so)look. Seldom do you see anyone using magnification, but it does occasionally happen.

 

[Anders Heintz]

I would definately agree with John, figures will always be looked upon very closely.

 

[Jim Patrick]

I have to agree with John and Anders. I paint almost exclusively 54mm so it's only natural, for a figure in this scale to be looked upon closely. Personally though, I like to look at details. How a paticular item was painted/weathered etc., etc. So I guess, regardless of the scale, people tend to study figures closely, not to be judgemental, but to see how a painter executed his/her detail painting and which colors were used. At least that's what I look for

Jim Patrick

 

[gforceman]

I think both are important. When looking from a distance the light catches should be attractive and correct. But when looking closer the details should be done just too. It's a bit like looking at a painting: from a distance the composition and use of colours should be attractive, but when looking close all details should be there too. That's just how I think about, and the most improtant is that you are having fun while painting your figures.

Greetings,

Gino

 

[Emmanuel Malle]

Have fun while painting a fig is important OK
But once it's finished, it's important you can see it again and again without the wish to re-do what's not going on. I think there's a distance you cannot exceed without seeing all the tips of painting.
Like art, the false must be looking as true (or real) as possible (in french : du faux pour faire vrai). If you're too close of your model, you'll see only the falseness.
Hope you could understand my english.
Emmanuel