How Dark Do You Go ?

[tonydawe]

Hi Carlos,

I think the trick is to make it look like black without actually using black. The USMC bust suggests black but is most likely a very dark blue/ purple skin tone colour with some black added to the mix to suggest black. In larger scales black doesn't look very natural. A dark grey would look better than straight black. The high contrast style is something that looks good in some scales and not as good in others, and as others have said previously, seems better suited to the smaller scales. It's interesting to hear such a divergence of opinion on the subject, and to see the views on high vs low contrast, particularly in relation to what does well at competitions like Euro.

I find that as the size and scale of a figure increases, the level of contrast needs to decrease in proportion otherwise it looks unnatural and the contrast looks "over-painted". It's very pretty but fails to achieve realism. If realism isn't necessarily the goal then there's no problem - which is why most fantasy figure painters prefer high contrast.

 

[Alex Long]

A mix of vandyke brown, alizarin crimson and indigo will give the closest "colour" to black I've found it works for me at least.

The realism debate brings to mind the Picasso story of him traveling on a train and being recognized by a businessman who asks why his paintings don't look real. Picasso replies that he does not understand, eventually the businessman becomes frustrated by Picasso's lack of understanding and pulls out a photograph of his wife stating "you see this is exactly what my wife looks like, why can't you paint someone who looks real "? Picasso replies " now I understand, your wife is 6 inches tall and is paper thin ".

Alex

 

[Bailey]

I like the high contrast look in the smaller scales, but it tends to look worse in 90mm scale and busts where the natural lighting has a larger effect. That's not to say you can't have a large range... just going from black to white with some color inbetween probably isn't the best idea. But, aside from general rules, you also have to look at the individual subject. For the marine example you showed, the figure is squinting up at the sun. If I'm out in direct sunlight on a bright day I'm going to have much harsher shadows than if it's overcast or if I'm inside. So in this case doing a higher contrast makes sense to me. Another example would be the pirate bust where he's holding the lantern. To make the lantern look like the primary light source (and overpower the shadows/highlights created by the room lights), I'd think high contrast would be called for as well.

My suggestion is, for larger scales, to avoid black and white for shadows and highlights. Pick other colors... dark browns, dark blues, dark reds, and mix in to create your shadows. How dark or light you go is going to require a little bit of trial and error. The important thing is that it looks right to you, in whatever setting you're looking for (ie in person or in photos). I'm still trying to figure out the right balance myself, but I will say if I take the shadows and highlights about 10-20% farther than I think they should go, once I step back I find I'm pretty happy with the end results.

When I've done busts I mix in some dark red-browns to the skin tones for under the chin and under the brows. How much red/brown to skin... I'm still experimenting. Just keep in mind that your shading here should fit with the rest of the figure. If you're going for more high contrast, the rest of the bust should match. Otherwise it really will look off.

 

[Carlos69]

Thanks to all gents for your help and opinions on this, a subject that facinates me ... for now I am experimenting with many mixes outlined above and also my own,all on 200mm busts.

The image below was my latest,second bust I painted a couple years ago ... looking back at the face now I see to much white and maybe to much contrast full stop ?!

I am now painting Young Miniature British tanker so will add some images to a new seperate thread.Please compare the images and let me know your thoughts.

Many thanks Gents


Carlos

 

[Andrew Craft]

Hi Carlos,
You asked for an under chin shot. Here is one I just finished. I try hit realism with my flesh tones so not a huge amount of contrast under the chin and eyes for me. First one is the bust standing upright and the second shot is the bust turned upside down.

Andrew.

 

[Andrew Craft]

Strange... The second pic shows up in Tapatalk but not when I look at the posting in a web browser. Here is the second shot again.

 

[Bailey]

The image below was my latest,second bust I painted a couple years ago ... looking back at the face now I see to much white and maybe to much contrast full stop ?!

Carlos, I wouldn't say that is too much contrast. Overall I think the painting and the effect is very nice. Yes, the highlights are a little exaggerated and some of the shadows like where the brows meet, under the eyes, and where the nostrils meet the cheeks are a little on the dark side. If you are going for photo-real then you might want to tone these down a bit. But I don't think you have to.

My view on painting figures is that they are works of art. As such the artist is allowed to exaggerate. Can that go too far? Sure. But I don't think you have done that. I find what you have done very pleasing to the eye. It can be a matter of taste... some will like it, some won't. I find value in work like this and in work that is more photo realistic. Of course the most important thing is whether or not you are happy with the look.

 

[Carlos69]

Andrew many thanks for the shots really helpfull buddy I see alot easier now ... The bust im working on now is alot more subtle than I normally paint at but think is more fitting for this scale.Your work above is a great studdy in subtle finnishing - Nice job !

Thx again

Carlos

 

[Carlos69]

Bailey thanks for the feadback ! The Young's British tankie bust im working on at the minute has taken some of this on board and what others have said here.

Appreciate all the feadback gents muchas gracias



Carlos