Acrylics Just starting larger figures

[gilesosborne]

I've only just started doing larger figures having been inspired by the phenomonal works on this site..one day I aspire to become half as good. My first was a 90mm, which might have been too great a quantum jump from 25/28mm for a first, so have now completed a 75mm piper...think this is the scale I prefer at this stage. Am I coming along? (I confess photography is yet another skill I lack!)

http://www.fearnaught.eu/index.html

 

[housecarl]

The tartan the piper looks very well done.
Are you ex RTR?
Carl.

 

[gilesosborne]

Mnay thanks..yes ex 1RTR for my sins . As you can also tell I haven't yet learnt the correct technique for uploading images!

 

[housecarl]

Thanks Giles, the cap badge and the motto are a bit of a give away.
Carl.

 

[Gellso]

The Piper looks great. Tartan is amongst the hardest techniques to complete and you've done an exceptional job.
Ta for posting.

 

[PhilinYuma]

Yes, that really is a good tartan, particularly from the back. Be glad that you had a nice English motto. Ours was "Veteri Frondescit Honore", no wonder we got amalgamated.

 

[Richie]

Hi Giles,
Very nice work all round, the stand out is definitely the Piper.
cheers
Richie

 

[gilesosborne]

Many thanks for the encouragement Phil and Richie. Phil, I've just bought all of the Buffs defending the colours (120mm), but that seems a daunting project atm...also they're wearing the wrong shakos for the time in the set, so that will need modding! The hussar project was a tortuous labour of love with the converssions...making eagle-type shako plates from scratch in 28mm (on some) ain't easy on the eyes!

 

[gilesosborne]

Ah ha.pictures !

 

[Dr Force]

Hi Giles

Welcome to Planet Figure mate and I hope you enjoy

I have only ever worked on larger figures, I just prefer the larger scale and my skills are also best suited at 90mm and above. As the figures are larger you need to work a tad harder on gradual tone and shadow which will depend on your chosen medium.

I prefer to work and blend oils, it just comes more natural to me and to prevent a sheen that oils are notorious for, I mix with a little matt varnish so it drys matt.

You clearly have a talent, tartan etc is very difficult to do and the figure above is well done indeed, the rest of the figures on your site are also beautifully done.

I would look at adding more tone to the skin ( it could be the photography) and to parts of the tunic with a touch of clear matt varnish to take off some of the sheen.

I'm really looking forward to seeing more of your work and if I can help in any way then just ask, although there are far more talented painters on here than me.

Dave

 

[gilesosborne]

Thanks Dave
1) What do you mean by "more tone"? Does this mean darken from the pasty-faced anaemic Jock?!. I've used 5 basic shades with wash transitional fades (if thats the term?) - Foundry's 5 pot skin range...
2). The sheen is predominantly from too harsh a light..it has been sprayed with Testor's dullcote as it was quite shiney initially, with the metalwork either coveeed, or retouche at the time. Mud/dust was with MIG pure pigment as the very last thing.
Any other tips for a beginner in these larger scales are much appreciated. My major problem I think is not being bold enough (through skill/experience lack) in deep shades for contrast. Some painters on this site are far more bold and subsequently produce striking figures, but my eye keeps telling me to calm it down on my attempts! (What a woose!)

 

[gilesosborne]

Many thanks Dave
1) I think the sheen is an artefact of too harsh a lighting. The figure was quite shiney, but then sprayed, to good effect with testor's Dullcote, which was excellent. Metallic parts were masked or touched up afterwards and the mud/dust was with MIG pure pigment as the very last stage.
2). What do you mean by more tone? Darker (compared to the rather pasty-faced anaemic Jock?). I have used 5 basic shades (Foundry system) with various gradating/blending washes (if that's the term?). Although the bright light has washed the colours out a bit, I do think the depths of the inter-finger area should have remained darker for definition perhaps?
I think one of my main problems, from lack of experience/skill, is deepening the darkest shades. I'm to afraid of being so bold. Many skilled painters on this site have far higher contrast to sup[erb effect, but when I try, my eyes keep telling me to tone it down! (What a woose!! )