Lets paint a flat figure with Oils

[Briank]

We are always being asked how we paint a flat figure, this is a quick guide to the basics that will get you started
Will be using oil's but acrylics are just as good, I have chosen a easy /basic figure that is engraved both sides but we will only use one side to show how easy flats can be painted
The figure is "Poppy" remembrance Sunday
First clean the figure then mount to card, first photo, under coat with acrylic white leave for a few hours then your ready to start painting
I will post more as I get on

 

[Rob]

I look forward to seeing how this goes. Can you explain how you decide on where to put the light source if you are not following a recognised work of art, does the figure determine that or is it just personal preference.

 

[Nap]

Hi Brian

This is spot on ..l have this so following with you ....very closely

Great idea to do this

Happy flat painting

Nap

 

[Briank]

I look forward to seeing how this goes. Can you explain how you decide on where to put the light source if you are not following a recognised work of art, does the figure determine that or is it just personal preference.

Light is important, on round you have a "halo" light with flats you have to decide and stick with it , out side there's one light the Sun and this keeps moving, inside you can have multiple light. On this figure the light will come from top left just to make it simple but it could be from any direction! once you decide stay with that light and all will fall in place .

 

[Nap]

Hi Brian

I normally prime in a black do flat artists ever do so or is white better for this ?

Nap

 

[snik]

I am interesting too!!! I have a flat figure and this post it will be very intrestiiiing!!!

 

[Briggsy]

This will be interesting, long long time since I painted a flat, mind you I'll be really cross if I get hooked again!

Cheers Simon

 

[snik]

Question! we primering both sides?

 

[Rob]

This will be interesting, long long time since I painted a flat, mind you I'll be really cross if I get hooked again!

This time you can play with acrylics!

 

[Briank]

Question! we primering both sides?

No only the side to be painted.

 

[Briank]

Hi Brian

I normally prime in a black do flat artists ever do so or is white better for this ?

Nap

Yes black and dark grey are used but mostly white as you only use thinned oil pant and the white allows the colour to "glow"

 

[Briggsy]

First question I ever asked about flats was a pretty stupid one, I asked Jim Woodley and Dick Jenkins "how do you paint flats?". At the time the answer they gave me made me think they were taking the micky, "make the undercoat as white as possible", they said. Like Brian said, it shines through the paint, especially oils because they are essentially transparent. Don't know how it would affect acrylics but I guess we'll find out soon enough.

Cheers Simon

 

[Briank]

As I said this is just the basics, most of the painting is with a 3/000 brush and a lot of the shade and hi-light is the same as your round figures
Use burnt sienna to give shade to the face and hands, next a basic flesh colour being careful not to hide the sienna.
Now a straight white to the top of the checks, nose chin and hands, the same as a round, and blend till you think you got it, then add burnt sienna again to the lower check and again blend till your happy, keep your colours wet and thin and you will get there and take your time as the face can make or break the figure.

 

[Rob]

.....keep your colours wet and thin and you will get there....

Are you using white spirit or turpentine (or a mix) or something like Liquin to get the oils to flow?

 

[Briggsy]

I had all the patience in the world when I painted flats with oils, not so much now with acrylics. Doubt I could see things that small anymore.

Cheers Simon

 

[Briank]

Are you using white spirit or turpentine (or a mix) or something like Liquin to get the oils to flow?

On this figure just white spirit but yes I usually have Liquin on the table

 

[marco14]

I had all the patience in the world when I painted flats with oils, not so much now with acrylics. Doubt I could see things that small anymore.

Cheers Simon

hahaha LOL

 

[Briank]

Now I start block colouring, soldier get's a yellow ochre and black mix then black for the shading then black and green for the old guy.
Just a word about shading and light, go dark as I said I used black for the soldier then use a very light colour for the hi-lights and again blend see photo but
I will come back to this later with more light.
The green has a dark brown, as I said go dark for the shadows then the light green for the lights green and white / green and yellow mix will do, again this will be worked again later

 

[Briggsy]

Very nice, I take it this is a 30mm flat?

Cheers Simon

 

[Briank]

Very nice, I take it this is a 30mm flat?

Cheers Simon

No not 30mm but a bit bigger at 50mm