MG42 Figure...My Return To The Hobby..And First Timer With Acrylics

[Pops]

Okay good people of PlanetFigure. This head represents my return to the hobby after 15 years and first try with acrylics. I'm putting his head 'above the parapet' for your delectation and critique. It is attempt No3 overall (yes a number of false starts) and at least 10 (yes, count them) attempts at the eyes alone. My own eyes and hand are not as sharp as they used to be and acrylics as a medium for painting is proving a steep learning curve. I've photographed it from what i believe will be a typical viewing distance (or to read it another way, if you get too close it looks like a TOWIE fake tan!)
Right, that's enough excuses from me, over to you...

 

[housecarl]

I think you're being to hard on yourself David.
The eyes look excellent, as does the blending,
Carl.

 

[Pops]

Much appreciated. Thanks, Carl. Looking at the face close-up in the flesh, so to speak, I am aware of obvious unwanted small 'water spots' and tide marks on some of my transition attempts. I guess that practice and working at getting my paint consistency correct may be the answer here. The eyes are a real challenge. I am constantly in awe of fellow modellers out there who can render an almost photo-realistic eye, and in such small scales. Gives me plenty to aspire to.

 

[housecarl]

David, get yourself some Vallejo glaze medium, or W&N blending fluid. Both delay the drying time, allowing you to feather the edges out with a dampened brush. As you would with oils.
Certainly changed my way of painting,
Carl.

 

[Steve]

This looks good David. The waters spots and tide marks are from not wiping your brush enough after loading with color but before putting it on the figure. I think your mix is pretty good and agree with Carl about the fine blending. Those blending mediums he speaks of are awesome.

 

[Einion]

This looks pretty good to me David, and not just for a first stab at a new medium. I try to interpret photos and imagine how the thing looks in the flesh since most things look better seen firsthand and photos can distort in lots of ways (e.g. changing contrast, exaggerating shine).

Overall I think the colouring and contrast is good, just about where you'd want to be for this kind of scale. Only in need of a bit more finesse to make it smoother, which will come naturally with practice.

The eyes look pretty good to me BTW; just need to neaten up the line of the lower lid, maybe add a slight shadow line. Looks like you've avoided a common pitfall that others fall into where they make the iris colour too bright.

Looking at the face close-up in the flesh, so to speak, I am aware of obvious unwanted small 'water spots' and tide marks on some of my transition attempts.

That probably indicates that you're applying too much in one go, which is one of the classic newbie mistakes with this kind of paint. Think damp brush, not wet and it should help.

Probably related to this I was going to point out what look to be a couple of islands of greyer paint (one on the upper lip, to the right of the philtrum). These are probably less noticeable in the flesh but wanted to mention them.

I am constantly in awe of fellow modellers out there who can render an almost photo-realistic eye, and in such small scales. Gives me plenty to aspire to.

Use vision aids, past a certain point nearly everyone needs to use 'em!

Einion

 

[Pops]

Gentlemen, thank you! Your comments are much appreciated. I shall absorb, reflect and put into practice.
Einion, I have now invested in a daylight simulated lamp with 3x magnification. I'll have a look at the areas you have noted and see how i progress. You are right about the photo as the flesh colour I've rendered is much darker that the image offered here. A fake 'spray' tan still comes to mind!

Thank you all again...

 

[NK919]

May I ask what figure this is?

 

[Pops]

Lee,
Link below for you.
http://www.young-miniatures.com/products/YM1822/YM1822-1.htm