New to site, new to the hobby and need some guidance

[1969]

Dave ive only just caught this thread mate and as my old mate Rick (kansasKid) has mentioned i also live in Leicester and am into figures, mainly sculpting but also painting to a lesser degree although i am trying to paint more so i can improve.

For most of my painting supplies i use Gadsby`s near the Market in town, they sell Windsor & Newton brush`s and also oil paints etc. As for Vallejo paint well i have them but like Rick i also used the bottled arts and crafts paints and i can get the same effect as Vallejo with them.

Where about in Leicester are you ? good to know someone else lives in Leicester and wants to paint figures, for a while there i thought i was on my own

All the best mate,

Steve

 

[Dr Force]

Hi Steve

Great to hear from you mate

I live in Queniborough which is a small village north of Leicester

I am awaiting my first bust (youngs miniature range) which is on it's way from frontier models. I have some nice W & N sable brushes now and also a great military modeling book by Bill Horan which makes interesting reading.

If you also sculpt Steve do you have any pics of your work that I could have a look at i am very interested in the WW2 period and I like the look of the Stormtrooper range at Frontier Models, that scale (120mm) is perfect for me.

What is your prefered scale/era? If you can post some pics of your work that would be great.

And finally where do you live?

Thanks for your interest.
Dave

 

[1969]

Dave good to hear from you at last mate, i have heard of Queniborough but have never been there before, i am in Braunstone Frith which is the other side of Leicester.

I am into all scales of figures sculpting but i think 120mm is my favourite scale as it was the scale i first started sculpting in, i am also at the moment working on a 200mm bust.

If you want to see some of my work you can visit my blogsite, not all my work is on there but you can see some of it.

All the best mate and if you need anything let me know and i will see if i can help.

http://stevereaddie.blogspot.com/


Steve

 

[Dr Force]

wow steve..............some really great work there, you are clearly very talented

I am only just starting out so any painting tips would be much appreciated, especially in the facial area's

 

[1969]

Thanks Dave, i actually hadnt even picked up a figure untill just over four years ago and this is where i am now with them, i started sculpting them about three years ago and believe me my first attempt hardly looked human.

You will be suprised how quickly your tallent will grow mate with the right guidance and practice, you can get all the best guidance in the world right here on PF and as for the practice thats down to you mate

Any help i can offer i will be only too glad.

Did you know there is a model show in Hinckley i think in April, i will get the definite date if you are interested, plenty of figure people there and traders.

PM me anytime if you want.

All the best mate,

Steve

 

[Dr Force]

Thanks Steve

i'd love to go to the trade fair in Hinkley so would appreciate some details matey

Thanks for your support and don't worry, i'll soon have your pm box full

I'm really looking forward to getting stuck in to my first figure and dream of the day when i can actually sculpt them

Thanks
Dave

 

[Dr Force]

Hi Guys

Now rcvd my first bust (youngs Waffen SS) so i am ready to go.

I must say this is the very first figure I have purchased and i used frontier Models for this purchase............It took 3 weeks to get delivered and only after i kept badgering the owner who time and again ignored my emails.

i was then sent an email promising delivery that week but it never arrived and had not been sent, only after i demanded a refund or deliver goods within 5 days that they were finally sent.

needless to say i will not be using them again, although to be fair to the owner he did say he had some familly problems.

Not a great start but at least it is here and I can start to get the rest of my kit together

will post pics once i am up and running

 

[housecarl]

Welcome to the planet Dave.
Carl.

 

[Dr Force]

Welcome to the planet Dave.
Carl.

Thanks Carl, looking forward to getting involved

 

[tonydawe]

Hi Dave,

I understand you intend to use acrylics to paint with, which is a good choice. Personaly I use Vallejo acrylics, and I love them, however you should also be aware that you can use a combination of different paints and mediums with your acrylics to achieve an astonishing array of paint effects and textures.

For example, acylics on their own can be a little "flat", not just because they dry flat, but because they often appear to lack depth. I will use artists oils over acylics to enhance the colour of the acylics and deepen (rather than darken) the colour. This is particular useful on flesh areas and leather.

I will often use enamel paint for metallic surfaces, just because I think they create a more realitsic metalic finish than acylics. Sometimes the graphite from a lead pencil can also be used to enhance chips, scratches and other elements of metal wear and tear.

Last, but definitely not least, you can use pastel chalk (earth tones are best) to simulate mud, sweat, dust etc on uniforms, boots and groundwork that will greatly enhance the look of acrylics. Using pastels over acylics allows you to weather your figure realitsically, without damaging the paint or obscure the painted surface.

In short Dave, when choosing acylics to paint with, don't exclude other types of paint and mediums from your arsenal.

 

[Mat Lambert]

Hi Dave,

Welcome to PlanetFigure. Ive only read this thread v late so hope your still following - looks like you have a wealth of info already.

If you're after large scale WW2 German figures you absolutely MUST check out the 120mm figures by Jeff Shui.

http://jeffshiu.net46.net/products.html

They are fantastic and Jeff deals personally with buyers so no trouble at all. My items came super fast - all the way from Jeff in HK! I found out about Jeff through a PF thread and cant recommend them highly enough. In fact I dare you to look at his website and not instantly buy one (or two!!).

Alpine Miniatures are great too - http://www.alpineminiatures.com/
http://www.alpineminiatures.com/
The young German Grenandier is superb.

Books - I highly recommend "Modelling Waffen SS figures" by Calvin Tan and "Modelling Fallschirmjager Figures" by Jaume Oritz Forns both published by Osprey. Plus the Bill Horan Masterclass.

All the best
Mat

 

[Dr Force]

Thanks alot matt

you guys are so helpful. I'm just waiting on the paints before i get stuck in.

I'll also check out the links and have a browse

 

[Dr Force]

Guys

I am buying a few of the Verlinden range at Historex Agents and i wanted to create a diorama type scene but was wondering if the accessories of 120mm are to scale with the 120mm German/Russian/US figures, ie does this :-

http://www.historexagents.com/shop/hxproductdetail.php?ProductCode=642

Fit with this:-
http://www.historexagents.com/shop/hxproductdetail.php?ProductCode=608

Thanks for all your help

Dave

 

[housecarl]

Dave. I would say yes, but you could always phone and ask them.
Carl.

 

[Chronic]

Hi,

I'm quite new to figures. I have a Young's Miniatures DAK officer similar to the one done by Steve. I was wondering how to attach the earphone 'strap' for lack of a better term without breaking it. The 'U' is quite narrow while attached to the casting block but the picture of the assembled figure shows the 'U' to be stretched or widened. Any tips?

 

[housecarl]

Hi,

I'm quite new to figures. I have a Young's Miniatures DAK officer similar to the one done by Steve. I was wondering how to attach the earphone 'strap' for lack of a better term without breaking it. The 'U' is quite narrow while attached to the casting block but the picture of the assembled figure shows the 'U' to be stretched or widened. Any tips?

Replied to your other post.
Carl.

 

[Dr Force]

Hi Guys

Sorry for the lack of posts and feedback but my desire to paint figures has merged into diorama's.

For 2 months I have been buidling and painting a 1/25th Tamiya Tiger 1 to acomodate a 1943 Tunisia scene with Tiger crew (which I have added earphones and Afrika Korp cap) & x2 1/25 Tamiya infantry which I have added to (using milliput to convert boots to full length trousers) thus making it all a bit more authentic

I'm very pleased with the finished, battered & dusty Tiger, now I will paint the figures and update again.

Pics are not good quality but you get the gist

The scene is to reflect the The Battle of the Kasserine Pass

Few pics for you:

 

[housecarl]

How things escalate Dave? The Tiger looks spot on, should be impressive.
Carl.

 

[Dr Force]

Hi Carl

Thank for the comments.

I quickly realised that I found a passion for capturing history wich is why I have decided on diorama's.

The Tamiya figures are poor quality moulds but I have spent alot of time enhancing and cleaning up. I will have one of the soldiers jumping off the tank with the gunner running along side the tracks.

 

[Dr Force]

Just busy preparing the figures.

Do you guys know a good paint mix for Afrika Korp??