Odds and Sods
- Thread starter Gary D
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Joe Hudson
A Fixture
Hey Gary,
From the pictures they look nice. It would help more to have some close ups to see. BTW look forward to seeingmore of your work.
Joe
From the pictures they look nice. It would help more to have some close ups to see. BTW look forward to seeingmore of your work.
Joe
dinovision79
A Fixture
Hi Gary,
the strong light is a little diturbing IMO, but they look spot on from the photos.
Thanks for sharing your work!
Denes
the strong light is a little diturbing IMO, but they look spot on from the photos.
Thanks for sharing your work!
Denes
megroot
A Fixture
From what i can see through these pictures you did some great work.
Marc
Marc
tonydawe
A Fixture
Gary,
Firstly I would say that you've done a great job on all these figures.
My one criticism is that you haven't done enough highlighting and shading to really make the details "pop". Shading and highlighting provide a contrast which reflects the way the light falls on to the surface of a figure, and also allows the fine details to be seen.
At the moment your figures appear a bit "flat" because there isn't enough contrast between the shadows and highlights.
Firstly I would say that you've done a great job on all these figures.
My one criticism is that you haven't done enough highlighting and shading to really make the details "pop". Shading and highlighting provide a contrast which reflects the way the light falls on to the surface of a figure, and also allows the fine details to be seen.
At the moment your figures appear a bit "flat" because there isn't enough contrast between the shadows and highlights.
Roc
A Fixture
Very nice work, and thanks for sharing.
As Tony has stated, you need to accentuate your shadows and highlights a bit more in order to create some contrast.
Cheers
Roc
As Tony has stated, you need to accentuate your shadows and highlights a bit more in order to create some contrast.
Cheers
Roc
Gary D
PlanetFigure Supporter
Thanks to all for the opinions. I decided to post the pics after reading Roc's request for us visitors to participate more.
Tony and Roc: I have always been confused on highlighting and shading. I was once told to paint more contrast as the colours get washed out at our annual show in a gymnasium but it seems to me that it would look too gaudy in the display case at home. Is there a happy medium?
Vergiliusand IIICorps: Thanks for the info regarding reds and blues. I guess my question is the same as above. If I soften them, will they get washed out?
Also, is there a good figure painting book out there that shows how to use oils over acrylics when painting faces? eg. colour mixes, SBS's etc. I already have Shep Paines books but all the other books and magazines I have seen only concern themselves with painting faces in acrylics. (I noticed this in the new Periscopio Editions table of contents the other day).
I will try to take better photo's in the future.
Thanks,
Gary
Tony and Roc: I have always been confused on highlighting and shading. I was once told to paint more contrast as the colours get washed out at our annual show in a gymnasium but it seems to me that it would look too gaudy in the display case at home. Is there a happy medium?
Vergiliusand IIICorps: Thanks for the info regarding reds and blues. I guess my question is the same as above. If I soften them, will they get washed out?
Also, is there a good figure painting book out there that shows how to use oils over acrylics when painting faces? eg. colour mixes, SBS's etc. I already have Shep Paines books but all the other books and magazines I have seen only concern themselves with painting faces in acrylics. (I noticed this in the new Periscopio Editions table of contents the other day).
I will try to take better photo's in the future.
Thanks,
Gary
Great looking figures Gary, I agree with Tony and Roc that some more contrast could make them even better.
Then Danilo Cartacci's book 'Painting Miniatures' is a must for you, he paint oils over acrylics with an SBS about painting faces.
Marcel.
Then Danilo Cartacci's book 'Painting Miniatures' is a must for you, he paint oils over acrylics with an SBS about painting faces.
Marcel.
tonydawe
A Fixture
Hi Gary,
Is there a happy medium???
Yes, it's when you're satisfied with the results you are getting and you believe you're painting is improving.
It doesn't matter what others think (although it always helpful to receive constructive criticism), what matters most is that you get enjoyment and satisfaction from your hobby and that you continue to improve.
Reading books and looking at other modellers work can help educate and inspire you, but in the end it comes down to you developing your own syle of painting and then spending the rest of your life trying to perfect it.
Is there a happy medium???
Yes, it's when you're satisfied with the results you are getting and you believe you're painting is improving.
It doesn't matter what others think (although it always helpful to receive constructive criticism), what matters most is that you get enjoyment and satisfaction from your hobby and that you continue to improve.
Reading books and looking at other modellers work can help educate and inspire you, but in the end it comes down to you developing your own syle of painting and then spending the rest of your life trying to perfect it.
Einion
A Fixture
Nice to see someone come straight out and ask! Actively seeking help will speed your progress along and it's something I hope we'll see more here.Gary D said:Hi, I am a fairly new figure painter and was wondering if I could get some constructive critisim regarding painting as I would like to build more kits.
First general comment would also be to work on your shading a bit. With larger-scale pieces like the busts you've done I don't think you need to go much lighter in the light areas (hard to see for sure in these photos) but more modelling in the shadows would certainly help. Common advice if you were choosing between being too subtle and being bold is: be bold.
Work on the finish - when something is intended to be a certain way it should be matt, satin or gloss. As a rule cloth that's glossy just doesn't look right. With oils it might be an idea to basically dry everything so it goes matt (speed-drying using heat will tend to provide this anyway) and then sort out the other finishes with overcoats afterwards.
Your ability to mix colours seems to be coming along nice; I'd work on this as much as possible as it's a cornerstone of painting and often overlooked (we tend to look for formulas rather than learning how to do things for ourselves, with the paints we have). You want to get to the stage where you don't ever have to ask how to mix anything.
Specific issue with the Andrea bust - the 'blue' of the uniform coat is actually closer to black in reality so it's often best to have that in the mind before painting, to avoid a bright blue like on yours. Even the highlights are essentially a blueish grey more than truly blue.
Einion
ghamilt1
PlanetFigure Supporter
Hi Gary;
I think those look really good. I especially liked the highlander bust and Napoleon. Part of the problem of really seeing these may be the photos, which like my recent posts, are a little washed out due to direct light. I need to work on that myself. But fortunately, I am in a unique position to make a more careful study of your work, which I hope to do at the Rocky Mountain Model Club show in Calgary this May. I try to come down for that show (from Edmonton area) every few years so hopefully we can meet and exchange some ideas? It's hard for us in this part of the World to connect and exchange ideas in this hobby...there aren't many of us doing figures out here, so it's really great to welcome another Albertan into the fold. While I'm at it, you may want to check out "The Small Soldier" model shop in Calgary, the owner, Scott, is a great figure sculptor and painter. Cheers and see you in May.
I think those look really good. I especially liked the highlander bust and Napoleon. Part of the problem of really seeing these may be the photos, which like my recent posts, are a little washed out due to direct light. I need to work on that myself. But fortunately, I am in a unique position to make a more careful study of your work, which I hope to do at the Rocky Mountain Model Club show in Calgary this May. I try to come down for that show (from Edmonton area) every few years so hopefully we can meet and exchange some ideas? It's hard for us in this part of the World to connect and exchange ideas in this hobby...there aren't many of us doing figures out here, so it's really great to welcome another Albertan into the fold. While I'm at it, you may want to check out "The Small Soldier" model shop in Calgary, the owner, Scott, is a great figure sculptor and painter. Cheers and see you in May.
Gary D
PlanetFigure Supporter
Thanks Glen. I actually met you a couple of years ago at the RMMC show. (you put us all to shame) I had about 5 figures in the show. You did tell me at the time you liked the sweaty skin tone on the pirate bust but I doubt you remember. I really look forward to meeting you again and bouncing ideas off you. It was actually you who recommended to me the harsher contrasts for dealing with lighting at shows. I know Scott as he is a friend of mine and has helped in the past.
Thanks to all for your insight. I now have about 35 new unbuilt figures (with more on the way thanks to Colorado Miniatures) to build but I think I should revisit the ones I have completed first and do some touch ups before I post any more photos.
Thanks again,
Gary
I had about 5 figures in the show. You did tell me at the time you liked the sweaty skin tone on the pirate bust but I doubt you remember. I really look forward to meeting you again and bouncing ideas off you. It was actually you who recommended to me the harsher contrasts for dealing with lighting at shows. I know Scott as he is a friend of mine and has helped in the past.Thanks to all for your insight. I now have about 35 new unbuilt figures (with more on the way thanks to Colorado Miniatures) to build but I think I should revisit the ones I have completed first and do some touch ups before I post any more photos.
Thanks again,
Gary
ghamilt1
PlanetFigure Supporter
Of course I remember now that you mention it! That just goes to show that photos on the internet never really give you a good sense for a paint job. Knowing Scott will stand you in good stead for sure. Maybe if we get enough converts together in this province, we can get a figure club started....of course we'd have to meet in Red Deer, but when I read all the other posts of people getting together to talk figures, it makes me think the drive would be worth it. In any case, with 35 figures in your "grey army" I am looking forward to seeing more of your posts. Cheers;
Glenn
Glenn
jacksparrow1979
Well-Known Member
Where can I get that last figure shown and who is it by?
Gary D
PlanetFigure Supporter
Hi Peter. The kit is called "Canadian Officer 1917" by The Fusilier. It is 80mm and I got it from Colorado Miniatures. It cost something like $43.75 U.S. It comes with the trench floor, wall,ladder,figure,and 2 heads. (one you see and the other with a gas mask).
Gary
Gary
