Painting ancients shoes

[jknaus]

I am still struggling with footware. Could someone tell me how they paint it (base and oil mixtures) so I can try it on my viking? Thanks in advance for any help.
James

 

[Einion]

Off-white, ochre, tan, mid-brown, brown, black, grey?

Einion

 

[jknaus]

Off-white, ochre, tan, mid-brown, brown, black, grey?

Einion

So you paint an off white base, then ochre or tan etc? I had tried a vallejo buff coat then dry brished on burnt sienna. But I wasnt sure if that was correct or if there was a better way. Thanks.
James

 

[housecarl]

I use acrylics but this should work with oils. Base coat in a suitable colour, then paint over with a darker colour. Wipe off the excess leaving it darker in the recesses. Or there's this http://www.planetfigure.com/forums/showthread.php?t=32232&highlight=leather
Carl.

 

[jknaus]

I use acrylics but this should work with oils. Base coat in a suitable colour, then paint over with a darker colour. Wipe off the excess leaving it darker in the recesses. Or there's this http://www.planetfigure.com/forums/showthread.php?t=32232&highlight=leather
Carl.

Awesome, thanks. Somehow I missed this while searching. I'll give it a try.
James

 

[Einion]

So you paint an off white base, then ochre or tan etc?

No, I meant which colour of leather were you most interested in.

Einion

 

[Mark Yungblut]

Which ever color you pick remember that these early leather shoes often stained about half way down. And if you are dicpicting an area that may have damp ground consider how the wet leather will look as well. For Leather shoes I go with a buff or middle tan color unless research has shown that some leather shows were dyed or painted. then go with muted colors.

Cheers,

Mark

 

[jknaus]

This is what I came up with. Did buff valejo and then umber with a burnt sienna wash.

James

 

[Einion]

Did buff valejo and then umber with a burnt sienna wash.

That's pretty much exactly what I was going to recommend for tan leather James.

Using oils I think it's often best to undercolour with something lighter, then go over it with the mix that represents the final colour, wiping/brushing off the excess to establish the lighter areas (swipe downwards, so that it removes paint from the upper areas, leaving it in on the mostly).

With very dark browns and blacks you can undercoat in a natural leather colour - a reddish flesh mix can work, as well as something a little more orange or yellowish - then if you wipe most of the topcoat off in any areas (like at the heel or toe) you get a very realistic appearance of wear. For belts in particular you can even use a toothpick or other sharp tool to scratch through the dark paint, to represent scratches and cracks that reveal the leather underneath the dye.

Einion

 

[jknaus]

That's pretty much exactly what I was going to recommend for tan leather James.

Using oils I think it's often best to undercolour with something lighter, then go over it with the mix that represents the final colour, wiping/brushing off the excess to establish the lighter areas (swipe downwards, so that it removes paint from the upper areas, leaving it in on the mostly).

With very dark browns and blacks you can undercoat in a natural leather colour - a reddish flesh mix can work, as well as something a little more orange or yellowish - then if you wipe most of the topcoat off in any areas (like at the heel or toe) you get a very realistic appearance of wear. For belts in particular you can even use a toothpick or other sharp tool to scratch through the dark paint, to represent scratches and cracks that reveal the leather underneath the dye.

Einion

Thanks, especially for the toothpick idea. I woould never have thought of that. I'll try each of these combos shortly. I have to strip the figure and start over to try to make the cloths stand out more.
Thanks again.
James