Painting bronze armour. Newbie question.

[Frz]

Hello,
I have a newbie question and hope someone can help.
I started painting my first figure(a roman gladiator) sometime ago and after getting frustrated multiple times and putting it away on to do list in future, I am going to again try my limited skills on it. What i want to know is, how do i paint the chest armour which i believe is bronze. I am not expecting this figure to be perfect or anything as i know it won't be so please suggest a technique which can be achieved by a newbie. I hope you understand what i mean.
I am using vallejo paints so if anyone can point me in the right direction it will be highly appreciated. I have vallejo bronze 70,998 Model Color to begin with.

Thank you
Faraz

 

[swralph]

http://www.ulthuan.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=47843
Hi Frz
This is using GW colour's It may help
Cheers
Ralph

 

[Colin_Fraser]

Faraz. I would do a base coat of ochre or raw umber, let it set and them apply the bronze paint to get a decent coverage, I would use artists or hobby inks diluted with water over the base metallic (after it has set). I would also highlight the armour sparingly with an old gold shade (edges, projections etc).

Hope that helps.

Colin

 

[Frz]

Thanks Ralph and Colin. I am going through your tips in my mind and trying to understand what way to proceed. Being new to things always sucks. Hope someday all what you guys are suggesting will be crystal clear.
Regards,
Faraz

 

[kagemusha]

Hi Faraz, try this:

http://www.planetfigure.com/threads/my-way-with-oils.52194/

Regards

Ron

 

[Frz]

Ron, Thank you very much for the link. Your work is outstanding and there is so much to learn. Although you explain it very clearly with great pics to back it up, I find it way over my head to implement your techniques at this time. I can only hope that one day i will be able to come close to all you seasoned painters. Given my skills as a complete beginner, i am unable to grasp all those complicated steps and hope if you guys can guide me step by step process.
I know it is too much to ask but I really want to get started.
Regards,
Faraz

 

[kagemusha]

Hi Faraz,one of the most important things to remember is, we all had to start from the beginning. You have chosen one of the best starting points by joining this forum.
Here, you will find a wealth of knowledge and expertise but, best of all, like minded people who will answer your questions at any level.
An important thing, to aid us in helping you to your best advantage, is to post an example of where you are at in terms of skill.
Things like, what is your preferred medium. Is it acrylics, oils or enamels.
What scale do you usually work in, i.e., 54 mm 90 mm etc. What is your period of choice.
These may seem a lot of things to take in but, in knowing these preferences, those best able to advise will come forward to answer your questions.
Finally, be patient. Nothing worth doing is ever easy.

Regards

Ron

 

[garyhiggins]

Hello Faraz, I don't know if there are any modelling clubs in your area, but if there are you cannot do better than to join one and pick up tips from other modellers in real time. You can learn a lot just by associating with them, going to shows etc., and generally joining in. This is not to decry this and other sites, some of the SBS's are truly inspirational, but ours is a solitary enough passtime and it does us good to mix.
Best wishes, Gary.

 

[taff edwards]

I met Jim and Nap ......my therapist has said I only need another 46 visits then I can go back into the community
Just take your time experiment play around with things and sometimes the effect you get just jumps out Create a style that Makes the process enjoyable ,there will be days like me where I sit down and just can't get going so I work on something else that i have not been thinking about , and hey presto then sometimes I sit down and it just flows ,
as Ron C told me only recently break the rules a bit ,not one style fits all nick methods technics practice , and absolutely join a club if you can and experiment with different mediums , I did ........she told me I would win the lottery ....she was a liar ..lol
Cheers Chris

 

[Frz]

Hi,
Ron,
This forum is the best starting point for one like me and what makes it the best is you guys who take the time to respond with gret input.
Ok, back to where i stand. I am mostly interested in 54mm and thats what I have been collecting so far but one day when my skills improve, i might tackle larger scales. I have invested mostly in enamels and recently in acrylics. Oils, i have no experience yet other than putting washes on my military models. I was attracted by Andreas series general and thats where my interest lies but recently, historical figures etc have also caught my interest. Experience, I started in the hobby by building aircrafts and then cars, later some military tanks without figures. I am by no means a better modeler but just average as I have been on and off building due to other priorities like family etc.


Gary,
There are no clubs that i am aware of near where i live. Internet and books are the best source for me to gather as much knowledge as possible. I have the heart to become better though and thats what is frustrating sometimes when there is no way of anyone actually showing you how to tackle a certain problem.

Chris,
You certainly made me laugh and you are true that practice and some experiment is the way to go. There are days where i am doing great having fun and then times where i just can't get any progress and just sit and look one by one the projects that i've started and when still no motivation, start on a new project. and the cycle goes on. So far i have like 6-7 figures already cleaned but no paint yet. I think i am also in need of a therapist.

Thank you all for the help so far, I appreciate each and every comment.
My kind regards,
Faraz

 

[kagemusha]

Hello Faraz, well, now we have a starting point to work from. I personally have never been a fan of 54 mm. Even in my formative years, I found the size too difficult to enjoy. I truly envy the work of those on here who, unlike me, can cope with such intricate detail etc. My favourite figure scale these days is 120 mm but, as those that now my work will tell you, I very much enjoy painting busts and horses. One of my favourite outlets is breaking the accepted rules with oils, and lately acrylics.
So you see, there are no hard and fast rules on here. We are all unique in our tastes, skill sets and levels of expertise.
It is a great shame that you don't have access to a club, as they are a wonderful source of information and guidance. That said, I would suggest you continue in your present vein, and ask specific questions of us.
At some point soon, it would help to see pictures of some of your pieces. Then we will be better able to help you with answers based on what you can cope with.
Quite often, having asked a question, someone may well be able to point you to a step by step guide to what you need.
There are many on-line resources, such as YouTube, where there are hundreds of video tutorials available to watch and, hopefully, learn from.

Regards

Ron

 

[Frz]

Hello Ron,
My starting in 54mm was just by chance as I saw a figure in that scale that i liked and then just stuck to that scale as for beginers, that is what is cheap with plenti to choose from. I always thought that bigger scales are for more experienced painters as any flaws will be more visible.
I will post pictures of my work when i feel that I have something presentable. But at this time it is most unlikely but I might do that anyway to get your feedbacks. Let me get there first when I actually have something finished. Youtube is also a great help and I have learned a lot from watching videos but it always seems so easy when others do it. I don't want to sound bitter or anything but i know that eventually i will get somewhere better.
Thank you and regards,
Faraz