Acrylics Painting eyes in 54mm

[Jim Patrick]

Just trying to see what the general concensus is for the public here when painting eyes in 54mm.

You have the school which says only a black (or dark brown) eye is needed as you really can't see all that detail anyway.

You have the school which says paint the eyes as you would normally paint a bust, or larger scale figure. Only leaving certian details off at the end.

And then there are those from the school that paint with a microscope and Humming Bird hair brushes and can paint ANYTHING is ANY scale.

OK, that last part was a joke. Don't lynch me....

So what are all of your thoughts on painting eyes in 54mm? How much detail do you feel is acceptable or enough?

Jim Patrick

 

[Hans]

It depends on the figure. Usually I try to paint a white(flesh/grey tinted) eyeball, a brown iris and a white specularity/highlight. But I won't kill a humming bird for it. If the lids are too closed (Clint-Eastwood-stare), I will get away with a shadow and a darker spot for the iris.

 

[Einion]

I don't paint irises straight black at 1/32 scale because it tends to look like exactly that even at a distance, but especially if someone examines the figure up close. Normally I'd use either dark blue or dark brown, dark enough that the colour doesn't jump out at you but light enough that you can sorta see what colour the eyes are, with a little light and dark if I can manage it to show the way the iris catches light.

My standard mix for eyeballs for many years now has been a bit of light flesh, a touch of dark blue (usually a phthalo blue) plus some additional white if necessary.

I don't paint catchlights, as I don't think they work on 3D things except in photos (or if the entire figure/bust is painted as though from a fixed lightsource). I gloss eyeballs, even at this scale and smaller.

Einion

 

[Bailey]

If you can paint the eyes on a 54mm the same way you can on a bust, then go for it. For me I tend to lean towards white and then just black or dark brown. If I want blue eyes then I might make an attempt at approaching it like a bust.

In my opinion, if you're not painting a figure for box art or to win gold at a competition, it's highly unlikely anyone other than you will be looking closely enough to tell the difference between the two approaches. Of course I can just speak from my own experience.

 

[housecarl]

There was this on 1/35th. http://www.planetfigure.com/forums/showthread.php?t=40462&highlight=microscope http://www.network54.com/Forum/110741/message/1304933561/GUNZE+JAGDPANTHER+%26amp%3B+Tank+Crew
Carl.

 

[Mike Stevens]

This topic is aways fun. I say paint them if you can and I do.

 

[DaveG]

I have painted about 20 figures now and all are 54 mm. I have found that a very light yellow for the eyeball and then dark brown for the combination iris and pupil works pretty good in most cases.


DG

 

[Mark S]

There was this on 1/35th. http://www.planetfigure.com/forums/showthread.php?t=40462&highlight=microscope http://www.network54.com/Forum/110741/message/1304933561/GUNZE+JAGDPANTHER+&+Tank+Crew
Carl.

How many hummingbirds died for that one?..I'd need several hummingbirds and twice as many Bourbons to steady the hand to do that...


I can't see how anyone can give a standard response about painting 54mm eyes at all.
As far as I'm concerned it all depends on what the sculptor has given us to work on.One 54mm figure may have perfectly sculpted and cast eyes and another may have two toothpick slits.You paint to the sculpt surely.
Too easy to paint dolly eyes on a sculpt without eyeballs.

 

[Blind Pew]

Great question, one I reckon there is no blanket answer for.

Horses for courses.

 

[Jim Patrick]

Intresting points. The figure I'm working on is Andrea's 7th Cav Trooper. I have painted the eyes but after reading your comments, I will probably go back and paint them again. The figure in question is a little difficult for eye painting due to the brow is a little bigger than normal because it appears he's squinting and he's wearing a hat.

Still, no excuse for a half a$$ effort. A little more time and a little more patience...I'll get there

Jim Patrick

 

[chippy]

Phew that's a load of my mind , I can now stop painting eyes on 54mm figures
chippy