Painting Female Flesh

[Jim Patrick]

I have the Pegaso Fire figure and was wanting to paint this figure with acrylics. I have NEVER attempted female flesh before and have a couple of questions first.

1) I'm going to paint it with acrylics (andrea or vallejo) and was wondering if any of you have ever tried this with acrylics. If so, what colors did you settle on?

2) Brush or airbrush? Now, don't start that thread again :lol: . Just which do you prefer to get those ever so subtle color transitions?

Thanks,
Jim Patrick

 

[Anders Heintz]

Hey Jim!

Awesome! Looking forward to see how you handle the flesh areas. I personally don't have any suggestions, maybe just use your old mix but keep it a tad lighter?

As for airbrush or brush, I would suggest using a regular brush and paint with very diluted paints to make the transitions smooth. Although airbrushes are great, I still like the results better with brush.

 

[frank h]

Hi Jim,
Read something a while ago about mixing a darker tone
for the base colour and then highlighting out of it
there by blurring the base tone to some degree as you work up to the
highest highlight

I must admit I haven't tried it but I intend to use it as soon as I have one of my
projects ready for paint

Hope it might help

Frank

 

[Anders Heintz]

Hey Frank,

That is close to what I do. I am worthless at painting shadows, so I start with a darker tone so I only have to paint one or two shadows. Works real well as long as you dont start with too dark of a base.

 

[Brad S]

Jim, Cant wait to see this figure! I'm kind of opposite of everyone else. I like to start off light and work my shadows up. Especially on females becuase their skin is typically lighter (depending on race) and smoother. I would tend to use the airbrush then finish with some regular brush to keep the skin as smooth as possible although Anders has proven that a brush is all that is needed with his extremely nicely shaded busts. I have airbrushed both Andrea and Vallejo with success with their regular paints. Just dilute it down and I use jo Sonja blending/airbrush medium to keep it from drying to fast on the tip.

I'm no expert by any means. Just my 2 cents worth. I'm sure you will do well with any route you choose.

Brad Spelts

 

[Einion]

Jim, for this size if you have an airbrush I'd certainly recommend using it for the smooth transitions you'll want. If you haven't looked at some of the girlie-figure painting guides on the garage sites I would strongly advise it, they have a lot to teach us in the military modelling camp

Einion