Painting with Enamel

[daredevil]

I am painting a Templar figure (64mm) and the white tunic is giving me fits. I chose to use enamels as I have a ton of them & was antsy to start work on it. So here's my problem:
I primed the tunic by hand brushing on some Tamiya WHITE primer (I sprayed some in a cup and dipped a brush in). It went on lousy. So I just primed the whole figure with Tamiya grey primer. After a couple days, I was ready to paint--or so I thought. I used Testor's Model Master Flat White, and after three coats, it doesn't look like it covered well. SO I went over that with plain Testor's flat white. A little better, but not what I'd hoped. I thought it might be the brush I was using (a sable flat) so switched to a Tamiya flat brush that was even softer--which worked a little better--but still not getting the smooth, opaque coverage I am after.
I think I can salvage it by shading & highlighting, but I've gotta say that I am not happy with how it came out. If I wasn't so far along on the figure & hadn't gotten the chainmail spot on, I'd strip it and start over
For the future, is there anything I can do to paint white using enamels? I have a lot of Templar figures ferreted away just waiting for their day on the bench...and I don't want to go through this again! :angry:
--daredevil

 

[johnbrewer]

Geoff you are spot on with the Humbrol. The "Super Enamels" were brought out to replace the old range. The paint particle size had been really reduced down. They were aimed at the airbrush market, but could still be used for brushes. The paint does not seem to cover as it used too and several coats can be needed, the white seems to be the worse. If you can source some of the old range think yourself a lucky man.

 

[johnbrewer]

Linda, I have made the switch to acrylic for white undercoats. give them a try and see what you think.

 

[KeithP]

I'll just say it... Hum flat white sucks. Model Master is marginally better if you insist on enamel white.

Keith

 

[Uruk-Hai]

I usually basecoat with Humbrol 28 Camoflage Grey which is an off-white colour.
This colour covers better and leaves the pure white for the highlights.

Other things to break down the white is to mix in some Humbrol 61 Flesh and a little touch Humbrol 33 Black. Which also gives better cover.

Good luck.

 

[Einion]

As you originally planned painting white on a white undercoat is often the best start. Switching to acrylics seems to be the way to go compared to Humbrol, at least with acrylics you could put on ten thin coats in one evening if that's what it takes to get smooth coverage If you have an airbrush it can be worth the tedium of masking off adjacent areas as sprays cover a lot more smoothly.

Einion

 

[daredevil]

Thanks guys--points well taken. I think in the future I will limit my enamel painting to smaller figures--I seem to get away with more--and the short drying time isn't such a problem. I started a SOL 54mm resin figure ("Vampire Hunter"--aka-Blade) and it was two colors on the face & I was done!!! (it just occured to me that not only do I prefer my figures small so I have more control over the paint--but when I draw, I tend to like to draw things small, too--as a way of controlling things. Hmmmm....will save tht analytical discussion for another time).

I like the airbrush suggestion, too, which on a larger figure makes a lot of sense.

I've ordered some Vallejo acrylics & will give them a go. They have an off white that may work for the base, then I can use greys for shadow & pure white for highlight.

I will post some in-progress pics of this bad boy tomorrow night for your review...

--daredevil

 

[Marijn Van Gils]

Well, I can only add that enamel white is usually a bitch, also in my experience (Humbroll). Toning it down with other colours can help indeed, but only slightly. I you want to stick with enamels, your best choice would be to indeed use an off-wite or the airbrush.
But don't despair: the shading/highlighting process can save a lot indeed!

Off topic: Einion, can you email me ([email protected]), since I lost your email...

Cheers!

Marijn