questions on how to paint native american skintone

[Chris Kelm]

Hello,
I just bought a Apache scout with a 2 tone face camouflage of blue stripe across the face to the nose and white stripe from the tip of the nose to the lower lip and normal flesh the rest of the face. I would like to know how do you paint this camouflage so it doesn't look like you just painted big stripes on his face?
Is there a step by step way of doing this?
Thank you.
chris

 

[kagemusha]

Depending on the scale of the piece....I personally would 'stipple' the markings.

Ron

 

[John Bowery]

Chris,
Remember that is exactly what the Indians did, they painted with their fingers and hands. Like Ron says keep the paint toned down.
Cheers
John

 

[Chris Kelm]

Ron,
The bust is 1/10th scale. Now when you say stipple the paint for the markings on the face,how does one do that?
Sorry.
chris

 

[rossbach]

Try to start by painting the blue bands with diluted/transparant paint. And then if have positioned them fill the stripes so as to build up the colour.

Like John says it doesn't matter that it looks like they put a stripe across their face. Because this is exactly what they did.

It should not look like a facial tattoo. And if you carefully apply the blue paint in thin layers it will look good and realistic.

Paul

 

[kagemusha]

Ron,
The bust is 1/10th scale. Now when you say stipple the paint for the markings on the face,how does one do that?
Sorry.
chris

Hi Chris....as has been said...precision was not a part of how they applied the 'war' paint....so don't try to be clever.
I would expect you have some old brushes in your pot...we all do...and I keep mine for such situations....and many others.
As it's 1/10th you have a fair bit of leeway so....I would choose a number 2 (flat or round) and cut it down nice and short....so you are left with a hairy stub....you don't want it long or the hairs will splay when you dab the surface.
Do a google search for a stencil brush and you will get the idea.
Now....mix your chosen colour and place it on a piece of paper towel to soak out the excess oil...the paint is more controllable if thicker.
Dip just the end of the brush in the paint...then...holding the brush and keeping it upright...dab it onto a piece of paper...this will show you what you can expect...and allows you to practice before you attack the bust.
A tip for you...always dab off the brush a bit to remove some of the colour first...simply because you want to build up the layer of paint slowly until you have what you want.
Hope this makes sense....feel free to ask if you need more help or tips.

Regards

Ron

 

[Chris Kelm]

Ron,
Thanks for your advice I will try that technique.
Oh if you want to see what I was talking about the artist name is, David Yorke and the painting is called, "Stolen Glory".
I hope the painting will help you understand what I was trying to accomplish.
Thank you.
Chris

 

[BESPJL]

Good to see you ocupied with our hobby.

All the best.

 

[Chris Kelm]

Paulo,
Hi, yes I have to do something with all this down time while job hunting, otherwise I would go a little crazy.
chris

 

[kagemusha]

Hi Chris....looking at the painting...I would suggest that 'stippling' will give you the best result

Ron

 

[Chris Kelm]

Ron,
Now you know what I am dealing with and I guess the stippling method is the way to go.
Thank you.
chris

 

[kagemusha]

I personally consider it your best option Chris...but would strongly suggest you try out different approaches on another 'spare' head if you have one.
Other members will have differing techniques to offer.

Ron

 

[Chris Kelm]

Thank you. Ron.