ready to give up!!

[jim1215]

hi all ! i hope this falls under this topic , but i am pretty long reader to planet figure and would not have gotten this far if it wasnt for all the help from this site . but painting eyes is really taking the passion out of it for me . clothing and metallics i have succeeded in atleast getting better , and enjoy the challenge . faces was a nightmare for awhile but i read a sbs guy herrick put out when he painted his poste militaire janissary , and i got the hang of it in oils , my fabrics i use acrylics and enjoy building up texture using this medium . my faces are ok and with oils and the way GUY explained it, i can get better using that system .( not marion ball ) but i will never be . now to the eyes i have printed out many techniques and have read much material but they looked like popped eyes or staring eyes and im stripping faces of the models in fustration .. im venting here , i know with patience anything can be achieved , but im afraid to post any WIP because my eyes are horrible ... i have several quality kits on the workbench 54mm and 75 mm ... both look real crappy (eyes) .. dont know what to do ....thanks for listening , jim cicalese

 

[polyphemus]

These might be an option although getting them into place can be almost as frustrating as painting.

http://www.historexagents.com/shop/hxproductdetail.php?ProductCode=AR99001
http://www.historexagents.com/shop/hxproductdetail.php?ProductCode=AR99002
http://www.historexagents.com/shop/hxproductdetail.php?ProductCode=AR99003A

Geoff

 

[theBaron]

I hear, ya, Jim, I have trouble painting eyes, too. But keep at it, you'll only master the technique by repetition. Believe me, I have to tell myself this, when something goes wrong. Don't give up!

Prost!
Brad

 

[housecarl]

Dave Youngquist did this, may help.

 

[Tecumsea]

In truth I think everybody struggles with eyes, I also dread working on faces particularly in the smaller scales. My only advice would be to keep it simple especially at first until you develop in confidence.
The video Carl posted is a good guide and note that he says in smaller scales don't get too complicated as most people wont see it anyway. Not sure if this is any help but use the best brushes available, series 7's if you use oils. In 54mm some people use Toothpicks to apply the Iris or even a blunted airbrush needle.

I don't know where you live but many shows have painting demo's and I am sure there are many modellers who would gladly help with an eye painting demo.

Finally get an optivisor or other magnifier if you are not already using one.

Keith

 

[bigtodd]

Nobody paints eyes perfect the first time!!!!! After hundreds of painted eyes I still don't always get it right the first time.

 

[tomifune]

Jim,
Many a figure has hit the wall because of painting eyes. I went to an optivisor to help me.

Bob

 

[Eludia]

I feel your pain Jim. I don't claim to be any good at eyes but I have found it easier to paint the whole area off white (or whatever eyeball colour you choose), add the pupils (dark dot only for 54mm) and then shape the eyes using your flesh shade, effectively painting over most of what you have done and just leaving what you want showing. Sometimes its not about what you paint but about what you cover up

Hope this helps.
Billy

p.s. I've only returned to the hobby a couple of months ago after a long layoff so I'm by no means qualified to give advice really. This is just the method I've found easiest.

 

[Steve]

I find that the best way to avoid the bug-eye look is to frame the eyeball with upper and lower lids. This follows what Eludia has said above about tidying up by blocking in the flesh tone surrounding the eyes.

 

[jim1215]

thanks everyone , yes i have an optivisor AND HAVE A # 5 IN THERE , also i am using series 7 brushes purchased thru blick , hey i stripped the two faces i was doing and gave myself a couple of nights off . well see , will keep everyone posted and hopefully send some pics real soon .thank you sincerly jim cicalese

 

[Nap]

Jim ,

Eyes can be a pain ..you have all the right tools for the job including paitence!!!!!

good to have you painting ...how many times have we all stripped faces back and redone the eyes ...again ...and again ......

Happy modelling

Nap

 

[tonydawe]

You're not alone. Keep trying - we all experience frustration with aspects of our hobby.

You wont get any better at it if you give up

 

[Richie]

Hi Jim,
Have a look at the articles section at the top of the page, face, eyes, leather tutorials etc. Don't give up, keep at it, as others have said we all struggle.
cheers
Richie
http://www.planetfigure.com/pages/Mark-Benette-Eye-Tutorial/

 

[Blind Pew]

Jim, there isn't a single modeller who hasn't gone through this. Hang in there.
I myself am going through a period of self-doubt. I keep convincing myself every time I pick a brush up, my work's crap. I feel your pain.

 

[Funky50]

Jim...I've been ready to give up for the last 35 years.....but something keeps dragging you back in LOL....all the best and stick with it....Kevin

 

[Franckythefrench]

Never give up!!! keep trying Jim!! it's like a fight against....yourself!!!

francky

 

[loosehead]

Hey Jim .....All have moments when you you want to walk away........... Here is a trick and old figure painter told me when I started Never paint straight white into the eye sockets always mix with flesh and second use a soft lead pencil (3B ) sharpened to a point with a modelling knife when paint is dry draw in eyes great for 54s and 75s because it is graphite its dark gives a nice sheen just dot them in (start with small dot and work out till you achive desired look) and you are there as I got along I started to touch in a bit of colour until I got comfortable with process It will take practice but it works and if you go over the eyelid abit cut it back and you have a natural shade...............
Hope this helps jim
I am amazed how many different ways there are to paint a set of eyes ........ HAHA
Good luck with them all Jim
Chris

 

[Helm]

While Mark Bennet's eye guide is excellent ( use it myself) I also found this one very good http://www.planetfigure.com/threads/painting-eyes-is-easy-sbs.46333/ That or be like me and go for figures with closed visors
Steve

 

[ChaosCossack]

Eyes are a pain but at 54 and 75mm... less is more. I have found painting the eye in reverse works for me. I start by washing the eyeball recess with black or brownblack giving you a dark eyeball. Then with lightflesh, touch the eye in each side leaving the center and a border around the edges still dark. You can then touch up the lids if necessary. Leaving the border on the eyeball instead of the edge of the lid gives depth rather than looking like mascara. When the "pupil" touches the upper and lower lid the look is not so wide eyed.... more relaxed.
For me this has taken some of the anxiety out of painting eyes at small scale. Hope it helped. Don't give up... practice makes reasonably passable.

Colin

 

[theBaron]

I feel your pain Jim. I don't claim to be any good at eyes but I have found it easier to paint the whole area off white (or whatever eyeball colour you choose), add the pupils (dark dot only for 54mm) and then shape the eyes using your flesh shade, effectively painting over most of what you have done and just leaving what you want showing. Sometimes its not about what you paint but about what you cover up

Hope this helps.
Billy

p.s. I've only returned to the hobby a couple of months ago after a long layoff so I'm by no means qualified to give advice really. This is just the method I've found easiest.

I second this, this is pretty much the process I follow. The difficulties I have are in delivering small amounts of paint to precise places. But, practice, practice, practice!

Prost!
Brad