Completed Russian Sniper, 1942

[valiant]

Hi guys,
have been busy this holiday, tying up a few loose ends! This is a 54mm Pissaro figure(I think!), with resculpted head, painted in enamels, with artists pastels added for dust, HB pencil on helmet rim, etc . Not my usual area of interest, but never say never!!
cheers,
Steve

 

[ChaosCossack]

Nice work making a simlple figure very effective. Lots of character in the face.
Good job
Colin

 

[Jas Madahar]

That's really nice! Just a technical question. How do you effectively blend enamels? I'm new to modelling and was wondering what technique you used.

Great model mate

Jas

 

[valiant]

Jas,
thanks for the comments! Ive only ever used enamels ever since i started modelling 40 plus years ago!! the technique i use is to basecoat in the colour required, allow to dry (next day) then apply the shade mix to the shadows, then blend the edges into the base colour with a clean brush dampened with white spirit. Repeat with highlight colour.
Occasionally, there is a slight sheen on the blend, so i again allow to dry thoroughly, then apply a thinned coat of satin varnish to seal the surface (i had to do this on the cape of this figure). Then finally a matt varnish to dull it all down.
This is not intended as a 'How to do it', more of a 'How I do it!' As with all things, this has come about with much trial and error! Hope this helps
Keep modelling,
Steve

 

[Jas Madahar]

Steve,

Thanks mate I'm assuming that you use a clean brush dipped in white spirits to blend the edges together. Forgive me if I appear a little dumb asking this question, but I would rather be sure than sorry!

Just another question if I may. When you are using shading/lightening shades, do you use straight black/White or do you use darker shades of the base colour?

I told you I was a newbie!

Jas

 

[valiant]

Jas,
no probs! Yes, blend the edges of both the highlights and shadows into the base colour to soften the transition (if you can pick it up from the photos?!)
I dont usually use black or white to mix with. As I use Humbrol, I like to use either 103,147 or 121 to lighten and 67, 104 or 96 to darken, depending on the base shades. For flesh I basecoat in 62, mid tone with 61, lightened with white for highlights, again with much blending! Have a look also at my two Crimean busts further back in the painting section, it may help you to see blending using different colours,
hope this helps,
cheers,
Steve

 

[Jas Madahar]

Thanks Steve!

I'm planning to do my next figure in enamels, I suppose I feel more comfortable with enamels than acrylics. However, I found the joys of oils for faces, so will stick with those. One lesson I learnt was never use Games Workshop paints for faces, as some troops I did looked like the living dead :lol:

If I need your help, I'll drop you a line!

Jas