Russian WW1

[Johan]

I have done a number of their figures and have been very impressed.

Bob, do you have the Fusilier's Belgians too and what do you think of them?

 

[btavis]

Johan, I have never done the Fusilier Belgians. I suspect they are of good quality as the rest of the Fusilier figures are. Steve Warrilow does extensive research for his figures so I am sure accuracy is correct.

 

[Jason W.]

Outstanding paint job Bob!!! I really like the way you work the highlights and shadows.

 

[Joe Hudson]

Hey Bob,

Really nice work. I really like the finish on the canteen, it looks so real!

Keep up the good work!

Joe

 

[LCoote]

Nice pictures Bob, shows the figure much better, great paint job and lovely bit of groundwork too

 

[Anders Heintz]

Great new pictures Bob!

The figure is looking great, love the highlights and shadows. And as Joe said, the metal finish on the cup thingy ) ) is great, how did you acheive it? Keep it up!

 

[poch mahone]

Great work Bob,

What did you use for the grass it is outstanding.

Brian

 

[btavis]

After years of experimenting with various painting techniques I have settled on a very simple one. It requires the use of very soft blending brushes either sable, squirrel hair or similar. It also does not require much thinning of the oil paint either.


The base color is the medium value and from there shadows and highlights are applied.

 

[btavis]

Next add the shadow color applying it in the appropriate areas.

 

[btavis]

Then start gently stroking the applied shadow color with the blending brush.

 

[btavis]

Repeat this process gradually softening the edges into the base color.

 

[btavis]

Then do the same thing with the highlight color.

 

[btavis]

Initial blending of highlight.

 

[btavis]

Final highlight blending.

 

[btavis]

I would probably stop at that point and put the figure in the crockpot to seal the blending work. When the oil has dried adjustments can be made as appropriate. It is a very straight forward approach, takes little time and the results are predictable. I should add that you can do the blending either when the base color is wet or when it is dry. It may take some practice doing it when the base color is wet to prevent neutralizing the whole thing by eventually mixing the two together defeating the purpose of retaining the color distinction. All of the above steps I would do with the base color wet. If I was to add a deeper shadow or highlight I would do it with the base and first blending dry.

Brush types

From the link above the brush types that make good blending brushes are fan, filberts and oval mops. I use different sizes from very small to very large, puffy mops. Cosmetic blending brushes are also good.