Suitable first figure?

[simon 64]

I was wandering what you all think would a suitable first figure to try. I am interseted in WW2 german at the moment as it carries on from my AFV modelling so I have some references available. I'm thinking larger scale such as 1/16th and have considered starting with an inexpensive kit such as Dragon, Tamiya and Verlindan as not to ruin an expensive kit (I found that out the hard way with an AFV kit!). So any advice and ideas would be a great help.

 

[DEL]

Here's a good 'mid range' figure with more than enough going on for you to hone your technique.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/120mm-WWI...es_ModelKits_ModelKits_JN&hash=item51b006dda1
Cheers
Derek

 

[Tubby-Nuts2]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Tamiya-1-...delKits_ModelKits_JN&var=&hash=item27d7d509db

A selection! cheap enough for practise!

Regards,

Mark

 

[tonydawe]

Tamiya, miniart and Dragon produce some very good quality plastic 1/16th scale (120mm) figures that are ideal starter kits for new figure painters. They are relatively cheap and provide an excellent opportunity to develop your skills.

 

[Steve]

I think it best to start with a simple uniform color-wise. Feldgrau as opposed to dot camo or the like. This allows you to focus on your technique as opposed to having to learn the ins and outs of painting camouflage at the same time.

 

[Tubby-Nuts2]

Simon! ,.. I agree with Steve! .. feel your way in! .. with the scale and subject, and keep it simple, yet interesting! .. and something that 'piques ', your, interest!.. that's the key!

Mark

 

[simon 64]

thanks for all the ideas every one they are all really appriciated. Yes Steve, although I like the look of Oak Pattern etc, I think that diving in at the deep end is not the best of ideas. As you have said Mark, it's got be something that I'm going to enjoy and some of the tamiya kits you have shown are very interesting watch this space and be prepared to fall over laughing/groaning!

 

[Ferris]

Actually, I'd suggest NOT to pick a cheap or mid-range figure. I know the feeling of not wanting to ruin a nice figure, but when you are practicing there is no such thing as ruining. We have to go through a learning curve whatever we do, and looking back, mine would have been steeper if I had started with top-class figures. Better figures are easier to paint (figures with the same complexity of course)
And there're not THAT more expensive. Take this one:

http://www.alpineminiatures.com/imagepages/16001.html

It hardly costs a fortune and I consider it a good starter figure. The pants can be done in plain grey or white as well, so no need for complex camo, if you want to avoid that.

Just be brave and do it. Don't be afraid to 'ruin' something.

Cheers,
Adrian

 

[Richie]

Hi Simon,
Firstly welcome, I have attached a thread showing what you can achieve with Tamiya figures, this might give you some ideas, inspiration and some useful tips. I do side with others, buy what inspires you. If you buy a nice figure there is no such thing as destroying, if your unhappy with the painted results, strip it, learn were you went wrong and start again. You can always put up a post on here anytime and someone will give you advice and help guide you. I know I've had plenty.

I do agree with Adrian, buy a half decent figure, something you like, the detail tends to be a lot better and sometimes this detail helps guide the brush and makes you push harder.

Last thing...... no one is going to laugh at you, we all started off the same once and I still I my first figures in the cabinet, it just serves as a reminder of were you started and were you are now.

Good luck, keep asking, keep posting.
cheers
Richie
http://www.planetfigure.com/threads/1-16th-tamiya-figure-with-alpine-head-in-progress.53661/

 

[pmfs]

Hi!

Teasung Harmms figures (Alpine Miniatures), because they are very well sculpted lots of detail with a fantastic casting.
Try to begin with a simple figure, without camo rather...
In 1/16 I advise you the figure number 16019 is a German Fallschirmjäger with to kinds of field grey a good exercise for a beginner.
In 1:35 series you can try 35038 an SS in winter with black jacket and the pants with field grey instead the always difficult white.

Cheers

 

[simon 64]

Thanks Ritchie what a great thread and certainly shows how impresive the Tamiya kits can be made to look.

Ferris thanks for the faith and the idea of looking at the higher end of the market is becoming more intresting the more I think about it and as a modelling friend of mine says there is no such thing as a mistake, just a helpful accident.

Pmfs thanks for the suggestions of kits to look for, and thinking about it I have a couple of 1/35th tamiya figures left over from AFV kits that could make a cheap (i.e. free!) test pieces.

The traders at this years nationals at Telford could be seeing a lot of my money this time round.....

 

[Tubby-Nuts2]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Verlinden...es_ModelKits_ModelKits_JN&hash=item2c72b3c4fb

Here is a thought for you! .... Granted still 8 days!

Mark

 

[ChaosCossack]

I came on this one late.
Though I agree with most of what you've been told here, I do have my own two cents worth of nothing .
Definitely, the better castings are easier to paint. I feel for a first figure though, I'd go for a slightly small scale. Details may be bigger at larger scales but I think when it comes to highlighting and blending and such, larger scale is less forgiving. If you're used to AFV, start with some Dragon or Tamiya figs... decent casts and CHEAP!!!! Then Alpine 1/35 figs... very high quality pieces. For me 75 and 90mm are the ultimate scale... great detail, no huge areas to deal with yet not painfully small for the eyes.

That's my two cents

Colin