Tarleton bust - painting the face

[Mongo Mel]

Hi,
This to let you know that I've posted the third installment of my on line SBS group build of Verlindens Banestre Tarleton bust.
This one is on painting the face and you can see it here
Craig
PS: Again, my thanks to Gordy for allowing my to post this on pF.

 

[KeithP]

I still use your basic flesh mix on my figgies Craig :lol: I do add a bit of the Liquitex Burnt Sienna to the Deep Portrait Pink to ruddy up the tone. Also, a bit of WN Blue cools that Burnt Sienna in the oil base.



Keep going. I want to see those eyes!

Keith

 

[Mongo Mel]

Hi Keith,
That's a real nice compliment..thanks
Interesting comment about the WN Blue. Is that the Green shade or Red shade?
Craig

 

[megroot]

Craig,
this is looking great. As Keith i also use your mixes. I printed all the articles out and have them by my side when i'm painting. They are so usefull.
Thanks.

Marc

 

[Frank-Holger]

Craig, this is a well written and illustrated tutorial! Holy Cow, this face looks well done, the blending, highlighting and the shadows and how to achieve this is great stuff. Perfect!

Frank

 

[Brent Fordham]

Thanks for the heads up, Craig. I'm a little behind on the bust, but will be catching up soon.

 

[Mongo Mel]

Hi guys,
Thanks to you all for the nice things you've said here. I appreciate it very much.

Brent, no worries on being a little behind. As you probably know, my original plan was to begin these painting posts after I had the entire piece completed. But at the urging of several people I decided to get this one out there early. Probably a good idea as I still don't have the whole thing painted.
I warned everyone that I paint pretty slowly :lol:
Anyway, take your time, there's not big rush. Although I am anxious to see some progress shots from everyone.
And don't hesitate to ask if there's anything I can do to help. that's what this is all about.
Cheers,
Craig

PS: I thought that it might be a good idea to post pictures of the end results from this installment. As always, I'd appreciate hearing any thoughts or recommendations you good folks have for me.
Thanks

 

[Mongo Mel]

Another view...
Also, just to remind anyone interested. I can email out a PDF version of this installment. Just let me know if you're interested. Best thing might be to PM me with your email address.
Craig

 

[KeithP]

Continues to look good!

BTW, that is the WN Blue (Red Shade)... Just a teeny tiny dot of this to cool that Burnt Sienna!

Keith

 

[Mongo Mel]

Thanks Keith. I'll have to keep that in mind for future figures.
Can I also ask for a little more explanation on just what this does for the face.

My experience with warm vs. cool tones is best described by comparing Mars Black (warm) to Lamp Black (cool).

For my thinking (and lack of knowledge :lol: ) I would think a warmer tone to the face would be more appropriate.

Thanks,
Craig

 

[KeithP]

For me, the WN blue “cools” the orange tone that BS sometimes shows. For my figgies, when I have added the WN blue, the oil base on the figure is more of a red – brown tone rather than orange – brown (without the blue).
It may be my own personal opinion, but with the WN blue in the oil base, this also seems to darken the first wet on wet shadow with the 100% BS. This still keeps that nice ruddy effect of the BS but takes out the orange-y effect. Hope that makes some sense… May be "cool" was not the right word

It may be hard to tell from my pics but this is what I wanted to achieve in the Stonewall Jackson I am working on now and the Blackwatch highlander that are in my pF workbench.

Next time you mix up some of you standard base mix, put another glob with the WN blue added next to this original to see the differences…

Keith

 

[Mongo Mel]

Hi Keith,
I took a look at your figures in your VBench. Very nice work
I think I understand what you're talking about with adding the blue.
I saw that you did the Verlinden Lancer bust. Did you use the blue in the flesh for it too? If so, I like the effect.
I'll write this one down and try it out on a figure (someday :lol: )
I appreciate the suggestion and your explainations.
Thanks,
Craig

 

[Kisifer]

Craig thanks a lot for the great work. It really helps a lot, even for people that use oils for long time. A good article like this one is always welcomed.
Keith, your mix with the Blue really caught my attention and I will try it on the figure that i;m working on right now. I was always thought that my basic mix is looking somewhat not that natural and warm.
So you just add W&N blue to your basic mix right? and then procceed normally with shadows and highlights?
Cheers

Xenofon

 

[KeithP]

Craig- The Lancer is pretty much a one for one of your mix. No WN Blue added.

It is really interesting to see how figuistas view what "appears natural"
I have seen some really technically well painted figgies that did not look at all natural to me.

Xenofon - Yes. I only add the WN Blue to the flesh base. All the other shadows are either Burnt Sienna, Madder Brown Alaz and Sepia. My highs are usually adding tit white and Naples Yellow, Jaune Brilliant or Cad Yellow to the flesh base mix.
I am pretty sure that all my mixes are listed in each one of those work bench threads. If they are not clear, let me know and I'll be glad to give more detail.

Keith

 

[Mongo Mel]

Hi Keith,

Craig- The Lancer is pretty much a one for one of your mix. No WN Blue added.

Well..that's just a little bit embarassing :lol:

When I began painting figures, I hated what I saw as an overdone look to the faces. The heavy shadows and highlights didn't look at all "natural" to me. Especially on the 54mm figs. So I tried to keep them to a minimum on my figures. Over time, I realized that while this maybe looked more "natural", it didn't look very interesting. So I started increasing them on my pieces and was much happier with the results.
I don't know how "natural" my figures look to others. In the end, we just have to please ourselves
Thanks again for the tip. I know I'm going to give it a try.
Craig

 

[KeithP]

Craig - I am not surprised that you found the Lancer most appealing as it mirrored your mix.

I am not a big fan of the use of black as a shade for flesh but I have seen several figures painted as such and absolutely gushed over. OTH, Augie Rodriqeuz and I had a friendly disagreement on his site about the natural tone of Brown Madder Alazarin. I like it alot and he hates it. :lol:

Oil paint is such a wonderful medium. I love experimenting.

Also, in the interest of full disclosure, I "borrowed"... err... "stole" the WN Blue idea from Roc. Thx Roc. Of course, I stole alot of Phil Kesslings mixes too. "We stand on the shoulders of giants..."

Keith