Why I Went To A Smaller Scale

[Steve Arthur]

First, I wish to say thanks to all of you again for the encouragement I received regarding my first and second figure attempts. Many of you suggested that I try a larger figure and I thought I would show you why I decided to go back to a smaller figure to hone my painting skills. This is the Glenco Paratrooper kit and it is far from being completed, but I was really disappointed with the facial results. As you can see the finish is very rough and I was not at all happy with the skin tones and shadowing. I have a few of the IMEX knight kits that I plan to practice on as well before I move up to the more expensive offerings. (I've a Verlinden 120mm Russian officer that will be my first attempt at a better quality figure) I think that this one will be tossed into the tub of Formula 409, cleaned, re-primed and start over.

Best Wishes
Steve

 

[Lou Masses]

"Good Painting can never fix a bad figure"

Although expensive, try your hand at a better figure. You'll never be able to "rate" yourself if the canvas is no good. You have talent. Get your self a large sized bust to try your hand at faces on a "better" canvas. By the look of this figure you can do it pretty well.

That's pretty damn good. Get a better canvas and it will be better. And if you're not happy with it (which you should never be) forget the expense - like you said- and strip it and start over-but on a better figure. It's all about how you feel about it. In my opinion, you're ahead of the curve.

Lou

 

[Guy]

Originally posted by Lou Masses@Nov 2 2004, 11:20 PM
"Good Painting can never fix a bad figure"

Although expensive, try your hand at a better figure. You'll never be able to "rate" yourself if the canvas is no good. You have talent. Get your self a large sized bust to try your hand at faces on a "better" canvas. By the look of this figure you can do it pretty well.



Lou

Hey Steve,

I have to agree with Lou. I started with the smaller, less detailed figures 30 years ago and switched up to 90mm and 120mm figures. In this size you do have a better canvas, as Lou calls it and there fore your painting will will be better as well. I made my best strides in painting in this 90 - 120mm range and saw vast improvements in a short period of time. I agree with Lou also in trying a bust to perfect your flesh tones. I even bought 4 sets ( 20 heads) of Verlinden spare heads in 120mm to perfect my flesh tones. A rather small investment as compared to 4 figures of that size today.

One other thing is stripping figures to repaint them. I can gaze at my collection over a period of time and see the improvement in each figure. This also helps in comparing the newer figure you are painting to an older figure to insure you are on the right track.

Above all, ask questions anytime you get the chance. The guys that are starting out now have a vast advantage now as compared to when I started. You can jump on the computor and ask a question, show a picture of what you are working on, and get immediate answers. Back when I started, you had to wait sometimes a whole year until the next show before you could ask a question from somebody who also paints figures. I used to drive anywhere from 3 to 5 hours to spend a day with other painters. to learn their techniques and from them, develope my own technique and style. Former masters, some who have passed on to the figure heaven in the sky, always answered questions when I asked them. I owe many thanks to Joe Keenan, Jim Beaver, Henri Lions, for allowing me to watch them and pic their brains while they painted at home. Many questions I asked at shows to Bob Knee, Phil Kesseling, Shep Payne were always there at shows to stop what they were doing to answer this young figure painter just getting started..........So ask away.........we will all take time to answer...........as many have to us.

btw.......Now I have switched back to the smaller figures and they are so much better than the 54's I did years ago.

 

[Lou Masses]

Guy,

You're right and I hadn't thought of that. Although you started WAY before me :lol: , we both experienced it before the interent; Go to show thinking you had the "mona Lisa" see other's work and think again! The only feedback came after the fact. Now, in this day and age, you can ask as you go. Places like pF can only make you better! You have a pooled talent here that surpasses any book, or advice.

Lou

PS-Reminds me of news coverage-I remember having to wait on a story-now within 15 seconds you have 15 different views!

 

[Jimmy S]

Lou has hit the nail on the head Steve. Once you get a good figure it brings the enthusiasm right back up and you can't help but want to do a good job (I have the thinking I kinda owe it to the sculptor...). After a while you get a feeling for certain figures or eras and just keep getting better. What period do you have a yen for? I'm sure there will be plenty of recommendations flowing for certain figures if you put that info up. I like modern figures but also delve into anything 95th Rifles. So why am I painting an Apache? 'Cos it was such a great figure I couldn't help it!! I even did a WW2 figure once (Jaguar Ardennes Stretcher bearer - fantastic fig)

 

[captnenglish]

I don't think it's your painting, I think it's the figure. Break out that Verlinden figure and I think your skill will improve a 1000 times.

 

[Patrick Kirk]

Steve,
Ditto what brother Lou and Guy have already hit on...I will tell you that this forum has the some of the world's best artists consistently contributing to threads. The only way you grow is by letting yourself grow and use those around you to help...

All the best

Patrick

 

[megroot]

Hello STeve,

I started painting this year. The first figure's are cheap second hand figure's. It was everytime the same, i couldn't get them "good".
So i buy me several figures (54 mm) from Pegaso, Latorre. Then i started again, but asking questions in a club with figure painters, and questions at the planet. Even i take some pictures and put them here.
Now, i am almost painting every evening for about 1 year, and i really can say, now i am painting a figure instead off coloring a figure.
It is all thanks to the guys here.

Marc.

 

[Le Lancier]

Yup, I have to agree with all the previous posts, the figure is the key, my friend. My first figure was a 120mm german officer fron Verlinden. That's how I learned to apply all the newly learned complexities of figure painting, with not so bad results. Although I do admit that the thought of screwing up on a more expensive figure may seem daunting. But it's worth it, and there's always the tub of formula 409 if your not entirely satisfied with the result.

 

[KeithP]

I would also add that if there is any concern about $, you can start out with VL 120's or VL busts 200 mm. They are great value with very decent detail and quality.

Good luck!

Keith

 

[Steve Arthur]

Originally posted by sharpie95@Nov 3 2004, 01:17 AM
What period do you have a yen for?

Actually, my interest sort of spans the spectrum. I do however, have a penchant for the Victorian-British Army. I've no idea why, but I do. I think it may have been fueled by the movies "Zulu" and "Zulu Dawn" and then later reading Lawrence James' "The Rise and Fall of the British Empire" There's something about that period and the meshing of the Industrial Revolution with the 18th and 19th centuries that I can't put my finger on. At any rate, I like all periods.

Best Wishes

Steve

BTW thanks to all in regards to the advice on the figures and the comments on how you see my talent as it stands at this point. It really makes me feel better about it.

 

[Jimmy S]

Steve what a great period you picked! A time when the British officer was a real dandy and the British soldier was turning from redcoat to khaki. have a look at Bill Horan's book and see his figures on this era for soem awesome inspiration. I have the Michael Roberts Naval Brigade figure on the "next on the list" category. Alpha Images have some great Zulu stuff and even the Verlinden Zulu figures are not bad. Anyone else recommend a kit to Steve?