1/35 Great Wall Hobby 12. 8 cm Pak 44 .

[Guest]

I think the figures are looking fine John. You're getting a neat finish which I think is the most important consideration.

[JR]

ooh no pressure , John!
I feel a bit of a fraud, considering there are so many more experienced and talented painters on here but as you ask,here goes....
I follow Peter Day's advice from a couple of years ago on here; I use mostly a 5/0 brush for almost everything (except mixing) and an Optivisor .
My latest discovery is the wet palette, and that has changed painting from a necessary evil to something I feel confident about. It prevents the paint from drying too soon on the palette,which makes it easier to avoid brush marks and lumps, which was always my frustration with acrylics.
I'm gradually learning how to build up the colour rather than trying to get a solid coat at first pass like you do with enamel.
With straps it's often easier to paint them first then paint up to the edge, and you can do the same with thin lines - if you paint it too fat you can often paint the background colour over the top and just leave a tiny edge showing.
For me the main thing is practice, which is why I am doing more and more painting these days.
Hardly a masterclass but I hope it helps?

Thanks Neil, being trying the wet pallette and it's far better method. It seems I'm doing the right thing building the colour up. Will just have to take it slow.

I think the figures are looking fine John. You're getting a neat finish which I think is the most important consideration.

Thanks Peter. I can see why you don't do this scale anymore. Even kitted out with all the magnication available I find I can only work for about 15 mins before I find myself blinking to clear the eye. It's a b****er .

[boatman]

WOW John ive just looked all through your build again an that gun model is in my opinion one of the most detailed models ive ever seen an now you on the figures this build should be a cracker im still followin on
:thumb2::thumb2::thumb2::thumb2::thumb2:

chris

[JR]

WOW John ive just looked all through your build again an that gun model is in my opinion one of the most detailed models ive ever seen an now you on the figures this build should be a cracker im still followin on
:thumb2::thumb2::thumb2::thumb2::thumb2:

chris

Very kind of you to say Chris. I think one of the reasons for being able to build it was taking my time. You just couldn't do too much at one go .More figures to come !

[Wouter]

wow, that gun is a huge chap even at this scale! Nice build mate, and good to see the figs getting started!

Cheers

[JR]

wow, that gun is a huge chap even at this scale! Nice build mate, and good to see the figs getting started!

Cheers

Thanks Wouter, and good news today well ahead of expected delivery date I have had these arrive.


These will be perfect as spectators to the gun.

Meanwhile the other figures are slowly proceeding.
No arms on yet as trying to paint the torso better and easier without them. Also I can paint the kit off , leaving the back clean , remove a little of the paint and then successfully glue.
I have looked at some perfect Hornet Heads, but will have to clean out the helmets so they fit. Also there is the problem of drilling into the torso , last time I ended up with some rather large holes !


Still plenty to do on these, but with applying thinners coats of paint it's easier to apply some shading without obliterating the detail.
Ant advice from the figure painters would be taken , and welcomed.

Thank for looking in.

[Neil Merryweather]

those figures are looking good John :thumb2:

[Andy Belsey]

I am probably considered a ‘figure painter’ by some but I admit in my book that it’s something I dabble with. I get a reasonable result and have to relearn each time I do it but I’m not quite sure how I got there often?! We all develop our own ‘style‘ but the guys like Peter have some great tips to help us on our way. My friend Mike Butler says practice is the key.
Keep trying and learn but remember to have fun while you do it.
Andy

[Jim R]

Hi John
Figures are looking fine and will compliment the gun perfectly. Those Dragon figures are very nice, I've not seen that set before.
Jim

[JR]

those figures are looking good John :thumb2:

Thanks Neil, there hope then :smiling3:

I am probably considered a ‘figure painter’ by some but I admit in my book that it’s something I dabble with. I get a reasonable result and have to relearn each time I do it but I’m not quite sure how I got there often?! We all develop our own ‘style‘ but the guys like Peter have some great tips to help us on our way. My friend Mike Butler says practice is the key.
Keep trying and learn but remember to have fun while you do it.
Andy

Andy thanks for looking in, I think practice is the key alright and fully agree with you on the having to relearn.

Hi John
Figures are looking fine and will compliment the gun perfectly. Those Dragon figures are very nice, I've not seen that set before.
Jim

Cheers Jim , I think so too. I've never seen them before either, and the assembly is moulding method is different as you will see from the photos.

The first thing I noticed was the two part torso.

Front and then back.


The legs, less boots.


Looking on Scale mates this is a new tool.

Soviet Guards Infantry
1944-45
Dragon | No. 6376 | 1:35

Facts

Brand:	Dragon
Title:	Soviet Guards Infantry 1944-45
Number:	6376
Scale:	1:35
Type:	Figure
Released:	| Initial release - new tool
Barcode:	0089195863768 (EAN)
Topic:	Russian Soldiers (WW2) » Humans (World War II)

Lastly hands.

Any one else seen this method from Dragon before? I like the idea of separate hands and feet. How it all fit will have to be seen.

John.

[Andy Belsey]

They look like digital sculpt to me.
Andy

[minitnkr]

Coming along nicely. Should make it easier to mix & match components to achieve more poses. PaulE

[Guest]

Nothing wrong with the painting so far John. I find it's all a matter of continually correcting and adjusting as you go along, and in the long term, as Andy says, it's all about practice, practice, practice.

I have attempted some similar Dragon figures before, but I didn't find them as well done as these appear to be. They seem more aimed at the modeller than figure painter, having so many separate parts, which is unusual, especially at 1/35.

[Lee Drennen]

John. Nice updates looking great

[Fernando N]

Just caught up John, nicely built gun very neat :thumb2:
Great start at the figs too, think the mentioned setup will be suited for the big AT gun:smiling: