My figures arnt coming out as good as I like!!! NEED HELP!

[Guest]

This is the second time I am painting figures. The first one I did was a group of vietnam soldiers (U.S.) if anyone remembers I posted photos of them up. I was happy with that job considering I never done it before. I really enjoyed it so i thought of doing another bunch.

I have been looking up so many ways on doing them but can never get it right. Can anyone provide me a simple tutorial and step by step on how to paint these things???

So far I know to:

1) Wash the parts in soapy water.

2) Prime the figure

3) Add a base coat of black

After this point is where all the different ways on doing it go in many directions (such as first paint all the items on the figure, or paint it all, etc etc).

Thank you so much!

[Guest]

Stefan, You are asking questions that are so wide and diverse they would take volumes to answer. I have already spent a couple of hours this week on answering your questions including a comprehensive tutorial on the use of washes that you didn't even acknowledge so I suggest that you try to ask more specific questions rather than such sweeping wide ranging ones.

There is already a wealth of advice on the internet regarding the painting of figures including excellent tutorials, all you have to do is look them up and read them. If they generate further specific questions I think members here may find them a bit more manageable to answer.

Have a look at the excellent tutorials on this site, they don't get much better than this, and try out some of the techniques explained there:

Doctor Faust's Painting Clinic

[AlanG]

Excellent link ther Richard. Thanks for posting it. Added to my faves for a later date

[Guest]

It's one of the best sites I've ever come across for figure painting guides as the tutorials are step by step and give you the opportunity to try it out yourself with a printed copy in front of you on the modelling bench.

[Guest]

Sorry I have been pretty busy the past few weeks and I do acknowledge the help you have given me by saying "thank you" in my post. I am only a beginner in painting figures and it can be quite confusing with all these methods that I have read.

[spanner570]

Stefan, Richard is quite right. There are great tutorials to be read on here and on the web, however I am in the camp where simple is best and sometimes methods can get too complicated.

So briefly here is my own way using just enamel paints:-

Clean figure / paint uniform whatever colour (I don't prime) / paint buckles, straps, boots and things that are moulded on / paint equipment on the sprues.

When the figure is dry I give the whole thing a wash of very well thinned Dk. grey to highlight creases ect. Then glue on the equipment.

For the face I use well thinned flesh paint with a slight grey tinge, then when dry I highlight things like eyebrows, stubble and bags under the eyes with a 5B pencil. I don't touch the eyes on 1/35 or less.

If you want dust, I dip my blokes in polyfilla powder, then give him a good flick.....Don't laugh, it works a treat.LOL

That's it. My figures might not be to other people's taste but I'm happy with them...

Number one rule:- Don't rush it, take your time and don't let frustration creep in. You can't expect the results you would like first time, or for a few more goes after that even!

Remember though, we all have our own way of approaching all things painting, so as Richard points out, experiment with different ways. You will find your own way of painting things. So yes, have a read of tutorials but you can't beat hands on and don't expect to get the exact same result as any pictures you see. In my experience it doesn't work like that.

Ron

[Guest]

It's that hands-on part that is so important as Ron rightly says. I would print out a tutorial and refer to it on your workbench as you do the figure to give you the hands-on experience but with the guidance of the tutorial. Don't be afraid to simplify it to start with, if the tutorial suggests five shades of colour start with only three. Yoy will still get the idea and learn the technique without over complicating it.

After trying a few systems my own preference is now to use only acrylics over a car body spray on acrylic primer of either white or grey. This is my own preference though and there are equally those who prefer oil based paints or enamels. It is up to you to try these things out and decide which you prefer.