I’m spending time learning more about color theory, and my YouTube peregrinations led me to videos by John Wellington, a professor at the New York Academy of Art. This video of him painting an oil portrait led me to the comments and questions below:
- First, i find his videos entertaining, and full of wisdom and knowledge that, I believe, are applicable to our trade. They’re long but well worth it, in my opinion. I was happy to learn that basic flesh tone is very bright burnt sienna!
- I remember, 20-some years ago, that painting flesh on 1/35th figures was usually done with oils. Is it out of fashion now? I find that tutorial videos now use acrylic for the most part, but perhaps it’s just more trendy right now.
- The artist paints with glazes on a blue background. I’ve read that some figure painters use this technique as well for flesh, but i haven’t found any convincing example. Is any of you familiar with this technique?
Thanks!
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I still paint figures in artist oils over acrylic undercoats. I am pretty much an “old school” modeler, though.
OOTB Tamiya M10 crew figures.
Resin Italian motorcycle rider.
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Very impressive! Have you ever tried painting with acrylics only, for the sake of comparison?
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Interesting video, need to go back to watch the whole video. Was filmed down the road from me in Raleigh and I have shopped at Jerry’s.
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Small world!
Frankly, you won’t waste your time: he shares a huge amount of skills and knowledge, and I’ve only watched 3 out of 8 videos (I think).
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Whatever the wisdom & whatever the techniques, the final test is what it looks like in prevailing light. There’s a huge difference between artificial light and natural light. I’ve done some faces which look pretty good in the former, but because my preference is to do final photos in the latter it’s often been a case of wtf?? - looks terrible/unnatural/plain wrong.
Many may disagree, but if we’re trying to replicate reality then the reality was not under lights but in real light. An exception might be if one’s aiming to exhibit at a show, that’s likely to be under lights so fair enough. Otherwise, take figures outdoors and see what they look like there.
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Good piece of wisdom here as well! Thanks for sharing
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I went through an “acrylics phase” when I experimented with glazing and wet-pallet techniques back in the late ‘90s. I eventually produced some acceptable - for me - work, but for several reasons I was not happy with using those methods. That decision was largely about matters of temperament, the way I envision my workflow and style. I first learned to blend with hobby enamels (in the ‘70s) and then added artist oils to extend the working time (late ‘70s into the ‘80s) and finally moved to all artist oils (late ‘90s). I’m a slow worker, some might even call me a plodder, and the wet-on-wet blending method works for me.
There are, of course, masters of acrylics who clearly produce results of the highest quality, so as a medium, there is absolutely nothing wrong with acrylics. By the same token, there are also masters of other figure painting media that produce equally impressive results - hobby enamels, even gouache paints. The thing is that each of the different media require different techniques. This can be hard for a new painter to learn and internalize.
So, FWIW, my suggestion and recommendation is to stick with one medium and really try to master it. Study the precise techniques and methods that the best artists who paint with that medium. There are some techniques and methods that will cross-over, but not that very many. Only change mediums once you’ve given the one you’re using a serious effort. NONE of the media are easier than any of the others except in the sense that one might be a better for your personal style and methods of work. However, ALL of them take time and practice to master (lots and lots of practice).
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Well said Mike , excellent advice.
I changed from Humbrol enamels in the 80s, and then oils, and finally Acrylics and have stuck with them.
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Great advice Mike. You are a modeling sage and so giving with your vast knowledge. So many in-depth posts across so many topics and always outstanding information.
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