Newbie Figure question

So I just tried this system , base coated in Vallejo Field Gray , waited a few days even though I know I didn’t have to , made a deep shadow color for the FG in artist oils , applied that all over the figure , then brushed it off with a clean dry brush hoping the deep shadow color would stay in all the recesses , which it did but it also "stained the original FG to a “darker version” which I couldn’t seem to get rid of fully causing not enough transition in color , what do you think of that method? , after some highligting it looked ok , not super happy with it , i know i need practice.

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I won’t comment on technique as my figure painting is abysmal at best …

Try posting a few pics of the before and after and then the more experienced figures painting gurus would be able to give more in depth advice :+1:

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Ronald, any colour added this way will stain the base colour. Essentially it is the same as adding a wash over the model (aka Filter if you are that way inclined).

This is especially so with matt colours as the pigment is trapped more easily.

Like John, I am no figure modeller, and other guys may have better ideas than me, but I do a pin wash for folds and creases. A using a fine point brush and heavily thinned paint (or acrylic in my case) I just touch the tip to the edge of the crease and let it flow.

I usually do more than one pass as I like to keep the effect subtle and it is easier to do a second pass to add more depth as too much is hard to come back from.

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I don’t have a definitive answer either but maybe a coat of varnish first would protect it?

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Do you have pics you could show us? It might help us guide you better. There are many methods of figure painting and you just have to try as many as you can and practice of course and try to find one that you are most happy with. Peter makes a good point; maybe thin the oils to a wash consistency this way you can play with it more ; ie blend it more or remove more of it so it doesn’t stain as much and you can control it more. The beauty of oils is their working time. I stopped using them myself many years ago and have found comfort and some success with Vallejo’s. I still find figure painting VERY difficult myself and won’t ever master it or come close.

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Very nice job on those figures Peter!

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Way too kind with that compliment Richard! :grin:

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I’d be happy with those figures perched on one of my tank models bro!

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It takes some experimentation on an expendable spare figure, but the trick’s to slightly lighten the initial FG coat before applying it, so that when you do the dark wash it compensates. Your dark wash may need dilution too, I don’t usually need to brush it off the ridges i.e. crease-tops, it naturally settles in the furrows. But OK sometimes it doesn’t completely, so I just gently dry-brush the original FG over the ridges again.

Here’s an example, the legs on the left-hand figure…

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All I would add is if you switch from a base coat of acrylics then to oils you really ought to use a clear varnish especially if you are thinning the oils to use as a wash. Separate those two mediums and you can work your oils or remove them w thinner and go at it again. However if you do that now the thinner will not only remove the oils but also your acrylic base will get mucked up. The lacquer or varnish will act as a barrier so the two dissimilar paints don’t react to each other. Just like if you weather w oils on a kit the general advice is spray that clear lacquer first then work your oils, same w figures unless you just stick to one type of paint or the other.

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Not actually! There is no need for a barrier, guys, none whatsoever. Personally, I would consider it a waisted step. If you use the acrylic base and let it dry, then start right off with oils, you’re good. My figs don’t sit overnight most of the time. If they are dried from the hair dryer, we’re good, Ruck On.

Using oils is a process of blending, not layering. I know acrylics are all the rage, but the mindset is completely different. It’s like everything else, a preference. So, if you are determined to learn it, don’t fret the screw ups, keep at it and have fun while you’re screwin up. :wink:

Ron, you really do need to show us your progress, we can’t advise without seeing what you’ve done so far. I hope the link I sent in my reply to your PM was of some help.

Ruck On, Bby!

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Hey Ron, howz it going? Please advise on your progress, we haven’t heard hide nor hair from you since your initial post. Just curious of your results :wink:

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ill get pics as soon as i can , again thanks for all your advice, very much appreciated and a helpful community

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We will do whatever we can to assist from our end, Ron.

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I promised you guys pics of what I was working on

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That looks great! Are they the old Tamiya figures that have been on sale for donkey’s years?

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Very nice vignette. You’ve done a great job! :star_struck:

—mike

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Yes the original 80’s Tamiya Mg team .Thats just 2 of the seven figures , I plan a more elaborate one with the mg42 behind sandbags and barbed wire , very original idea, lol, just getting my feet wet again in this great hobby .

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Whats strange is I think the vignette looks better to me in person than the pictures , the pictures are not picking up the shadows and highlites , perhaps I need to increase my contrasts .

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Might try looking at nightshift video on painting figures.
https://youtu.be/yoN2m_c-wfY?si=462O84bDOwjnzQBq

Also kalmbach has a couple books on painting figures.

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