Black outlining/detailing (1 Viewer)

[Vicknor]

Interested to know what fellow collectors/K&C purchasers (sure there's a difference) feel about the black outlining/detailing on pockets, sashes, belts and other equipment on K&C figures (possibly also the over highlighting of 'make up' as in my recent Zero pictures)

For those of us who collect them (see my picture thread), I guess it doesn't stop us buying pieces, but what are everyone's feelings about this style?

Personally, my favourites are the older DAK with non-black outlines and the Heinrich, Himmler and recent 'Deep in thought' pieces where the outlining cannot get in the way of the piece.

 

[Arnhemjim]

Interested to know what fellow collectors/K&C purchasers (sure there's a difference) feel about the black outlining/detailing on pockets, sashes, belts and other equipment on K&C figures (possibly also the over highlighting of 'make up' as in my recent Zero pictures)

For those of us who collect them (see my picture thread), I guess it doesn't stop us buying pieces, but what are everyone's feelings about this style?

Personally, my favourites are the older DAK with non-black outlines and the Heinrich, Himmler and recent 'Deep in thought' pieces where the outlining cannot get in the way of the piece.

Hello Vicknor,
Personally am not certain where or when the method originated, but know one of the earlier uses of the technique was by the famous team of Greenwood and Ball. The principal scale of their figures was approximately 1:32 (54mm) or perhaps even slightly smaller. Please see my blog page; http://arnhemjim.blogspot.com/2012/10/officers-of-scottish-regiments-of.html . They are particularly well-known for their rendition in dress uniform of the officers of the Highland Regiments of the British Army, circa 1914, the officers of the regiments of British Indian Army (same era), and the officers and personnel of the Werhmacht, Kriegsmarine, Luftwaffe, and Waffen-SS, circa 1936 -1945. Their particular style could be best described as dressed mannequins, and were fastidiously researched and rendered.
Arnhemjim
Arizona Territory

 

[Hazebrouck]

I think ArnhemJim is on the right track.

I have a couple of books on making and painting model soldiers from the late 1970s/early 80s era that describe the method. I will see if I can dig them out.

Scott

 

[Guy]

Hello Vicknor,
Personally am not certain where or when the method originated, but know one of the earlier uses of the technique was by the famous team of Greenwood and Ball. The principal scale of their figures was approximately 1:32 (54mm) or perhaps even slightly smaller. Please see my blog page; http://arnhemjim.blogspot.com/2012/10/officers-of-scottish-regiments-of.html . They are particularly well-known for their rendition in dress uniform of the officers of the Highland Regiments of the British Army, circa 1914, the officers of the regiments of British Indian Army (same era), and the officers and personnel of the Werhmacht, Kriegsmarine, Luftwaffe, and Waffen-SS, circa 1936 -1945. Their particular style could be best described as dressed mannequins, and were fastidiously researched and rendered.
Arnhemjim
Arizona Territory

It was repeated in the later "Lasset "line by several of their painters . As far as the black lines on the K&C figures are concerned. I do not like them that is why I repaint almost all K& C figures whenI use them in a dio
guy:smile2:

 

[Vicknor]

Hello Vicknor,
Personally am not certain where or when the method originated, but know one of the earlier uses of the technique was by the famous team of Greenwood and Ball. The principal scale of their figures was approximately 1:32 (54mm) or perhaps even slightly smaller. Please see my blog page; http://arnhemjim.blogspot.com/2012/10/officers-of-scottish-regiments-of.html . They are particularly well-known for their rendition in dress uniform of the officers of the Highland Regiments of the British Army, circa 1914, the officers of the regiments of British Indian Army (same era), and the officers and personnel of the Werhmacht, Kriegsmarine, Luftwaffe, and Waffen-SS, circa 1936 -1945. Their particular style could be best described as dressed mannequins, and were fastidiously researched and rendered.
Arnhemjim
Arizona Territory

Very interesting read. Just had a good look through your blog this morning. Would recommend others do too.

 

[WesternOutlaw]

This is a really interesting topic. I have no issue with the black outlining but always wondered why K&C does this. I always thought it was their signature style.

In fact, its very noticeable on the DAK figures with tan uniform:


Afrikakorps Outpost (6) by Western Outlaw, on Flickr

While I'm accustom to the black outlining, my issue remains the more matte finish on some figures and more glossy on others (some released very close apart). I prefer a little gloss but every now and then I pick up a new figure or two that seem overly "dry".

On the issue with the black outlining, I think what's more important is how well the overall figure is painted, esp. the face. Overly blacking of an open mouth doesn't look good.

Here's an example of an overly black mouth painted on Rommel:


Rommel's Desert Horch 5 by Western Outlaw, on Flickr

Other open-mouthed figures look just fine if painted well. Perhaps the trick is to show more teeth:^&grin


Afrikakorps by Western Outlaw, on Flickr


Albert Kesselring by Western Outlaw, on Flickr

 

[Vicknor]

Agree regarding black outlines on tan uniforms. However, my favourite items are in-fact DAK and have little heavy outlining.



Think I need to put this one on my picture thread too

 

[marco55]

Isn't the outlining suppose to be like shadowing?
Mark

 

[Al Fisher]

You show some wonderful figures but I think the black outlining detracts from them. Have you ever seen real-life clothing with pockets, belts, et cetera outlined with black? If a painter must outline features, I would prefer to see him/her use a darker tint of the uniform color. Just my two cents!

Bosun Al

 

[Vicknor]

Isn't the outlining suppose to be like shadowing?
Mark

I believe that would be the case yes

 

[Vicknor]

You show some wonderful figures but I think the black outlining detracts from them. Have you ever seen real-life clothing with pockets, belts, et cetera outlined with black? If a painter must outline features, I would prefer to see him/her use a darker tint of the uniform color. Just my two cents!

Bosun Al

I'd mostly agree with you yes. However, it's K&C's style. I'd prefer to see the highlighting more in line with some of the early DAK I've shown as I feel the black is a bit 80sish.

I have bought iPhones since day 1 though and they still drive me insane

The highlighting doesn't mean I'll restrict my collecting (I couldn't). Just interested in thoughts of others.

Western Outlaw's links above show clearly that it's not just a K&C thing

 

[Guy]

You show some wonderful figures but I think the black outlining detracts from them. Have you ever seen real-life clothing with pockets, belts, et cetera outlined with black? If a painter must outline features, I would prefer to see him/her use a darker tint of the uniform color. Just my two cents!

Bosun Al

that is the exact way to paint a figure
guy:smile2:

 

[Mossie]

Interested to know what fellow collectors/K&C purchasers (sure there's a difference) feel about the black outlining/detailing on pockets, sashes, belts and other equipment on K&C figures (possibly also the over highlighting of 'make up' as in my recent Zero pictures)

For those of us who collect them (see my picture thread), I guess it doesn't stop us buying pieces, but what are everyone's feelings about this style?

Personally, my favourites are the older DAK with non-black outlines and the Heinrich, Himmler and recent 'Deep in thought' pieces where the outlining cannot get in the way of the piece.

I agree with You, and I must say that I've purchased the Zero fighter, and I'm happy to have it, but I'm not a fan of higlighted panel lines and the comparison betwen zero and Marseille's BF109 is self speaking: the old K&C style wins by a wide margin....but as always is just a matter of personal taste:smile2:

 

[ChrisTay]

You show some wonderful figures but I think the black outlining detracts from them. Have you ever seen real-life clothing with pockets, belts, et cetera outlined with black? If a painter must outline features, I would prefer to see him/her use a darker tint of the uniform color. Just my two cents!

Bosun Al

No black outlining but instead, layering like this 1:32 resin figure would be nice. But believe me, the costs does go up significantly.



Rgds,Chris

 

[wayne556517]

Doesn't bother me other wise I wouldn't buy them,WHAT bothers me is figures to big for vehicles that annoys me.

 

[Vicknor]

No black outlining but instead, layering like this 1:32 resin figure would be nice. But believe me, the costs does go up significantly.

View attachment 194471

Rgds,Chris

That is a very lovely piece. I'd love to know;

1) how long it takes to paint that

2) the cost

I'm really starting to look at some of these high quality pieces.

Anyhow, further to my black outlining questions; I've decided to pick up my first Crimean pieces this week and they are covered in black lines.

 

[ChrisTay]

That is a very lovely piece. I'd love to know;

1) how long it takes to paint that

2) the cost

I'm really starting to look at some of these high quality pieces.

Anyhow, further to my black outlining questions; I've decided to pick up my first Crimean pieces this week and they are covered in black lines.

Vicknor, don't really know as it belongs to my friend in Singapore. Rgds,Chris

 

[jazzeum]

If you're going to pick up some Crimean pieces, I recommend the ones originally issued by K & C UK; Treefrog still has some and you can find others on eBay. They were some of the best figures K & C ever made. The later ones, after K & C took over the line, are not very good.

 

[Vicknor]

If you're going to pick up some Crimean pieces, I recommend the ones originally issued by K & C UK; Treefrog still has some and you can find others on eBay. They were some of the best figures K & C ever made. The later ones, after K & C took over the line, are not very good.

I have no idea who did what and when unfortunately. Again unfortunately, I'm a bit old fashioned and will only buy 'on touch'. My plan is Cr014 this week as I'm an obsessive flag/colours collector

 

[jazzeum]

I just thought I'd give you a little background as I used to collect the range and have been a collector for 12 years but, of course, it is up to you what you decide to do. You are fortunate that you can see items in person but most can't do that.