Britains, Gloss vs. Matte (1 Viewer)

[PolarBear]

Hi There!
I am always torn about this very subject myself. I agree that realistic dioramas look best in Matt style painting and finish. I do know that some striking displays can also be done in Gloss style figures. but I have noticed that the scenic items used here are often done in flat finishes...an odd disconnect that works. I know that single figures and massed figures look great in the traditional Gloss and that is the way I display my Redcoats/Bluecoats and Imperials here.
I am thinking about creating a couple of small scenes with the new Redcoats/Bluecoats F&I figures due out in the new catalog, but painting them in the Matt style for myself. I am just a bit curious...
Ken

Ken

I hope you will post your matte versions of the FIW figures. Would it be difficult for WB to issue these in both matte and glossy versions since the same sculpts could be used?

Randy

 

[jomartvr]

Hi Ken and Richard,
I second Randy's call for matt F&I figures.

I noticed in the photographs from the open house at the Toy Soldier shoppe an indian holding a mitre cap from a grenadier. That figure would be excellent in a matte finish. There is simply too much detail in the figure to paint it in a gloss format.

Benjamin

 

[VIRIATO]

Hi Ken and Richard,
I second Randy's call for matt F&I figures.

I noticed in the photographs from the open house at the Toy Soldier shoppe an indian holding a mitre cap from a grenadier. That figure would be excellent in a matte finish. There is simply too much detail in the figure to paint it in a gloss format.

Benjamin

Hi,
Respectful disagreement: the detail on the glossy FIW Redcoats/Bluecoats is simply outstanding, I'd expect the same with the Indian figure. What I'd like to know is if we´re going to have more FIW action poses, either in gloss or in matte.

Happy collecting,
Paulo

 

[jrsteel]

Hi,
Respectful disagreement: the detail on the glossy FIW Redcoats/Bluecoats is simply outstanding, I'd expect the same with the Indian figure. What I'd like to know is if we´re going to have more FIW action poses, either in gloss or in matte.

Happy collecting,
Paulo

I also hope we'll be seeing more French figures. I think there's only one out now. I agree about the detail on the Redcoats figures. They are excellent figures and better than Britains matte figures. Something is not right with the faces on the matte figures. The first batch of German WW1 figures that came out had good distinctive faces. But now all of their matte figures have the same odd looking face.

 

[VIRIATO]

I also hope we'll be seeing more French figures. I think there's only one out now. I agree about the detail on the Redcoats figures. They are excellent figures and better than Britains matte figures. Something is not right with the faces on the matte figures. The first batch of German WW1 figures that came out had good distinctive faces. But now all of their matte figures have the same odd looking face.

Great point! I've been checking out Britains Matte WWI and Nap figures ( on photo ), and faces look like their weak link. That might be about to change, though, because of the new Museum and Zulu War releases and also two of the upcoming Napoleonic releases look like having a very nice...moustache

 

[Russell]

Mr. Dragoon, I'd like to see a few photos of your matt figures glossed over so to speak. Is that possible?

 

[Dragoon]

I'll try posting some images later today. Haven't done this before. We'll see what happenes.

 

[Dragoon]

Here's some examples of matt figures that I've "glossed over". The faces were first repainted in a "toy" style, and in the case of Britains ACW the uniforms were touched up to brighten the colors. All the repainting is done with matt acrylic hobby paints. When the paint is completely dry the figures are given a couple coats of acrylic gloss varnish.

 

[lenswerks]

I only collect matte and I’ve never seen any of the newer generation of gloss figures.

Matte painting allows for a lot of shadow, shading and line which provides detail and brings out the sculpted intricacies.

If you look at the Coldstream NAP figures closely you’ll see the infantryman’s picker and wire brush, the wire brush looking like a wire brush. This might be a little hard to paint as gloss.

 

[VIRIATO]

Here's some examples of matt figures that I've "glossed over". The faces were first repainted in a "toy" style, and in the case of Britains ACW the uniforms were touched up to brighten the colors. All the repainting is done with matt acrylic hobby paints. When the paint is completely dry the figures are given a couple coats of acrylic gloss varnish.

Funny, I wouldn't consider buying these figures done in matte, but gloss varnished like you did they look so much better... Congrats, great work. Can't explain why, but it somehow seems harder to do a good figure face in matte than in gloss. Or put another way, weird faces look worse in matte than in gloss.

 

[Russell]

The figures look good, and thank you for taking the time to post them.

 

[plasmapulse]

They do look good glossy. I consider people repainting commercial figures very brave.

 

[Dickbuttons]

They do look good glossy. I consider people repainting commercial figures very brave.

If they bought them, I agree -- very brave!!