Get me started people! (1 Viewer)

[theBaron]

I noted that several folks suggested using glossy paints. I suggest otherwise . . . . matte paint is easier to use with many more colors available. Do the basic painting, then spray with clear overspray such as ModelMaster. Then add details . . . if you make a mistake or two, you can easily wipe it off with water. Continue using the clear overspray as you progress. When done, overspray with a coat or two of clear gloss.

The advice to remember that these are toy soldiers, not figures for completion, is good. For starters, you want to give the impression of a figure, not create a perfect image of one. As you progress, you cab add more detail.

Another suggestion is not to use white for eyes . . . unless you have the skill, it makes a figure look phony. Just use get a fine black pen (02 or 05) at an art store.

Remember that a partially finished figure looks terrible . . . it won't look good until almost done.

Good luck and above all, have fun!

Bosun Al

I'm going to have to disagree about gloss paints. There are plenty of colors available in gloss enamels, too, and I get by with about a dozen or so, mostly from Testor's line, though with some other makers' paints, too. There is a wide selection available, but it's not really necessary to get more than basic colors. I don't buy Vallejo's or Andrea's sets, for example, because I've already got individual colors for the same uses. But everyone needs to try things out and see what works best for himself.

Prost!
Brad

 

[ivanmoe]

[...]I want to do glossy-Trophy like[...]

I went back to Zach's orginal post and noticed his comment above.

I believe that this is the look he wants to achieve:

IMO, enamels are the way to go for that style. Zach is looking at little more than priming the pieces, followed by a patient series of application and drying cycles. If he's lucky, one coat for each color might well suffice. On the other hand, it's possible to make the whole enchilada a LOT more complicated than what's been suggested. The results MIGHT be better, but they might not, also. This is particularly true given the fact that he's trying to emulate the look of Trophy's figures, what I refer to as "the toy-soldier look." Testors/Model Master enamels, properly thinned and applied with a good quality brush ought to produce excellent results.

-Moe

 

[johnnybach]

Could be Moe - they are very nice. Alternatively - this late Victorian Scots Greys mounted Band - and Escort with Standard - was made up from modified standard castings - purchased from Giles Brown at Dorset Soldiers. (Note that I've squashed them in for a photo - the band and their Escort would not be laid out like this - all together- in reality).

The same basic figure was used for each figure - with different arms/instruments/ weapons etcetera added to suit each piece. Some bits were scratch built too ( Shabraques added for officer & Drum Horses - and Guidon were scratch made too). The whole lot were then painted using Humbrol Enamels ( both Gloss and Matte colours being used) - then varnished at the end. For the gloss finish - I first use Humbrol Gloss Varnish - then apply another coat of Tamiya X-22 hi-gloss varnish - after a few days, right at the end - for a super smooth, hi-gloss finish. I also made the bases up for each piece - from an off-cut of metal alloy - bought from a local Engineeering shop. (I just like to base all of my mounted pieces - as it makes them more stable - and less susceptible to damage from being knocked over.).

I made these up in three separate projects - as the band came first - but the same process was applied to all three projects - which shows how you can "grow" a Regiment over time.

Shows, I think, That there's more than one way to get to where you want to be - with figures and paints.

 

[theBaron]

I have a followup to offer, based on my recent use of acrylics along with enamels.

I use both, because I have both. I have the acrylics primarily for scale modeling and for figure painting in matte styles, and on my last couple of toy soldier projects, I used acrylics because it's easy to apply thin layers that cover well, without obliterating fine details. But one thing I have noticed is that they will rub off more easily when you handle a figure while painting. There are a couple of ways I'm thinking of, to address this. The first, which is a short-term fix, is to seal the figure with a matte lacquer during the process; I have Testor's DullCote for this (also for scale modeling), and I'm going to use it on the two figures currently on my bench. Once I've finished painting them, they'll get a gloss coat.

A long-term fix is to make or buy a handle and use that to hold the figures, reducing the amount of touching as much as possible. You'll see many figure painters use something to hold their work, so they don't touch the work. There are tools available commercially, but I've got bits and pieces of wood in my workshop and will probably fashion my own. I just need to pick up some hardware. Basically, you have a handle or grip, attached to a base, and the base has a vise that can hold the figure by its base, or if it doesn't have a base, you put pins in the feet and then close the vise on it. I've meant to get one for some time, again, for my figures with my scale models, but I've made do with drilling holes and using toothpicks or straight pins, for figures in 1/48 or smaller, and using old rattle-can caps with holes drilled in them to accept larger pins, for figures in larger scales (1/20, eg).

Even when using enamels, you have to be careful about handling a piece, and leaving fingerprints. When the paint has cured, it's not so bad, you can wipe it away. But when the paint hasn't yet cured, you can leave an impression in the surface, and you have to clean it up. And of course, you can take wet paint away on your fingers and apply it to other things unknowing, which is also a pain, when you discover where you touched it down.

Prost!
Brad

 

[zblang]

Castings ordered and on the way! Now have to head off to see Matt at Hobby Bunker for some supplies!
Thanks again for all of the input!

 

[HistoryfortheAges]

A lot of great input! I started painting a few Napoleonic Dragoons by "Call To Arms" several years ago (still unfinished! {eek3}). Forgot all about it... After reading this thread, I will get back into it now that I have more time on my hands. I think it will be very rewarding over time with practice. I will be spending more time in this section of the forum for more tips. Thanks!

Yes, youtube has a lot of figure painting clips to get you started with an array of techniques and advice from different painters. I just viewed several in the last couple of weeks. It's well-worth checking them out as you build your own style!

Good luck to all the newly initiated to another dimension of this hobby... including me! {sm4}