Gloss colours (1 Viewer)

[Malcolm Britain]

I am struggling to find ready-made gloss enamel in "buff" and "flesh" and I wonder if anyone can help? I realise that there matt versions available that could be gloss varnished but I would rather not mix n match.

The Humbrol gloss "Light Buff" seems to come out straw coloured - great for Hessian trousers but not much good for buff facied British Regiments of Foot!

I prefer Humbrol paints and I know Tradition use these for their ready painted models. For buff they seem to use light brown with white but this is not "buff" as I know it.

For flesh Tradition also appear to mix their paint from a blend of red/white/brown(?) and unless some kind person knows the mix (and is prepared to disclose it) I will have to get mixing.

As an aside I really like the faces on Tradition figures. They seem to fit the 18th Century ranges very well. All ruby lipped and ruddy cheeked jolly Georgian fellows. Like miniature Toby Jugs with guns!

 

[Obee]

I always use HUMBROL, and have been for about 50 years {eek3}{eek3}

I use both gloss and matt on figures then use a top coat of either matte spay or brush on HUMBROL gloss to gibe the final finish required.

Check out my work here : http://members.upnaway.com/~obees/soldiers/

John

 

[aujj65]

When I used to paint gloss figures I always used Humbrol and mixed buff with a small amount of red to give a very nice flesh colour, add a bit more red to the mix for the lips and the cheeks if so desired.

Jeff

 

[johnnybach]

Like many others - I use Humbrol too - and like Obee - I use matte or gloss on figures - as I recon its more important to get the colour I want - the finish with varnish is easy - and makes little difference at the end. Yes - just 'cos it says "buff" on the tin - it doesn't mean it's the shade you want.

Jeff's solution for buff is good - another way of getting a shade like that is to mix sand (M63) with a touch of cream (M103) - with maybe a dash of leather(M62). I use a used margarine tub lid ( white pastic is good to see shades). Test mix and paint squares on the lid - and let it dry to see how it comes out before applying to the soldiers - and keep a record of what you did). You can even varnish the squares - to see how it will all turn out BEFORE using it on the figure.

Flesh?? I always start off on a face with a coat of Flesh (M61) straight from the tin. If you want a more "sun-tanned effect) darken a tad with red-brown (M100). I use a mixture of flesh/red-brown for cheeks on top later on and slightly darker with a touch of crimson(G20) for lips sometimes. Ivory (G41) is a very useful colour indeed. It will lighten flesh,( for highlights - bridge of nose etc) - and I prefer using it to pure white - as it covers better.

Varnish? - Again, because I like glossy - I use humbrol gloss varnish (G35). If I want a super gloss finish, I apply that - then wait 24 hours and use a coat of Tamiya Clear X22 Acrylic varnish on top of that - which gives a fast drying very smooth glossy coat indeed - which gives me the glossy finish I want.

But do experiment with mixtures and colours - I still do - using the marge-lid process to check it out before applying to the real thing. I also don't get too hung up if one soldier looks slightly different to his neighbour - as people are made that way too. Just have fun with mixes - but DO keep a record of what you do end up with using for each batch. You might want to add to them later on. All the best. jb

 

[theBaron]

I use Testor's gloss enamel Cream for both Caucasian flesh and buff leather. Here are three Prussian Kürassier officers, castings by Stadden:



The Koller is buff kersey on the officer on the left and the right, and all three wear buff breeches of buckskin.

Here's the Duke of Brunswick, by Puchala:



He also has buff breeches, but of linen, and a buff waistcoat with gold braid (it was a British waistcoat, by the way).

So you can see how I use it. I do add shading, under pocket flaps, for example, using the Wood color from the same line of paints. Here's another one of my favorites, castings by Rylit:



Hope that helps, prosit!
Brad

 

[Harper (aka Spitfrnd)]

Very nice color renditions. BTW, that is a fine look Prussian (?) lady, better looking that any of the matt examples for the Seven Year or Napoleonic Wars I have seen yet.

 

[Malcolm Britain]

Very nice color renditions. BTW, that is a fine look Prussian (?) lady, better looking that any of the matt examples for the Seven Year or Napoleonic Wars I have seen yet.

As ever the best advice from the best bunch ! Thank you all very much for your help.

Oh and as for buff .. that young lady is all but in it