Matte to Glossy (2 Viewers)
- Thread starter kogu
- Start date
Konrad, I have this series from Britains, and I have always liked them in the matte, but the gloss finish you have applied looks so good on them that I have begun to think evil thoughts about altering my figures. Now I want to see what my Britains 1914 French figures would look like glossed. I am thinking hard about this. -- Al
aujj65
Colonel
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kogu
2nd Lieutenant
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Hi Al,
it should only be a matter of another week or maybe two and I will show the French troops in a new finish.
They are currently on the top of my "wanted" list.
As Jeff said, I am sure they will be looking great.
I do like the German grey and green and the British khaki, but with their red and blue uniforms, I am sure the French troops will top them all.
Unfortunately for themselves they did make the more prominent targets though in their outfits.
Konrad
I will be waiting to see the end result, Konrad. I'm sure they will be impressive. -- Al
kogu
2nd Lieutenant
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Brad,
I am using an acrylic product by "Miniature Paints" from the U.K., called "2 Gloss Varnish".
It was recommended to me by John Firth (beating retreat) and he also kindly supplies me with it, since it doesn't seem to be available in the U.S.
Konrad
I am using an acrylic product by "Miniature Paints" from the U.K., called "2 Gloss Varnish".
It was recommended to me by John Firth (beating retreat) and he also kindly supplies me with it, since it doesn't seem to be available in the U.S.
Konrad
hsm
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These are wonderful- I have a comment for all on this thread-with the hopes of generating some discussion on the fine pics.
Glossy Toy soldiers like this are classic and modern in the same moment as a form of "model soldier"-
I also know that the hard corps modellers and figure painters see the matte collector a wee bit of a cheat. Does anyone (else) see this style as truly delineating the collector-cum- toy soldier "enthusiast" from the painter/modeller /diorama maker type?
Does anyone else see the magic in these? Is the matte detailed toy soldier diorama ever going to catch up to the World expo artisans?
Even the magazine Toy soldier and model figure collector is struggling to find the balance- is this project the beginning of something?
Great pics and great courage- many on here may shake there head about "value" but they are yours- and they are great!
I paint toy soldiers in matte(its the only paint I have) and then hit them with glosscoat- I love that part of the whole project!
Grant
Glossy Toy soldiers like this are classic and modern in the same moment as a form of "model soldier"-
I also know that the hard corps modellers and figure painters see the matte collector a wee bit of a cheat. Does anyone (else) see this style as truly delineating the collector-cum- toy soldier "enthusiast" from the painter/modeller /diorama maker type?
Does anyone else see the magic in these? Is the matte detailed toy soldier diorama ever going to catch up to the World expo artisans?
Even the magazine Toy soldier and model figure collector is struggling to find the balance- is this project the beginning of something?
Great pics and great courage- many on here may shake there head about "value" but they are yours- and they are great!
I paint toy soldiers in matte(its the only paint I have) and then hit them with glosscoat- I love that part of the whole project!
Grant
DMNamiot
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Hi Grant,
I believe you might be onto something. While I really enjoy the detailed sculpts coming out these days I am not thrilled by the matte paint or the change in scale from 54 to 58mm. I have many different makers in my collection and it used to be no big problem to mix them in displays. Now of course that is an issue so I have to be far more selective. I know that the makers out there are trying to keep the consumers happy and it would appear that the bulk of the consumers enjoy the matte figures but I sure do miss the glossy figures. I really like what Konrad is doing with these figures and look forward to seeing the French soldiers in Glossy.
Dave
I believe you might be onto something. While I really enjoy the detailed sculpts coming out these days I am not thrilled by the matte paint or the change in scale from 54 to 58mm. I have many different makers in my collection and it used to be no big problem to mix them in displays. Now of course that is an issue so I have to be far more selective. I know that the makers out there are trying to keep the consumers happy and it would appear that the bulk of the consumers enjoy the matte figures but I sure do miss the glossy figures. I really like what Konrad is doing with these figures and look forward to seeing the French soldiers in Glossy.
Dave
kogu
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I carried the idea of a high gloss varnish for good painted matte figures for a long time.
It started shortly after I received my first figures from fellow forum member "beating retreat".
In his own superior gloss style he does combine very detailed painting (shading, highlights, faces that are alive) and a very nice high gloss varnish.
I was taken by this style when beating retreat advertised his service here on the forum in 2008 and showed some of his works in superior gloss, and I was lost to this style when I received the first pieces and saw them eye to eye.
However, I kept pushing the thoughts away for long, always hesitated, until I saw the glossy John Jenkins figures from fellow forum member "Dragoon" last year.
That gave me the final kick and I tried some myself.
After seeing the results on my first samples, I was very satisfied and before long I started to do more and more.
By now my "glossies" include figures from WBritain, John Jenkins and King & Country.
So far I did not have a single case of regret, and I have lots more of those conversions planned.
The value, which an unaltered mint in box figure or set does hold (more or less) goes down the drain, of course, but the pleasure I get with the figures in their new style, easily makes up for it.
I still like the traditional style glossy figure and I also do like a lot of the matte finished figures, but the main part of my collection will consist of either superior gloss style figures by "beating retreat" or glossed matte figures.
Konrad
It started shortly after I received my first figures from fellow forum member "beating retreat".
In his own superior gloss style he does combine very detailed painting (shading, highlights, faces that are alive) and a very nice high gloss varnish.
I was taken by this style when beating retreat advertised his service here on the forum in 2008 and showed some of his works in superior gloss, and I was lost to this style when I received the first pieces and saw them eye to eye.
However, I kept pushing the thoughts away for long, always hesitated, until I saw the glossy John Jenkins figures from fellow forum member "Dragoon" last year.
That gave me the final kick and I tried some myself.
After seeing the results on my first samples, I was very satisfied and before long I started to do more and more.
By now my "glossies" include figures from WBritain, John Jenkins and King & Country.
So far I did not have a single case of regret, and I have lots more of those conversions planned.
The value, which an unaltered mint in box figure or set does hold (more or less) goes down the drain, of course, but the pleasure I get with the figures in their new style, easily makes up for it.
I still like the traditional style glossy figure and I also do like a lot of the matte finished figures, but the main part of my collection will consist of either superior gloss style figures by "beating retreat" or glossed matte figures.
Konrad
mikemiller1955
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Konrad...this may be your best one yet...the colors are sooooooo vivid...was the gun done also...I can't tell...
kogu
2nd Lieutenant
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Thanks, Al and Michael :smile2:
Michael, since you mentioned it, I realized that I only gave one coat of gloss varnish to the cannon, while all the figures received two coats.
The cannon is much "glossier" compared to the original finish but not so prominent and shiny like the figures.
I will take care of that in the next couple days ^&grin :wink2:
Konrad
Michael, since you mentioned it, I realized that I only gave one coat of gloss varnish to the cannon, while all the figures received two coats.
The cannon is much "glossier" compared to the original finish but not so prominent and shiny like the figures.
I will take care of that in the next couple days ^&grin :wink2:
Konrad
kogu
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Back to the early WWI with tonight's additions to my "matte to glossy" collection.
This week I found two sets of the French Troops, 17820 French Infantry Command Set and 17703 French Infantry Charging Set #2.
Wonderful figures with their red and blue uniforms.
Here are two picks showing all 4 figures, 2 per set.
Konrad
This week I found two sets of the French Troops, 17820 French Infantry Command Set and 17703 French Infantry Charging Set #2.
Wonderful figures with their red and blue uniforms.
Here are two picks showing all 4 figures, 2 per set.
Konrad
Attachments
Well, that settles it. These figures just look too good with the gloss finish. Much better than the original matte. Beautiful job, Konrad. Now I will have to convert mine. -- Al