My First Flat (1 Viewer)

[nmrocks]

Man Johnny, your really blowing thru them now! looks great!
Ray

 

[johnnybach]

Man Johnny, your really blowing thru them now! looks great!
Ray

Cheers Ray. It would obviously be quicker to paint them on a "production line" basis - so all of the coats first, pants next etc., but I don't like doing any Toy Soldiers that way. It then just becomes "a job" - and far less enjoyable.

So.....only two more to go from my original 8 figures in this set - and my first set of flats will be completed.

I haven't been completely idle between waiting for paint to dry on these though. Here's some more of those "half round" Prussian Guard musicians that I showed you elsewhere on the Forum. I've been splashing a bit of paint on some of these too, between times. Not quite Flats - but not fully round either. jb

 

[nmrocks]

They all look great Johnny, for me the shading is what really makes a flat come alive and give it the 3-d effect, continue to develop your style and your flats will become deeper and deeper! :salute::
Ray

 

[johnnybach]

Hi Ray - thanks again. Yes, I'm beginning to understand what "Flat Painting" is all about - which is not Flat at all really - but rather, the opposite. In fact, as a former water-colour painter (NOT on Toy Soldiers!) - I think that the shading techniques are more like the ones I used then.

My Half-round figures, by contrast, are deliberately painted in more solid colours - to emphasize the "toyness" of the figures. I guess that flats COULD be painted like that - but then would lose that 3D effect.

I'll probably look back at these Scots Greys in a few years time - and realise what I might have done differently ( as I do with many of my other early painted pieces). But for now, as a first attempt - I'm quietly rather pleased with how they are turning out.

My last two of this set are underway. jb:smile2:

 

[nmrocks]

Hi Ray - thanks again. Yes, I'm beginning to understand what "Flat Painting" is all about - which is not Flat at all really - but rather, the opposite. In fact, as a former water-colour painter (NOT on Toy Soldiers!) - I think that the shading techniques are more like the ones I used then.

My Half-round figures, by contrast, are deliberately painted in more solid colours - to emphasize the "toyness" of the figures. I guess that flats COULD be painted like that - but then would lose that 3D effect.

I'll probably look back at these Scots Greys in a few years time - and realise what I might have done differently ( as I do with many of my other early painted pieces). But for now, as a first attempt - I'm quietly rather pleased with how they are turning out.

My last two of this set are underway. jb:smile2:

JB,
As well you should be proud, great work all around!

 

[johnnybach]

Here are a couple of pics of my first completed set of Flats - depicting the scots Greys at the time of Waterloo. As previously mentioned, these were bought as castings from Berliner Zinnfiguren by mail order - but took a couple of years for me to pluck up enough courage to attempt painting them.

My thanks go to my newest pal on the forum, Ray (nmrocks), for giving me the inspiration - and some encouragement, to have a go at long last.

I have attempted them in Glossy Toy Soldier style - and am quite pleased with my first attempt - so hope you like 'em too.

P.S please excuse my attempt at a backdrop - which is from a book containing the picture of "Scotland for Ever" - depicting the charge of the Scots Greys at Waterloo. I didn't quite get it right (as usual) johnnybach

 

[johnnybach]

How to store my latest little figures?????

I found an answer - in the shape of a shallow wooden box - that once held water-colour pencils. A couple of layers of white corrugated cardboard for an interior - with a few slits made for each tiny base stand to slip into - and I had an almost ready-made storeage box, complete with lid.



I'll have to find a bigger box for my Half-round Prusssian Guard band though - which I completed last night.