Painting? (2 Viewers)

Scott

Scott

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I really like how the Jenkins figures are painted. Does anyone know how they do the eyes and faces? Is there a dark undercoat on the eyes with the whites and pupils over that, or are the whites and pupils shaped with darker paint lines? It looks like a wash is used to shade the face with the under coat of "flesh" showing thru the wash on cheeks and forehead. Is the painting method a company secret?
 
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It reminds me of the style that wargames figures are painted in, shading and washes, only in a larger scale.

Jeff
 
He paints the Masters himself and then the series of figures is contracted out.
Konrad
 
Hi Mike,
I believe so.
It was either at his attendance of Louis' Symposium in New York or when he was attending the Chicago Show, that in one report it was mentioned that he gave a demonstration of painting a new sculpt to be the master.
So I think that he is painting his master figures himself.
Konrad
 
At one point John told me that it is always challenging to paint the first newly primed figure because at that point you would for sure realize any flaws or mistakes done during sculpting.
Konrad
 
kogu said:
At one point John told me that it is always challenging to paint the first newly primed figure because at that point you would for sure realize any flaws or mistakes done during sculpting.
Konrad
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That sounds logical....I think he is very involved in every aspect from sculpting to shipping....even some public relations when pressed, heheh:D.

I know he once told me that he hated to paint and didn't think he was that good at it.

I just assumed it was done like all the other Hong Kong factories...assembly line style....by lots of hired employees.

I know he once told me that he was not real happy with the painting on his QR series, but that was one of his first and quite a while ago.

I'm sure he has gotten a lot of practice since then.
 

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I think so too, Mike,
the QR series were around the very first items he did, so it went a long way after that.
Since he was/is very much in the wargame items which usually come in the smaller scales it might have taken him a while to get adapted to the 1/32 or 1/30 scale or whatever in between.
However, the camp figures of the "Raid of St. Francis" line have very, very much improved compared to the first QR set and since I saw your camp scene together with the Frontline Indians/Canoe I will definetely go for a Woodland Indian Village diorama.
Konrad
 
Earlier this year I visited a reputable toy soldier shop in the heart of London's West End (no names no pack drill etc...), something I try to do everytime I have an opportunity whilst in 'town' for business or pleasure. This particular shop stocks a whole variety of figures from many well known companies, and I like to have a nose round and maybe pick something up for myself to add to the display cabinet. Whilst admiring the Frontline FIW collection, especially the marching BW Highlanders I remarked to the shop owner how much I liked John's work only for him to retort "..........that man Jenkins is a wargamer... his style is that of a wargamer...we don't carry his work here...!!!

Mrs Evzone who was with me that day couldn't stifle her amusement at the indignation I had caused, but suggested we buy something and leave before being marched to the cellar to be executed!

If John's work is perceived as being in the wargame style then it's ok by me. Mind you as well as being a toy soldier/model collector I am also a wargamer - yes I've said it...I've outed myself!!

:eek::D
 
John is first and foremost a wargamer. He has an incredible collection of 15mm figures - and remember he started with the 28mm Japanese figures and buildings that you see on his site. The first few FIW sets had a very "scaled up" wargame figure look and painting style which he has gotten way from over the years and his figures now have a look all their own. He once sent me the link to a company in China that paints for him - and does custom work - and their work was outstanding. He does the masters himself and yes, he is that good. Comes I'm sure from painting all those 15mm figures over the years. He does use a dark base and builds up colour over top. What I've noticed he's gotten away from is the dark "washes" over the figure. The ones he did for Frontline were far more wargame-like as they had lots of washes and even deep lines to bring out features. The guy is a one-man army. Have no idea how he gets it all done. Just glad he does. Cheers.
 
I gather some collectors don't like the JJ style which is fair enough. But for me they look as though they just stepped out of a portrait. Not "realism" per se, but an artistic rendition of realism.
 
Combat said:
I gather some collectors don't like the JJ style which is fair enough. But for me they look as though they just stepped out of a portrait. Not "realism" per se, but an artistic rendition of realism.
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Well said Sir!
 
It was the JJD painting style that induced me to buy my first JJD set, QB07, and I was so impressed that JJD quickly became my favorite figures. The JJD Jacobites are, IMHO, simply the best figures on the market. None of his figures have to take a back seat to any other makers. Please keep them coming. -- lancer
 
Not really a line I would collect, despite the wide variety of poses and the animation, which are both very good.

The comparison to wargame figures is an apt one, in my opinion, not just in the style of painting, but in the proportions of the figures. Hands a little too big for the bodies is one of the items I notice in many of the pictures, and the brow ridges and lack of painted eyebrows on many of the figures reminds me more of Neandertals. It keeps me from buying them.

I apologize if that offends the Jenkins fans, but it's my opinion.

Prost!
Brad
 
I like the painting on the figures.I think they are beautiful,especially BOS but I have to agree on the faces.The indians don't look too bad with their war paint and the ones with the beards look pretty good but the other do look a little rough.
Mark
 
I might try painting some of my plastics the way Jenkin's figures are painted with the minimal washes and shading.
 
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