[JohnReid]

This thread is for those who would like to try painting figures in a less conventional way.For those who have tried in the past but were unhappy with the results.For those self taught guys who are looking to do an acceptable job of figure painting without all the hassles.Please keep a open mind and you professionals out there please try to remember that this is geared towards guys like me who want to do an acceptable job without the benefit of any artistic training.(try not to laugh!)

[Captain Eddie]

Looking forward to it, John! Something I DESPERATELY need!

[JohnReid]

Because I come from a different background than most modelers when it comes to painting figures my methods are a little different than you will see elsewhere.Not better,just different and very easy to do.Yes,I went through all the same problems that you may be having now but it was only when I stopped daydreaming about being the best figure painter in the world that I became an acceptable one.Some work a lifetime just painting figures,we dioramists should be so lucky! Figure painting is just one thing in a long list of skills that we must develop to become dioramists.We can't be the best at every facet of the game but we can be good at most.
Yes I have read most of the long winded explanations about painting and frankly I have found them boring, more geared to the trained artist than the ordinary guy just trying to do a nice job.Personally I have no training in the arts and I guess some would say that it shows! But I also don't have all the baggage of formal training to weigh me down and I like to think that I am a little more willing to experiment with new ways of doing things.
Yes,figure painting can be scary.Why? because all human beings are experts at picking up any flaws and mistakes and all the rest of our work can be judged upon how we painted our figures.The average Joe may not know what a horse really looks like but they sure know the human face.That is what frightens away most dioramists from adding figures to their work,they just don't look real to them and they spoil the rest of the illusion that they are trying to create.But what is a miniature world without humans around.Just that,a world devoid of humans and not very interesting to most humans.Imagine a movie with no actors or a book without human characters where they should be telling a human story.Sometimes in a small diorama or vignette we can get away with just suggesting human presence such as footsteps in the snow but most of the time they are essential to a good storyline.I have seen sailing ship models in full rig with nary a soul on board,not even at the wheel.Strange.........
I am not here trying to convince those who would prefer not to put in figures but for those who do ,I hope that my limited experience can help get you over the fear of giving it an honest try. _______

[JohnReid]

First and foremost it is all about having the right tools to work with,the skills you can develop with time.
My experience has been that most modelers use the stuff they see in the hobby shops for their figure painting.First mistake! or they go to craft stores which is almost as bad.
Think artists quality here.It may be a little more expensive up front but cheaper in the long run.Remember our goal here is to give ourselves the best shot at this as we can.You want the best paint,the best brushes and quality figures to paint.In our case the best paint is really not the most expensive.The brushes are expensive but some of mine I have had since the beginning.Learn how to care for them and they will last you a lifetime.Don't buy cheap figures.Try to find the most realistic looking that you can buy.
I have had only limited experience in the different scales ,having only worked in extreme opposites of 1/72 and 1/16th. I would recommend that you start with the larger scales for good detail and practicing your techniques.When I started painting it was raptors or birds of prey usually in 1:1 scale.Large birds but with minute feather detail ,so I got lots of practice on both ends of the scale.
You don't need a lot of different subjects to learn painting.I used to paint the same bird over and over, using castings.Sometimes this was hard to do because I thought what I had done was not too bad.It is also nice sometimes to keep a record of where you have been.
When I started figure painting they were mostly the Tamiya 1/16th scale figures that you find in most hobby stores.They are not too expensive and usually have lots of good detail.They require a little clean up here and there deburring and filling in the odd hole but nothing serious.The pieces usually fit together very well , the seams soak up the super thin glue with a minimum of hassle with very little sanding required.The more expensive resin casting can be left for later as our skills improve.
Today there really is little difference in the quality of detail between plastic and resin.
to be cont.......

[JohnReid]

[JohnReid]

Secrets ?there are none!

---

There are no secrets about figure painting.It is mostly practice,practice,practice.
Like a friend of mine said,that is why he married a teacher,they make you do it over and over again until you get it right.
But seriously,to be successful using my method ,you must use my method.Not sorta use it ,use this but not that or cheat a little here and there.If you commit to this ,I can guarantee good results,if not don't even bother reading any further.I know this sounds harsh but it is born out of frustration ,as I have been asked in the past over and over "how do you paint figures ?"and when I explain what is required it is clear to me that no one really is listening.

First and foremost ,save the paint that you have been painting with up until now for your cars ,airplanes or whatever, but don't let it even near your figures.
Go out and buy FLAT acrylic gouache paint.There are only 2 brands that I am aware of, JoSonja by Chroma or Acrylicos Vallejo (and no I don't have shares in either company nor have I ever even received a free tube of paint from any of them.)All of my experience has been with using the JoSonja brand ,so that is what I recommend you buy because there may be differences between the 2 brands that I am not aware of .
For those who know how to mix paints buy the primary colors,for those who don't ,try to stick with the tube colors.Why? because unless you mix twice as much as you need and save it ,you will have one hell of a time getting back to your original color. Acrylics also have this nasty habit of drying to a darker shade.
No matter what the hobby or art store guy tells you there are NO substitutes.Your success as a figure painter ,using my method ,depends upon using flat paint,period.
While you are in the art store ,you may want to pick up some Gesso.It comes in various colors usually black,white,burnt umber and gray.Be careful using white gesso because if it chips or somehow contaminates the surface that you are working on ,those damn little white specks will go everywhere that you don't want them to go.You can use white or any of the other colored gesso as a substitute for the tube paint ,as it will also dry absolutely flat.

Why all this emphasis on flat paint ? because future shading will be done will chalk pastels and chalk pastels will not stick to paint that has varnish in it!
Areas that require some shine to it like leather ,can be buffed with your bare finger prior to shading.The skin of your finger can be used as a very fine abrasive and facial oil from your nose looks great on leather.(well maybe there are a few secrets after all!)

[JohnReid]

[JohnReid]

[JohnReid]

Using the color wheel!

---

This is a color wheel that I made for my students when I was teaching bird painting years ago.It was made especially for the JoSonja range of colors.They have since added to their range ,what they call" carvers colors" .This was at the request of bird painters who found the original colors were too limiting.(more on this later) To find a tube color read the wheel from the inside out,you want red ,then buy napthol crimson.You want red-orange you will have to buy yellow(cadmium yellow medium )and red (napthol crimson) etc...etc...Don't buy a lot of paint now until you decide on a figure that you want to paint otherwise you may buy a lot of stuff that you will never use.

[JohnReid]