Painting 15 mm figures-shading for realism
robhuff
dress). I would like to show wear on the figures general appearance,
particularly on the coats. I have been told to dry brush or put a wash
on the entire figure, but These attempts have had poor results thus far.
Should I consider art school, give up, or what? Any advice would be
greatly appreciated.
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Brady Severns
Try setting up 2 or 3 shades of the greatcoat color by mixing your color,
dividing it into 3 parts, and adding a little white to one mix and a little
black to another. Divide your figs into three groups and paint the greatcoats.
Mix up some of the figs a bit and do the shakos (if they're the same color) the
same way. Without any washing or drybrushing, you've shown variance and a
degree of wear on the most prominent part of the uniform.
You can add patches to the knees and elbows and figs easily enough by apllying
small squares of color to the joints on just a fraction of the figs. Sometimes
putting one or two of the figs in different colored pants adds reasonable
variety as well.
My two great mistakes is not allowing the figs to dry thoroughly before
applying a wash nor keeping the brush "dry" enough when dry brushing. In other
words, don't rush through washing or drybrushing, even though they're fairly
easy to do.
Finally, corral a minis painter whose style you admire and organize a painting
party with friends. Then ask your guest to walk through their drybrush or wash
technique in a monkey-see-monkey-do fashion.
Good luck,
Brady
Chuck
Paint the coats in grey with some of this added. It extends drying time.
Once your first coat is down, you can add some white and blend this in
by stroking the high points. Don’t use a lot of paint, just blend. You
can do this a couple of times. When finished and dry, make up a mixture
of water and PollyS dirt and flow onto the lower portion of the coats
and pants to suggest mud. It works nicely and is easy. Just don’t use
too much white. A little is enough. In fact, I usually shade my grays
with sky blue instead. All personal preference.
robhuff wrote:
>
> I am currently painting 15mm Old Glory French with overcoats (campaign
> dress). I would like to show wear on the figures general appearance,
> particularly on the coats. I have been told to dry brush or put a wash
> on the entire figure, but These attempts have had poor results thus far.
> Should I consider art school, give up, or what? Any advice would be
> greatly appreciated.
>
Brady Severns
Try setting up 2 or 3 shades of the greatcoat color by mixing your color,
dividing it into 3 parts, and adding a little white to one mix and a little
black to another. Divide your figs into three groups and paint the greatcoats.
Mix up some of the figs a bit and do the shakos (if they're the same color) the
same way. Without any washing or drybrushing, you've shown variance and a
degree of wear on the most prominent part of the uniform.
You can add patches to the knees and elbows and figs easily enough by apllying
small squares of color to the joints on just a fraction of the figs. Sometimes
putting one or two of the figs in different colored pants adds reasonable
variety as well.
My two great mistakes is not allowing the figs to dry thoroughly before
applying a wash nor keeping the brush "dry" enough when dry brushing. In other
words, don't rush through washing or drybrushing, even though they're fairly
easy to do.
Finally, corral a minis painter whose style you admire and organize a painting
party with friends. Then ask your guest to walk through their drybrush or wash
technique in a monkey-see-monkey-do fashion.
Good luck,
Brady
robhuff wrote:
FirstWavePaintng
There are more than likely a few hundred ways to achive what you want,but the
bottom line (my opinion) is the best results are those that work for you and
catch your eye.
I have done different styles but 2 that tend to work are fairly easy.
Now what is easy for anyone giving you advice may not be for you,the best thing
to do with some old figures or extras is ..PRACTICE.
I use either a drybrush after the base color is on ..or I thin my base color
and let hints of the lighter colors underneath be my wearing out look.
The drybrushing is just that your brush must be dry and remeber the high parts
of the material are the most worn out spots so don't go trying to slam the
brush into the crevices hit the high points.
As far as the other way you are basically painting your uniform color and at
the worn out points thin it and drag it so whats underneath shows through.
Almost a drybrush in reverse your dragging your paint color thinned till it
gives the weathered look.
A great source for this is Bill Horans ..how to paint miniatures book,it's a
hard cover and he is a master class painter ,I try to use or at least practice
his methods.
Joe D.
First Wave Painting