My 1st project

[The Fisher King]

So my models finally arrived through the snow, and here they are. I'm suprised how small they are!

http://i942.photobucket.com/albums/ad264/fisherrm/Models/IMG_3298.jpg

[Bootie]

Excellent... regular updates please!!

[ACSpectre]

Are you planning on a diorama? I'd love to hear your plans and watch the progress.

[The Fisher King]

This is very much a learning project. If it turned out well I was thinking of turning it into a Diorama. But I don't want to run before I can walk.

[ACSpectre]

This is very much a learning project. If it turned out well I was thinking of turning it into a Diorama. But I don't want to run before I can walk.

Figures can be extremely challenging. I have built a fair number and still haven't come close to making anything that looks completely lifelike. I read as much information about it as I can and look at the work of others as much as possible to glean any tips. Aside from that, it's like anything else, you get better through practice, practice, practice.

I think the most important thing is that your goal needs to be making something that you are proud of yourself. Trying to make something that impresses others takes the fun out of the hobby.

[The Fisher King]

So I've had my first attempt at a minature. It probably took me around 5 hours all in all. I learnt a lot on the way:


The need to dilute the paints
The power of highights and washes
Don't drink beer and paint


All in all I'm pleased with the result.

http://i942.photobucket.com/albums/ad264/fisherrm/Models/IMG_3301.jpg

http://i942.photobucket.com/albums/ad264/fisherrm/Models/IMG_3300.jpg

[Bootie]

Good work!

[Bootie]

Youve made it sound so easy but I bet it wasnt!!

[ACSpectre]

Wow, great work. The figure looks outstanding.

Wine and painting don't mix well either :nono:

[AirborneBob]

great job....weathering is an art...along with fading and color modulation...

[Earl of Grey]

Your first try at painting soldiers? If so, that's very good - I did much worse in my first attempt, I can tell you!

[The Fisher King]

I am pleased with the result. I took my time and didn't try to complete the figure in one sitting. It was over several nights.

I found this video really useful, the website also has some great information.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZP1QOX5skRg&feature=player_embedded

[razorboy]

Outstanding first attempt! I found over the years that three thin base coats are preferable to one thick base coat. I usually apply my base coat, when dry I put a darker shade of my base coat in the creases and folds, then dry-brush lightly a lightened shade of my base coat colour over all of the highlights. Finally I usually use a very, very thin wash of flat black over the whole thing to kind of blend all three colours together. I did not view the You Tube link above but I suspect from the figures final appearance that a similar technique was used. I learned my from my mentor - Sheperd Paine, I never put down either of his books throughout the 70's and still refer to them today! What sort of paint are you using? I use water based acrylics (Polly Scale brand preferred), I find them much easier to work with in both brush and air-brush applications.
I'll be starting the figure painting on my latest dio. "Clearing the Trench" shortly, I'll document it for you.
Well Done Fisher King, keep us posted!
rb

[The Fisher King]

Ok progress has been a little slow of late, but progress has been made nevertheless.

http://i942.photobucket.com/albums/ad264/fisherrm/Models/IMG_3388.jpg

I've been working on the halftrack along with my five year old son which can be challenging at times. I don't have an airbrush so I've had to handpaint the model. I've tried to give the interior a worn look, it hasn't come out that well on this photo:

http://i942.photobucket.com/albums/ad264/fisherrm/Models/IMG_3389.jpg

This is where I am up to, I'm going to add a Camo pattern as well.

http://i942.photobucket.com/albums/ad264/fisherrm/Models/IMG_3390.jpg

I still have the figures to paint...

[ACSpectre]

Looking good, FK. Challenging as I know it is, I think it's great that you are sharing this experience with your son.

[zaraza]

@Fisher King
If you want your tracks to look more realistic, use super glue, so you can simulate their weight.

[The Fisher King]

Good call with the superglue I'll try that.

[razorboy]

Nice progress FK, really coming together now.
rb

[McIvan]

The good thing about military vehicles is that brush painting works just fine. Nice job on the interior I think, and really impressed with the figure you did.

Razorboy, do you use oils for the faces? Or stick with the acrylics?

[Bootie]

Do you need white spirits or are the paints water based?

[The Fisher King]

I'm using Tamiya Acrylic paint so I only need water

[Bootie]

That is the answer I needed thanks.

[McIvan]

Bootie: if you're using Tamiya Acrylics, it also thins very well with isopropyl alcohol (also called denatured alcohol)...which is largely what their official acrylic thinners are made of. For washing up water is fine...but for actually thinning the paint (especially if you are using an airbrush) water is not the best.

BTW the current formulation of Tamiya acrylics are not great for brush painting, but they are damn fine for airbrushing....so if you're a brush painter, be warned. For brush painters who want acrylics I would recommend Vallejo colours..best acrylic paint for brushing around.

[Bootie]

Cool... I will keep a look out in the model shop.

[The Fisher King]

I've now added the Camo pattern which is meant to be from 1944. I really don't think it has worked, it looks reallt artificial to me. It looks very much painted-on, all very disappointing.

http://i942.photobucket.com/albums/ad264/fisherrm/Models/IMG_3391.jpg

However this is a learning project and I would very much appreciate any tips you guys have for Camo patterns.

I'm going to push ahead with the figures this weekend.

[AirborneBob]

If you use a light wash of the dark brown, it may just blend the camo perfectly...and its lookng great so far...

[ACSpectre]

I agree with Airborne Bob, a wash of dark brown should blend the colors nicely. Great work so far.

[The Fisher King]

What sort of dilution 1:2, paint:water?

I presume I should cover all the boadywork.

[McIvan]

Something like 1:5, or even thinner, I would think.

Add a drop of detergent to break the surface tension and help it wash into the crevices, and cover the whole outside of the model...the idea being the faint brown wash will help the edges of the camou colours blend into the base colour.

As a bonus it will help pick out your rivets, and get into the wheel spokes...where it looks like there might be some unpainted spots?

[The Fisher King]

Good advice, much appreciated.

[The Fisher King]

Ok I think I'm all finished!!!

http://i942.photobucket.com/albums/ad264/fisherrm/Models/IMG_3559.jpg

http://i942.photobucket.com/albums/ad264/fisherrm/Models/IMG_3561.jpg

[razorboy]

Looking good!

[Bootie]

Good work great first attempt!

[AirborneBob]

Great job

[The Fisher King]

http://i942.photobucket.com/albums/ad264/fisherrm/IMG_3560.jpg

I've started planning my next project.......

[2054172]

If that is all to scale ...the german HT's were not very big eh?

[ACSpectre]

Looking good FK!

Any ideas on your next project?

[razorboy]

If that is all to scale ...the german HT's were not very big eh?

It's scaled pretty close.

[AirborneBob]

Were you expecting a passenger bus?!