It also doesn't help that modern figures have so much detail I almost feel compelled to paint with at least 3 layers of colour. And I also don't have a lot of experience painting in this style. Can I make it work?
It was with some trepidation then, that I took a break from painting Geoff's latest batch of figures and made the decision to go 'old school' on one of my projects. The chosen victims were the French and Indian Wars figures. Nice bright reds, whites, blues and greens to sit in a single block coat beneath their shiny exterior. The results are as follows:
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| 'I say old chap, I can't see anything.' 'That's because no-one painted your eyes old man.' |
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| And from the back |
These figures were relatively quick to paint, and I'm happy with the final result. My biggest concern was that I would feel somehow unfulfilled by not doing multiple layers of shading and a matt finish - almost like I was wasting the figures' potential, but now that they are done, I'm rather pleased. I'm also thinking that my 28mm English Civil War project might be done in the same way.
The only thing that I'm not 100 percent sure about is the bases. Should I have done these just plain green? The problem is that I've already prepped the bases for the whole French and Indian Wars project, so it would require an awful amount of rebasing. I've noticed that Stuart Asquith has used realistic basing on his American War of Independence figures and they work well. Maybe I need to glue on a few more stones? What do you think gentle reader?
Nate
I think they look good. The plain green basing may be the way to go. Take a look at the Grand Duchy of Stollen blog. I gloss my 10mm figures after block painting. A simple plain Matt base seems to work well. I recently started adding a few tufts here and there.
ReplyDeleteThanks Simon. I added a bit of clump foliage and they actually look much better now. Just needed some more decoration.
Deletethey look fine. simple figures with a neat paint job. what's not to like?
ReplyDeleteCheers Paul. I guess after painting in a detailed style it feels like cheating a bit not to start layering. But as you say, the question is whether I like them or not - and I do.
DeleteThere is most definitely something very satisfying about a fully glossed toy soldier.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely agree Michael. I've been contemplating a project in this style for years, but never followed through with it.
DeleteThe figures look great. It interesting how very detailing miniatures almost compel the painter to do more detailed work.
ReplyDeleteI agree Peter. I cant imagine ever doing a three layer paint job on a Spencer Smith figure, but with these Crusader figures and Perrys etc you almost feel like they have to have the full treatment.
DeleteThey look super Nathan. Nothing wrong with bases either!
ReplyDeleteCheers Rodger. The bases got a little extra window dressing and look much better for it.
DeleteAre you happy with the result? That's the most important thing - not what others think. That aside, my preference would be to leave the bases alone at this point. Adding a flower or a stone or even a small twig will add some visual diversity but again - would that make you happy. The figures are a visual delight to behold and I would not tinker with them for the world.
ReplyDeleteThanks for that. I was quite happy with them, but felt they needed just a little more, so a bit of clump foliage and I also painted in eyes and eyebrows tonight. Instantly satisfied! The eyes were just a very thin dark grey line rather then trying to paint eyeballs, and it worked perfectly.
ReplyDeleteLovely figures and great job, no doubt imho...and I love these faces!
ReplyDeleteLess is more sometimes Nathan.
ReplyDelete