Figure painting

[E7]

Is it my imagination or does this dude look cross-eyed? Hope he doesn't get hit by the train...Healey

Looks that way to me, but otherwise, a very nice job. Shouldn't be too hard to fix!

Rich

[MurphOnMillerAve]

I thought of this thread and all the careful work that is done to make such interesting miniature figures when I re-saw a movie just recently, The Patriot, with Mel Gibson as the lead character. I really like that movie; it seemed so real, an example of which would be his deceased son's toy army figures getting melted down, one by one, into shot. The movie imparts a much more intimate feel for and understand of The Revolutionary War that I ever gained, collectively, from school and/or other movies.
Murph

[MurphOnMillerAve]

...One thing that helps... is to pick figures in passive poses if you find the motionless to be jarring next to moving trains. Seated, standing, and leaning figures look quite natural whilst those in mid-run with their necktie flying out behind do look a bit odd.

I feel that, also, one can utilize various figures posed in a natural grouping, like a conversation, or collectively noticing something, such as these boys taking note of a car unusual for their neighborhood, a Tucker, which they have stopped to admire it and converse. That does not distract from the nearby train action. I feel it augments it, adding interest to the whole area and, eventually, to the whole layout, giving visitors places where they can personally relate.

Regarding the painting of such figures, I find these boys to have been done particularly articulately.

[healey36]

Those are outstanding Murph...great paint job. I concur with the idea that passive poses are optimal, although I confess to having one of the fat guy running, tie flying.

Healey

[MurphOnMillerAve]

Those are outstanding Murph...great paint job. I concur with the idea that passive poses are optimal, although I confess to having one of the fat guy running, tie flying....Healey

I'm glad you like the paint job on those boys.Those figures were hand-painted by Roy Baker of Bakers Railroad Shop. I believe they are unpainted imports from Great Britain. Just as a point of interest (and marveling), when Roy needs to paint something really tiny, like vest buttons, kerchiefs, suspenders, mustaches, ties, bib-overall straps, eye glasses, pipes, belt buckles, or kitty fur markings, he pulls out a single hair from one of his knuckles, attaches it to a toothpick, and dips the single hair into the paint. Then, I take buy therm from Roy and use them in my scenes, to invite a dialog with those who view them.
Murph

[rogruth]

Murph,
My usual comments.

[MurphOnMillerAve]

Murph,
My usual comments.

And they are certainly appreciated, Roger. Thank you.
Murph

[rogruth]

Mr. Baker should also be complimented. As should anybody who paints figures in any scale.

[healey36]

Finally got back to this:



Learned a couple things here: (1) Sarge showed me it's possible to solder these guys with out destroying the lead-pewter casting, and (2) my eyes are shot...the block-painting is not near sharp enough. I need to bust out the Optivisor going forward.

Block-painted with acrylic and enamel colors, a spray of Krylon clear satin lacquer, a brushed-on coat of Quikshade, then two shots of Testor's clear matte. The face looks good...the shade really brought out the features on this Arttista trainorder man.

Now I wonder what could be done with this:



Healey

[rogruth]

Why do anything to it?
It looks as though it has been spending time in the trenches.

[healey36]

Yup. maybe just a bit of touch-up if I can find some paint to match. Looks like the trench caved in on him...

[healey36]

A buddy sent me a few Zvezda 1/100 armor kits, asked me to assemble/paint them for him for a game he's running this weekend at Cold Wars in Lancaster. Here's a Pxkpfw IIIE, one of a dozen for a Panzer company he's putting together:



Interesting diversion...

Healey

[rogruth]

That's nice but tell him he needs to play trains instead of war.

[G3750]

Wow. Figure painting is something I've never tried. I admire those who have.

George

[healey36]

Still mucking around with some 1/100 stuff:





The Arttista hobo's are slowly working their way to the top of the lead-pile...

Healey