Pendraken Miniatures Forum

Wider Wargaming => Painting & Modelling => Topic started by: kev1964 on 08 March 2014, 10:36:12 AM

Title: How i paint figs. kev
Post by: kev1964 on 08 March 2014, 10:36:12 AM
This is how i painted the crews on my open base entry, it is also how i paint in general.  I found this  colour scheme works well for pretty much all of the british infantry form this period through to the Zulu war, obviously a few tweeks here and there.

First i spray undercoat in black, it's my preferred colour and find it helps make the smaller scale figures stand out more, i try to leave a very thin black line between each part, ie trouser to jacket, rifle to sling etc.
First i base coat the majority of the fig, in this case i use the darkest appropriate colour, jacket and all red bits are done in Vallejo gory red ( i mostly have vallejo paints but also a few gw and coat d arms) , trouser, socks, cuffs and hat band in Royal blue, hair, weapon, belts and wooden items in, chocolate brown.
(http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/xq90/31/4z1q.jpg) (https://imageshack.com/i/0v4z1qj)

Second round are the main colours,
Vallejo flat red for the jacket and anything else red, i cover the majority of it , but leave the creases and a few small areas still showing ,if you keep very slightly away from adjoining areas with this coat it makes the end figure look really crisp. next the trousers etc, prussian blue for this , pretty much as the red leaving some of the regal showing through. Next the brown areas, i use Vallejo flat earth for this, pretty much the same process as the other colours but a bit more careful picking out bits of belts and hair. This combination of browns also works very well on horses. For the gloves i used iraqi sand as a base.
(http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/xq90/34/p4g6.jpg) (https://imageshack.com/i/0yp4g6j)

Next is the final highlight on jacket, for this i use Vallejo scarlet, just catching a few areas such as pockets, edges and crease folds, for the blue bits i mix prussian blue and white at apx 70%- 30% white and just catch the odd raised crease, hat band etc. This may seem a lot of messing about but it is reasonably quick  as your only catching small areas ,and the more you do the quicker it gets. I normally paint 30 figs per day (5 an hour) and i'm not really rushing as i have to save my eyes and back nowadays  ;D. At this point i usually add the flesh, this is Vallejo dark flesh, the glove highlight is coatdarms linen, or gw bone.
(http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/xq90/593/wmvz.jpg) (https://imageshack.com/i/ghwmvzj)

Next up are the buttons, hat trim, shot and scabbard, Flat yellow trim, scabbard,shot, front of shoe and highlight to the hat, is Vallejo black tanker highlight. Flesh highlight is vallejo flesh highlight.
(http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/xq90/203/d6cm.jpg) (https://imageshack.com/i/5nd6cmj)

Finally the officer, the sash base was gory red then a mix of gory and white at apx 60-40, i also used cork brown just to pick out a few bits of hair, polished gold for the buttons ,sword and telescope and a bit of off white for the sock ties.
(http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/xq90/46/i0f7.jpg) (https://imageshack.com/i/1ai0f7j)
(http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/xq90/706/cf0v.jpg) (https://imageshack.com/i/jmcf0vj)

(http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/xq90/19/1ixm.jpg) (https://imageshack.com/i/0j1ixmj)

(http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/xq90/829/0lgo.jpg) (https://imageshack.com/i/n10lgoj)

Well thats it chaps, i'm sure i have missed something ,( sorry for the lack of cannon,routine stuff got in the way today, ill try for that soon) so please feel free to ask, i'm not a font of all painting knowledge but if i can help just ask, hope this is of use. I do expect the painting competition to be even more outstanding next year though  ;D ;D ;D ;D,

kev
Title: Re: How i paint figs. kev
Post by: Hertsblue on 08 March 2014, 10:46:25 AM
Great post, Kev, and outstanding results.

Unfortunately, you didn't explain how I stop my hands from shaking in mid-brush stroke or how I get my eyes to focus down on those tiny details. Once you've cracked that I'll have some of the best figures around.  ;) ;) ;)
Title: Re: How i paint figs. kev
Post by: kev1964 on 08 March 2014, 10:54:56 AM
 ;D ;D ;D, thanks Herts, steeling the better half's reading glasses and drinking lots of red wine works for me,


kev
Title: Re: How i paint figs. kev
Post by: Scolty on 08 March 2014, 11:49:58 AM

Kev,

Your pics are always inspirational - I especially like the brightness of the colours you manage to achieve on the figures. I'm still painting (painfully slowly) my ACW armies, but hope to get to some redcoats later in the year. I'll definitely have a go at your technique. Please keep posting the pics!

Scolty

:)
Title: Re: How i paint figs. kev
Post by: toxicpixie on 08 March 2014, 12:11:20 PM
Great results, and pretty quick as well - I'm well impressed and a tad jealous :D
Title: Re: How i paint figs. kev
Post by: Steve J on 08 March 2014, 04:50:09 PM
That's really very useful Kev :). Sadly my left arm suffers from dystonia, so has a permanent shake, which makes small details hard to paint. Then my eyes are not what they used to be :(.
Title: Re: How i paint figs. kev
Post by: paulr on 08 March 2014, 07:06:20 PM
Thanks Kev, useful and helpful as always. I think it's the details you pick out that make you figures stunning.  :)

This sums it up for me "and a bit of off white for the sock ties"  :o sock ties!  :o most of us struggle to paint the socks   ;D ;D
Title: Re: How i paint figs. kev
Post by: Womble67 on 08 March 2014, 10:21:33 PM
Excellent painting guide thanks for sharing

takd care

andy
Title: Re: How i paint figs. kev
Post by: Thogrid on 08 March 2014, 10:59:21 PM
Kev...thanks for the AWESOME "how to" for your process.  Absolutely stunning work and this will be a huge help as I jump into the 10mm world of figures.  (Back in I suppose...painted GW WM years ago)

Would you also mind telling us your process for basing your fabulous work?   :D   :-\

@Leon...I have to tell you, seeing all the fabulous entries in the painting competition this year is what finally pushed me over the edge as far as "jumping in".  Some of my gaming buddies were doing their best to convince me we needed to do Napoleonic Wars in 10mm and of course their choice for figures is Pendraken.  I came to the website and saw the link for the forum, joined and started browsing all the great work.  You Ladies and Gents have convinced me to give this a go.   :o :o ;D ;D

Can't wait for the 1809 French to arrive!!

Thanks again!!   8)
Title: Re: How i paint figs. kev
Post by: Duke Speedy of Leighton on 08 March 2014, 11:14:21 PM
Hello Thogrid!
Welcome to the madhouse!
Title: Re: How i paint figs. kev
Post by: fsn on 08 March 2014, 11:21:58 PM
Welcome Thogrid.

Good choice. I`m  waiting patiently for the Waterloo Brits.
Title: Re: How i paint figs. kev
Post by: Hertsblue on 09 March 2014, 09:44:26 AM
Welcome from me too, Thogrid. But be careful, addiction starts with one small pack....  ;) ;) ;)
Title: Re: How i paint figs. kev
Post by: get2grips on 09 March 2014, 12:16:24 PM
Welcome Thogrid; prepare to develop a SERIOUS pewter addiction ;)
Title: Re: How i paint figs. kev
Post by: Techno on 09 March 2014, 12:33:09 PM
And a warm welcome from me, as well !
And Kev......Really excellent tutorial....Great job !
Cheers - Phil
Title: Re: How i paint figs. kev
Post by: get2grips on 09 March 2014, 01:32:31 PM
Yeah, sorry Kev: great tutorial.  I love your bold use of colour: truly inspiring ;)
Title: Re: How i paint figs. kev
Post by: nikharwood on 09 March 2014, 09:33:30 PM
Thanks kev - great tutorial  8)
Title: Re: How i paint figs. kev
Post by: Zippee on 09 March 2014, 11:27:12 PM
Indeed, very useful - and the results are inspirational.

I love how crisp they are. . . but how do you get the brightness and clarity when painting on black, for me this has always led to murky dull colours but yours seem vibrant but deep?
Title: Re: How i paint figs. kev
Post by: kev1964 on 10 March 2014, 06:55:34 AM
Thanks for all the comments chaps, and Hi Thogrid.
The vivid colours are a result of the 2/3 coats i use, sometimes it seems a waste of time using 2 colours on a rifle, but it does make the final colour stand out,(especially when using black undercoat)  then a matt varnish to finish, i use  Revell matt 2, it also aids to a stronger colour.
As for the basing i have been using the white pummace from vallejo, (just tried looking to order more but because it comes in a 200ml tub i carn't get it posted here anymore) then a basecoat of flat earth followed with a dry brush of plague brown, last highlight is Iraqui sand. Next a sprinkle of field grass (particularly around figure bases) and then a few grass tufts.
Hope this helps,


kev
Title: Re: How i paint figs. kev
Post by: Steve J on 10 March 2014, 08:00:38 AM
Is the Revell Matt 2 a water based lacquer Kev?
Title: Re: How i paint figs. kev
Post by: kev1964 on 10 March 2014, 08:29:32 AM
No Steve, it's enamel, i have to clean the brush with turps, it is pretty quick drying though, i can handle them after a couple of hours. I  have never used the new types, mainly because i carn't get them here but i tend to stick with what works well for me.


kev
Title: Re: How i paint figs. kev
Post by: Steve J on 10 March 2014, 10:48:01 AM
Thanks Kev. I will try the Vallejo lacquer that is water based, to see how that fares. The stuff I use is rather satin in finish so makes stuff a bit too shiny, especially for armoured vehicles.
Title: Re: How i paint figs. kev
Post by: Matt J on 10 March 2014, 03:40:15 PM
great tutorial Kev - a straight forward technique (no dark arts involved) that you produce stunning results with. The black outline really makes the colours 'pop'.
I particularly like your technique for holding the figures.

A question if I may - how did you get into figure painting (you've mentioned before you aren't a gamer)?

Matt
Title: Re: How i paint figs. kev
Post by: kev1964 on 10 March 2014, 04:47:28 PM
Thanks Matt, i must say i was most impressed with your work, the tank was exceptionally good and a great idea, also great to see those  Mongols.
As for getting in to fig painting, the usual doing them when your a kid , then about 10 years ago i inherited a shed load of figs( mainly 6mm) from a relative, i did paint up a few but due to work and family commitments i had no spare time to enjoy them, or find a club and game.  We moved to Hungary five years ago with a view to being reasonably self sufficient,  but after 2 years of ' playing at it  'to be honest, i realized i had to earn some money, so decided to paint full time. Luckily it's working out , i probably paint for 6-7 hours over the day , usually an hour painting then an hour outside and so on, that way it gives my eyes and back a bit of a rest  ;D. Hopefully i can keep doing it for a few more years yet.


kev
Title: Re: How i paint figs. kev
Post by: Thogrid on 10 March 2014, 05:12:58 PM
Quote from: kev1964 on 10 March 2014, 06:55:34 AM
Thanks for all the comments chaps, and Hi Thogrid.
The vivid colours are a result of the 2/3 coats i use, sometimes it seems a waste of time using 2 colours on a rifle, but it does make the final colour stand out,(especially when using black undercoat)  then a matt varnish to finish, i use  Revell matt 2, it also aids to a stronger colour.
As for the basing i have been using the white pummace from vallejo, (just tried looking to order more but because it comes in a 200ml tub i carn't get it posted here anymore) then a basecoat of flat earth followed with a dry brush of plague brown, last highlight is Iraqui sand. Next a sprinkle of field grass (particularly around figure bases) and then a few grass tufts.
Hope this helps,


kev


A-ha!  I wondered...I use the Vallejo pumice as well for my 15s/28s (sand based themes) but "cheat" and put a darker brown acrylic paint in the container with the pumice and mix well (trying to cut down on a step).   ;)  Now I know it will work on the 10mm toys too!  Thanks again for sharing!

And thanks to all for such a warm welcome!   :-h



Title: Re: How i paint figs. kev
Post by: Matt J on 10 March 2014, 05:14:06 PM
Thanks Kev

It sounds like you're living the good life!

I'd love to do something similar just got to wait to the kids grow up and leave home in about oh.. 20 years or so  :(

Title: Re: How i paint figs. kev
Post by: Fenton on 10 March 2014, 05:17:24 PM
Quote from: Thogrid on 10 March 2014, 05:12:58 PM
A-ha!  I wondered...I use the Vallejo pumice as well for my 15s/28s (sand based themes) but "cheat" and put a darker brown acrylic paint in the container with the pumice and mix well (trying to cut down on a step).   ;)  Now I know it will work on the 10mm toys too!  Thanks again for sharing!

And thanks to all for such a warm welcome!   :-h





I have been recommended the use of Vallejo Hull REd to mix with the pumice..still havnt tried it
Title: Re: How i paint figs. kev
Post by: Fenton on 10 March 2014, 05:18:24 PM
Quote from: kev1964 on 10 March 2014, 04:47:28 PM
Thanks Matt, i must say i was most impressed with your work, the tank was exceptionally good and a great idea, also great to see those  Mongols.
As for getting in to fig painting, the usual doing them when your a kid , then about 10 years ago i inherited a shed load of figs( mainly 6mm) from a relative, i did paint up a few but due to work and family commitments i had no spare time to enjoy them, or find a club and game.  We moved to Hungary five years ago with a view to being reasonably self sufficient,  but after 2 years of ' playing at it  'to be honest, i realized i had to earn some money, so decided to paint full time. Luckily it's working out , i probably paint for 6-7 hours over the day , usually an hour painting then an hour outside and so on, that way it gives my eyes and back a bit of a rest  ;D. Hopefully i can keep doing it for a few more years yet.


kev

Why Hungary?  Family connections?or just went for it?
Title: Re: How i paint figs. kev
Post by: Ace of Spades on 12 March 2014, 06:26:41 PM
Inspiring work Kev!
Thanks for sharing. This will certainly come in handy when I start on some extra's for my new project!

Cheers,
Rob
Title: Re: How i paint figs. kev
Post by: hetairoi on 15 March 2014, 07:51:55 AM
Nice tutorial Kev! Though I would also appreciate some info about where can I purchase a laser-brush like the one you used to paint the fingers on 10mm miniatures!  :-\

I have a question about your bases, wich I like very much. Do you trim the miniature's stand? Your bases look very thin...
Title: Re: How i paint figs. kev
Post by: Glorfindel on 13 April 2014, 11:02:16 AM
I appreciate the tutorial Kev - top notch painting & very inspirational.   

The effect, both at close-up and distance, is amazing.   

Interesting to see how you achieve this by really emphasising contrast
and with very bright colours.   Real food for thought (particularly as I
will soon be looking at an LOA army).

Thank you,


Phil
Title: Re: How i paint figs. kev
Post by: Lord Raffles on 19 November 2015, 05:36:42 PM
kev1964, can you recommend some good brushes suppliers and ideal sizes?
Title: Re: How i paint figs. kev
Post by: WeeWars on 19 November 2015, 06:11:09 PM
www.michaelscott.name/1809/blog2015/1809blogpost181.htm (http://www.michaelscott.name/1809/blog2015/1809blogpost181.htm)
Title: Re: How i paint figs. kev
Post by: Lord Raffles on 19 November 2015, 06:37:18 PM
Quote from: WeeWars on 19 November 2015, 06:11:09 PM
www.michaelscott.name/1809/blog2015/1809blogpost181.htm (http://www.michaelscott.name/1809/blog2015/1809blogpost181.htm)

Thanks!
Title: Re: How i paint figs. kev
Post by: Ithoriel on 19 November 2015, 07:33:11 PM
I use a mix of Army Painter, Games Workshop and The Works brushes at the moment. They range in size from 000 to 2 for most painting with a couple of much bigger ones for large models and terrain items and a make-up brush I use for very fine dry-brushing of large surface areas.

Perhaps I'm just unduly ham-fisted but I don't find supposedly good quality brushes last any longer than my cheaper ones. The tips bend and the bristles splay just as quickly.
Title: Re: How i paint figs. kev
Post by: Leman on 20 November 2015, 08:11:48 AM
All looks very good but I need to get stuff on the table fast and have room for other aspects of my life, so black undercoat followed by top highlight - job done.
Title: Re: How i paint figs. kev
Post by: ErHo on 30 August 2017, 09:17:12 PM
Top notch work, and tips!

Thank you