Well, finished my commander figure for my Desert Fever Crusader and pretty chuffed I am with him too. This is only my 2nd 1/35 figure, and my first "proper" one since I came back to the hobby 10 years ago. At times I wondered if the highlights/washes were too subtle/not strong enough, but in the end I reckon they came out pretty well.



He could probly do with another flat coat, and I haven't painted the eyes - I'm not up to that yet, and I reckon that badly painted eyes would look much worse than no eyes at all





One last shot away from the blue photo background that helps give the figure a bit more depth and colour in some ways.



All comments and criticisms welcomed - I want to know what I did right, and what I can do better. This is one area of my modelling where I really want to make an improvement.

He really does look good, Neil.
All I can suggest is a little more shadows especially in the tops of the rolled up sleeve folds, along the edge of the shirt front (by the buttons where the two edges overlap) and around the epaulettes(if you look at your 4th pic down you'll see what I mean).
I too keep meaning to improve my figure painting skills but I don't think I'm up to your standard yet let alone only after the 2nd attempt. you have the right to feel proud of him.
All the best.
Tom

Wish my second ever 1/35 figure had looked as good as this, I must have painted hunderds now and you're pretty damn close to giving me a run for my money!
As Tom Says, you have the right to feel proud indeed.
IMO figure painting is a very personal affair, everyone has their own techniques. I'd say you've got yours working pretty well for you, my only suggestion would be like Tom and say that you need a bit more shadow in the indented areas.
I'd also suggest having a go at the eye's as it really will bring a figure to life. Practice on an old figure if you're worried about messing up.
Just use a small brush and a delicate hand to add an semi-gloss off-white colour to the eye balls. I then apply a tiny spot of gun metal to act as the pupil as it gives a natural sparkle to the eye. Do this with a very small brush and even steadier hand or use something like a toothpick to just 'dot' the colour on.
I'm sure there are many more methods but they're my tips!

Good luck,

James

Thanks for the kind words guys. If I get time before the Desert Fever deadline I'll go back and implement your suggestions.

Looks good. I would go over the uniform with some mig pigments using a drybrush technique, then a light mist of clear flat. A light dusty color would work best. Flattens up the uniform very nicely. But if you aren,t comfortable with that, practice it on your first figure .