Yeah, the main problem is that figures tend to be so much more of a crap shoot. One of my club members is a fantastic artist, and has sculpted/done masters for many companies. Most of those companies are long gone because the figure industry is, quite frankly, scary. People are VERY apprehensive about painting figures, and for good reason. Just putting on a slather of flesh color and the old "white golf-balls" with black dots really looks...aweful. People look at all that wonderfull volstad cover art, look at the figgie, and just loose all hope. Who then want s to go spend even more on resin figs that willnever look good?
I do have a plan. (I just KNEW you were all holding your breath.)
I am seriously working on a painting system, using acrylics, that will help make face/hand/leg painting easy. I am very close to perfecting the technique, then, off to share it with the world. No, I do not think Shep Paine or Bill Horan have anything to worry about, but I think it willhelp all of us moderate builders get those figures out, and feel good about them.
And just so I can brag the heck out of myself, here is a link to the last figgie I did with this technique
http://members.tripod.com/saammodels/Pictures/otherbuild/sskarkov/index.htm I have also done up a Female russian tank officer from WWII, a junior town kit, and will have her finished shortly as well, to show that this technique does apply to all types. I just have to work on a asian and african face to see if it translates well to them...and I suppose a Indian/mexican and american Indian too. Oh well, my work is never done!
