Hi all,

Figure making has always seemed sort of scary to me, and I don't really know how to make a good figure. I have made a few, but these were for my tanks that I have built, and I don't pay super close attention to them. After looking through the boxes of kits that I recently bought from someone I noticed that he had given me his box that had all his spare parts. Inside this I found a Cameo Metal Figure. It wasn't in a box so I have no clue what scale it is (a little bigger than 1/35), or who it is supposed to be, but it does look a lot like Erwin Rommel, as he is wearing a long great coat with his hands in his pockets, so I decided to base the figure one him. All the parts are fixed (heads, arms etc) So it might be a little trouble painting him.

I would really appreciate some guide from all the master figure makers on this site, as I am a noob...

So, the figure is a little soft on detail, so I have decided to fashion a new binocular strap from copper wire, a new belt from lead foil and I will make a small knights cross from foil to put on his chest.

Should I paint the face first?

I will post pics later.
M4A2Sherman

Can you please post a picture of the figure and we might be able to help x)

Q - I agree with what Richard has said - a pic of some sort may help people to help you.

Have you also had a look in Historicus Forma as that is where most of the "specialist" figure painters hang out and post?

I certainly have no experience with metal figures and I am probably one of the "odd ones out" now as I paint my figures (1/35 and 1/16) with oils (and enamels) as opposed to acrylics, i.e. the whole lot uniforms, faces weapons etc.

I think that whether the face or body is painted first or not is a personal thing. I usually paint them separately, but have in the past painted "whole" bodies and done it both ways. As long as the first painted portion is allowed to dry and is masked off in some way to reduce or minimise overpainting then there should not be too many problems.

I have used a plastic freezer bag with one corner snipped off to mask a painted body while I painted the face and that worked OK.

Most important thing though is to have fun.

Brian

I did metal fantasy figures for a few years a while back.

I always did the flesh portions last. That way I didn't have to keep going back and covering up bits of other colors I may have gotten on the fleshy bits.

Make sure you prime it so the paint has something to stick to!!!
I like white primer for figs that will have flesh colored parts.

Thanks,

I am currently having some trouble with uploading the photos so I will put them on later.
M4A2Sherman