I am struggling with the detail painting of my figures. I am painting 1:35 WW2 German Field Officers. Trying to paint the rank on the shoulders, the iron cross on his breast, collar insignia, the eagle badge on his hat, and all the other tiny details is defeating me. I own the smallest brushes made to no avail. I've tried tooth picks, sewing needles, etc. I either get way too much paint applied or not enough. Any tips, tricks hints will be sorely welcome. It may just be I need more skill and thats that. (I hope not!)

i use eduard pe sets that are all ready painted

You could try drybrushing the the eagle and iron cross rather than "painting" Also for the piping on the shoulders and collar, you could try layering the colors in. Sometimes I will paint the piping first, even if that means painting the entire collar in that color, and then go back with the uniform color over the top of it except for the areas where I want the piping color to show.

Hi D-i-D
How long have you been modelling, in particular, painting figures? Much of what you have mentioned will well depend on the skill you acquire from experience. Painting small details like you say can be made easier with a magnifier and simply, a steady hand. The more you practice at this the better you will get. Try practicing on small scraps of plastic card as an exercise. Securing the figure in a firm holder will free up both your hands. You can then steady your painting hand with the other. Just a few tips you might try.
Regards
Garth

It's not all about the size of the brush, in some ways the smaller brushes are more of a pain because they hold less paint, and if you use acrylic, it will dry quicker in the brush. What is vitally important here is that it has a good point.

I also agree with Garth, try a magnifier of some kind. Preferably one with a lens for each eye (for depth perception).

Other than that, it is all down to practice.

HTH,

Andy

Bummer, eh?

The other trick would be to use decals. Verlinden used to make a set of uniform accessory decals.

I have to agree with andy evans regarding the size of the brush. I have recently been moving toward acrylics, MM Acryl (that's what the LHS stocks) and it dries very fast on the brush, so I usually wet the brush a little in water, (not too much!) and then dip it in the paint, then apply. I do that about a gazillion times, trying to keep the paint from drying and ruining the brush. Keep the brush moist, and clean.

Archer transfers make pretty much whatever you need,

http://www.archertransfers.com/catGermanUniformPatches.html

I would suggest transfering them to decal paper first, then applying them (works best for me.) As for painting small details like straps, etc, I use a flat toothpick. The trick that I have found is that it is all about using as small an amount of paint as you can. You can always build an area up if you need more.

John

I would recommend using a decal, transfer, or Eduard's pre-painted PE sets. I love them!

i just picked up an magnifying visor from a local hobby store for 30 dollars. After starting to use it i find it helps alot for painting those details. Id definetly look into that, plus it is useful for just about anything when your working with tiny parts.

As an alternative to buying a magnifying glass, I use a pair of reading glasses with 1.75 magnification. Works well for me.

Hi

Here is a copy of my post in another recent thread.

I purchased a type of Optivisor off of ebay and have used it quite a bit although I don't really like the headband and peak much it does give the family and friends something to laugh at.

I did pick up a pair of reading glasses of high magnification cheap in a supermarket and wear these most of the time.

It does depend on the condition of your eyes to some extent, mine are pretty shot to be honest.

I'd try with the cheap reading glasses first. Don't go buying expensive, as I say check out the supermarkets. Take along a figure in your pocket, put a pair on and check out if they show up the detail well.

Mine are rated at + 3.50, mostly clear plastic with sprung loaded metal arms. They are like those old fashioned reading glasses in style, so like "half glasses" this allows me to look over the top of them at instructions, books etc. which I couldn't focus on through the glasses and if I was wearing the Optivisor I'd have to swing it up to do the same. Cost about £4.00 UK money

I do wear the "Optivisor" as well from time to time but the glasses I can pop in my pocket for viewing away from the bench, in the model shop, or model show for example, something I wouldn't want to do with an Optivisor style unit on.

Although I got mine in the UK this is the headband magnifier I purchased. It has three lens. Well really two and the swivel Loupe one. The main lens then another which swivels down from the peak to increase magnification and the the loupe, which you can use with both combinations, but that's for really, really close work and I'd not try to paint a figure using that one, unless I was painting the viens on a 1/35 scale eyeball !!

Of course the true Optivisor does a range of fixed lens, hence your question about which lens. If I remember correctly if you go to their site they show the strengths, recommendations and the focal lengths, which is the important bit. In other words this governs the position you hold your model/figure away from your eyes that will bring it into maximum focus and clarity. So you need to figure that out.

Here's the cheapy headset I got, showing on US ebay

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=230467661111" TARGET="_blank"> http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=230467661111

I don't use the "headlights".......

Alan