"Painting a 1/35 Scale Figure with Acrylic Colors" by "Oliver Kovacs"

I bought it from Historex Agents in the UK, but I'm sure it'll be available at other stores.

http://www.historexagents.com/shop/hxproductdetail.php?ProductCode=MXDVD02

I just got it today and I've only watched some excerpts from the various chapters, but I have to say that it is very helpful. It shows the painter laying down all the various levels of highlights and shadows.. and not just say that that's what he did.. you actually see all the brush strokes on the face and where the highlights go and where the shadows go. He also shows how he works with a wet palette so the paint doesn't dry up while painting. And there's a chapter on painting the camouflage trousers on the figure and how he highlights them.

Anyway, since I read many posts by beginners like me asking about a good book or CD that explains painting figures.. I just wanted to recommend this one. It really shows all the steps in detail and with a very clear and large picture.

The DVD is in PAL format, so people in the States will have to watch it on their PC's.. which is how I prefer to watch it anyway!

I hope this helps other struggling figure painters.. like myself

Hisham

@Hisham - Hisham,

This is an area of modeling that I am really poor at, so "ll be getting this DVD! Thanks for taking the time to post and share this.

-Eddy

I got mine today, but haven't watched yet.

As a supplement I recommend the following site:

http://www.coolminiornot.com

look at the articles, forums and top artists

Hi Hisham,

A stupid question,but doe's he explain what he's doing?The sample clip only has music.

Tom

PS.I'm sending you a PM.

Hey there, Tom... Actually, he doesn't talk a whole lot.. he gives an explanation of what he will be doing.. then just starts painting and lets you watch how he's doing it. For some people that might be a bad thing.. but for me, I've read enough articles that I now know the "theory" by hard.. but I needed to see it being done clearly. And being here in Egypt, going to model shows and seeing painters do seminars is not an option. So, I found this to be the next best thing.

I'm sure a lot of people will criticize it and point out some negatives... but my personal opinion, after reading a ton of articles and seeing a lot of free videos... I can say that this is the best video tutorial I've seen so far.

Hisham

Interesting and I'll have to think about it. One thing I need to know is that on resin figures. Should they be primed or sealed first? I know like all other resins (as well as plastic) that they should be washed/cleaned but primer would really kill a lot of detail.


~ Jeff

Thanks for the link, Hisham. I'm in a similar situation (got the theory, not so much the practice) so I'll be picking this up for sure.

I bought it a few days ago and I have 2 say it´s really good as I don´t like the enamel and oil smell in my room and this is only about acrylic-paint.
sometimes it gets a bit boring cause they show every hihglight which meens up to 9 steps but I know a lot of people asking for "how to paint a figure" - DETAILS
so here you are....

Jeff, like most techniques there is no "right" way - do what works for you. But I prime ALL figures (plastic, resin or metal) because I find that it gives the subsequent layers of paint a much better base to bind to.

I prime from a rattle can. Depending on the figure and/or what I have to hand at the time, I use Games Workshop Chaos Black followed by a light misting of Skull White (the latter to pick out the detail) or just Vallejo Grey Primer on its own. Some guys swear by grey "automotive" primer which is said to work just as well and is supposedly cheaper, but as nowhere local to me stocks it I've never used it.

Provided that you don't get too close while spraying, I've never had a problem with the paint killing the detail. I can look quite thick initially, but it dries rapidly to give you a nice thin covering with the folds & sharp details preserved.

I try to do several figures at a time on a turntable, which I rotate as I "mist" the paint on. I guess an airbrush would work just as well.

As for "how to" DVDs in general, they're fine up to a point (and I have a few myself), but the only sure-fire way to getting good results is practice, practice and more practice!

- Steve

I never bother washing or priming resin figures ... it works well for me without doing this step. I do spray an undercoat of Tamiya acrylics through the air brush, then brush paint Humbrol enamels directly on top. I dont wash figures in the same way you would with armor, but prefer to paint the defining lines instead.

People will need to realise there is no "one book" or one DVD or any other medium for taking a complete novice to be an expert painter. If life only were so easy. They should be seen for what they are ... an aid or an alternativemethod to painting. Use it and take from it whats needed, but expecting a DVD to be all in one, they will be dissapointed. As Hisham says, there are plenty of explanations on line ... actually seeing it heppening is what its all about. Think I´ll pick it up myself.

Thanks Steve and Frank for taking the time to answer my questions. I've never painted a figure before but I do have some on the way and it'll be a first!

I'm a light primer so the thought of ruining it was first on my mind. I guess larger scales would help too.


~ Jeff

Thanks for sharing this, Hisham. I found a sample video on Youtube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B6yJhoTalAI

What struck me was the quality of his brush/brushes. What type and size are those? The brush in this video almost looks like a miniature marking pen.

Frank