Want to try a 1/8 scale figure and was wondering what would be best paint to use Oil or Humbrol ?
Acrylics I think are out of the circle as to drying to fast and not very good hand brushing maybe Polly Scale.
So what do the Figure painters suggest on this one.

I know of the oil paints leaving streaks but think I could live with that!
Thanks

I've never tried 1/8 figures but have done a few 1/16 and 1/35. And I would never suggest that they are to the level of the posters here BUT ..........here goes.

I would recommend oils - I use an el cheapo "school" set I found in Woollies with some extra Windsor & Newton tubes I have acquired at different times. I think the difference is that the W&N have finer pigments but the others suit me. The only time that I struck brush streaks was when I did not thin with enough thinner - I use Gum Turpentine (smells GREAT almost as good as glue fumes - and I make sure I don't smoke in the same room).

In the first modelling happy time (30+ years ago) I only used Humbrol enamels and quite frequently mixed/blended them and only ever used a brush. However that was in the days of real Humbrol and not the "Extra" that we get today. I find it a bit too thin to brush unless you let it air for a while to let some of the thinner evaporate.

I also agree about acrylics drying too quickly - especially Tamiya, although I have seen a couple of people here swear by it. I haven't tried the Vallejo acrylics yet but a hobby shop 35 km down the road has just stocked some so I may try them soon.


Brian

Hi Jeff,
I'll chime in with my 2 cents if I may ...
I use oil paints myself for my figures so I can't make any intelligent comments on using the Humbols. I love the blending they allow me to do.
But I'd suggest that you use whatever you have on hand and are most comfortable with. On a figure that scale, you could use acrylics to airbrush the largest areas. That could solve the fast drying problem. Then you could use either oils or Humbrols for the shading and highlighting.
As for using oils to do the whole figure, I'd recommend not thinning them. You just want to remember to use them sparingly. A little bit of oil paint goes a long way. And to get rid of the brushstrokes, you use a technique called stippling. That's just taking a big, soft, round brush and gently tapping it on the surface of the paint. Hold the brush perpendicular to the surface when you do this, you don't want to push the paint around. It's amazing how the brushstrokes will disappear.
I stipple after I put on the base color, then again after I do the shadows and once more after doing the highlights. But be careful that you don't blend away the shadows and highlights.
With a little practice, this is a great technique.
One more thing, look for oderless thinner. It's much easier on the brain cells than turpentine is .
I hope this helps. If you have any questions, feel free to ask .
Good luck and be sure to post pictures as you go.
Craig

Thanks to Bilko and Mongo_Mel I copied your replies to Notepad for use I thought Oils would be better TOO!!
Have Winsor and Newton oils I think that is the name that I use plus some other brand related to Grumbacher or something.
Thanks again!!