Hi all,

After browsing the amazing work here for a long time, asking a few questions, procrastinating, and working on other models, I've finally dipped my toe into figure painting.

I picked up a few figures at a model show here, all 75mm, and mail ordered a few more along with different paints to try (oils and acrylics, a few brands).

So, to start I chose the brilliantly sculpted "Luck of a Gentleman", a XVII C. pirate by Himini.

Here's how it should look when finished (scroll down to painted pics):

https://www.planetfigure.com/threads/himini-russia-news.173041/

I've gotten as far as cleaning (minimal needed) and priming, plus pre-shading and airbrushing some main colours. I'm following the colour guide in the link above - the only change is I've decided to replace the jewel he's examining with an empty bottle. So it becomes a pirate seeking that last drop of rum

Here's a couple of pics of current state and mock-up. Next of course is onto the brushes to block in the colours and appropriate shading.



Any tips, thoughts, criticism, or encouragement as I go are appreciated.

Darren

Hi Darren, thats a great start of an interesting subject (self confessed lover of pirates AKA Pirates of the Caribbean) willl be interesting to follow your path with your build.

W.

Hi Darren, it is difficult at this stage to advise. Looks like you are at the fun stage where you start to bring the figure to life and start to establish your own style.

We all learn in different ways, my method was watching demos at shows and reading articles in magazines. Now l still learn from watching Milan dufek on YouTube but there is a wealth of info on the platform for every medium and genre.

My advice after seeing your good start is to crack on and where you have a specific issue use the membership here for help and advice.

Keith

Hi Darren,

it definitely looks like a good start don't worry too much about technics at this stage, it's a start so first of all : have fun ! experiment, and enjoy your painting time

I'm at the same beginner stage as you so I'll refrain from commenting on the figure painting, but I like your baseboard thingy with the holes in it. That looks really handy. Is that a home-made item?

Thanks for the comments and encouragement so far

@Bundook - it's an airbrushing parts holder, just foam with holes. Probably easy enough to make one from wood to fit whatever holders you can get. Here's the one I have:

http://www.ustar-hobby.com.tw/product.html?id=212

Hobby Zone and others make similar ones.

Ah, thanks. I'll have to get drilling then.

Hi all,

For the sake of an update and not just lurking here, I thought I'd add my progress to this figure.

As my first proper one, it's a bit of an experiement. I did some acrylic shading on the red coat, and wasn't happy with it. And my 'vision' for the figure was a bit darker - perhaps ignoring historical accuracy, I had a view of him in dark attire...inspired by Barbosa from Pirates of the Caribbean (or any black-coat wearing pirate). So, I resprayed an acrylic base in a dark blue-grey, and added undergarments in shades of grey. Cuffs and shirt are ivory/off-white, and for a touch of colour I made the sword sash (not sure of the real name) a dark crimson.

I'll now use oils to do shading and detail painting.

Once I get into the next stages I'll post progress for feedback. Progress is slow as I don't get much time at the bench and am also building some non-figure kits. But always great to come here and see everyone's work and soak up some knowledge.

I'm also starting work on a couple of droid/robot figures for fun and I see these as perhaps a transition from armour models, and as a bonus they don't have faces so I can avoid them until skills improve .

Darren

I don't think you can go wrong as far as clothing colours are concerned, I like the dark stuff, it gives him a more menacing look. I like the rum bottle idea too, we've all been there!
Scotty.

Hi all,

Finally had a chance to make some noticeable progress on this figure.

It definitely has a "first figure" look about it, so no offence will be taken on any and all criticism . But I played around with both acrylics and oils on some clothing shading (which needs to be blended a bit more) and colours for the leather, peg leg, sash, etc. I'm avoiding the skin until the end! Still, starting to come along and I'll get onto the details and over the Easter break. Trying to work on a greying hair too.

There's a few spots of paint here and there I need to clean up too! Must try to get more accurate, and wish I'd left his head off for now (hat isn't attached).




As mentioned, any feedback or tips appreciated. Will work on a simple street base for him too.

Thanks for looking,
Darren