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WIP Critique Nancy, 75mm Neko Galaxy

Discussion in 'vBench (Works in Progress)' started by Bailey, Oct 3, 2022.

  1. Bailey A Fixture

    Country:
    United-States
    I normally tend towards fantasy and historical subjects, but every so often I like to shake things up. I recently got this Neko Galaxy kit from a friend and it felt like the right time to start painting her. I'm been focusing on improving my use of light (ambient light color, primary light color, and cast shadows) on my last few pieces and am using this project to continue that effort. I also want to continue to improve my work on skin, so I've focused on that as well. In particular, here I've tried to create a semi-shiny skin with light reflections painted on.


    Nancy01.jpg

    Nancy03.jpg Nancy02.jpg

    For anyone interested, the skin was done with Reaper paints: 50/50 Rosy Shadow and Fair Skin for the base. A mix of Ruddy Leather, Imperial Purple, Rosy Shadow (2:1:1) + a touch of Void Blue for the shadows. More rosy shadow was gradually mixed in (intermediate layers) until I was at pure Rosy Shadow. Then I started to add Fair Skin. At ~50/50 Fair Skin and Rosy shadow I started to add in a 2:1 mix of Lemon Yellow and Linen White. Reflection points where done by adding Pure White to the Lemon Yellow/Linen White mix (though with some of the base skin tone mixed in as well, rather than pure Lemon Yellow/Linen White). Red was added to the shadow and midtones in spots like the nose, cheeks, and knees and then combinations of that variant version was mixed with the primary skin to smooth out the transitions (still a work in progress on the knees btw).

    In my opinion, the specific paints/brand is less important than the choices of colors. To the shadows, you can add blue for a typical outdoor ambient light. In this case, I wanted more of a violet ambiance, so I used purple and blue. Work up to regular skin tones. Then pick a highlight color that matches the color of the primary light source, in this case yellow. Since skin can be a light shade, make sure you don't add your highlight color too late. It needs to also make the color lighter and not just shift the shade. Hence I started to introduce the yellow at 50/50 Rosy Shadow and Fair Skin rather than just pure Fair Skin. You can work in color variation, like more red, directly into the mix or through the use of glazes. But try to keep your top highlights the same since the same light is hitting the nose, cheeks, and knees that is hitting the rest of the body. And on top of all of that, I use plenty of intermediate layers and thinned paints for the transitions.
    Henk, MattMcK., theBaron and 13 others like this.
  2. Steve Ski PlanetFigure Supporter

    Country:
    United-States
    Well, from what I see you are accomplishing your goal quite extensively. Looks like you’re using acrylics, not my bag, but wow, what an effect. I'd say you are on pace to master those goals, flat out! Superb work, IMHO! The flesh tones, facial features, can't say enough. As for your ambient light exercise, would that not depend on your intended display intensions?, and there goes that stupid question, again, HA! I'm still learning, sorry[IMG]

    I like how you have a defined goal, that is exactly how we improve, your’ s being case in point. Ruck On Bby!

    Cheers, Ski.



    P.S. Not being formally trained myself in the art of colors and light dispersion specifically, I do appreciate your explanation of the intended results, very useful. We need more of that, for us less informed.
    Henk, -=König=- and Nap like this.
  3. Bailey A Fixture

    Country:
    United-States

    Yes, you’re right, it would depend on the setting. Blue is kind of a catch all ambient light color for outdoor conditions. You’d get blue reflected light from the sky showing up in the shadows. Of course if you’re in the jungle or a forest you might get a stronger green ambient light.

    For my piece, I’m picturing her in a sci-if urban setting. Not necessarily any strong colors from the surroundings, but I’m imaging a more purple sky just to do something a bit different.
    theBaron and Nap like this.
  4. Oda A Fixture

    Excellent effects on skintones.

    Oda.
    Bailey likes this.
  5. Nap Moderator

    Country:
    England
    Hi Bailey

    Good to see something different being shown here on PF , adds to interest

    I like the flesh on her and will certainly be keeping the details handy which are very well written

    Look forward to seeing more on this

    Happy benchtime

    Nap
    Bailey likes this.
  6. -=König=- Active Member

    Picturesque approach. Oh Hats off.
    Very cool!
    Bailey likes this.
  7. custer760 Well-Known Member

    Great painting I bought a couple of the Neko Galaxy figures at this years World Expo, they are beautiful figures.
    Regards
    Pete
    Bailey likes this.
  8. Wayneb A Fixture

    Country:
    United-States
    Motion and paint make's this work....gorgeous flesh tones....this is going to be a real beaut............

    Wayne
    Bailey likes this.
  9. milbenplage Active Member

    Excellent work. I like the gloss effect on her legs, witch seems to be lost in the face (which looks great nonetheless).
    Bailey likes this.
  10. Ferris A Fixture

    Neat work and informative post! Great light effects.

    Adrian
    Bailey likes this.
  11. Egg Active Member

    Awesome. Love the highlights on the limbs and face.
    Bailey likes this.
  12. Bailey A Fixture

    Country:
    United-States
    Thanks, everyone! Mulbenplage, there is some shine on her face as well. The most visible part would be on her nose. I tried to add some on her cheeks and chin as well, though perhaps it gets lost in the general highlight and doesn't read as easily on the legs. It's a good lesson that if you want those reflection spots to show, you clearly need to keep the other highlights less extreme or it won't read as well.

    Here's a quick update on the project, since I don't expect I'll have much time to paint for the rest of the month. I took a crack at her hair. I wanted a glossy look to it, so I pushed the contrast here to give it a shiny appearance. So far it's just the primary light source. However, I do want to go back in and create some ambient light reflections using some violet tones in the darker areas on her right side (or left from our point of view) and on the rear of her hair as well.

    Nancy04.jpg

    Nancy05.jpg Nancy06.jpg
    Henk, China Dave, Nap and 4 others like this.
  13. Steve Ski PlanetFigure Supporter

    Country:
    United-States
    Hair looks great already! I'll be watching the next step, very interested in that.

    Cheers, Ski.
  14. Bailey A Fixture

    Country:
    United-States
    Found time to make some more progress on Nancy. I started to tackle her equipment. I'm taking a NMM approach on this one, which is something I haven't done much of so it's a learning process. I think it's going alright so far, let's hope it stays that way!

    IMG_1940.jpg IMG_1946.jpg IMG_1943.jpg
    Ferris, Nap, gforceman and 3 others like this.
  15. franck edet A Fixture

    Country:
    Canada
    I just love it :)
  16. Nap Moderator

    Country:
    England

    Me too , the hair looks good as does the NMM

    Great update Bailey and explanation especially ref the face

    Happy benchtime

    Nap
  17. Steve Ski PlanetFigure Supporter

    Country:
    United-States
    Standing by for the NMM!
    Nap likes this.
  18. MattMcK. PlanetFigure Supporter

    Looking fantastic! I envy your skill!
    Nap likes this.
  19. Bailey A Fixture

    Country:
    United-States
    Here's another update on this Neko Galaxy figure. Her equipment is just about finished. There are a few spots here and there that I'd like to revisit, but just minor things I want to fix. Now I'm moving on to her socks and shoes and then I'll have to finally decide what I'm going to do with the rest of her base.

    IMG_2039 (2).JPG

    IMG_2045 (2).JPG IMG_2051 (2).JPG
    Egg, Henk, Edorta and 5 others like this.
  20. franck edet A Fixture

    Country:
    Canada
    it's just getting better and better :)
    Bailey likes this.

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