Hi all having a conversation today at a Lhs i was told to focus on painting with strictly acrylics . oil painting on figures is a dying art . I hope to get back to the hobby soon and am determined to use oil paint as well as acrylics the conversation did not change my mind about this but curious about other thoughts and opinions

This prediction has been around at least as long as I have been in the hobby, which means since the invention of dirt. Pundits who direct how other people should go about their business are just voices in the wind. The "best" medium for anyone is what works for them.

The answer is simple, whatever the paint medium that does the job best, use it. I've used Oils, enamels AND Water soluble paints ON THE SAME FIGURE!! because some textures when dry look more life like. The guy who taught me to paint, used Rose Watercolour paint as the undercoat to acheive different textures, eg for a face he would barely put on the paint, because you can then acheive that semi-gloss appearence of someone sweating, but, on a jacket he would apply a thicker coat, so more of the oil was absorbed into the undercoat, giving you a Matt finish. Use what suits you, but try each new paint as they become available. Ray

Frankly no. This is always a great question though.

I consider myself an oils painter. Although I do use acrylics for certain things I could never use them primarily

Different folks different strokes, as they say.
I love oils (although tend to paint mainly in acrylics these days I paint in what might be called a 'oil' way with lots of blends and a lack of the high contrast popular with acrylic painters)
As Jason says very few are able to achieve what I consider a 'realistic' finish using acrylics - I'll qualify that by saying a realistic scale finish rather than a decorative finish. (A lot of painters exaggerate light and shade too much IMO which give a beautiful miniature on which it is easy to see the details which is great if viewed with normal vision. However enlarge an image of the same miniature and compare to a photograph and you'll see the 'style' of painting overwhelms the realism)

I agree with J that it is a 'style' choice. Which is better Gainsborough or Degas, Corot or Titian? There is no 'right' way or 'best' medium. Use whatever medium you are comfortable with, paint in a way which pleases yourself and enjoy a wonderful hobby.

Paul

Things change all the time. When I started 54mm was the norm, then 90mm which I focused on (still do) now 75mm is popular.
Busts used to be head and shoulders, now half figures are the norm.
Military subjects are not as prolific as the used to be, I used to be a military modeller now I'm a figure modeller. Lots of fantasy around now.
I like metal but have no problem with resin.

Who knows what painting medium will be available in 20 years?

Are oils dying out? No. Is the hobby evolving? Yes. Plenty of room for everyone.

Bill

Oils, acrylics, enamels, gouache, combinations of all or any... fashions come and go like the weather, but I can't really see the use of oils
disappearing. What's slowly, shall we say, diminishing is the basic knowledge and understanding of the paint's composition and structure,
and how it can be adjusted to effect the finished result. The fundamental principles of colour mixing - how it's best achieved consistently
are also slowly atrophying because the marketing departments of the paint makers have rather taken control. All perfectly understandable
of course in this lightning fast digital age, who wants to understand how the stuff's made or waste time mixing when you can buy what you
need off the shelf ? Sorry...this is beginning to sound like a rant - I don't mean it to.

Mike

Purely my personal opinion....are oils dying out....no....but their users are.
My reason for saying this is simply this....most oil users today have....like myself....been using this medium for over thirty years....and are...shall we say...."in the winter of our lives".
Life today is termed the 'digital age'...and acrylics sit well with that theme...people today want 'fast'...almost 'instant' results...and this is what acrylics appear to give.
When your an 'older' painter like myself (67) you tend to have more time on your hands...so speed is no longer the prerequisite of painting...enjoyment and satisfaction become the desired result.
Learning to use any medium is key to the results achieved and...yes...knowing the 'makeup' of your chosen medium can help you avoid the 'pitfalls' associated with them.
One very obvious skill you need to develop with oils is the need to be able to 'mix' a large proportion of the colours you will need...however...for me personally...colour mixing was part of my everyday life as a printer...and was therefore never an issue...lucky me.
Of late there has been a huge rise in 'off the shelf' colour sets in the acrylic arena...which reinforces the apparent 'need for speed' and 'simplicity' for a great number of users today.
One aspect that is often overlooked...IMHO...is the 'flexibility' of oils...and this is something I have strived to showcase in my personal pieces and...again...is something that is missing with acrylics in my view.
Any medium requires patience...time...and a hell of a lot of effort...to achieve the desired result but...for me at least...oils are so much more rewarding when you put in this effort.
I guess I am one of the 'old dog..new trick' brigade...in as much as I have tried acrylics several times over the years...and only ever use them for metals now...with oils being my 'comfortable pair of old slippers'.
It is sad to me that many of the painters entering the 'figure' arena today have fallen into the 'trap' of this 'instant result' mentality...trust me...you are missing out on a lot of fun when you dismiss oils.

Whichever medium you settle on...it will be good to see you back mate

Ron

I think education is the biggest killer jere.
With this I mean the following: new entrants are told 'oil is dying', so they are automatically stearedaway from this medium. Even art classes in schools (non-art schools that is) no longer consider exposing students to this medium. Hence unknown is unloved.
In my opinion this forum offers a way out of this - perhaps we can promote this a bit more, but it is difficult to push things in such a way it does not put off people.

I am starting to think that the younger generation is getting less enamoured with the 'instant result' mentality of our society. I have been reading about young peopel using less social media than a few years ago. More articles appearing - at least in the newspapers I read - about taking your time for enjoyment which is different from instant gratification. A lot of (additional) joy comes from stretching out the joyful experience - perhaps us 'oldies' can try to promote the message with this view?

Well thank you everyone for your thoughts and opinions . If its one thing i have learned over the past 4 to 5 years dealing with what i have been its there is no fast track to anything lol I’m getting closer to painting and when i do it will be oils over acrylics for me i dont mind the process its just going to be like starting over i have to learn from step one so I’m sure to have a lot of questions lol again thanks all for the thoughts and opinions

Wouldn't so much say oils are dying out.

What you need to look at though is how things are promoted within the miniature painting community really.

Fantasy and sci-fi takes up a huge part, has a younger audience, is actively promoted through social media, and pretty much all the companies involved either promote the use of acrylics or sell their own acrylic ranges.

Historical companies in my experience don't really promote actively via social media platforms where younger miniature painters are most active. And even the ones that do (Pegaso for example) use acrylics (currently in the form of the Kimera paints).

The only company that comes to mind that seems to show oils in use on a regular basis is Alexandros Miniatures.

So it is very much lack of being in the view of people and being accessible. Acrylic tutorials are available left, right, and centre. Historical tutorials can be found. Tutorials for flats are like finding a needle in a haystack. And oils tutorials are tricky to find too.

I'm lucky that I help run a Facebook group aimed at bust painting so do see busts painted in oils which look great. But the more fantasy aimed groups rarely see oils apart from weathering.

There are a few other hurdles too.

I live in London, UK. If I want to buy some gaming miniatures and acrylic hobby paints there are five independent bricks and mortar shops I can walk into and browse. Then multiple Games Workshop/Warhammer stores too.

To buy a display/larger scale figure or bust I have to go online.
To buy high quality art acrylics or oils I need to go to an art shop and they can be intimidating if you don't know what you are looking for.

The only other options are to go to shows which are often badly promoted unless you already know about them or meet people who know about them. I honestly wish it wasn't the case and am completely open to helping spread and share knowledge of things.

I undercoat with Humbrol or Halford's spray paint, use acrylics to block in large areas, shade with enamels or oils and always do flesh and horses with oils.

Mike

Hi forte is the name of the facebook group just called bust ? If it is that is a great site if not can you point me in the direction of the site you help with ? And i agree finding books or tutorials on acrylics are everywhere finding them for oils not so much I’m sure i will be asking questions both here and on the bust facebook page at one point i was going to do a backwards sbs on this forum posting what i did and why and looking for feedback from others as to what they would have done and why . Hoping to still do that when I’m ready .

Yes my idea is going to be prime with tamiya spray or vallejo primer and use oil’s for the flesh , leather , wood that sort of thing. I might add i have more fantasy pieces than historical the thinking a few years ago was they would be easier to paint lol I do have a few historical pieces to work on also

Can you give me the name of the facebook page you help with ? Thanks rob

Can do better than that.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/674129389379797/
Hopefully that takes you to Bust@

All bust painting is welcome there, including flat and life size. Just no full figures. Any painting medium too. Please feel free to show oils being used so other members (including myself) can learn.

Thank you Rob and please do share content from here. I know Nap does. Hopefully direct a few from FB to Planet Figure in the process.