My last post had undercoating and blocking in of acrylics.https://www.planetfigure.com/posts/1426104/

I have began to attempt painting eyes and had a reasonable finish with one eye on the 15 th Hussar. Not so good on the other. The Nelson bust eyes have been ok ish but might do again. The decorations seem best with a wash over metallic colours.

The 24th foot is coming along ok . Lots of clean up work on all three.
Oils next if I whenever I get there !

The Minifigs French Carabinier mounted band is a joy But I persevere.

Nice progress Jimmy, Nelson eyes aren't bad mate just maybe add a little more shade in the corners by his nose. The Hussars right eye just needs a tidy up at the lower lid and the 24th is looking great. The mini figs are far too small.for me!

Cheers Simon

A couple of suggestions which might help with the eyes -

The only place for white is the tiny catchlight (highlight spot) to add to the eye when it is finished. Depending on the skin tone you'll find light flesh or something similar will look better

Have the eyes pointing slightly off to one side rather than straight ahead; this adds life to the face and tends to disguise errors. (The centres will roughly be the same distance apart as the corners of the mouth)

If you are right handed try painting the left hand eye first (When you hold the brush in your right hand it covers over the right hand eye which makes it very difficult to match the position unless you turn the head upside down)

For position I usually paint a tiny spot or line on the left hand eye, then do the same on the right before painting the iris.

Keep practicing and don't be afraid to wipe off or paint over if you're not happy with the first attempt. The more eyes you paint the easier it gets so it's worth roughing a face on a practice figure and spending an afternoon just painting and then re-painting the eyes over and over on the same figure.

Hope that helps
Plenty of excellent painters on here which will help you if asked

Paul

Here are a couple of mine -

Hi Simon
thank you for your comments. The Nelson image should have been better. I am repainting the eyes until I am happy . The Hussars right eye is ongoing, and the 24th is also ongoing. The band is penance for several previous lives.

Cheers Jimmy

Hi Paul,

I have printed off your comments for reference during cursing, going crossed eyed, and reassuring myself on progress after re-entering the hobby after several stress free decades.
I hope to enter BMSS competition next month with a view to winning the Big Box Of Crisps award .

Thanks
Jimmy

All going well. I have stood on my head to see if that works. But not good for drinking tea.

With each brushstroke I have learned I am getting no younger, and lessons will be learned.

Huzzah !

If I may add to Paul's excellent tips...

For the whites, I use a very light gray as the basic color.
Addressing handedness, I'm right-handed. I paint the left eye holding the figure normally, facing me. For the right eye, I rotate the figure so it's upside down, with the right eye on the left. As Paul points out, the nose is in the way. This removes that obstacle, even if I'm painting it upside down.
I like to make a figure glance to one side or the other, too. Paul is spot-on. If you make your figure look to one side or the other, that will hide imperfections. And I know, because I'm estropic, to use the formal word. My right eye goes out and looks to the right of straight ahead. It's very noticeable at five feet away or more. But when I look to one side or the other, it's virtually unnoticeable. Same with a figure.

Hope that helps!
Prost!
Brad

Nearly there with Horatio, many attempts with the eyes caused me phone the Samaritans, who advised me to check next flight to Switzerland (or try plant pressing).

It's OK, but not near what I am reaching for (a revolver at this rate) Still, might get a big box of crisps at BMSS interbranch next month. No sleep till Knowle.

Coming on nice Jimmy, the decorations look good, inks or thin washes do really make a difference on the metallics. His eyes are looking better, he's definitely getting there.

Cheers Simon