1. Watch plenty of how-to videos: I already mentioned this in a previous post, but I will reiterate the fact that I now know that almost everything I was doing all those years ago, was wrong! So hopefully with my new found insight, things will go a little better this time around.
2. Buy some kits on the cheap, to practice on: Which is what this post has to do with. A couple of weeks ago, I found a listing on eBay that contained these three kits:
For those of you out there, who are like me and don't know how big (or small) a 1:144 figure is, here's a picture that should give you a pretty good idea:
3. Get supplies: Which sort of goes hand and hand with number two. This is proving to be the most difficult of the three things, especially when it comes to the paint. I don't remember there being so many different kinds when I was a kid. It seemed like the only viable option back then was testors, and because of my previous bad experiences, I will not use that stuff again. And of course, everyone seems to have a different opinion about all these different brands, which is not helping at all. I have been leaning towards Humbrol, mostly due to the positive things I have read from older modelers that have tried a lot of the different brands over the years. Also, the company has a lot of videos on YouTube showing how to use a lot of their products, and I have been pretty impressed with what I have seen. The only drawback to using Humbrol paints, seems to be that they are a little on the pricey side and not that easy to find (at least in U.S.).
So that's where I'm at so far, with this particular endeavor. It may not be moving along quite as fast as I had hoped, but at least it's still moving forward.
Some randomness to close out the post:
Thanks for taking a moment to look at my page.
Supplies are where they get you. Hobby paints are expensive. Are you going with enamels or acrylics for your painting? I use acrylics, as I find them easier to work with and clean up. There isn't really a good way around the expense, though.
ReplyDeleteI do know that some people use the cheaper acrylic paints available in box stores. I think the brands available at Wal-Mart are Apple Barrel and Ceramcoat. I have a couple of them that I use for bigger stuff. The difference (from what I've heard) is that the hobby paints use pigments that are ground finer than the big box store paints, so they go on smoother and don't clump up as much. There are plenty of wargamers who swear by the big box brands, though, so it's really up to the individual.
You're not going to be able to get the detail on these little guys the way you would on a 28mm or 32mm infantry figure. There are plenty of tutorials and painting guides out there for historical figures, so maybe check a few of those out and see if something catches your eye. A lot of them even include a list of the paints they used, which can be helpful when coming up with a list of paint to buy.
I think I want to start with enamels, mostly because from what I've seen, they seem to have less of a problem with streaking. And since that was what my main problem was all those years ago, so I figured it would probably be in my best interest to try and avoid that the second time around.
DeleteI have looked at the two Wal-Marts that are closest to me, and all they have is testors. Also, their modeling section in general seems to be smaller than what I have heard is available at lot of their other locations.
Yeah, after seeing them, I realized that it would be pretty difficult to get in too many details. I was wondering though, on something this small, how one would go about trying to paint them? Do they make really small brushes for such work? Or, are you supposed to get a not so great brush and cut off most of the bristles, so that you end up with 5 or 6 strands to paint with?
Good luck.. I would never have the patience to attempt one of these
ReplyDeleteThanks, I'm hoping with age has come a little more patience than I used to have.
DeleteI'm with Mr. Hoyle. I tried doing models when I was a kid... and outside of one or two Snap Tite models, I never finished any I started. These little men just reminded me that this isn't my chosen path. Best of luck. Kudos to anyone out there who can actually paint those tiny soldiers. You truly have a gift.
DeleteI still haven't even figured out the best way to try and paint these, but if I ever do (and actually get them painted), I will probably post some pictures here. That way everyone can see either my spectacular success, or more likely, an utter disaster.
DeleteI've never been able to find Humbrol. I've been to hobby shops from Massachusetts to Ohio and not one carried it. For brusg painting I still prefer Testors but for spray paint I prefer Tamiya, but the only clear I will use is Model Master lacquer. Of course, 1/24th car bodies need to be sprayed, spraying those will not end well.
ReplyDeleteHopefully you didn't travel from Massachusetts to Ohio, just trying to find Humbrol! I recently found out that the longest running hobby shop in Nashville moved to literally two doors down from the card shop, which I thought was pretty neat. Anyway, I checked their website, and they seem to have practically every paint brand (including their own brand), except for Humbrol. I'm hoping to be able to go in there the next time I go to a card show, which hasn't been for a few months now due to the crazy heat that has been occurring here.
DeleteI have read where a lot of people have streaking problems with Testors, so since I'm assuming you don't have that problem, is there some trick or technique to avoid that when using their paints?
It might be awhile before I look into any sort of spray gun usage, as that seems to definitely be a advanced part of the hobby, also more expensive.
I used to be able to paint really well but I've lost my skill. Now I get runs and bubbles in everything so badly that I don't even try anymore. For figures of that size a small brush would be best. I traveled for model shows...although the hobby shop on Cape Cod was found by accident.
DeleteWell, that doesn't sound very fun. That's the first time I've heard/read someone say that they lost their painting skills. It seems like if you were really good at one time, that it wouldn't truly be gone.
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