Attn: Custom Artists!! Newbs, ask Questions here!

[katkuru]

Re: ATTENTION all Custom Artists!!

Ok, I've been attempting to do some head painting and picked up alot of useful tips from this thread, thanks DA for the starting and sharing of this thread.
Here are some of my latest attempts that I need help on. I know you mentioned how tricky skin tones can be, but my question is when adding shade to the creases of the face and areas that need darkening do you just add the color as a wash or is it already dark from the base and the lighter skin tone color added on top of that? I've tried to add the shade but found the paint to dry up to quickly and not being able to blend them in better, causing that "painted on" look. How can I blend in the tones better? I also need help with the eyes but will save that for another thread.
Any tips or suggestions from any or all of the painting Masters on the board will be appreciated!:chew

 

[DarkArtist81]

Re: ATTENTION all Custom Artists!!

I know exactly how you feel. When I first started, this was a problem for me as well. I just could not seem to get the skin tones to not look seperated and strange.

And it really took a LOT of time and practice, as well as watching other artists work on heads in person (THANKS LES ).

The way I do it.... First off, I always water down my paint to an ink-like state. Not so watered down that you get a sudsy bubble filled paint mixture. But just with a good flow. I paint the entire head with my darkest shade of skin tone, Model Master Acryl: "Warm Skin Tone". I then come back with a slightly lighter tone and mix that one with just a bit more water so that it will be kinda transparent. I hit the areas that get the most light... forehead, cheekbones, top lip, chin... sometimes the jawbone. You can blend with your fingers or a napkin if you want, it helps to make for a nice lineless paint job.

Hope that helps man.

 

[JustinLuck]

Re: ATTENTION all Custom Artists!!

Hey Josh, thanks for the advice! Do you suggest the same technique for subtle beard shadows? And do any of you have trouble around the eyes? For me, if it's too watery, the paint puddles the entire eye, including the lids. If it's too thick, it dries with visible crust. Also, do you use anything other than brushes to paint the eyes? I've had difficulty finding brushes that are small enough and yet also stiff enough for precision painting. I've used scissors to cut away most of the hairs to make finer brushes. But then, there is trouble getting the paint to evenly flow off the bristles. I find myself having to re-dip the brush into the paint well x1000 to get any coverage. :emperor

 

[katkuru]

Re: ATTENTION all Custom Artists!!

Thanks DA, that helps out a lot. I will try those techniques ASAP! Again thanks for sharing!

 

[Les Walker]

Re: ATTENTION all Custom Artists!!

I know exactly how you feel. When I first started, this was a problem for me as well. I just could not seem to get the skin tones to not look seperated and strange.

And it really took a LOT of time and practice, as well as watching other artists work on heads in person (THANKS LES ).

The way I do it.... First off, I always water down my paint to an ink-like state. Not so watered down that you get a sudsy bubble filled paint mixture. But just with a good flow. I paint the entire head with my darkest shade of skin tone, Model Master Acryl: "Warm Skin Tone". I then come back with a slightly lighter tone and mix that one with just a bit more water so that it will be kinda transparent. I hit the areas that get the most light... forehead, cheekbones, top lip, chin... sometimes the jawbone. You can blend with your fingers or a napkin if you want, it helps to make for a nice lineless paint job.

Hope that helps man.

My sentiments exactly! (You're welcome Josh! )
DO what he says and you will resolve your problems.
As for paint thickness, I have this problem above all others. If you saw how many spent napkins and wasted paint that dries up, that went into my paints, you'd know the meaning of patience. The thing is, don't rush it. If you get in a hurry, you can mess up any good headpaint, and if you don't know how to blend, you can't fix what you've done if you do mess up.

But remember this, it's just paint. It can be repainted if you keep it thin and not pasty. I never, EVER EVER use pastels or powder in my colors as the grain (even though microscopic) of the ground powder is much, much coarser than that of Testors Acryl Acrylics paint is, and you will get those dreaded layers that look like cheap paints on metal. That is how most paint ends up looking on many figures, due to inexperience in applying. Making it smooth simply takes time to learn. It is acquired knowledge through much pain and suffering , so again, take your time, and be ready to mess up some, and learn.
If you want it badly enough, you'll get it.

Good luck and keep on trying.

 

[Rogue Trooper]

Re: ATTENTION all Custom Artists!!

Can ask were this guy came from?

 

[katkuru]

Re: ATTENTION all Custom Artists!!

My sentiments exactly! (You're welcome Josh! )
DO what he says and you will resolve your problems.
As for paint thickness, I have this problem above all others. If you saw how many spent napkins and wasted paint that dries up, that went into my paints, you'd know the meaning of patience. The thing is, don't rush it. If you get in a hurry, you can mess up any good headpaint, and if you don't know how to blend, you can't fix what you've done if you do mess up.

But remember this, it's just paint. It can be repainted if you keep it thin and not pasty. I never, EVER EVER use pastels or powder in my colors as the grain (even though microscopic) of the ground powder is much, much coarser than that of Testors Acryl Acrylics paint is, and you will get those dreaded layers that look like cheap paints on metal. That is how most paint ends up looking on many figures, due to inexperience in applying. Making it smooth simply takes time to learn. It is acquired knowledge through much pain and suffering , so again, take your time, and be ready to mess up some, and learn.
If you want it badly enough, you'll get it.

Good luck and keep on trying.

Thanks for the tips Les! I think my biggest challenge will be the patience!

 

[katkuru]

Re: ATTENTION all Custom Artists!!

Can ask were this guy came from?

I had this commissioned from WWW.figurehobby.com. There prices are pretty decent and the quality of the sculpts are not bad. I am hoping to make it look very good with the help of these fellow customizers.

 

[katkuru]

Re: ATTENTION all Custom Artists!!

I know exactly how you feel. When I first started, this was a problem for me as well. I just could not seem to get the skin tones to not look seperated and strange.

And it really took a LOT of time and practice, as well as watching other artists work on heads in person (THANKS LES ).

The way I do it.... First off, I always water down my paint to an ink-like state. Not so watered down that you get a sudsy bubble filled paint mixture. But just with a good flow. I paint the entire head with my darkest shade of skin tone, Model Master Acryl: "Warm Skin Tone". I then come back with a slightly lighter tone and mix that one with just a bit more water so that it will be kinda transparent. I hit the areas that get the most light... forehead, cheekbones, top lip, chin... sometimes the jawbone. You can blend with your fingers or a napkin if you want, it helps to make for a nice lineless paint job.

Hope that helps man.

Ok Josh, When you apply that second cote, do you dry brush on the lighter skin tone? Or do you just apply it and blend?

 

[Batty]

Re: ATTENTION all Custom Artists!!

After being a member of Freaks for two years I've constantly been amazed and impressed by the amount of talent here. Well, I've finally decided to try my own hand at sculpting...something I've never done in 1:6 scale before.

I know Sculpey is one of the most common clays, but what else does everyone use? Is there something better? Is beige Super Sculpey the best to start with? So many questions!

I'm definitely new to this, so any help is appreciated.

 

[Anzik]

Re: ATTENTION all Custom Artists!!

I use the gray sculpey. The super sculpey is translucent and its hard to see detail, but the gray gives you very nice visuals.

 

[Batty]

Re: ATTENTION all Custom Artists!!

I use the gray sculpey. The super sculpey is translucent and its hard to see detail, but the gray gives you very nice visuals.

Good to know. Besides color, is there any real difference between the different types of Sculpey?

 

[Anzik]

Re: ATTENTION all Custom Artists!!

Best advice you can get right here:
https://www.absculpture.com/tutorials.htm

From Andy Bergholtz.

 

[Batty]

Re: ATTENTION all Custom Artists!!

I've been checking out Andy's and some other artist's sites for tips. I really want to get the basics (materials/tools) out of the way before I start. I know the actual sculpting will be trial and error. And I've done some in the past...so I sort of know what to expect.

I'm pretty excited to give it a shot.

 

[BillyB]

Re: ATTENTION all Custom Artists!!

Hey Batty,
I'm just learning to sculpt in 1/6 scale as well. I've done some modifying before, but I'm currently making a head from scratch for the first time.
Would love to keep in contact with you and share any techniques picked up along the way.

BillyB

 

[Batty]

Re: ATTENTION all Custom Artists!!

Hey Batty,
I'm just learning to sculpt in 1/6 scale as well. I've done some modifying before, but I'm currently making a head from scratch for the first time.
Would love to keep in contact with you and share any techniques picked up along the way.

BillyB

Sounds good! I think this is the right thread to share ideas (or PMs if you want). I plan on buying some supplies later in the week. We'll see what happens from there.

 

[galactiboy]

Re: ATTENTION all Custom Artists!!

I had a lot of fun sculpting heads awhile back... I need to start up again. I have all the stuff, just letting other crap get in the way

 

[Darklord Dave]

Re: ATTENTION all Custom Artists!!

A lot of artists using Super Sculpey mix it with black or another color regular Sculpey because the translucency of the Super Sculpey is difficult to see details in. Of course most professionals seem to be using castilene now, a type of wax.

 

[galactiboy]

Re: ATTENTION all Custom Artists!!

I tried using the gray/firm sculpy once and found it very dry... I never got very far with it though. I think you might have to use something with it if its like that?

 

[Batty]

Re: ATTENTION all Custom Artists!!

Thanks, Dave. Any and all tips are helpful to me at this point.

GB, did you ever post any of the heads you sculpted?