How to Learn Painting

[MrMeThinks]

I have a headsculpt I bought on eBay that's over several years old and I want to try and paint it.

Anybody know what materials I need and how to learn proper technique?

any help would be appreciated.

 

[Captain Clown]

Jacob Rahmier has some videos of him going through painting 1/6 head sculpts on his patreon, and a good tutorial for painting eyes on his main youtube channel.

https://www.youtube.com/c/JacobRahmier

Some very fine brushes and good quality paints will go far. Personally I just use regular craft store acrylic paints and thin them a ton with acrylic paint thinner, but a lot of people I talk to use Vallejo paints.

I’ll typically prime the head, then do tons of very thin layers of various skin tones until it looks nice - and I’ll use a hair dryer on low to dry each layer quicker.

I’m sure others have better methods, that’s just what I’ve gotten into the habit of doing.

 

[MrMeThinks]

Jacob Rahmier has some videos of him going through painting 1/6 head sculpts on his patreon, and a good tutorial for painting eyes on his main youtube channel.

https://www.youtube.com/c/JacobRahmier

Some very fine brushes and good quality paints will go far. Personally I just use regular craft store acrylic paints and thin them a ton with acrylic paint thinner, but a lot of people I talk to use Vallejo paints.

I’ll typically prime the head, then do tons of very thin layers of various skin tones until it looks nice - and I’ll use a hair dryer on low to dry each layer quicker.

I’m sure others have better methods, that’s just what I’ve gotten into the habit of doing.

thanks man. I'm a little intimidated by painting a 3D realistic model but I'm willing to give it a try.

 

[Captain Clown]

thanks man. I'm a little intimidated by painting a 3D realistic model but I'm willing to give it a try.

Worst thing that happens is you just strip the paint and try again. It’s a ton of trial and error, but eventually you’ll find a method you like. Just keep at it!

There’s a lot of cheap recast 1/6 and 1/12 heads on aliexpress & ebay that are good practice fodder.

 

[Turtle882]

I have a headsculpt I bought on eBay that's over several years old and I want to try and paint it.

Anybody know what materials I need and how to learn proper technique?

any help would be appreciated.

I do a fair bit of miniature painting, and in the last year I've tried a few 1/6 projects. I'm working on Jesse Eisenberg head I'm quite pleased with- it just needs pupils now. Typically with miniatures, you prime, base paint, detail paint, dark wash, then highlight. With larger figures, there is SO much more back and forth. To achieve a human-ish looking skin texture you have to use a LOT of colors. I primed, base coated, then did a few washes of various flesh colors to get into features and make a more human complexion. Then a lot of basing, washing, and highlighting with differing human tones. And by human tone, I don't mean just pink flesh. You also have to use oranges, yellows, and reds but in human tones. Skin is really weird once you start looking at it. Oh, also have to paint around the eyes before doing the rest of the head to get that very fine reddish area between eyes and face. Lex Luthor is bald, so I also dabbed on some very light black specks to achieve that shaved head look. All with very, very thin layers. It was a fun experience and I would do it again. Don't be afraid to try it. Like Captain Clown said, worst case scenario, you strip the paint and start over. Or if it's still wet, maybe even just wipe off and reapply.

For gear/supplies, I've got a mix of Vallejo, Citadel, and Army Painter paints and brushes. You'll also need something to use for a palette for mixing colors or for thinning paints. I have a large magnifying glass with a large light, but I find it easier to wear 3.0X Readers when painting.

I'm still new to this, so I would love to hear how your progress goes and if you discover any tricks of your own.

 

[MrMeThinks]

I do a fair bit of miniature painting, and in the last year I've tried a few 1/6 projects. I'm working on Jesse Eisenberg head I'm quite pleased with- it just needs pupils now. Typically with miniatures, you prime, base paint, detail paint, dark wash, then highlight. With larger figures, there is SO much more back and forth. To achieve a human-ish looking skin texture you have to use a LOT of colors. I primed, base coated, then did a few washes of various flesh colors to get into features and make a more human complexion. Then a lot of basing, washing, and highlighting with differing human tones. And by human tone, I don't mean just pink flesh. You also have to use oranges, yellows, and reds but in human tones. Skin is really weird once you start looking at it. Oh, also have to paint around the eyes before doing the rest of the head to get that very fine reddish area between eyes and face. Lex Luthor is bald, so I also dabbed on some very light black specks to achieve that shaved head look. All with very, very thin layers. It was a fun experience and I would do it again. Don't be afraid to try it. Like Captain Clown said, worst case scenario, you strip the paint and start over. Or if it's still wet, maybe even just wipe off and reapply.

For gear/supplies, I've got a mix of Vallejo, Citadel, and Army Painter paints and brushes. You'll also need something to use for a palette for mixing colors or for thinning paints. I have a large magnifying glass with a large light, but I find it easier to wear 3.0X Readers when painting.

I'm still new to this, so I would love to hear how your progress goes and if you discover any tricks of your own.View attachment 741846

Hey so those are really interesting pointers about the base paints and skin tone, and how you have to play with them. That Jesse Eisenberg paint job looks pretty good so far.

I attached a headsculpt that im practicing with. House M.D./Hugh Laurie. I think this headsculpt is the best one I've seen. I think it's a recast though since the show has been off the air for a long time and the actual ones are probably in people's collections.

I need to find the right paint brushes and when I have a chance to pick up some Vallejo paints I will start the journey.