Ganging up on Tank Figure Painting

[Herr Dr. Professor]

After consulting with another RCTW-er, who may jump in soon, I am about to start in on some figure painting. I plan to take photos as if this were a build. That way I and all who wish to join in (please) can seek advice and explain what I am/we are (I hope) doing. I have read a number of books on painting figures, stolen some ideas, failed miserably at others, and always use magnifying goggles.

I am not an expert at this. In fact, I am given to some sneaky shortcuts, and I learn more with each effort. If you need proof that I'm no expert, here are links to some examples:

Medical Angel: viewtopic.php?t=34202
A DAK gunner and some other DAK troops, and one more: viewtopic.php?p=305523&hilit=Herr#p305523
An agitated Russian commander: viewtopic.php?t=31659

[Herr Dr. Professor]

I have wanted a driver for my WCP 4X4. Today I dug out a possibility. The potential driver and passenger for the WCP 4X4 were airborne troops carved and 3D printed by H3 models of Korea:

Jeep Occupants 01 (83).jpg (43.8 KiB) Viewed 1886 times

https://eng.h3models.com/product/hs1602 ... display/4/

I had to cut the parts of the figures off of the 3D supports, always a tricky task. Using a sharp, fine pointed sprue cutters, I cut the braces off the base away from the figure so as to help minimize breakage of delicate features of the figure. Then using the same sprue cutters, I worked in closer to the figure, snipping off the supports. Even so, the machine gun in one figure's right arm broke at a delicate part. I was able to glue it cleanly back together with cyanoacrylate. Whew! In the following photo, you can see some parts already cut away and others still on the supports.

Jeep Occupants 02.jpg (513.92 KiB) Viewed 1886 times

By comparing the two photos, you can see, too, that I carefully cut away the 3D cast steering wheel and sanded then hand to hide the evidence. After all, my WCP 4X4 already has a steering wheel, which I made removable so a figure can be fit under it.

I then had to carefully sand away any little "nipples" left from where the supports were attached to the figure. After all that preliminary work was done, I slipped out the 4X4's steering wheel and tried fitting the driver in place.

Not a chance!... not even close! Oh, well, the figures will be useful for some other AFV.

[Herr Dr. Professor]

I also have a set of figures for my FAMO, these include a driver, rider, a woman courier holding a bag of important documents, and an officer. These figures seem to have been cast of resin, and one even came with some repairs and the arms already attached. The 3D printed H3 figures (see my post just above) are more realistic and detailed, but that FAMO needs sitting passengers.

In this case, the castings had flaws needing sanding and filling. Here you can see the figures, some already with filler drying in place drying. I am trying out Vallejo's Plastic Putty (70.400), applying it with the tip of a toothpick. (I sharpen round toothpick tips by sanding.)

FAMO Crew 01.jpg (469.83 KiB) Viewed 1885 times

[Ecam]

Excellent Herr Doc! This will a great resource for many of us who shy away from figure painting/work.

[Herr Dr. Professor]

Ecam, it will be a lot better resource if someone who knows how to paint figures joins in. By the way: the only way I could figure out to fit the driver in the WCP 4X4 was to leave a gruesome slot across his thighs. Well, someday he may fit the static Jeep kit from Takom.

[ColemanCollector]

Annnnnd, I'm jumping in as promised, HDP!

Back during a KV-2 build, RCTW enabler Herman Bix sent me a couple of fuel tanks plus this little cutie!

20240320_095301.jpg (1.05 MiB) Viewed 1826 times

HB even offered to paint it up for me (whaddaguy!), but I politely declined saying I needed to face my demons...one of them being faces! Enter HDP messaging me with a great idea: let's do it as a mutual support group build, share/swipe/copy techniques and get some figures done!

Posed him like this:

20240731_121142.jpg (2.18 MiB) Viewed 1826 times

And immediate memories of the box art on that Fujimi 1/76 KV-2 I built maybe 45 years ago!

20240731_135519.jpg (118.61 KiB) Viewed 1826 times

He'll get a quick primer coat so I can see the rough spots etc. He reminds me of the famous photo of the the poor Leningrader and his tiny crust of bread.

20240731_133204.jpg (757.94 KiB) Viewed 1826 times

course-photos.jpg (17 KiB) Viewed 1826 times

I know my challenges will be getting the right winter pallor for his face, the eyes, and the right look for the binocular optics. I'm really liking the approach by this figurist(?):
https://www.planetfigure.com/threads/pa ... bs.124485/

But now it's off to see the B-17 "Sentimental Journey", with my son in Peterborough this Thursday-Friday.

And everybody else with a figure on the bench is welcome on this thread--especially if you know what you're doing!

Mike (that's Me to you Ecam!)

[PainlessWolf]

Good Afternoon,
I'm the Guy who came up with Crazy Joe's 'unique' facial expression so I think I will wisely watch this Thread from a Safe distance to keep your work unsullied. ;o)
regards,
Painless

[HERMAN BIX]

I needed a commander for the King Tiger 105 I recently completed, so off to Aliexpress I went.
$10:45 AUD delivered!!


He’s already assembled and base & highlight coated

[Herr Dr. Professor]

GREAT! Thank you for joining in the fun. ColemanCollector , I'm going to check out Planet Figure after I knuckle down to writing my monthly farm model article. What primer do you plan to use on the Russian on the lookout?

HERMAN BIX with the commandant, you're at it already. I see that you used a medium gray primer. I am inclined that way myself, and I have also used white. Many figure painters start with black. I like to do a bit of black and white pre-shading atop a medium gray primer if I can. Yet I'm not sure it really works because my paints cover opaquely.

[HERMAN BIX]

I use the Nightshift process:
A black base with white blown over top from directly above allowing the white to hit where it does on its own. Seems to work well for 16th scale as well as it does for his 35th offerings.