Painting figures in 1/72 scale

[Kekso]

Hi guys. I'm not sure if this belongs to tutorials since all of you know how to paint figures. But I was writing an article for Croatian modeler's magazine about it, so I decided to share with you how I do that.

In a fact, there are just few simple steps. First one is to take figures off of the sprue and clean mold lines with sharp hobby knife. Then I wash them with warm water and soap. After they dry, I pin figure in one leg and fix it to cork.



There is nothing much to say about next step. I prime figures then (Vallejo polyurethane surface primer).



Then I paint base coat in few thin layers. I paint all details too.



Now, it is time to figures get more realistic look. I do that with wash. Skintone wash for face and hands, black wash for metallic parts and dark colors, and sepia wash for all other parts. This is step I enjoy the most because figure stops to look like a toy and significantly improves its appearance.


After coat of wash is dry I start to paint highlights. I might do that in few steps, each time increasing lightness of color. Basically this is final step where figure gets its final look.



Finally, you can pin your figure to diorama base where it can shine in full of its glory





I hope you enjoyed it. Comments are more than welcome

[armpcm]

Amazing tutorial keep them coming mate will help me for sure, BTW the base is very nice how about some pictures?

[santifernandez]

nice job,Dali.
Santi.

[vellek]

I don't see the like button here, so... um, "like"

[mickey mouse]

Very cool tuto, D! Where's the "like" button?

[Kekso]

Hi guys.... thank you for your kind comments... Well, for like button I think we should ask Benno

[Peter]

Always nice to see how someone else paints his figures! Thanks for sharing! Highlights after adding the washes is what I take with me from this tutorial!

Looks like the "like button" isn't activated in all sections. We must bring this under the attention of Benno indeed.

[Beano Boy]

Absence of Like Button.....................So.......................Like! Several members have now made mention of no option for like Button on my work placed in Tutorials. I like the old-style Toy Soldier look. Like Britains! BB

[Ash]

Cool tutorial! What kind of washes do you use?

[Kekso]

Hi Ash... lately I make my own wash. I use Vallejo Matte Medium + ink (Vallejo Game Color Sepia Ink or ordinary black ink) + few drops of water.

[Ash]

Thank you, Kekso! I should try

[Susofrick]

Very cool tutorial! I have mixed feelings about the like button. I like it when it's there, but those posts without a button we are forced to comment on. So it is both good and bad.

[SamSagace]

I've not "liked" this topic ...

easy and useful tuto ( all the technical ways are good !), I think that using homemade washes before high lightnings is a good idea : we can better see the details of the sculpt and make a quicker work, useful for painting some figures we need in quantity !

[Kekso]

Thank you Pascal for your kind words. But in my humble opinion, this is not technique for quantity in short time. First part yes (basecoat+wash), but no few layers of highlights if you want to paint 30, 50, 100 or more figures.

[Ochoin]

Has anyone used the new GW dry brush paints?

donald

[SamSagace]

Thank you Pascal for your kind words. But in my humble opinion, this is not technique for quantity in short time. First part yes (basecoat+wash), but no few layers of highlights if you want to paint 30, 50, 100 or more figures.

....... I've missed the highlights work !!

[Ochoin]

BTW could you add the 'dip method' to your article?

donald

[Kekso]

Hi Donald... thanks for the idea but I presented just one of many styles to paint figures. Plus, I've never used dip method.

[Emperor]

You did a great job...I am really impressed...Also great choice of figures...One request you should do tutorial on how you made base, you know stones and pine trees...The base with the rocks look amazing...
It is really impressive...

[Kekso]

Hi Emperor,

I'm not sure whether I posted photos about making base on this forum or I didn't.
Anway, here are some:

Make desired shape using styrofoam:


Glue some real rock to get more realistic texture:


Generously cover with thinned plaster:


Leopard spotting technique. If you want grey stones, paint base very
dark gray instead of brown before drybrushing:


After black wash is dried:


Finally, drybrushing:


I made pine trees using this technique:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pzWMqGVnqD4