WildKarrde
Legions of Gotham Police Officer
Posts: 212
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Post by WildKarrde on Jun 24, 2004 19:57:30 GMT -5
I'm thinking of using this guy for a custom Hush Nightwing, to go with the Takara Batman, but I was wondering what kinda paint I should use on this type of plastic? The black of the figure is a kinda flat color, but the blue parts are clear and shiny. Plus I dont want to have to worry about the paint flaking off when posing the figure. any ideas how I could paint/color it and still retain the articulation?? I was thinking of marker, but that might rub. any help is appreciated. thanks
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Post by Faithfulbutler on Jun 24, 2004 20:06:33 GMT -5
Okay first things first,give him a wash in warm soapy water to get rid of any release agent still on him. Then buy yourself a can of spray primer from the Hobby store and give him an undercoat. I would use acrylic paints and brush them on for this size figure,don't hurry it.Get a good soft brush and take your time.Paint visible areas and after they are good and dry move him around and apply paint to other exposed areas. Then once he is all finished give him a spray with Testors Dullcote,it will seal the paint and protect it.You can also get Dullcote in a brush-on form for getting into those joints.I use both myself,it's very worthwhile. Hope this helps.
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WildKarrde
Legions of Gotham Police Officer
Posts: 212
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Post by WildKarrde on Jun 24, 2004 20:23:04 GMT -5
Hey FB. Thanks for the tips. Acrylic paint is like the stuff you use for models, or is it the waterbased kind? I take it "under coat" is a primer coat applied before painting? I'm really a novice, and not familiar with all the "lingo". ;D
I was thinking of taking it apart 1st to paint, then reassemble before detailing. do you think the shiny "metalized" head will cause any trouble?? I've painted star wars figures before with water based acrylics, but i am very ignorant as far as what to use with what type of material.
I have never been able to find Dullcote in any of the craft places, I picked up this Varnish stuff that I have used on the waterbased paints, but it if I use to much, it softens the dry paint. I may need to order Dullcote if its as good as i hear it is.
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Post by Faithfulbutler on Jun 24, 2004 20:32:59 GMT -5
The acrylic paints are the kind found in Hobby stores like Tamiya for example.It is water based and easy to use for dry brushing and washes as well. Dullcote can only be found at Hobby stores,it doesn't affect your colours at all and gives the paint a great seal. Yes undercoat is a primer coat and again only use the ones found in Hobby stores.I prefer the Grey primer as i find it tends to "warm up"the colours a lot more.I doubt once the metallized head is primed that you will have any problems whatsoever. As for pulling him apart,i have never done anything like that but if it will make it simpler to paint then go for it.I am a big advocate of painting anything before assembling so i would say the same would probably apply here.
Craft shop paints,varnishes etc are just not up to scratch for all this kind of work,your'e better off to go to a Hobby store and spend the little bit extra.
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WildKarrde
Legions of Gotham Police Officer
Posts: 212
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Post by WildKarrde on Jun 24, 2004 21:26:28 GMT -5
Thanks FB. Seems like you are the Guru of painting. ;D would you explain what "Dry brushing" and "washes" are? IS Dry brushing : just dipping the brush in the paint and appling thin layers, without thinning the paint?? or is there more to it?
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Post by Faithfulbutler on Jun 25, 2004 9:32:16 GMT -5
I don't know about Guru but i have been building and painting models and figurines for most of my life.Now turning my hand to Custom figs too.It's nice to be able to help others out as i had no one to teach me any tricks so i just worked it all out as i went along.
WASHES are an important part of a paint job on your particular project.Basically it enhances folds in clothing,shadows on your piece or any darker recess. Once you have your base colour applied and it has dried,you can commence doing your wash.Ideally a darker shade of your base colour is the ideal to use for this,if you don't have a darker shade just mix your base colour with some black. Apply a small amount of this colour to your paintbrush then dip it in some water.It is always handy to have some cardboard or paper handy so you can check you have enough fluidity to apply this.It has to be runny but still retain some thickness.The best example i can think of at the moment is say the difference in fluidity between Water and Milk.Then apply it to your piece gently letting the runny paint flow into the folds,recesses whatever avoiding making any air bubbles in the paint.Keep a paper towel handy to blot away any run-off or excess buildup.Sometimes you will find you have achieved your goal in one application,sometimes you will have to apply it more than once. Your final result should add a lot of depth to your piece.
DRY BRUSHING is another important step.It is used to highlight the raised areas on your piece.Again a lighter shade of your base colour is the first choice but you can get away with different combinations.For example Blue or Grey highlights black really well.A Buff or Yellow highlights Red really well.And a White or Chrome colour highlights Metallic colours well. To Dry Brush get a paint brush,usually an older well -worn one is the most ideal.Dip in into your paint but just a small amount,then rub the brush on a blotter.I always use some scraps of Cotton like T-shirt material myself.Rub your brush on your blotter removing most of the paint,this can be tricky and i suggest making some practice runs.The tricky part is you have to almost have the paint on your Brush almost dry. Then drag the brush across the raised areas of your piece,trying to keep it subtle.If you apply the paint too heavily the highlights will be too apparent and it will take away from the realism and depth you are trying to achieve. Combining this with washes give a piece an amazing amount of depth and character and the results are much more pleasing IMO.These processes aren't tricky but practice first,you don't want to be re-painting again from being too heavy-handed. Hope i have made some sense for you.
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WildKarrde
Legions of Gotham Police Officer
Posts: 212
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Post by WildKarrde on Jun 25, 2004 10:17:55 GMT -5
Wow, that is most helpfull. I will try to get some pics up of some of the star wars customs I have done. I do have a pic of one I've done, but cant host it. I will have to try dry-brushing on the older stuff I did and see how it turns out. thanks for all your help. heres one I did some time ago. heres the link with write up. www.thejawa.com/customs/tonys/tsulic.php
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Post by Faithfulbutler on Jun 25, 2004 18:48:41 GMT -5
Glad i could help you out.I love your Jedi,he looks really great.You have a talent there already keep up the good work Tony.
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