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Post by Richard on Apr 12, 2015 20:29:07 GMT
Hi guys thought it would be helpful to a top tips thread, Mine are, Always have spare brushes (I just ran out ) Get a paint pot stand ( once your used to your layout of paint it's so much quicker and easier ) Get a good light ( I use a sad therapy light, as it gives pure daylight, also makes you feel good) If your having a bad painting session don't keep going, stop and try again another day.works for me. What are your top tips Richard
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Post by tim on Apr 12, 2015 21:54:38 GMT
Use some magnifacation to paint. You may be young and with perfect eyesight but believe me, 30 years later you will regret it. Use some flow enhancer in water when thinning paints. oh and....... Don't eat yellow snow. Tim
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Post by mark1 on Apr 12, 2015 22:13:51 GMT
Wet Pallet- DIY, small plate, 2 sheets of kitchen roll paper folded in on itself, add cooled boiled water and place sheet of grease proof paper on top. Paints will last for hours. Don't be over generous with the water or you will get a dilution of the paints as the water is absorbed through the g.p. paper.
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Post by Richard on Apr 13, 2015 6:50:00 GMT
I have tried and tried with magnification but just can't paint under it what do you use Tim.
Like the DIY wet pallet will try it
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Post by mike1956 on Apr 13, 2015 7:06:22 GMT
Don't let your paint pots dry out, keep them somewhere cool (75% of mine dried up over the summer months).
Comes with living in Western Australia and our hot summers, no good for painting.
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Post by tim on Apr 13, 2015 7:09:51 GMT
One of these: link Richard.
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Post by Sho on Apr 13, 2015 8:44:10 GMT
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Post by profjohn on Apr 13, 2015 20:26:21 GMT
When I paint windows I use a gun metal paint over a white undercoat.
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Post by ooiittee on Apr 13, 2015 20:57:23 GMT
Remember that 6mm figures are most often viewed at 1m distance. So if your paint 2 play then paint to a level that allows you to get to playing. (I fail at this so bad)
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Post by grizzlymc on Apr 13, 2015 23:46:09 GMT
Takes me as long to paint 2 play as some of the masterpieces you see here.
On the matter of magnification the big deal is to keep your stereoscopic (3d) vision. I have played with optivsor type things and hate the wait. If you go to dollar stores, or whatever they call them wherever you live, you can find cheap reading glasses up to 4X. These will make your figs 25mm tall, of course they will make that fine brush a bit bigger too.
Don't use this as a substitute for getting your eyes tested and don't keep painting if you start getting headaches.
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Post by bruce on Apr 14, 2015 0:52:45 GMT
When I paint windows I use a gun metal paint over a white undercoat. This sounds like a great idea, will give it a go. I have tried a lot of mixes, never quite satisfied, often end just throwing in the towel and using black. Thanks!
Tip: Buy decent brushes and don't hesitate to replace them. Bruce
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Post by rct75001 on Apr 14, 2015 9:46:30 GMT
Paint these little fellas before you get too old. I'm finding this out now ....
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Aksarben
Active membe
Posts: 21
Favorite army: Anglo-Allied Army 100 Days Campaign
Favorite battle: Quatre Bras, Ligny, Shiloh
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Post by Aksarben on Apr 14, 2015 16:36:30 GMT
I usually paint windows black and put a splash of white or very light blue on the window's center. I'll try the gunmetal sometime.
After I prime my figures I air brush them the primary uniform paint then I go back paint in the details. This speeds up the my painting and I find I get better coverage. I found this to be especially good method for artillery and limbers.
Not a painting technique, but I listen to audio books while painting. Makes the time fly by.
Terry
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Post by Richard on Apr 14, 2015 16:52:20 GMT
Love a good audio book wile painting really does help with painting large units
Richard
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Post by bruce on Apr 14, 2015 23:54:02 GMT
Hey Profjohn: Tried the gun metal paint for windows - love it! Great tip. Much thanks, Bruce
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Post by profjohn on Apr 15, 2015 20:30:52 GMT
Thanks.
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Post by ooiittee on Jun 12, 2015 0:02:50 GMT
I said to my group the other day when reviewing my waterloo table build for 28mm, "I have never started a project yet that didnt look like $#! ¥ until it was finished.
Just get it done. Stick to your pla and have faith in your research, mentors and instructional materials.
Get it finished cause we dont need more half finished projects for the women folk to roll their eyes at.
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Post by profjohn on Jun 21, 2015 5:38:00 GMT
I find that good light is more important than magnification - actually I find it hard to work with a magnifier for many of the reasons people mention above . I've just bought a daylight lamp and I'm interested to see how that helps.
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Post by Orlog Subedai on Jul 3, 2015 17:38:09 GMT
Two lights, one on each side of painting table, eliminates any shadows. Black undercoat, automatically creates shadows. If you use paint from a DIY store for your base colour then decant some into a paste jar or similar that you can seal to stop the larger tin drying out too quickly. Two coats of varnish, both enamel. First gloss, second matt. When painting, adopt the 'two feet rule'. If it looks okay at two feet then that's good enough. Don't push yourself to paint, if you don't really feel like it, then don't do it. There are plenty of other wargaming things you could be doing. Take plenty of breaks to stop straining your eyes. I can normally manage about an hour and then I have a break. Good excuse for a cup of tea and a biccy! Allied to that, don't start painting late at night, your eyes have been working all day so give them a break as well, they will last longer.
Been painting on a weekly basis since 1970 with few breaks and only need normal reading glasses now. Tried one of those optivisor thingys...not for me. If you need one to paint with, you need one to see the detail with.
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Post by levenminiatures on Jul 3, 2015 18:17:14 GMT
"If you need one to paint with, you need one to see the detail with." - My sentiments exactly Orlog.
I use a common illuminated desk magnifier when working on my buildings, but I don't do the painting bit (a 2" brush just doesn't seem to do the trick for some reason) - then again there are so many excellent painters out there ... you all know who you are :-)
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