Age-old Problem: Layering!!!

[Paragon]

So I\'ve just recently began my path to becoming a master artist (Har har!). Well, right now I plainly suck... but anyway, I\'m glad all you guys are here -

I believe my paints are thinned enough (1:6 paint/water usually).

I dip my brush lightly in the paint, and to prevent pooling, wipe most of the minute amount of paint off on a paper towel.

Good so far, but here\'s my frustration:

I layer one brush stroke at a time, and all I see for each stroke is dampness going on the model; no color, whatsoever. I just don\'t get it, how many times must I stroke the model to actually get a noticeable transition of color?

I understand when people say \"ages\" - it involves a heck of a lot of time, but THIS SLOW? It must take me 30 strokes PER layer, and for highlights, certain painters use around 4-9 layers for display pieces!!

Am I doing it right!? Guys, please help.

 

[uberdark]

i amj sure i will catch hell for this. but licking the brush just after you put some paint on will allow you to add just the right amount of wetness to work the piece out. i would reccomend feathering as it works much more easily at least for me. i usually work with wet on wet as i blend. this eliminates the need for layering. just wait until you do your first NMM. non metallic metal. that is a real treat. i still don\'t do it justice. kudo\'s and welcome.

 

[RcNiles209]

Im pretty sure your paints are watered down way to much. Maybe tone it down to a 1:2 ratio of paint ot water.

Not sure though, hear from more expirence painters first...

 

[J2FcM]

Well, Ive been in your position before.

My advice for this one situation is... try 2 things. Diluting your paints less, and using the same amount of paint on your brush.
Or, if that sucks, try diluting the same amount and keeping more paint on the brush...simple!

My advice for the long run is... take a model. Any model, start painting it, aiming for high quality work. And work at it. Focus on the models arm or shield or head or whatever. And make that one part come out nice.

For example, I was working on a red cloak when I first started, and it was coming out crappy, I just kept messing around with different layering techniques, using less or more dilution, less or more paint, etc... etc...

To sum it up... keep your patience, keep trying, and adjust your style until you find a groove that produces the quality you want. Things WILL move slow at first. but you will get it

 

[OrkyDave]

I probably use that ratio in a glaze. My initial thought is you are diluting it too much, and its evident that the consistencey isn\' working out for you.

Try a 1:4 ratio and see if thats any better.

But J2FcM hit the nail on the head, just have a play around and see what works best for you.

 

[Ritual]

Yeah, thin your paint a little less. I am not sure how much lighter than the base coat you make each highlighting layer, but the closer to the previous coat your paint is the less transparent you need to make it. So, my advice is to play around with these parameters and find a way that suits you. But, don\'t be too lazy... It is worth the effort of a few extra layers.

 

[Paragon]

You guys are awesome! Obviously, the problem is paint that is TOO watered down. Thanks, I will reduce the water-to-paint ratio and see how that helps.

But one more curiosity: doesn\'t that start building up paint on the surface too quickly, causing unpleasant thickness over gradual layers?

 

[Arma]

Sounds like you\'re in the right track, just thin the paint less but make sure you only pick up a small amount with the brush.

I use a wet palette so just paint a small line on the palette before applying it to the figure to check if I have too much/too little paint.

I\'m also on that road (hehe) but It\'s a long un for sure

 

[Trevor]

Unfortunately there is no magic recipe of paint:water, its something that will vary from paint pot to paint pot and depending upon what effect you want.

The only way to get it right is to practise and do what works for you.

 

[Crackpot]

Yep, it realy sounds to me you take too much water. I use this paint : water ration mostly for glazes to \"smooth\" the layers together. So first highlight the base color with different layers and then smooth it with a fine layer of the base color. Then the same for the shades...
Just my 2 cents.

 

[Ritual]

Originally posted by Paragon
But one more curiosity: doesn\'t that start building up paint on the surface too quickly, causing unpleasant thickness over gradual layers?

No, you still have fairly thin paint, so it shouldn\'t be a problem. If, that should happen it\'s a sign you have too thick paint or granules in your paint or something.