do i need to learn to blend?

[darklord]

was just wondering wether it is necessary to be able to blend to do better looking minis? currently i use lots of layering (maybe upto 30 layers) generally but its time consuming and a long way from being good. would blending speed it up and get me better results or should i concentrate on getting the basics right first?

 

[Dragonsreach]

Not necessarily.
I\'ve tried for a number of years and cannot get blending with acrylics to work for me. Oils, not a problem.
So I\'m happy to continue to work with Layers.
If you find that it what you are comfortable with layers,don\'t worry about how long a mini takes to paint, just make sure that YOU are happy with the result and have had pleasure painting it.
After all that\'s what really counts.

 

[DaN]

As DR said - not necessarily, but it\'s a skill to have, so why not?

Even if you never USE it

 

[generulpoleaxe]

speed is only important for paid painters (commision and company studio)

otherwise use what works for you and take your time.
nothing wrong with trying out new techniques, infact you will find you start to mix different techniques to create your own style and methods.

 

[Einion]

Try it, might be for you.

At the very least you might find you\'ll want to use wet blending for certain effects, so even if you don\'t use it widely it\'s a new arrow in your quiver.

Einion

 

[jahminis]

as DR said, layerin\' is just as good, but takes a lot more time...
as einon said, it never hurts to have a variety of techniques to draw from...
as the generul said, sometimes ya need to save on time for the commission deadlines...

personally, i think that everyone should find their style...the only way to do that is to play around with different approaches to paintin\', and see what works for ya...
style, and what each person likes, is so subjective, so it\'s not like ya have to follow step A with step B and C, and so on...

if ya have the time and freedom to play around, take advantage of it...i use layerin\' in my own paintin\', and i have a very set paintin\' style...since i paint for hire, i never get a chance to try out very many new ways of paintin\'...i just have to put the nose to the grindstone, and churn out work that will have a predictable result...
in a way, it\'s not as fun as just seein\' what i can come up with, but it pays the rent...

cheers
jah