Octavian's 1st WIP

[Foxtail]

Are your layers of paint fully dry before you put the next layer on?
Acrylics can get reactivated by water if they aren't completely dry, so if you're painting wet paint over not-quite-dry paint it can get agitated and you'll be moving around clumps of semi-dry paint.

Also, excellent blending on the legs and dress

 

[Sicks]

Could also be a primer issue i suppose, is the base painted yet or just primed? Spray primer? I hear it can sometimes dry on the nozzle which might then spray small dried particles the next time you use it, if you're thinning your paints then i don't it should be coming out like that unless it's not thin enough (although i find even slightly thinned paint is smooth)

 

[Octavian80]

@Foxtail - You know, that could be a factor. I may get impatient sometimes, although it seems dry I should probably wait a little bit longer before doing another coat. Why, thanks Fox! It's still in WIP status but she's gettin there.

@Sicks - Yes, I use spray primer. Haven't broken down and bought an airbrush yet. The base is not painted, just primed. Yeah, I don't get it. I use Reaper paints, and they are already thin from the bottle, and I thin it even more on my wet palette. It could be like Fox said, just not waiting til paint dries before hitting that area again.

 

[Sicks]

The base looks a little grainy to me too, maybe check the nozzle, if it helps I've seen that after you prime hold the can upside down and spray until only air comes out (i guess upside down the pipe shouldn't be in paint unless it's really full) this should blast out any paint left in the pipe/nozzle. Don't know for sure if it's that but just a little tip i heard somewhere

 

[Octavian80]

Okay, cool. I'll give that a shot, along with improving my patience, haha. Thanks, Sicks, for taking the time! Loving your WIP right now, btw!

 

[Guawol]

I believe I read some where that with some paints if you water them down to much it can cause the pigments in the paints to not mix properly. I'm not skilled enough to really give an answer. I did run into a similar issue when working with my wet palette where it looked like very fine pieces of the parchment paper was was being scrapped off and mixing into my paints when I was mixing them on the palette. Once I changed to new parchment paper it seemed to clear up.

 

[Sicks]

Any time mate, and thanks also I've had the same issue as guawol, forgot about that but i use cheap parchment from the super market which sometimes does that (especially if it's been in the water for a few weeks)

 

[Maenas]

Reading all the points exposed, I would say also that the issue may come from the primer, try to prime another model with your brush and compare the effect. To my knowledge this texture problem can be caused by either the weather (too cold/hot humid/dry), by too little shaking on the can, or by the distance the spay is sprayed being the last too more common and the first more rare.

Anyway, overdiluted paint can cause graininess too, (as @guawol pointed out) it still happens to me sometimes.

Also it may be caused by all the little problems exposed above by Sicks and Foxtail, but the fact is that I did not appreciate that graininess on your previous works so check for what you did in a different way....Everything from a "I am still learning" point of view. ^^'

 

[Octavian80]

Thanks Guawol for the input. There could be some truth to that. I try to extend the use of my sheets by cleaning one and using it for a second round. Maybe that could be another factor.

@Maenas - When brush-priming, should I use a specifically designed brush-on-primer? I really do need to invest in an airbrush. Even if it's a cheap one just to prime. I think it would worth my while. Thanks for the advice!

 

[BloodASmedium]

Shake vigorously and test on another piece ,looks like a primer issue gotta watch for priming when too cold or too humid these can bring on similar results shown . Def looks like a primer issue if deactivated due to not dry it would leave more of a streaky result but the graininess looks like bad weather conditions and a primer issue. Rem To shake wether a spray or brush on see if that helps. If still persists it could be a bad primer with too much agent to dry.

 

[Octavian80]

@BAM - okay, gotcha, thanks BAM! Now I'm apprehensive to use rattle cans now, haha. I always forget to turn it upside down and spray out the excess at the end of a priming sesh.

So what I'm getting is that the pros at CMON are suggesting I get an airbrush sooner than later. Right? That's what I'm telling the wife anyway, lol

 

[Maenas]

@Maenas - When brush-priming, should I use a specifically designed brush-on-primer?

I won't use my newest/expensive/pointiest brush for that, but as far as you use and clean the brush properly (not dipping in paint above the ferrule, and cleansing it very well) there is no need to worry. (IMO)

 

[Octavian80]

I just remembered something. I was part way through painting some figs when game day came around. I varnished the models so we could play with them. I varnished at night, it was cool out but not below 50 F. You think that could also be a culprit?

 

[Foxtail]

If that's something you've not done on previous models that haven't suffered this problem, I think you've found the culprit.

Can't recommend an airbrush for this stuff enough. I'm not sure about the States, but over here amazon sell a basic compressor with a couple of cheap airbrushes for about £80 (about $80 at the moment ). They really are a godsend for priming and varnishing.

 

[Guawol]

I'm still trying to figure out the air brush I got for xmas. Seems like I am dealing with never ending clogs as I prime I know its my fault cause I am still learning how to make the proper dilutions to get the primer to flow through the brush correctly, but once I get that down it will be so much better than the old spray cans, and cheaper in the long run.

 

[Octavian80]

@Fox - I've done it once before, but I used a different varnish that time and it seemed to work out okay. This time around, however, I used the Army Painter Anti-Shine stuff. I wouldn't be surprised if it was that stuff.
Oh dang, that's not a bad price for a starter kit type thing. Like you say, it would be real nice for simply priming and varnishing. The wife just might let that one slide, haha.

@Guawol - I haven't had the pleasure yet, but I'm betting on my having similar problems, lol. I'm anxious to try though. Like you mentioned, it would be cheaper in the long run and better on the model for brush painting.

 

[Octavian80]

Here's one of the handful I'm currently working on. I'm not sure how to make plain brown monk robes look more visually interesting. If anyone has any thoughts . . . ?

View attachment 57312

 

[KruleBear]

Good start. If you really wanted to get crazy you could try to simulate a burlap type texture on the robes, but I think once you paint the accesories up it will look less boring.

 

[Octavian80]

Hey all! It's been a decent stretch since I posted something. Hope everyone is doing well and being epicly creative! I'm still plugging away at the Zombicide survivors. I feel the more I learn and the more I try new things, the worse I get, haha. But I figured I'd still share my more recent "projects." There are still some parts that I need to finish, like the priest's giant cross and censer, as well as the pattern on the swordswoman's skirt. Anyway, take a gander and feel free to leave some comments and/or criticism if you wish.

View attachment 57901 View attachment 57902 View attachment 57903 View attachment 57904

 

[KruleBear]

I think they are looking damn good. I would say the weak point is the eyes (like most of us), but Maki's eyes even look good.

I have been able to play Zombicide a few time over the past couple months and think I have a group where I will be able to play once a month or more...so, I started digging all the minis out of four seasons of Zombicide boxes and crap there are a lot of minis. So seeing yours gives me some inspiration to find some time to start painting.