townfolk, looking for advice to improve

[Theomar Pius]

http://www.coolminiornot.com/186142

I mostly concentrate on the scenery aspect of the hobby, but paint minis to populate my different pieces. I suppose what I\'m looking for are some pointers on what I can do to improve, since I know my mini\'s aren\'t top shelf.

This mini is pretty representative of the paintjobs that I do. The minis I use are usually townsfolk, or minis in static poses.

Any comments or advice would surely be welcome.

 

[freakinacage]

they are perfectly fine for their currant useage (showing off your spiffy scenery)

ultimately it depends on how much you want to improve. your painting seems neat enough so thin your paints and build up the layers of colour more slowly. this will allow you to create smoother blends between layers. it will also slow things down so how much you are prepared to do is up to you really

 

[Theomar Pius]

Thank you sir, I will give that a go. Thinner paint, in layers.

 

[Friar]

As FiaC said thinned paints layered really all thats lacking is some depth from some increased shadows and highlights. The one thing that kinda gets me and it\'s not super important but at the moment she\'s sweeping her lawn, I\'d put her on a base that would fit sweeping better like cobblestone or some such.

I will say that I really like the mini she has a real wtf look on her face for such a simple subject as a medieval lady sweeping it has alot of personality.

 

[mattrock]

Also contrast is really important, particularly in photos. Make sure to get your shadows deep and your highlights bright. I am finding in my own mini painting experience that I need to push it maybe even a little past where I think it should be in order for it to translate well to others. We spend so much time staring at a figure and watching the contrast develop from nothing that we often stop short of ideal.

Just my experience, but she look\'s pretty good for me given your current use. Never hurts to seek improvement though.

 

[Theomar Pius]

on the subject of the bases, I\'d really prefer to cut them right off of the moulded bases, it\'s the one thing I really don\'t like about reaper minis. When it\'s just someone standing on the base, that\'s one thing, but these female villagers are a 1/2 inch of solid metal. Any tips for seperating them, and making the terrain itself the base?
usually, when I seperate a mini form the base, I use a knife.

 

[mattrock]

Dremel is your friend. My wife picked one up for me at Christmas and it has changed my mini-painting life.

 

[Theomar Pius]

Originally posted by mattrock
Dremel is your friend. My wife picked one up for me at Christmas and it has changed my mini-painting life.

The abrasive cutoff discs, or a circular saw type blade?

 

[mattrock]

I use the discs to make relatively crude cuts and get all the big stuff out of the way and then use diamond points to do the medium detail work. Just needle files to polish it off.

 

[Theomar Pius]

awesome, thanks for the tip!

 

[Friar]

also a jewelers saw or even ruff cutting with snipps then bustin in with the files... you lucky buggers with dremels :drool:

 

[Theomar Pius]

By the way, I own the worlds oldest dremel. It must be at least 25 years old.

 

[freakinacage]

dremel - slow and careful is your friend or you\'ll end up with a lump of molten metal

 

[spazzy]

my advice, for what it is worth, is to save such bright whites for the brightest of highlights, rather than for such a large section as her apron. Your scenery is fantastic.

 

[KatieG]

I actually do the rough cutting with the same kind of cutters I use to cut brass wire for pinning or to cut miniatures off sprues. They;re quick. Once that\'s done I use files to get the rest of the excess material off. Those cutters are quick, 2 minutes and most of the extra metal is gone, then it\'s just fine tuning with the files.

I tried using a Dremel, but it took forever and the metal got awful hot.

 

[Dragonsreach]

Originally posted by freakinacage
dremel - slow and careful is your friend or you\'ll end up with a lump of molten metal

Or a serious hole in your fingers!
Get hold of some paper masks as well, the pewter dust isn\'t all that good to inhale. (Doesn\'t taste that good either).

 

[Theomar Pius]

Originally posted by Dragonsreach

Originally posted by freakinacage
dremel - slow and careful is your friend or you\'ll end up with a lump of molten metal

Or a serious hole in your fingers!
Get hold of some paper masks as well, the pewter dust isn\'t all that good to inhale. (Doesn\'t taste that good either).

Excellent advice, I always overlook stuff like that.