Trying out Oil colour water mixable

[Kretcher]

Hi,

Just looking for some pointers where to start looking for how to work with oil piants. I have started one figure seen below and I dont get a smooth result..
Perhaps I am paniting to fast it needs to dry inbetween, perhaps to thick layer of paint.. something is not going as I want therfore I will post picture below.

Result in reality look good for tabletop quality but I want it to be alittle bit better then that. Any suggestion and links are welcome.
I am using W&N Artisan colours since that is what was available in my local store, no knowledge of quality of these colours....


View attachment 10193
Figure from Wyrd minatures

/Kretcher

 

[freakinacage]

Hard to tell from the pic but from my experience of oils, you need to base colour acrylic or enamel (some prefer enamel as the colours merge a little). Bear in mind you can wet blend to you hearts content with these as they take so long to dry. Have a look in the sticky thread at the top as there are loads of handy threads and articles for oils

 

[Kretcher]

I have found some good articles, I am using to thick mix of colour and some other stuff that I neeed to train on. Will show some update later on, dont know then thou...

 

[Dragonsreach]

Many Years ago (and I do mean many) Oils were all model painters had, so trying out different mediums to get Smooth blends or Matte finishes was "De Rigueur".
Oils stay workable and the Artisan Water soluble ones (which I also have) still have a drying time, even in the airing cupboard, of a couple of days if I was lucky.
I've not found then to be as fine a pigment as acrylics either, so working on one of the Wyrd showgirls might not be the best choice as they are so small.
Where I've seen Oil paints work most effectively on models is in the smooth blending most needed on larger scale figures and busts.

 

[Wombat85]

Ive been using oils for about 6 months now and will tell you this: If you are using them like acryllics or enamels you are doing it wrong. There are allot of special techniques that are exclusive to oils that you really should read up on. As for the water soluble is there some overriding reason you are not using the non water-soulble based oils? The thing is that while its not a bad product the water solubles arn't a great product either and I have found that even the lower quality oils are of a better quality then the water soluble ones. As already said you need to put a base color down in either acrylics of enamels and then use the oils to create airbrush quality highlights and shadows, at least tha'ts the best use of them I have found. Im still a newbie with stuff as well but hang in there.

 

[Einion]

As for the water soluble is there some overriding reason you are not using the non water-soulble based oils? The thing is that while its not a bad product the water solubles arn't a great product either and I have found that even the lower quality oils are of a better quality then the water soluble ones.

QFT

I'd certainly encourage anyone to try using oils for doing certain effects on miniatures if they want to broaden their horizons and not limit themselves to just the common hobby paints, but unfortunately the water-miscible variety are essentially lower-end paints intended for casual painters, as their price and the way they're marketed tend to indicate.

You should be able to get some decent results still if you use them appropriately Kretcher, bearing in mind that some colours will be very transparent because they're made from pigments that are naturally that way (and unlike hobby paints they don't have additives to improve opacity), plus you apply them very thinly as well. So those colours would be particularly useful for glazing and these paints generally might be most useful for subtle overlaid touches, shading and mud/wet effects rather than for painting completely from scratch over the primer.

Einion

 

[StillLifeMiniatures]

I tried water soluble oils a handful of years ago and they went right in the drawer. If you figure a good method, please share.
I do still use oil paints on occasion though.... usually over a base of acrylics as I've never gotten the official hang of oils.

 

[Legacy Account]

Water soluble oils are brilliant for weathering and washing down vehicles. I use them almost like intaglio ink after distressing with wire wool or glasspaper.

Couldn't be arsed to use them on figures though

 

[Einion]

I tried water soluble oils a handful of years ago and they went right in the drawer. If you figure a good method, please share.

Thin 'em with spirits! That's one of the overriding recommendations from people who have problems with their handling, not to dilute them with water :laugh:

Einion

 

[StillLifeMiniatures]

I will have to dig them out and try it. If nothing I can make the inks and washes that Spacemunkie suggested. Better than letting them stay in the tubes.