Minis paint help with leather

[KnowTheToe]

I have been unsatified with most of the leather gloves and boots on my figs. I have one combo that I like, but my figs will all start looking the same if I keep using it.

Have any good leather paint or color combos??

 

[kengar]

Are we talking D&D-style fantasy figures? If so, I usually just stick with either Snakebite Leather, Chaos Black or Bestial Brown. If leather figures prominently on the mini (heh heh, bad thoughts ), then you might try adding a little color, mix in a little red with the Snakebite and give it a "dyed" look. Or use some metallics -and a TEENY brush- and make it look embossed.

Just some thoughts, hope it helps.

 

[Painfully]

Reaper ProPaints makes a color called "oiled leather," that I like. I was very dissatisfied with the "leather" colors offered from Ral Partha paints. As for Citadel paints, I have them, but I still like Reaper's oiled leather the best. It's worked well for me so far.

Black is the simple way to go, but I usually restrict it to boots, gloves, and belts for aggressive looking character figs. Add a touch of gloss, but not too much, to give a shiny look.

If you visit Games-Plus, they have Vallejo paints there! Vallejo offers a red leather color that looks nice. Vallejo offers glazes, satin finishes, and other nice touches that the other companies simply don't offer. Be sure to play around with them if you get the chance.

I like to use the red leather for female figs. A red leather accent to a chainmail clad lady can be striking. Vallejo's red leather also won't be confused with blood, which seems like the only red color most other companies seem to make.

If you haven't tried this yet, try outlining the fingers and buckles and boots of your figs with a thin black line. It will help separate the items from each other, especially if they are right next to each other. Actually, you should outline everything if you do it at all. This alone might help you be able to better see the different items on your figs.

 

[Sami Perkele]

I usually apply one layer of Snakebyte leather, then some of the Citadel Brown Ink Washes, then work out the highlights with a light brown and a dry brush. For Black leather I start doing the highlights then I apply a Blue Ink wash.

its simple but I hope that helps!.

 

[thalmin]

Hey, Pain, could you bring some samples of your work sometime? I would like to see what you do, particularly the red leather ladies.

 

[Painfully]

**OT stuff here, apologies while I hijack the thread**

Hi Thalmin.

If I ever catch you guys playing on the weekend and I'm not working, I'll try to stop by.

I'm currently redoing a few of my old figs, painting a couple figs for a fellow player, and working on my replacement PC fig (cause my old PC died recently).

Of course, I'm still learning, but I've learned a lot too. I've got about 11 figs primed and base colored on my table right now, and another 4 or 5 that need detail work done. I'll put some pics up on my webspace soon and send you a link. I'm certainly far from professional at this, but it's a lot of fun.

**we now return you to your regularly scheduled thread**

 

[KnowTheToe]

Thanks for the suggestions.

I will try both the oiled leather and the red leather. I try to limit the black boots and gloves because they tend to make figures darker. I am currently trying to work on brighter colors without making the figs look like circus performers.

On a different note, when outlining around straps, gloves etc, do you use a brush with a black wash or hand paint around it? I always get nervous when I start outlining because I usually don't have any of the custom color I created for the cloak and don't want to do any more touch up. In the end, I usually skip outlining for that reason.

 

[Painfully]

Use a white primer for "brighter" minis. To compensate for the overall brightness, just use inks to give depth and "shadow." High contrast will offer more impact to your mini, and outlining can help that a great deal, but isn't always necessary if your color scheme is already high contrast. Lately, I'm playing with the idea of hand priming different areas with different color primer--I'll still have to see how it turns out.

I use a Micron Pigma marker (size 005) which is useful for outlining and eye pupils. It's much better than using a brush IMO. You can try to get it at an art store. Zig makes a marker called Millenium which are the exact same thing (again, be sure to get size 005, the smallest, as marked on top of cap). I have those too.

Do be careful with these pens. The tips are very fine and can be easily damaged with too much pressure. Think of it as a super small brush and you'll be fine.