who out there paints

[Gizzard]

One more jump up I recently made is a natural light bulb in my painting lamp.

So, what is your light setup like? I've been playing around with mine and am just confusing myself about what might be good.

When I started, I had a 60W Luxo style lamp; and room lighting was a 75W globe above my head with flourescents nearby. I'm not sure what color that all mixed to, but I was pretty happy.

Then I got a 25W magnifier, and suddenly I was having trouble with the paint drying out too quick (from the heat of all these lamps going) and I was throwing a big mess of sharp shadows that hid detail. Also, my eyes would adjust to all the bright light and mess me up when I looked at the mini in natural light the next day.

I had similar problems when I used two 60W Luxos from different angles.

So, does everyone use one spotlight or a couple or a bunch of fill-lights and a spotlight? Or something else?

 

[Lisa Nadazdy]

I paint, so I can give some advice....

Try different sizes of canvas or paper, and draw accordingly.

Experiment with different paints; oils, watercolours, oilsticks, etc.

Experiment, period. The only way to improve is to try different ways to paint, or trying different styles.

Take your time, and use careful brushstrokes. There should never be a rush when you paint.

Every now and again, step back from your work and look it over, this way you can get a better perspective. Try closing one eye when you look at it; we're 3-D visual creatures, and painting is a 2-D world. If it still looks right you're on the right track.

Before you paint, make some preliminary sketches of what you want to paint. Many great painters made dozens of drawings before ever commiting brush to canvas.

 

[Zappo]

I don't paint, but I just want to say that at a first glance, I thought the title of this thread was "without their pants". And it isn't even late in the evening!

 

[ladyofdragons]

I HIGHLY recommend the yahoo mini-painters group at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/mini-painter/. The group is chock-full of tutorials, tips, and all-around good folks who'll help you out with your painting skills and offer critiques and such. There are some supremely talented individuals who's work is discussed there, I learned a whole bunch and definitely feel my minis work is much better for it.

 

[Olgar Shiverstone]

Let me make a plug here for Ott lights. These are pure white lights that you can find in desktop models -- try a quilt store.

The quality of light in comparison to standard bulbs or flourescent is amazing. My little free-standing OTT-light has a magnifier and is awesome for mini painting.

 

[Piratecat]

I'll slide this over to the miniatures and art forum where it belongs.

 

[Sanackranib]

painting

Just to echo what Knoethetoe said. Use Windsor & Newton #7 brushes - use a really fine quality paint - I like Vallejo.

One more jump up I recently made is a natural light bulb in my painting lamp. Man this made all the difference, and was a well-spent $6.00. The great painters say, "Use natural sunlight." All well and good, but most of us have jobs during the day - these bulbs are the next best thing.

Try painting with someone who is painting better than you are. Invite them over to paint and compare notes.

The best miniature painters are still doing military figures IMO. Check out books like Military Modelling Masterclass by Bill Horan. Or grab a copy of one of the Military Miniature magazines out of Britain.

A lot of what has been said is stuff that I already do. I use small brushes 0-000 I drybrush and paint in layers and have reciently discovered the joy of inks. 1 weak area is thinning the colors and I usually don't mix custom colors because it's a pain to try to match the color later if the figure needs to be touched up. also I always use a spray clear coat to seal the paint - flat works better but gloss works well on heavy metal armor.

I would love to paint with somone who paints better then I do, the problem here is that I paint pretty well and don't know anyone who paints better then I do. occasionally Ipaint with some of my players but then I am doing the instruction. I have painted for other people and even sent out a mini to be painted. cost me $20 and was about equal to what I can do - Isent it out because I knew that this guy had colors I didn't have and I liked the overall effect.

As for paints I have been a loyal supporter of Ral Partha paints for years, now they are no more. there is a company that has paints about the same, so I switched to them but I don't remember the name off hand.

If there is anyone out here that paints in the pasadena, CA area I would be interested in getting togather and sharing techniques.
I can do mean check patterns.

 

[Gizzard]

If there is anyone out here that paints in the pasadena, CA area I would be interested in getting togather and sharing techniques.

If you are willing to drive to Orange County, I believe Dr. Faust (www.paintingclinic.com) is based somewhere around Brookhurst Hobbies. You might check with him via his website and see what he knows of the local painting scene.

 

[Sanackranib]

paint

brookhurst is a great place to get mini's but its ouvr an hour away from here (I've been there twice for confrontation figures)

 

[Gizzard]

I'm not sure where I got the impression, but I thought Dr. Faust/Brookhurst did do some sort of painting class from time to time. I was more thinking that if you contacted him, he might have some ideas along those lines. I'd drive an hour to paint with Dr. Faust. ;-)

Of course, my memory might be totally confused on this subject. I know someone mentioned that Jennifer Haley is teaching classes occassionally in Chicago, but thats even more of a drive for you.

BTW, I'm glad you mentioned the Confrontation minis; I'll make a point to stop by when I am in LA again for Thanksgiving.