Painting the figurines...

Logan Myrddin · Post by **Logan Myrddin** » Tue Jan 28, 2003 13:40 -0700

EXENSIVE! (Not like Albedo #2, which I CAN'T AFFORD! AAAUGH!!) Anyway... I was told I would need to buy three colors for each color of paint I wanted to use- the base color, and then one lighter and one darker (for shades and for highlights.) Is this man just trying to get more money out of me, or do I really need to buy all those paints? I mean, wouldn't it be simpler to let a natural light cast the shadows and highlights? Or am I missing something here? This will be my first time painting miniatures, so a bit of advice would definitely be helpful. I don't want to ruin my figurines!
Thanks!

Noblesan · Post by **Noblesan** » Mon Feb 03, 2003 12:25 -0700

Well, both of you are right. This retailer is telling you, if you want to have your miniatures look exceptional (if you're lucky enough to have the raw talent for painting them...) you will need at least three of each color. You could also get by with just painting them in just flat colors.

If you want to see what some miniatures can look like (not usagi miniatures, mind you...) check out:
http://www.games-workshop.com/warhammer ... allery.htm
They are THE place for some of the best miniature paint-jobs out there.

People actually can do this for a living and live fairly well off of it. As I stated before though, This is one hobby that most don't just pick up a brush and paint awesome looking miniatures. It's more like any other skill that you would acquire. Practice, practice, practice. I've done it off-and-on for 12 years and I don't find my minis exceptional at all. Very time consuming too. Hope this helps.

Ja mata... -Jason

Stan Sakai · Post by **Stan Sakai** » Tue Feb 04, 2003 8:44 -0700

Dark Ages was considering offering some pre-painted figures but I don't know if it will actually happen. They were going to be done overseas which is cheaper but you've got to factor in the shipping costs.

The miniatures are listed in this month's Diamond Previews with a Spotlight but, unfortunately, no picture.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Thu Feb 27, 2003 15:26 -0700

I wouldn't say that he would need three of each color, white as an universal highlight works wonders. For the shading though, I would definitely suggest some darker hues. Also, if these are precious to you, and I'm sure that they are, please practice some! I'd hate for you you to ruin them with a paint-job that you would find unsatisfactory.

I've been working on minis as a hobby and semi-pro for about thirteen years now. There's been only about a dozen jobs that I have been truly satisfied with in that entire time. What I'm saying is that you might not be satisfied for some time.

And as a final side note, a certain pine cleaner works wonders in stripping acrylic miniature paint. So does brake fluid. Let them sit overnight and gently scrub them with a medium grade bristle toothbrush to slough off the old paint. Be gentle so that the finer detail is preserved.

Good luck!

Logan Myrddin · Post by **Logan Myrddin** » Fri Feb 28, 2003 8:31 -0700

OH! I just finished painting my FIRST figurine EVER! Scared Peasant number one! (I've got four of them. Jei is next, though. I'm working from least to most favorite, so I can practice before I get to Gen and Usagi!) I'll be posting the picture this weekend, then moving on to the next figure. I'll probably end up stripping and repainting all the figures, though. It's a good job, but I'm sure that with more practice and better selection of paints, I could do better! I encourage everyone to paint their figures! It's not as hard as they make it out to be, and it sure makes them look a lot cooler! The Usagi figures are a GREAT starting set, since they're made (like cartoons) without much shadow or blending. For the scared peasant, I didn't blend colors at all, and he looks GREAT just because he was supposed to be a flat character anyway! Give it a shot! It's LOADS of fun! I start on Jei tonight! I'm eagerly awaiting the next set of figures, which I will be spending an entire paycheck on! Heh. I'm having WAY too much fun, here! I'll post a pic tomorrow!

Logan Myrddin · Post by **Logan Myrddin** » Fri Feb 28, 2003 15:19 -0700

Stripping will damage the figures!?! Hmmm... Good thing I started with a Scared Peasant (Even better that he was damaged to begin with!) Thanks for the warning! The Scared Peasants may not need shading, since they ARE the flatest miniatures I've ever seen, but the others will probably be different (ESPECIALLY JEI! He's got all KINDS of details, shading areas and highlights! And you can just FORGET painting the LE Kitsune! Too risky!!). Think I'll go buy some other miniatures to practice on first. I guess I'm just enjoying myself so much, I kind of lost my head for a moment there. I REALLY don't want to damage these figurines! I LOVE Usagi, and I'd hate to have to try to find them again later on when it might be harder to get a hold of them. I'll practice on Gargoyles, since I collect gargoyles anyway, and they're very complex to paint. Thanks, man! You may have just saved me a TON of grief! I am SO glad I started with my damaged scared peasant! (I'm still going to post his picture, by the way. I want to know what you guys think of my paint job! I need the feedback, pointers, etc.) THANKS Mr. Guest!

4NT · Post by **4NT** » Mon Mar 03, 2003 22:23 -0700

Noblesan,

Thanks for posting the link to the Warhammer sight. I have never been much of a fan of playing the games, but I sure do like to paint the miniatures!
Warhammer is the be all end all of painting. Whomever paints them does a beautiful job! I try to pick up thier catalogs for reference, especially for armor detail and landscapes.
I am looking forward to painting my Usagi minis.

malkpennington · Post by **malkpennington** » Tue Mar 04, 2003 22:51 -0700

You're most welcome. I'm a regular user now, so ya don't have to call me "Mr. Guest" anymore.

I look forward to seeing your pics of the figures. I'm getting my own set too, and will try and post my own pics if I ever get a chance.

Ares2907 · Post by **Ares2907** » Tue Mar 11, 2003 21:21 -0700

Pop into your local Games Workshop for other tips on painting et al.
Their monthly publication 'White Dwarf' generally has 'how to' tips for painting etc, and the staff at the stores are all generally pretty good with a brush.
Their acrylics and inks are also among the best I've used. I believe they occasionally put out books on painting specifically (ie recently one of how to paint the Lord of the Rings miniatures they produce). There is no reason the techniques they use there wouldn't translate to Usagi miniatures.
Looks like Jei and/or katsuich will be the most challenging to paint. The basics aren't too hard tho, decide your color scheme first (lots of black for Jei - very easy), undercoat (again very easy for Jei), then it's a matter of doing diluted paint or ink washes for shading, highlighting and drybrushing raised areas and then and fine detailing that needs be done. If you want to give your miniatures that 'cartoony' feel, try a paper thin black outline along the seperation of the major segments (ie the change from clothing to flesh/fur).
HTH

pantherwarrior · Post by **pantherwarrior** » Tue Apr 01, 2003 1:34 -0700

where can i get the figures from????& about how much are they???

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Thu Apr 03, 2003 13:13 -0700

Go to www.dragglestown.com
They cost five dollars apiece, plus a flat shipping charge of another five dollars. That's five dollars Shipping, PERIOD, no matter how many figures you order. They're really good. The figures AND Dragglestown. They got my figures shipped lickety split. So BUY THEM! Oh, and buy TWO of any you intend to paint. Just a precuation, but I wish I had done so.

Logan Myrddin · Post by **Logan Myrddin** » Thu Apr 03, 2003 13:17 -0700

Yah. That was me. Sorry....

Usagi Yojimbo DojoBoard

Painting the figurines...

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Painting Miniatures