Painting heads

[Soleman]

Ok, so I get base coating, washes, and dry brushing. I also get the importance of several translucent layers to add depth.

I've only ever painted monsters (orcs and skeletons, or other more abstract sculpts).

Now I'm trying to figure out the head, there's a lot of detail and even with my magnifiers on they're all tiny.

Recommendations?

Has anyone found a website with good info on painting heads?

[Ranger Dude]

There are all kinds of methods, and I don't think any two painters use the exact same method. I think heads (and faces) are likely the most varied for paint style.

Personally, I just base coat them in Bronzed flesh, and then go over that with watered down fleshwash for most of them. Then I just use a really steady hand to pick out details such as eyes, mouth, teeth, and facial hair. I don't even use mags.

[Soleman]

gavral said:

I just base coat them in Bronzed flesh, and then go over that with watered down fleshwash for most of them. Then I just use a really steady hand to pick out details such as eyes, mouth, teeth, and facial hair.

You don't have an issue covering the darker color with the lighter wash? I tend to make a lot of mistakes with details and maybe they WOULD be easier to fix this way.

I don't even use mags.

Your eyes apparently are not as old as mine. ;D

[Garou24]

I painted a space wolf for John's army that turned out well. for the face I used a layer of Dwarf flesh for the base, then drybrushed elf flesh over it to lighten it up. This still left the darker color under the elf flesh so the wrinkles and deep spots on the face showed up. The mouth I just painted teeth white and two quick small dabs of black for the eyes. I watered down the elf flesh and touched up some high spots to make a highlight. This all gave the face of the space wolf a nice face, the darker color underneath made it look older and worn.

Just something that has seemed to work well for me. I think everyone does it differently.

[Iron Warrior]

for my guard I used Flesh color, flesh wash, Drybrush Flesh color to highlight and then go back and do eyes.

[MallSecurity]

I redirect you to best painting article ever:

www.wegotgame.net/jen/face_guide.html

It was put together by Jen Haley a few years back - I found it to be really helpful

[Iron Warrior]

Yeah I have used jens technique, it produces very good skin tones ect. Kinda time consuming but its great.

[Ranger Dude]

I used to use the same technique IW does. I found that by watering down the flesh wash, I got almost the same effect with one less step. It's kind of a preference thing. It all depends on which look you like.

I do use a different technique for some models. My elves and my daemonettes are done in a buildup style. Start with Bronzed flesh, damp brush elf flesh, dry brush Pallid flesh. Gives you a very pale skin effect, but still has depth.

mallsecurity said:

I redirect you to best painting article ever:

www.wegotgame.net/jen/face_guide.html

It was put together by Jen Haley a few years back - I found it to be really helpful

I do like this technique as well, but I agreen with IW on the complexity of it. I would also like to point out that the example figure is a larger scale if I remember correctly. Cold be wrong though.

[Soleman]

I've actually read that article already. I'm not sure the scale of the model either.

The techniques seem great, but maybe a little advanced for me right now. I guess I'm just going to have to break down and play with a couple suggestions a little bit.

Thanks for the advice guys! I'll let you know how it turns out.

[angelofdeath]

For my scouts which will be out on sunday.....I use a vemin brown base coat, then use a heavy drybrush of dwarf flesh, followed by a light drybrush of elf flesh. if I ever get my hands on some tooth picks I plan on doing their eyes too.

[Ranger Dude]

Who needs tooth picks. I just do the eyes with a triple aut brush.