Figurines to Paint

Figure painters are the artists behind some of the most realistic and detailed miniatures you can see. This art form is very complex, but it’s also rewarding to those who do it well. There are many competitions for figurative painters at all levels, so you can test your skills against others and improve as you go.

There are many different figurines to paint, from fantasy to military and more. Some figures are easy to paint while others are more challenging, especially for newcomers. Choosing the right figure to begin with can make the difference between painting success and failure.

Before beginning a figure painting project always wash the figure with warm soapy water, this is to remove any mold release agent that was used on the manufacturing process. This helps paint adhere to the plastic better. Sanding the figure is also recommended, especially where there are seams. This will make the figure look less like a toy and more like a model. Using a fine sandpaper on the figure will smooth out any rough areas and will help create a nice even surface for painting.

Acrylics are the most popular paints among figure painters, although some still use enamels for specific effects. The main advantages of acrylics are that they dry faster than enamels, can be thinned with water and a variety of mediums and additives can be used for blending and other effects. The ability to quickly apply multiple thin coats of color allows a figure painter to achieve the desired results more quickly.

Another advantage of acrylics is that they are not toxic unlike some other paint types. This is very important when painting a figure, as the chemicals in enamel paints can dissolve soft plastic over time and cause a toxic fume. Many paints are available for figure painting, including acrylic, enamel, and oil. Choosing the right one for your figure will depend on your skill level, budget, and the type of finish you are looking for.

A good tip for figure painters is to practice on some junk or unfinished figures with any new paints you want to try. This will give you a chance to get familiar with the way they behave and will save you a lot of frustration and aggravation when trying them out on your finished work.

When working on a figure don’t forget to paint the base as well, this is often overlooked and can really tie the whole piece together. If you are going to use a sand or’static grass’ base be sure to drybrush the sand with a flat color before applying the glue.

Lastly, remember that the eyes are what draw the viewer’s attention to a figure so it is important to take your time and carefully detail them. Usually black with a tiny dot of white for the pupil.

With these tips in mind you are ready to start your next figure painting project. Just be careful and have fun!