Painting tank commanders and other figures

I am sure that many others have asked similiar questions in the past but I am looking for some tips on how to paint realistic looking figures. If there is an article in FSM that goes over it or even a book or something that would help me out with this. I see all the great pictures that people post here and I want to be able to achieve similiar results. If anyone has any information I would be very grateful and will supply you with all the pics of my results you can handle in return for your help.

Thanks once again
Ben

There are a some books out there about figure painting . It is a specalized art. It can really set off a model or it can be a real distractor. This is where shading and the play of light is critical. go and get some books, buy some reasonably good infantry figures and practice. The first figure I seriously tried to do was the TC from Tamiyas old tiger 1. It turned out great, helped me win a contest. It took about 10 more tries before I could get another painted just the way I wanted. It’s a skill that needs practice but it is worth the time and effort .

Painting faces on figures scares me. Maybe I can just do decapitation scenes…hmmm.

i’m with scorn… figures are tricky, making them look realistic is trickier… some of the “pros” around here are bound to pop in with advice…

Gentlemen,
Thank you once again for your replies. This forum seems to be such a centralized area of many great minds with a wealth of information. It makes me wonder what I would do without it.

I will definitely go out and get some books on the subject. I really want to make an diorama with the Tamiya Pak 40 I picked up over the weekend. The figures scare the hell out of me though because I can’t seem to get the eyes right on anything I try painting.

Well, im a junior and i can paint figs so, so. First prime with tamiya primer. Then base coat, say with black. Then take oil paints, black and white, and mix a dark gray and dry brush. Then paint the stripes with red, white, silver, and the belt with a letter. Drbrush and put a wash on the belt, painting the buckle. For the head, simple method. First, Buy some Vallejo acryl. they are the best, and here are the basic skin tones you need: 17, 18, 19, 21. Base coat with 21, thinning 1:1. then use the next shade, thinned 1:3, paint to thinner of course. Now paint the eyes. Use an ivory white. Then paint the eyes with a spot of black usuing the a fine brush. 10/0 is good. Then finish up with the next coats with 18 and 17. Then paint the hair with a brow and then drybrush with a lighter shade. Hope this helps

Also patience and practice and hard work also help. Just get some spare figs, or maybe an old tamiya set, and, well, practice.