I couldn’t seem to search it out using the search engine.
I’m new to figures, and am doing some just for a change of pace (well, why some of my aircraft projects are drying!)
I picked up some of Tamiya’s 1/35 German Soldiers in Winter Uniform from the LHS, and have a few questions:
1.) How do you pros get the gear to fit to the curvature of the soldiers’ bodies? Some of the bags etc should conform somewhat, right? I’ve also read that people turn the toes of the boots up too add more realism. Can you use the same method?
2.) Do you usually attach all the gear and get rid of gaps etc before painting the figures?
Sorry for the beginner questions. I really DID try the search engine a few times!!
You can carve away some of the figure or some of hte gear.
In 1/35 this would be minimal. MOre work than it’s worth, IMHO.
I dry fit my figures. If I can paint the figure after assembly, I’ll do that. However, some poses preclude that, such as when a a fugure has folded arms and there’s a lot of detail fehinmd them. I paint gear before attaching it in most cases.
Now the only problem I’m having is that it seems the German Field Gray that I’m using seems to be VERY gray–while pictures I’ve seen seem to be more of a green gray. Hmmm… Testors Acryl stuff.
Well, for now, I’ll use what I’ve got at home–mainly because it’s easy, AND the holidays are coming up!
Here’s where I am so far on one of the riflemen:
Basic painting done, a little “shading” or something. All grays and blacks for the moment. I just noticed the little strip of off-color on his left sleeve. Don’t you love the macro setting?![B)] Excuse the little bits of dust too!
A bit of a flat spot on his rear to make the shovel/knife deal lay down a little better. I just attached his bag, and so it is still completely unweathered. Obviously I missed that little seam there… How?![?]
Just another shot from the side. I figure if the man is tromping through snow, his overcoat is going to end up a little darker near the bottom.
Here are some more progress pics. I’ve attached all his gear, painted some of the detail, and did a dark wash to accentuate some of the edges of his clothing, straps, etc. What would you guys like to see more of? (Yeah, I know, a head would be nice…)
Am I overdoing things? Not enough emphasis on certain places? Yucky seams?
Let me know-- I really appreciate it. This is my first figure, so I’m completely in the dark without some of your input!
You might want to darken the e-tool handle just a tad, I’ve never seen one that was not at least some darker for all the hand contact, and ground contact the end takes.
Now, all of the German field gear I ever seen was at shows and six decades old, too. I’m “used” to the leather being a hershey’s sort of brown with the black dying only in the low and flat spots, too.
I think it is coming along rather nicely Justin! I think the dirt creeping up onto the bottom of the coat is a really nice touch. It looks to be well executed too. You also seem to have a knack for knowing where to put the shading in the folds, something that has always eluded me! Sanding down the figure to help the gear fit closer really helped as well. The only things I would work on would be a little more blending between the dark colors in the folds, and maybe adding a little more wear on the equipment. Although, you may be planning that to come. Maybe a piece of sponge dipped in some raw umber and silver and dabbed around on the can. But all in all, a very nice looking figure thus far! Well, maybe except for the head, of course…
Yeah, that’s one of the next steps in the painting. That wood is WAY too clean! Even though the leather is all black now, I DO plan on at least putting a little brown in it! It’s used, and so it has GOT to have SOME weathering on it. I’m having to learn all sorts of little tricks for this figure business!!
Aj-
Again, AWESOME website there-- it doesn’t get much easier than that! Thanks again.
Hey Frank-
Thanks for poppin’ over and taking a look. Yeah, the wash that I put on the figure last night stuck too thickly in some spots, and I need to go back and remove some of it. The weathering is coming later tonight!!
Should have some more pictures up tomorrow!! If you see something that doesn’t look right-let me know, I’ll try to get a better picture of it!
I think it’s progressing rather nicely as well, Justin! While my knowledge of the most accurate colors to use is quite limited, your technique and knack for knowing where to shadow and highlight is impressive. As Frank stated, I would just try for a softer transition between areas of light and dark on the uniform. Plus, I think a flatter finish might give it a little more pop (my apologies if that is what you already have planned for your build). All in all, a really nice build so far! [tup]
Hey, Mike. Thanks for stopping by, man! Appreciate the comment. Tried to soften those areas a bit, and I think that it looks a little better! Also, yeah, a flat coat is definitely in the future for this guy!!
Worked a little more last night on getting a somewhat weathered appearance on this guy. Added a little strap to the gas mask case, because it was easy!
Added a bit of mud to his boots and lower part of the jacket. Just trying out some techniques I found over on missinglynx-cool site!
I promise there will be a head soon, so y’all can stop looking at this creepy, headless German soldier.
Much, much better! The added weathering on the tools, and the smoother transition between shading and color really helps. Can’t wait to see this guy with his head![:D]
I did Civil War for 4 years. That’s me on the national colors in the picture below, C Company, 10th Massachustts Volunteer Militia. I chose not to re-up when there were just too many “Mandatory” weekend events and we’d always be doing things when there was sweltering heat or biting cold. It just stopped being fun.
from this 
