Painting Dapol 00 scale figures - Part 1

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Bob

Many thanks for the instructions and clear photographs.

I think I will have a try at painting my own figures now.

I  don't imagine they will be to your standard but as they say if you don't try……

BLG
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Bryan, Thanks.

This has been a bit of a journey into the unknown, as I have never used acrylics on figures before, however, they are quite easy to use and I think are a little more forgiving than enamels.  It is easy to correct mistakes and the drying/overpaint time is much shorter.  The only thing is that you have to work a little faster, or keep the brush wet.  That said I am sure if I can do it then anyone can - with a bit of patience.

Bob(K)
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Hi Bob (K)

I must admit I have only used acrylics or poster paints.

So seeing what you have done has been useful.  Once my evening weathering project is finished I might start on a few figures.

Thanks again for the inspiration and the techniques.

BLG
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Last night I finished the first batch of figures, by adding highlighting to the tools and tidying up some of the rough edges.  An important thing is knowing when to stop.  I reached a point where I thought I was starting to lose some of the detail and so I decided that I could do no more. Please bear in mind that these figures are around an inch tall in reality. Here are the finished figures:













Bob(K)
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Bob, I don't think you painted those, I think you bought them painted and then FIXED THEM! :shock:  :shock:  :shock: :D  :D  :D

I am amazed how you did that, GREAT JOB! Wish I could!

Wayne

My Layout "The South Shore Line":
http://yourmodelrailway.net/view_topic.php?id=509&forum_id=21
This video/animation was made in Adobe Flash Player, which is no longer supported or available for download.
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Great job Bob. Should go into business you make a tidy bit of money mate
Phill
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I think I am wasting my time scouring the internet for articles on how to paint figures for our Index when all we need is right here on the forum. Great instructional article Bob, yet another one that's a credit to the forum.
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Agreed, Bob  [FC]  There wouldn't be a better article out there.

 
 On this computer a couple of those pics display with the figures actual size, or as near as makes no difference, so the finished product is easy to visualise.

 Mike
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Great Novice - a very well written and illustrated thread - just the sort of thing we need on here  :wink:  :wink:

You said earlier that, provided the figures were grease free, acrylics posed no problems.  I've read elsewhere that acrylics don't stick too well to plastic.  Have you noticed any real difference between your experience with acrylics and enamels ?

I suspect enamles are more "permanent"so, if you make a mistake when painting, it's not so easily rectified.  On the other hand, you did say acrylics dried very quickly and, as far as I know, once dry, are difficult to remove !!

It would be interesting to hear your preferences or pros/cons for both paints.

Petermac

'Petermac
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Petermac

I have been surprised at the performance of the acrylics I have used.  In many respects they are as good as enamels.  I find dry brushing a little more difficult, probably due to the more rapid drying time.  As far a durability goes I have been quite impressed and I would say they appear to be on a par with enamels.  They withstood handling during painting well.  So all in all I could become a convert to acrylic paints as they are less messy, using water to clean brushes etc, and they are kinder to brushes.

The next phase of this project will be to paint straight onto plastic using light and dark paints to create shadow and light.  I have used this method successfully with enamels and I am looking forward to seeing how I get on with acrylics - we shall see!

Bob(K)
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Forgot to ask earlier Bob but are you using quality acrylics or the 10p a pot kind that can be bought at the cheapo shops?
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Bob

I am using an assortment.  Some are Tamiya model paints, I have some games workshop paints and I bought a box of cheapo paints (20 for 4.99 pounds).  The specialist paints are quite expensive, but cover well and are more runny and therefore easier to apply.  I also like the fact that they do metalic paints too.  The cheap ones are quite thick (in a tube) but they are OK when slightly thinned down.  All in all a good mix of colours.

I think I put a detailed list of all the paints somewhere - maybe on the Hornby signal box thread.  I'll see if I can find it.

Bob(K)

Afternote:

Bob, this is the full list from the Signal Box thread:

My fly away paint pack is as follows: mix of Tamiya and Games Workshop (no reason for manufacturer just bought what was available):

Primary colours/basic colours: red, yellow, mid green, royal blue, black, dark brown and white.

Detailing colours: Silver, brass

Special colours for figure painting mainly: flesh, olive green, earth and buff.

For buildings: terracotta (for tiles) and redbrown, plus I also bought Railmatch acrylic light brick and dark brick.

On top of all that I found a pack of 20 mixed acrylic tubes in a bargain book shop for 4.99 pounds, which gave me an excellent range of colours. With the above I think I can make almost any colour.

I also packed 4 brushes, size 2, size 1, size 0 and a triple 0 for detail. This all fits in a little box 8" x 8".

I supose the key to selecting the colours depends on what you want to paint. I have a number of railway building kits to make, the signal box and a number of Dapol figures. I chose colours with these projects in mind



Bob(K)
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That's great Novice.

The reason I asked about acrylics v enamels is for my weathering project - yet to be started !!  :oops:  :oops:

I thought, if I use acrylics and make a b…s up, I could just wash them off thus preserving my wagon.  I note you first undercoated your figures - naturally, this won't be possible with the wagon !!

I've got chalk pastels but understand they don't "stick" unless you spray them afterwards with matt varnish.  I also read somewhere that the spray blows most of the chalk off !!!!  Can't win can you  :cry:  :cry:

Petermac

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Thanks for the list of paints Bob. Just what I wanted to know.
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At the beginning of this thread I mentioned that I was going to update some old figures that had a basic application of paint.  Here is the first of that set, a station porter who had been painted in a black and white scheme.  I wanted to improve upon this to give some feel of depth.  So using the same technique of acrylic washes and highlights I built up the effect.  I have to say that working on a figure which is mostly dressed in black it is quite hard to achieve the right result.  This one took several goes.  In the end I painted the black areas dark grey, used a black wash and some more grey to highlight.  With the white I washed the area with thin black and dry brushed with faint white.  Here is the result:



I have got a couple more station staff figures and I will play around with this method and see if I can improve on things.

Bob(K)
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you certainly bring them to life.
as for the durability of acrylics,remember cars have been painted
with them for yrs now.
 :roll:  :roll:  :lol:  :lol:  :lol:  8)
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Sol
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OK, I have just picked this topic up as a new post for me & read it all the way thru.
Very good, Bob.
 I have 300 of the painted HO people that cost me around 6c each, glossy surface so they will need a bit of work on them so I will use your ideas to improve them.
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Are those from the Chinese supplier on e-bay Sol? Can't remember the name off hand but I know it's something quite amusing if not confidence inspiring.
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i have the same ones Bob,a bit repetitious but ok for filling out stations etc
i got mine to use as passengers in the coaches,cheap enough to chop for seating.
 :lol:  :lol:  :lol:  8)
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Sol
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Bob, I believe so - one local modeller here got 8000 in - mixture of standing & sitting for about 12 of us - yes they are repetitious but good for paasenger cars, etc after a bit of work.
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