For a forthcoming bit of magazine tomfoolery, I've finally painted up one of the 7mm scale 3D prints of me bought from Modelu.
Now in paint, it's incredibly effective - it really does look like me, recognisably so.
This is interesting because the Modelu prints aren't the most detailed figures available in this scale. Whitemetal models from S&D Models have far more surface detail, especially around the face. I'm not sure they are as lifelike as this though.
Which all goes to prove something I remember reading some time ago. With figures, the overall proportions and stance is much more important than detail. A mis-shapen figure covered in detail still won't look as "right" as the simpler figure properly proportioned.
It's all down to how we view out layouts. Most of the time, we see them as though a few fields away. That means that despite the worlds obsession with fiddly bits, you some see them on a model any more than you see them from a distance in real life. OK, when a camera is pointed at the models, maybe you see the finer points, but I suspect most of the time, if it looks right, then we ignore it and are just happy.
Expert tip: If you are being scanned for printing, and wish to paint yourself to match your clothes - don't wear a stupidly checked shirt!
5 comments:
Thanks for sharing this Phil, as I haven't seen many painted examples yet. Looks very good. Those folds in your trousers etc is part of what makes it so realistic, and very few figure models have captured that kind of thing before.
Yes, I recognise it as you too, Phil! The creases in the jacket and trousers are of course, very realistic, and help to reflect the light in different directions. (I would have cheated and not bothered to paint the patterned shirt, but full marks for tackling it.)
I bought a couple of figures from Modelu to see what they're like, but I haven't attempted any painting yet. What sort of paints did you use, and did you need to apply a basecoat or primer first? (Recalling unhappy experiences with polythene? Airfix figures many years ago...)
Skin is Lifecolor acrylic and the clothes Humbrol Enamel. Both applied without undercoat or primer. The surface is VERY smooth and I found the jeans needed a final matt varnish to remove the sheen but that might just have been the paint not drying properly, the acrylic was spot on matt.
Having spoken to you at Alexandra Palace earlier this year, I have to say that likeness is uncanny!
Thanks Phil! I will have a go with some matt black acrylic spray paint and see how I get on...
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