What you've heard about Renaissance paintings is true, some of them are still drying/curing. Also, the reason they often have that crackle effect over them is because the varnish put over the paint dried before the oils did, and as they cured, the oil paint broke up the thin layer of varnish. I don't know how that would translate to your model there, but maybe avoid varnishing the face area. Thanks for sharing this with us! I love your videos. You give some great tips and warnings for beginner painters like myself.
use liquin with your oil paints, it makes the oils dry faster. Also give you theadvantage of working in layers, and preserve what is beneath. If you want to use acrylic paints after oils, first put on varnish when oils are dry, this works for me. I have also tried soft pigments for shading, varnish after a layer, amazing results. love your vids and greetings from Belgium Franky
Though I'd never heard anything about not putting acrylic paint over oils, it makes sense. Linseed oil (which unless they've changed drastically is what they use as a base for oil paints) can indeed strip away acrylic paint at the very least. I had some for conditioning and polishing some wooden pieces around the house and I was able to use it to strip acrylic paint off of metal figures. In regards to how long oil paints take to dry, I've heard the same thing about paintings done with them during the Renaissance period still not being completely cured. In most arts stores they usually sell, in the same isle as the oil paints, a rattle can of a chemical which helps speed up the drying time for oil paints, or at least the surface of oil paints. They should also have sealer/varnish which is meant specifically to coat surfaces with oil paint on them. I mention this only because I'm not sure about the ramifications of leaving a painted surface unsealed. Its liable to pick up a lot of dust and dirt as it dries unless you take extreme care.
something you should look at is eye decals... massive time saver and look quite good. They are mostly sold for anime and manga figures but more realistic versions are available
I've watched a lot of your videos and I had wondered if you ever tried oil paint. I painted a bunch of D&D minis with oils years ago and I think the blending is superior to acrylics. I forget the names but there are mediums that make really nice glazes and washes.
Hi. Quick question. A person in the comments asked about make-up. While your answer was good, it made me think. Whenever I use grease paint I always powder when I'm done cut the glare and greasy look. Do you think this would work on the oil paint? Thanks
+Steven Ritter I doubt it. Grease paint is not meant to dry, right? They are two different types of paint, and there are products out there meant for oil paints, so no need to experiment.
A secret that may be valuable to you that I learned from Frank Frazetta in his technique of using oils for his master fantasy art that he is known for. He taught me that when using oils, and this works excellently on figures not just art/paintings, to create a shadow under painting in acrylic then using nothing but real turpentine dip your brush into the turp then swipe a little excess out on paper towel. Run your brush through the oil paint, again wipe any excess by dragging your brush along paper towel again and then apply to your figure, blend as many colors as needed using very light amounts of turp and within a few hours it will be dry to the touch. This was very necessary when you need a gorgeous oil painting that only took a few hours to dry. You can speed up the drying process by hitting your work with a hair dryer to warm the surface and facilitate the evaporation of the turpentine which dries the oil already in the paint. Hope this helps you and others as it is a well kept secret for artists needing to ship art the next day and not having to wait sometimes months for a painting to dry.
I prefer oils to acrylics for faces and anything with a gradated finish,such as stone or earth. In my experience, there's just no way to match the subtle blending that can be done with oils. The long drying time can be eliminated by using alkyd synthetic oils instead of the traditional kind. They dry much faster and, as a plus, can be mixed with natural oils.
The beauty of oils is the slow drying. Now to speed up the drying process get a food dehydrator. The older ones were just plug and go. The circular trays can be cut out to get taller projects inside. An oil painted figure should dry in less than 24 hours as opposed to 3-4 days.
Best video on oil paints for skin so far! I used oil paints too and I was surprised about how easy it is to use them. My only issue is that I keep blending and blending till the shade goes everywhere loosing it's effect! How stupid I am....
I used to paint my figures skin with oils but over time I realized the the oil paint started to peel. I really hated that looks great at first but over time it looks terrible, Now I just use oils as a wash looks much better and it lasts.
The highlights didn't take like I thought they would. Also I did want him slightly darker because I plan to go lighter on Robin and Catwoman. I don't want man, boy, and woman all with the same skin tone.
Great technique, very nice blending will definitely try it on future projects.
I love watching you work. You are very talented. A real artist.
What you've heard about Renaissance paintings is true, some of them are still drying/curing. Also, the reason they often have that crackle effect over them is because the varnish put over the paint dried before the oils did, and as they cured, the oil paint broke up the thin layer of varnish. I don't know how that would translate to your model there, but maybe avoid varnishing the face area. Thanks for sharing this with us! I love your videos. You give some great tips and warnings for beginner painters like myself.
use liquin with your oil paints, it makes the oils dry faster. Also give you theadvantage of working in layers, and preserve what is beneath. If you want to use acrylic paints after oils, first put on varnish when oils are dry, this works for me. I have also tried soft pigments for shading, varnish after a layer, amazing results.
love your vids and greetings from Belgium
Franky
What a fantastic job! Looks awesome. Interesting that as soon as you put the cowl on it starts to take on a resemblance to Adam West.
Not bad at all, better then what I could do! I'm enjoying this build, keep at it!
Though I'd never heard anything about not putting acrylic paint over oils, it makes sense. Linseed oil (which unless they've changed drastically is what they use as a base for oil paints) can indeed strip away acrylic paint at the very least. I had some for conditioning and polishing some wooden pieces around the house and I was able to use it to strip acrylic paint off of metal figures. In regards to how long oil paints take to dry, I've heard the same thing about paintings done with them during the Renaissance period still not being completely cured.
In most arts stores they usually sell, in the same isle as the oil paints, a rattle can of a chemical which helps speed up the drying time for oil paints, or at least the surface of oil paints. They should also have sealer/varnish which is meant specifically to coat surfaces with oil paint on them. I mention this only because I'm not sure about the ramifications of leaving a painted surface unsealed. Its liable to pick up a lot of dust and dirt as it dries unless you take extreme care.
something you should look at is eye decals... massive time saver and look quite good. They are mostly sold for anime and manga figures but more realistic versions are available
Do you have a link?
FBtheHunter www.archertransfers.com/CAT_EyeballTatts.html
azzak Thank you very much. That is perfect. The photo realistic ones look great!
I've watched a lot of your videos and I had wondered if you ever tried oil paint. I painted a bunch of D&D minis with oils years ago and I think the blending is superior to acrylics. I forget the names but there are mediums that make really nice glazes and washes.
Looks awesome!
Hi. Quick question. A person in the comments asked about make-up. While your answer was good, it made me think. Whenever I use grease paint I always powder when I'm done cut the glare and greasy look. Do you think this would work on the oil paint?
Thanks
+Steven Ritter I doubt it. Grease paint is not meant to dry, right? They are two different types of paint, and there are products out there meant for oil paints, so no need to experiment.
For eyeballs I make a dot with a sharpie. makes a perfect eyeball. also good for black touchup
A secret that may be valuable to you that I learned from Frank Frazetta in his technique of using oils for his master fantasy art that he is known for. He taught me that when using oils, and this works excellently on figures not just art/paintings, to create a shadow under painting in acrylic then using nothing but real turpentine dip your brush into the turp then swipe a little excess out on paper towel. Run your brush through the oil paint, again wipe any excess by dragging your brush along paper towel again and then apply to your figure, blend as many colors as needed using very light amounts of turp and within a few hours it will be dry to the touch. This was very necessary when you need a gorgeous oil painting that only took a few hours to dry. You can speed up the drying process by hitting your work with a hair dryer to warm the surface and facilitate the evaporation of the turpentine which dries the oil already in the paint. Hope this helps you and others as it is a well kept secret for artists needing to ship art the next day and not having to wait sometimes months for a painting to dry.
Could you use a soft wash on the recesses of the face?
I'm sure I read somewhere that oils are ideal for horses. If correct any chance of you trying this in the future?
I assume that's just because horses have a lot of round, smooth areas. I've already shown how to do that with acrylics.
I'm painting a rally driver's racing suit which is all white. What colour can I paint the folds to get some shadow detail.
Light cool gray.
Thanks.
I prefer oils to acrylics for faces and anything with a gradated finish,such as stone or earth. In my experience, there's just no way to match the subtle blending that can be done with oils. The long drying time can be eliminated by using alkyd synthetic oils instead of the traditional kind. They dry much faster and, as a plus, can be mixed with natural oils.
The beauty of oils is the slow drying. Now to speed up the drying process get a food dehydrator. The older ones were just plug and go. The circular trays can be cut out to get taller projects inside. An oil painted figure should dry in less than 24 hours as opposed to 3-4 days.
Yes. I've recently done this. It speeds up everything, from painting to curing epoxy putties and glues.
Glad to hear that...........hope others can find one too.
Awesome vid, as always.
One thing I've been struggling with lately is realistic lip colors. Do you have a rule of thumb for lips?
With acrylics, I usually use whatever my flesh shade is. For this I just mixed up a few random things till I got a shade that works.
Best video on oil paints for skin so far! I used oil paints too and I was surprised about how easy it is to use them. My only issue is that I keep blending and blending till the shade goes everywhere loosing it's effect! How stupid I am....
Awesome!
the 5-O'clock shadow seem to go to high on the face making Adam West look brown, or its the light and angle on camera?
Likely not the camera. It's my first try. Colors are off.
Careful with that red in the eyes, he might be mistaken for your regular pothead or mr Pinkeye. :) Great work as always!
I used to paint my figures skin with oils but over time I realized the the oil paint started to peel. I really hated that looks great at first but over time it looks terrible, Now I just use oils as a wash looks much better and it lasts.
I'm gonna cheat on the eyeballs and use Archer decals. Just got a sheet from Cult yesterday.
Very nice, but I don't know if it the camera or my memory but I had the impression that his skin was lighter than the one you did.
The highlights didn't take like I thought they would. Also I did want him slightly darker because I plan to go lighter on Robin and Catwoman. I don't want man, boy, and woman all with the same skin tone.
Oh I see, can't wait for the next video.
What about the makeup, doesn't that take some of the brightness of the skin?
Batman don't wear makeup! Well, maybe a little eyeliner.
ThePaintingClinic LOL, OK.
Adam West actually had green eyes.
Wrong.
NANANANANANANANA BATMAN
Adam West's eyes are green..