Post by martingb on Apr 22, 2005 6:16:42 GMT -5
I always spray a resin head first with a standard grey car primer. This makes it easier to apply the paint and also, I have found, gives a realistic kind of rugged skin texture to a male figure. Anyhow, once the primer has dried (Do this gradually with a number of light 'dustings' until overall coverage has been achieved) decide how the character needs to look. Use as much reference as you have of the actor or character to get a clear vision in your mind as to how he looks. Most US actors sport an all year tan and Adam West was a guy like that. Burt Ward had slightly less of a tan so remember you don't want Robin to look like he just returned from vacation in Mexico! Another thing to remember is if the character's body will show like Robin for example. You need the face to match, pretty much, the body or it will not look right. When you have mixed the colour you are happy with, using standard hobby paint, apply the first coat. I use 'Flesh' colour as a starting point but having poured some into a seperate container I mix in maybe a little white, yellow, brown, red or whatever until it all mixes into a colour I am happy with. I often paint a little onto a seperate piece of plastic to see how it dries too. The first coat needs only to be light to give a general cover. With the next coat I tend to mix just a little lighter in colour. Apply this coat but don't go too heavy in the creases of the face allowing the natural darker colour to show through in areas such as at the side of the nose and up under the nostril and the top lip. Again allow this to dry and apply a third coat in a similar fashion. Always keep brush strokes even, I usually favour up and down, and always in the same direction. As I always point out I am no expert just a guy who tries his best to do something that looks OK and if I can pull it off anybody can. By now the face should start to look close to how you are hoping. A fourth coat doesn't hurt. It is however down to the individual. Just remember keep away from the lines and wrinkles in the face as much as you can allowing the natural darker colours to show through. Lips are a mixture of flesh with maybe a little orange and light brown. Never go too heavy as the little guy will look like a clown or a badly made up actor. Just maybe practice on an old action figure until you are confident. Have fun too. Number one reason for doing this stuff.
