'this 'ere masterclass painting m'larky is 'ard going, and no mistake!'
As diligent readers of this blog will know, I decided to take the opportunity of my new Peninsular project to try some of the masterclass ideas currently being put forward by Mr Tim Beresford in Battlegames magazine. I have been a good boy, and read Mr Beresford's prose in a more or less attentive fashion, and I have admired his nicely done Perry Sudan figure in the current issue of Battlegames. I have noted what he has said about tones, natural light, subtle finishes, warmth and cold, and I have thought, 'I would like some of that'. But, alas, I fear that I have strayed into 'old dog and new tricks' territory. Here are two of my fine Peninsular boys:
The bases are unfinished, of course, but the rest of the painting was an attempt to follow the Beresford approach, from white undercoat (excepting weapons etc), much mixing of colours, and attempts at layers of 'opaque' colour.
I struggled with all this (as one expects to with a new approach), and I also realised that the heavily detailed sculpts were not, perhaps, the best to try new techniques, but what strikes me is that the overall finish is not massively different (and I am aware that at my age eyes are less able to pick up on colour differences) from my other figures, such as:
light bobs from the American War, or:
Hessian fellows from the same. These AWI types were done with black undercoat, using the block, highlight, wash approach. So, where am I? I've another six Peninsular fellows in process using my bungled Beresford method, but a boxful of others that I suspect will end up being painted using my old technique. I am, truly, an old dog.
Your old figures look fine to me. I am more or less resigned to the idea that although I am an enthusiastic observer of new methods and techniques, the probability of me learning or mastering any of them is low and steadily diminishing...
ReplyDeleteCheers, Dave
Yes, I think I agree with you, Dave. It's a bit of a puzzle, as, of course, I have developed and changed my painting techniques from the simple style that was common in the 1970s. So, it's not that I can't change, but I was surprised at the hash I made of this new attempt. 'Low and steadily diminishing' - I'll go with that, in lots of ways!
DeleteI knew you'd see sense sooner or later.
ReplyDeleteI hope so, Kinch old man - I've been waiting a dam' long time. I really liked your gangster film doo-dah review - and I must say, would like to discuss morality and (Christian) ethics with you; from an ignorant's point of view.
DeleteI've never been able to get a handle on this new fangled black undercoat thing despite trying it a few times. Featherstone and the Brigadier both said undercoat white I've obeyed ever since. Of course the fact that I use ultra cheap craft paints rather than hobby paints may be relevant.
ReplyDeleteNow both the old and the new figures you've shown both look fine to me but I do like the new ones better. A bit more lively. I enjoyed Mr Beresford's article and my hat is off to him but I'll confess that I long ago gave up any aspirations to being a master, artistic painter and it would drive me around the bend now to try all that blending other than maybe on a single display figure.
I'm still with Jack Scruby et al, get 'em dressed and on the table. Over the white I block in the colours, let it dry, add a few choice highlights if they look like they really need it and add a little bit of wet shading or just an over wash of burnt umber and they're ready for basing and playing and look fine to me. No ones been rude enough to throw tomatoes at the pictures on my blog yet at any rate.
At the end of the day though whatever makes painting enjoyable for you is the ticket.
The funny thing is that it took me years to be convinced of the value of black undercoat. Like you, I grew up with white as the standard undercoat for anything. It was my (Games Workshop corrupted) son who convinced me of the black first approach, a decade ago. The great value was that it can be used to obscure bad technique. Having said that,I still use white first for my Spencer Smith 30mm SYW types, which I gloss varnish in old school style.
DeleteAlso in agreement with the 'get 'em dressed' approach. If I persevered with this new technique of many, increasingly opaque layers, it would take forever to get anything ready.
Hear hear to the last comment. I tend to end up being a slave to painstaking shading, but the figures I have enjoyed painting most recently are plain basic blocking with no highlighting...just like colouring in as a child. Your old style looks as good and if you enjoy that more I should go with it...
ReplyDeleteYou do good stuff though, old chap. And I'm really looking forward to seeing how you finish Herne! Cue ... 'Rob - in, the hooded man....'
DeleteI picked up a copy of Battlegames ( and jolly good it is including a super article on Conrad and his march/walk) and read the painting article.
ReplyDeleteI do feel your old style was great- if it ain't broken don't fix it!
Battlegames is the only magazine I bother with now, mainly because I like to see words, with the suggestion that some of the population might still be literate. I think I'm going with that good conservative axiom!
DeleteStick with what you know and all will be well.
ReplyDelete'And all will be well' - now is this the first time, Senor Republica, that you've quoted from the Holy Bible?
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