Miniatures Adventure => Old West => Topic started by: pops on 13 April 2016, 03:52:28 PM
Title: Varnish/Stain Recommendations
Post by: pops on 13 April 2016, 03:52:28 PM
Hi,
I am looking for a recommendation. I have been using the longer technique of painting using multiple layers, dry brushing etc. Looking for a quicker way for the shadowing. Anybody using varnish or stain on their cowpokes? Would like to know what sort to use and any technique tips. For instance - brush on or dip?, etc.
Thanks,
Frank
Title: Re: Varnish/Stain Recommendations
Post by: hentzau on 13 April 2016, 04:27:22 PM
I use Army Painter Strong Tone shade on all of my minis now. I use a brush rather than a full dip, I tried that on my first few figs and felt it was just too dark that way. Probably didn't shake enough off.
I tried Minwax Polyshades as well, and it didn't do nearly as good a job as the Army Painter quick shade.
They won't win any prizes, but they look good on the table and I can get figs painted up way faster.
Title: Re: Varnish/Stain Recommendations
Post by: Elbows on 13 April 2016, 05:07:37 PM
Yep, if you deep they're definitely dark. I also use Army Painter strong tone...I dip mine, and then dab away excess with small bits of paper towel (laid out before hand).
Dipping is a slightly acquired art...but is very useful if you're okay with cheating and just getting good looking figures (note: not great) on the table. If you're a master painter or perfectionist it won't be the way to go. It's one of the only reasons though I've finished some 200+ minis in the past few years.
Title: Re: Varnish/Stain Recommendations
Post by: pops on 13 April 2016, 06:25:22 PM
Thanks guys. Will check out recommended product. Thanks for the photos! The figs look terrific - and I would be quite happy indeed with mine looking 1/2 as good as yours!
Title: Re: Varnish/Stain Recommendations
Post by: sundayhero on 13 April 2016, 07:36:12 PM
Personaly, I make my own figures stain, using odorless wood stain ( you can clean the brushes with water, and it dries pretty fast). This way, adding paint or ink, I can create diferent color stains.
I usually don't use this technic, except for 28mm plastic masspainting (like my zombie horde, my D&D plastic bestiary) or sometimes 20mm masspainting too (talibans).
The only diference with "classic" dipping technic is that I use it as a shadowing technic only, not a finishing technic. Once the shadows are done, I rework the figures, especially the highlights.
I made 3 diferent sample stains, using my clear stain and diferent mixes of black and brown vallejo game inks. I also use brush instead of dipping, and I finally apply mate varnish.
Hope it helps
Title: Re: Varnish/Stain Recommendations
Post by: hentzau on 13 April 2016, 08:43:26 PM
I think some of the best examples of "dipped" wild west figures come from the brush of philhendry.
Link to his thread of DMH figs and buildings. (http://leadadventureforum.com/index.php?topic=60070.0)
Title: Re: Varnish/Stain Recommendations
Post by: Yggdrasil on 13 April 2016, 09:23:18 PM
Armypainter Strongtone for me, too.
(http://i.imgur.com/ePeojvy.jpg) I use Kevin Dallymores 2 Colour Technique with an extra step of adding the mentioned wash after basecolour. So it's:
1. Base Colour 2. Wash 3. Base Colour for first Highlight 4. Highlight.
Title: Re: Varnish/Stain Recommendations
Post by: pops on 14 April 2016, 02:28:03 AM
Wow! Thanks guys. Your figures are terrific!
Title: Re: Varnish/Stain Recommendations
Post by: Harry Faversham on 14 April 2016, 02:46:42 PM
'Snake Eyed Pete', block painted then fettled with Army Painter Strong Tone shade...
Title: Re: Varnish/Stain Recommendations
Post by: Belizaire on 16 April 2016, 03:22:58 PM
I sold off the last miniatures (some Napoleonic French) I had used Army Painter on so don't have any photos available to post. I am working on an Old West project now and will be using Strong tone. As has been mentioned, you won't win any painting contests but you will get a miniature that looks good from 2 feet away plus you will save a lot of time by not highlighting and shading and highlighting again.
What I did with the French was block paint main colors then used a brush to apply Army Painter. Let that dry at least 24 hours and went over things such as white straps and metal bits with appropriate colors. Maybe a bit of highlighting here and there. Once paint dried I then sealed them with Testors Dullcote. Two more things to consider-- when Army Painter dries it is very shiny and it also forms a protective coating. Once those miniatures dried I don't think a cat could have scratched them.