Van-Helsings Horror Miniatures Thread

[Van-Helsing]

I got a little distracted - instead of blocking in Holmes and Watson and then finishing another Society Regular Member, I got carried away and finished Holmes instead!

Oops!

At least it's still something to do with what I'm working on at the moment!

[uti long smile]

Keeping busy I see

[Van-Helsing]

Keeping busy I see

As Always - Just painted a load of CD stuff for a customer too 

[Van-Helsing]

The Game is Afoot!

Well, Holmes is finished (out of sequence for the painting I'm trying to do) jumping the que down to my enthusiasm LoL!

Why green on the Deerstalker and the Inverness Coat? Simple, I'm using a lot of browns/beige's/greys on other models - I wanted Holmes to stand out - I remembered a promo picture for Peter Cushing as Sherlock Holmes, so I based it on that.



As Holmes is brandishing a revolver - something "uncommon" for the character, so I painted his eyes looking to the corner - showing a little caution (I hope) on his part.



I'm hoping to finish Watson tonight, and then carry on with the rest of the society regulars.

[Treebeard]

Very nice.

[Steve F]

The eyes certainly do work.  If this were a film, he'd now be attacked from the other side!

The green works, too: I prefer your muted shade to the one used by whoever coloured the publicity still.

[commissarmoody]

The eyes defiantly give the effect you were going for, and the model looks great!

[Van-Helsing]

Thanks Guys - Muchly Appreciated!

[Malamute]

The eyes defiantly give the effect you were going for, and the model looks great!

Yep, another lovely figure. I really like your painting style, its very crisp and clean blending.

[Van-Helsing]

Awww cheers Malamute - I LOVE your Dracula Threads!

Oddly enough, my painting style comes under a lot of criticism - I don't highlight up to white (I think it looks dusty personally), I don't use the NMM technique (I can do it, I just don't like it - metallic paints are there for a reason), and people say my colours are too bright and my style too cartoony.

 

[Malamute]

I agree with you about white highlights for the very same reason, and I don't use the NMM either.

I don' think your style is cartoony, or for that matter too bright either. Do you use a black undercoat?

That Sherlock Holmes figure has a pretty strong resemblance to the late great Peter Cushing as well, which can't be a bad thing

[Van-Helsing]

I prime by hand, I stain the white primer with the main colour of the miniature - then paint from there.

Peter Cushing has always been a huge personal hero of mine.

[Malamute]

I prime by hand, I stain the white primer with the main colour of the miniature - then paint from there.

Peter Cushing has always been a huge personal hero of mine.

That will be why your figures appear bright to some people.

 I am old school! I still undercoat in white with a brush and I think it makes a big difference to making the colours come out more, a black undercoat can really dull the overall finish. Its very personal and everyone is different, but I prefer my figures that way, probably why I like the look of yours

I believe we have very similar tastes especially in films, actors etc, but you probably guessed that by my avatar already

[Van-Helsing]

Effectively everything is undercoated in the dominant colour - so it's not brighter, but rather more vivid.

Black undercoat is great for people who can't (or won't) black line - I CAN paint over black, but I actually think it's better over white (or the dominant colour in my case) - especially if you have decided upon the palette of colours for that miniature.

It certainly seems that way, taste wise I mean - you avatar is actually one of my favourite Portraits of Peter.

[Malamute]

It certainly seems that way, taste wise I mean - you avatar is actually one of my favourite Portraits of Peter.

He is certainly my favourite Van Helsing! ( followed by Anthony Hopkins and then probably Frank Finlay)  not so keen on Hugh Jackmans version though.