Hi,
I've been reading with intrest this topic.
To the skills shown here, I only can say, perfect.
But I would have written this reaction if there wasn't a "But".
I also use to paint with Humbrol enamel lakkers until recent, and there is nothing to bring into the quality, of this paint, if used correct.
Except that the drying time takes ages, and the fumes are bad for your health, and smell awful
But the modeling industrie hasn't stood still since, and the development of acrylics, has been developed to a top paint.
Most of us know the rich color range of Vallejo brand, but if we speak of a a special developed figure paint, personally, I think there goes nothing above the Andrea paint system.
The idea behind their color system is, that every basic color, is sold in a set of six basic shades.
Lets say you want to use red, up until now if you wanted to shade red, this was very difficult.
If you wanted to bring on a lighter shade, and you would add white, the color will go strait into a pink.
Mixing other colors in, would give you a different red.
Of course, before applying any color, always bring on a primer, I use a Vallejo mid grey primer
With the Andrea system you start with a basis red, the nice thing about acrylics, is that the drying time is as fast, as water will evaporate, so within a few minutes, you can over paint it with a new layer.
After the basic coat is applied, I start with bringing on the darkest shade, and work my way up to the lightest shade.
A good tip, if you want to know, where to apply the dark and licht shades, hold your figure under an overhead hanging lamp, this reveals all the shade parties, and if doubting when you are painting, you can use this trick at any time you like.
For detailing colors, I use Vallejo, and Vallejo and Andrea are perfectly mixable.
For those who want, always can applier oil colors, to put on washes, that is no problem.
But Andrea has also an ink wash set, that does the same trick, and again dries quicker, and doesn't smell.
There is a small difference in finish between the two brands, Andrea has a matt finish, while Vallejo is more gloss.
But a varnish finish will cover up all differences.
Other advantages of Vallejo and Andrea Acrylics are, that you never will see paintbrush marks, and mistakes can be very easily, and fast corrected
There is a good tutorial on Youtube, made out of six or seven episodes, just type in "Andrea color system", this is made by Michigan toy soldier's.
The down side is, that if you want the full color range, that's going to be a small investment.
But if used it wise on 1/32 figures or busts, this paint will last you a lifetime.
An other thing some people complain about, is that ones shade is used up, you can't buy this color separately, so in order to make use of the full range, you have to buy a new set.
But as I have mentioned there is enough paint in a set, to keep you going for several years, if used wise.
Here is an example of a semi finished 1914 Belgian soldier.
The figure now needs a matt varnish, some details will later get a satin or gloss finish, where ever needed.
When the figure is mounted on a small diorama, further weathering details like mud, will be made, by applying pigments.
I'm sorry for the bad photo quality as these are made with a snapshot camera.
Cheers,
Danny