Sunday, December 30, 2007

Humbrol Enamel For Scale Models


Humbrol Enamel is another type of paint which i use to paint my scale models. I use it togther with Tamiya and Testors paint. You will need a small screw driver to open the small tin of enamel. This is not as convenient as the screw on cap type of bottle.

Anyway, the quality of the paint is very good. I always use this paint if i want to prime my scale model with a base coat as it drys up smoothly. Always remember to stir well before using any enamel or acrylic paint to get a good mix. If you dip your brushes in directly, you will get big chunk of paint on your brushes. This is very wasteful and also makes it more difficult to paint your scale models. You can just use a simple toothpick to stir up the paint before using.

Thursday, December 27, 2007

Testors Model Master Enamel For Scale Models


I usually use Testors Model Master Enamel for painting larger surfaces of scale models and figures . Enamel paint covers and adheres well on any scale models. The colors are accurate and dry with beautiful Matt finishes every time.

Enamel drys up hard. Make sure your environment has minimal dust during painting. If not, you will see pieces of dust particles on your painted scale models after the paint dried up. You will need to clean and repaint the scale models again if this happens. Thinner is needed to dilute or wash off enamel paint, which is harder to handle as compared to water soluble paint.

Also, remember to work in a well-ventilated room because both the enamel and the thinner have very strong smell.

Wednesday, December 26, 2007

Tamiya Acrylic Paint For Scale Models


Tamiya Color Acrylic Paint is one of the best paint for painting scale models and figures. The paint is easy to handle as it is water soluble. The texture is smooth and the paint drys well too. The best part is, the brushes can be easily clean up with water and not the strong smelling thinner. The photograph shows the Dark Yellow paint which i used to paint scale models for figures and vehicles of the Afrika Korps.


Monday, December 24, 2007

Rowney Cryla Artists Acrylic Colour For Scale Model Figure Painting


This is the Rowney Cryla Artists Acrylic Colour brand which i used to paint the faces of the scale model figures. It is water soluble. Therefore it is very easy to work with. You can easily mix up different shades of colour to your taste. If you make an error during painting, you can easily wash the paint off with water if the paint had not dried up yet. Normally, this paint does not dry up very fast, so you can paint and repaint the faces until the colour looks natural to you.

Saturday, December 22, 2007

1:35 Scale World War Two German Wehrmacht With Motorbike


This figure is built from my spare of the Tamiya German 88mm Flak 36-37 scale model kit. It shows a standard German Wehrmacht soldier holding onto his bike during world war two. The motorbike has some movable part like the leg stand. The front wheel can be turned left or right.

I used black washes on the motorbike to accentuate the vents and grooves. Dry brushing is performed on the motorbike with lighter shades of green on the structure and grey on the engine.

Micro Kristal Klear is applied on the figure's goggles to make it look more natural. This wonderful product is from the company called Microscale. Micro Kristal Klear is a liquid that can be used to make very realistic looking small lens or windows. It drys up clear with a glossy sheen. I normally apply this product on the vehicle headlight lens of scale models using a tiny paintbrush.

I thoroughly enjoyed painting and building this scale model figure very much. It is one of my favorite.

Thursday, December 20, 2007

Paint For Scale Model Figure Painting

To paint a nice figure, you will need high quality enamels, water-based acrylic or oil paints. The enamels and water-based acrylic are used to paint the clothing and accessories. The face is painted by using acrylic paints over a prime coat of enamel or water-based acrylic paint.

The reason to use oil paint for the faces is because it does not dry up as fast as enamel or acrylic paint. You can still correct your painting on the faces if you feel that the color is not correct. Also, the face is normally oily, using oil paint is more realistic in a way as it will exhibit a slight gloss on the painted faces. I usually use acrylic or oil paint for painting the faces.

Painting of the clothing and accessories are more straight forward. Usually Matt enamels or acrylic are used. The brand i used are Tamiya water-based acrylic paint, Humbrol or Testors enamel paint. For the faces, i used Rowney Cryla Artists Acrylic colour.

Tuesday, December 18, 2007

Scale Model Figure Painting Introduction

OK. A lot of people have problems with scale model figure painting. If you have knowledge of the materials being used, painting a figure should not post much of a problem to you.

You do not need to be an artist to paint a scale model figure well. What you need to have are:

  • 1) Patience
  • 2) A steady hand
  • 3) A clear understanding of the materials and tools being used to paint the figures
  • 4) A lot of practice. I do mean a lot. It is not a 2 to 3 days painting job.

Sometimes, i paint and repaint the face of the figures again and again because the color shades are not right. It is challenging but fun! I do not make perfect scale models but i try my best to make them look more natural. What is most important is that i enjoyed the building and painting process.


Next time, i will post some information on the materials i used to paint the Verlinden German Sentry scale model figure. I will share about the various brands of paint and tools i used to built my scale models.

Friday, December 14, 2007

Verlinden Productions 1:35 Scale 54 mm German "Sentry"/ Ukraine Figure

Ok, today i will like to post this photograph of the scale model figure which i had built many years back. The kit is the 1:35 Scale 54 mm German "Sentry"/ Ukraine figure from the Verlinden Productions. The sentry is wearing winter clothing.

I like the scale model kits by Verlinden Productions. They are always so detailed and looks so real. This figure comes in a light green resin. I painted this figure with Tamiya colors. Light dry brushing is done using Flat White to simulate snow. The rifle should have a strap. I have yet to make it using papers. The faces is painted in stages using acrylic or oil-based paint. The eyes are painted using a pinhead needle since they are really tiny!

It took me a few months just to complete this kit.

Monday, December 10, 2007

Scale Models And Collectibles First Post

Well, this is my first post for my Scale Models And Collectibles Blog. When the photos are ready, I will showcase my scale models which i have built over the years with some information on how i built them. I will also showcase other collectibles which i have collected over the years. If you see any items in my blog which you feel is unique. Do let me know. Thank you very much.