A couple of weeks ago I bought a couple of Windsor & Newton Series 7 brushes, to see what all the fuss is about. I have to say...what a difference! I normally just use cheap synthetic brushes, but these sable brushes are so much better. I really don't know why I didn't move to sable earlier! I used to think that I must be quite hard on brushes and I thought the investment wouldn't be worth it as I'd just ruin them, but so far they have proved excellent at keeping a point and are reshaped with ease. I realise that, instead of being hard on brushes, the brushes I was using were just crap! :)
So, here's some WIP pictures of the Reaper Chronoscope figure that was next on the backlog. Progress is pretty slow, but I'm pretty pleased with the result...all thanks to the Series 7s!
The skintone for her was my second attempt. I tried using the recipe for Chinese skin from the CoolMiniOrNot Ethnic Skintones article, but I was just not satisfied with it. Despite being colourblind I was sure it looked wrong and I solicited a couple of opinions that confirmed my suspicions. So I went back and repainted it with VMC English Uniform -> VMC Medium Skintone -> VMC Basic Skintone. Apparently this is much better and I'm told I got it spot on, so this is a major triumph for me! I actually picked my own paints and got it right! :)
So then I worked up the blue dress to try and make it look nice and silky and then added a bit of detailing in white. The pattern on the top half of the dress needs tidying, but overall I'm happy. So that's where I am and hopefully she'll be done by the weekend.
Very nice! When do we get to meet her in person?
ReplyDeleteGood brushes make a huge difference, and if I remember correctly the Series 7 uses Red Sable hair, which I seem to recall is regarded as the best material available. Good brushes need to be taken care of to stay good, which means regular cleaning with a brush cleaner. Take care of your tools and they'll take care of you.
ReplyDeleteNow as for the white detail on the dress, bravo! Alone the dress looks good, but that is the kind of thing that makes a good figure great. You, sir, are a better painter than I. Keep it up!
Thanks for the comment! I did buy brush soap when I got the brushes and it's stunning to see just how much paint comes out!
DeleteI changed over to Series 7 about 12 months ago and what a difference they made. Bravo on the figure, look forward to seeing the finished product.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Mark! I really enjoyed rooting about your blog, by the way. Keep up the good work!
DeleteThe detailing didn't take anywhere near as long as the dress itself. You definitely need a good point, though. As I said in the post, the sable brushes have really impressed me with how they are able to be reshaped and keep a point.
ReplyDeleteFantastic job on the detail especially, but the whole figure is nice. Came over here from Ray's "Dont Throw a One" and am now following for the Viking step by step alone.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Sean and welcome to the blog!
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