144Artist Tries His Hand at Painting a Halfling Bust

As I stated in the project description, I’ve never taken on a figure or bust at this scale.  I am torn between being excited at the possibilities oof larger details but also intimidated by the same. It will require different skills and techniques than my regular “Speed Paint” style.

A friend of mine is a carpenter by trade and makes beautiful plinths on the side.  The only way I have found to get one is to win it at KublaCon’s post Painting Award raffle which I did last year.  I set it on the shelf hoping for inspiration and the bust provided it.  The bottom of the figure has a hole for a post so I went through my collection of brass odds and ends to find a long enough rod and a hollow cylinder to add thickness.

I am finding that a bust is not just the same as painting a 28mm figure only bigger.  At this size, because skin is transparent, I am finding subtle blends and glazes are the key tools, much like painting a canvas.  At 28mm a couple of flesh tones, a wash, and a highlight and you are done.  At this scale it is about subtle color changes and understanding how many different colors, like blue and green, appear in skin.  Going to be a whole new world when I get to the freehand detail.

I liked how the skin tone was coming out but felt it was looking like a doll so decided to warm things up as well as begin adding the cast shadows.  This means some strange globs of color as skin is transparent and full of colors. I also started painting the clothing but it is still just base coats.

I kept adding thin layers to the skin tones as well as fixing some areas I had messed up as well as more shadows.  Also began building up shadows and highlights on the clothing.  The white shirt is ready for a pattern and paint on the buttons.

I did a little more work on the skin but started base coats on some of the clothing and put some time in on the eyes.  They are a good start but need a lot more work.