108 replies to this topic

[Oldallamerican]

To paint or not to paint? I paint my 72nd scale figures. I started doing that in the 80s so my new ESCI figures would match up with my old Airfix figures. Also, I hated the yellow Airfix Napoleonics. I guess twenty plus years and some fifteen or so thousand figures later I'm hooked. I prefer matte finish to gloss as it looks more realistic to me. I also don't paint eyes on my little guys as it's hard to do that without making them look goofy. I do paint facial hair, etc. Just a matter of personal taste.

I've been tempted to paint my 54mm, but have so many old ones from my childhood I'd hate to ruin the value of them. At the same time I've considered painting my newer figures if for no other reason than to make the different makes match (such as all the different hues of blue on the market). I still haven't decided. I thought I'd wait until I'd done all my 72nd scale. At the rate new sets are coming out I don't think I'm going to make. Tough life, eh?

[Pecos Pete]

Compairing Metal vs Plastic showing Conte's Metal firgure of Lt. Bromhead from his Hero of Rorke's Drift Set and the same figure in plastic from his set 3 of the 24th foot. Note how the figures resembles our Hero of The Movie ZULU Sir Michael Caine.

The Conte Bromhead figures should resemble Michael Caine. And other figures do recall the actors. Conte paid enough for the licencing, so why not?

Painting of figures. Americans do not, traditionally speaking, paint the plastic. It is a largely European custom, at least in the past. In looking over the pictures you supplied of your own painted figures, I must admit, the painting gives them a presence and vitality which was lacking in the unpainted figures. It is like going from a kind of black and white to color picture. In my opinion, very well done. They are a spur to get me painting figures. So far, very few figures. Painting is confined mostly to accessory pieces, vehicles, armor, buildings and such like. Thanks for presenting these photos.

[modwalls]

The Lt. is quite the painter. He is a master with the brush and with his wits on the Zulu War subject. He works yhe brush as well in a matte finish as he does in gloss. Most of all, he is becomming quite the presenter of his works. Great Job Lt. I hope some day to get my 24ths and Zulu done. Mike.

[jimclouse]

Many collectors of plastic figures perfer figures left in their natural state. Do we paint or not paint and do we finish our figures using a Matte or Gloss Paint. Open for discussion....The Lt.

Nice Job on your Diorama.... I know this is an old message that I'm responding to, but here's my answer followed by a question. Regarding painting or not painting plastic figures and the kind of finish I use for painted ones: I personally will do both. Of course, my vintage Marx collection will remain unpainted. I also have the Barzso/TSSD Stalingrad set that as of now, I'm leaving unpainted..I just like the way it looks, although I have started painting a few extra TSSD WWII guys. There's a certain charm in unpainted figures - at least for me.

I have a lot of Barzso's Pirate range including the Treasure Island Pirate Ship. I WILL be painting all this stuff someday (for a large diorama) and will mix in other manufacturer's figures, especially for the British.. When you're mixing makes of figures I think painting them helps to blend them all together. I also convert some figures to give myself additional poses. OH - and I always use a matte finish on my figures.

Now for my question: recently you mentioned that you would like to see Conte's Zulu's in metal... My question is why? If the plastic figures look as good (or almost as good) and when painted there's very little difference... why go to the extra expense of metal figures? I'm just curious about it.. that's all.

Again, Thx for posting your photos - I've enjoyed looking at them..

Jim