Ellen Stone, Cowgirl: Figure 168 of 265

     This week I completed the Ellen Stone, Cowgirl figure as I begin working on the Chronoscope set.  This figure is notorious for it's missing nose (another Bones I casting error), and I know some folks have painted the figure like an alien for space-cowboy settings because of its almost snake-like facial appearance.  I, however, wanted to see if with generous shadow and highlight, could get her looking more normal in her face, and so decided to paint her like a normal woman.
    As I studied how I wanted to paint her, the fact that she wasn't wearing anything under her shirt was obviously apparent.  I thought about painting the shirt white, and as I thought this it occurred to me that it might be neat opportunity to try and attempt a level of translucency to the shirt, as might occur with a thin white cotton shirt.
       I prepped the figure in the usual way; soaking it in a dish of water with a couple drops of dish- soap added, then giving it a light scrub with a soft toothbrush, and then rinsing and drying.   I then glued the figure to a 1" black-primed fender washer with Aleene's Tacky glue, and glued the washer to a tongue depressor with a couple drops of Elmer's White Glue.

      I began by painting her hands, face, and entire torso with Americana "Shading Flesh". I then painted her shirt with Americana "Dove Grey".  When this was dry, I went back and gave the shirt a wash with some of the "Shading Flesh" heavily thinned with water.  This caused it to flow into the creases that would be laying closer to her skin.  I then mixed a little of the "Dove Grey" and "Shading Flesh" together and painted the shirt where it lay directly on her breasts. I then took some of the "Dove Grey" and retouched up all the raised creases in her shirt, and where the placket ran down each side of the front.

      Next, I painted the pants with Crafters Acrylic "Navy Blue" and then her chaps with Accent "Mustard Seed".  I then painted her duster with Americana "Khaki Tan".  I worked on her hair next, painting that Apple Barrel "Burnt Sienna". Then I did her gun stock and grips with Crafters Edition Spice Brown. Her belt and shoes I painted  Americana "Asphaltum", and her holsters Crafters Acrylic "Cinnamon Brown". I painted her neckerchief with Folk Art "Deep Tomato Red"

    When all the paint had time to dry, I gave the figure a wash with Winsor Newton "Peat Brown" ink using a wet brush, being very careful to not let any get on the white shirt.

     When the ink wash was dry, I began on the highlights.  I did the eyes first, then I worked on the face, hands and chest, using the base "Shading Flesh" first, and then Crafters Acrylic "Flesh" second to do lighter highlights.  I added a little White to do the very tip of the nose and the chest.  I then did the lips by mixing some of the "Shading Flesh" with the "Deep Tomato Red". I mixed in a little white to do the lip highlights. I added eyebrows with the "Burnt Sienna".   Next, I worked on the hair, drybrushing it first with the base "Burnt Sienna", and then with Americana "Georgia Clay", then painting on finer highlights with Americana "Burnt Orange".

   I moved to the shirt next, painting on highlights with "White".  I then highlighted the chaps with Ceramcoat "Raw Sienna", and the duster with Crafters Edition "Taupe". I highlighted the shoes and belt with the "Cinnamon Brown", the holsters with the "Spice Brown", and the gun stock and grips with Americana "Sable Brown". I highlighted the neckerchief with the base "Deep Tomato Red".

    Next, I did the metals; painting the guns' metal parts  with Accent "Princely Pewter". I then painted the belt buckles with Ceramcoat "Metallic Pewter", and then used this color to add highlights to the guns' metal parts.  I wrapped up by painting the white base with Ceramcoat "Walnut".

     After the figure had the afternoon to dry, I gave it a coat of Ceramcoat "Matte Varnish" in the evening.  The next morning I flocked the base, using both a sand mixture and regular green flock; and later that afternoon I sprayed the figure with Testor's Dullcote. 

   

     I'm happy with how she came out; particularly the face, which I think is one of my best to date.   Despite it's casting flaws I'm very pleased with this figure.

The Nun: Bones II Figure

    This week I painted the Nun from the Bones II Pulp Action Set.  Once again, I was very pressed for time earlier this week, so I selected a figure that would be quick and easy to complete.
      I prepped the figure in the usual way; soaking it in a dish of water with a couple drops of dish- soap added, then giving it a light scrub with a soft toothbrush, and then rinsing and drying.  I then glued the figure to a 1" black-primed fender washer with Aleene's Tacky glue, and glued the washer to a tongue depressor with a couple drops of Elmer's White Glue.

    I began by painting her habit entirely black.  I then drybrushed it with Folk Art "Settlers Blue". I then painted her face and hands with Apple Barrel "Apple Flesh"

     Next, I painted the white parts of her habit.  I then gave her face and hands a wash with Winsor-Newton "Peat Brown" Ink using a wet brush.

     When the wash was dry, I painted her eyes, (See a detailed tutorial I did on painting her eyes here.) I then highlighted her face and hands using the base "Apple Flesh". Next, I painted her gun Black, and while I had the black out I added two quick eyebrows.  I then painted the cross necklace around her neck with Crafters Edition "Spice Brown".  When it was dry, I gave it a careful light wash with the "Peat Brown" ink. I then went back and added highlights to the gun with Accent "Princely Pewter".  Lastly, I painted the white base of the figure with Ceramcoat "Walnut".
       I let the figure sit overnight, and the next morning I gave it a coat of Ceramcoat "Matte Varnish".  Later that afternoon I flocked the base. The next morning I sprayed the figure with Testor's "Dullcote" spray varnish.
     (As a side note, I didn't realize until I was editing these pictures, that I had totally forgot to paint the rosary hanging at her waist.  I'm going to have to go back and add that in now that the figure is finished.)

   I'm pleased with how she turned out.  I think the sculpt has a good bit of character to it.

Bonnie: Figure 114 of 265

     This past week I completed Bonnie from the Zombie Hunters Set.  This finishes that set, and it joins the list of completed sets over on the right.
      I began my preparation of this figure in the usual way; soaking it in a dish of water with a couple drops of dish soap added, then giving it a light scrub with a soft toothbrush, and then rinsing and drying.  I then glued the figure to a 1" black-primed fender washer with Aleene's Tacky glue, and glued the washer to a tongue depressor with a couple drops of Elmer's White Glue.

  

Note: The red splash on her arm is just a sloppy drip from something else I was painting!

 I began the painting process by giving the whole figure a wash with very thinned black ink with just a pin head drop of dish soap in it.  This ink wash settles and dries into all the crevices and creases in the figure, and helps me to see all the sculpted detail, so I can keep my paint in the lines. :)  
   When the ink wash was good and dry,  I painted her skin with Americana "Mocha", then I painted her shorts with Aleene's "Deep Khaki", and her shirt with Americana "Khaki Tan".  Lastly, I painted her socks with Aleene's "Dusty Khaki".

 Then, I painted her boots, and belts with Ceramcoat "Walnut", and the stocks of the two guns on her back with Americana "Charcoal Grey".  Her hair I painted Accent "Real Umber".  The wraps on her wirsts I painted with GW "Camo Green"

At this point I gave the whole figure a wash with thinned Winsor-Newton "Peat Brown' ink.

When the ink was dry, I painted the guns in her hands, and the two in her shoulder holsters, black. I then painted her face, starting with her eyes; first with black sockets, then white "whites" ,and then black pupils.  Her lips I painted with Americana "Shading Flesh". I then highlighted all her skin with the base "Mocha". I now went back and did a light dry brush of the black guns with GW "Shadow Grey". Next, I gave all her clothing highlights with the base colors I had used.  Lastly, I painted her belt buckle and the butts of the two guns on her back with Ceramcoat "Metallic Pewter".
   I let the figure sit over night, and the next morning I gave it a coat of Ceramcoat "Matte Varnish".  Later that afternoon I flocked the base, and the following day I sprayed it with Testor's "Dullcote" spray varnish.

  Well, I'm not terribly happy with this figure.  I love the dynamic sculpt, but my color selection really made her look washed out.  I don't think the skin tone goes with the green oriented color scheme of her outfit at all.  The sculpting on her face also was odd.  As with many of the Bones figures, the nose was not fully cast. And her eyes were deeply slanted which, given my lack of painting skills, just turned out making the face look odd rather than mad or determined.

Figure 114 of 265: Complete

Berkeley, Zombie Survivor: Figure 113 of 265

This week I painted Berkeley, Zombie Survivor from the Zombie Hunters set. Since I am already half way though this set, I figured I'd just wrap it up this month.  I'll paint the last figure this week.
     I began my preparation of this figure in the usual way; soaking it in a dish of water with a couple drops of dish soap added, then giving it a light scrub with a soft toothbrush, and then rinsing and drying.  I then glued the figure to a 7/8" black-primed fender washer with Aleene's Tacky glue, and glued the washer to a tongue depressor with a couple drops of Elmer's White Glue.

   I began the painting process by giving the whole figure a wash with very thinned black ink with just a pin head drop of dish soap in it.  This ink wash settles and dries into all the crevices and creases in the figure, and helps me to see all the sculpted detail, so I can keep my paint in the lines. :)  

When the wash was dry, I started by painting all her skin with Apple Barrel "Flesh". I then painted her pants with Americana "Wedgwood Blue", and her shirt with Americana "Avocado".

Next, I painted her boots with DecoArt "Cinnamon Brown",  her belt and holsters with Americana "Asphaltum", and her hair and the weapon grips with Americana "Charcoal Grey". The chainsaw housing I painted GW "Blazing Orange", and the zombie arm gripping her pants cuff I painted GW "Rotting Flesh". I then added a splotch of Folk Art "True Burgundy" to the stump of the zombie arm.

When all of these base colors had had time to dry, I gave the whole figure a wash with thinned GW "Agrax Earthshade".

 When this wash was dry, I drybrushed her hair with Folk Art "Golden Harvest", then Americana "Moon Yelow, and lastly, Americana "Buttermilk".  I then painted in her eyes, doing shadows with black, then white "whites"and lastly black pupils. Next I did her lips with Americana "Shading Flesh".  I then added highlights to her face, arms, and midriff with the base "Flesh" color.  I also highlighted her jeans and shirt with those base colors as well.

     I then painted the blade of the chainsaw, and the butt of the shotgun with Ceramcoat "Metallic Pewter".  When this was dry, I painted the very edge of the saw-blade  with un-thinned black ink. I then added a splatter mark on the blade with the "True Burgundy". I also painted the chainsaw's handles black.  Lastly, I painted the figure's bare base with the "Cinnamon Brown" to help hide the white before flocking.

     When everything had dried overnight, I painted the figure with a coat of Ceramcoat "Matte Varnish".  I let this dry several hours and then flocked the base.  The next morning I sprayed the figure with Testor's Dullcote" spray paint.

          I think this figure turned out well.  It was rather a straight forward paint job.

Figure 113 of 265: Complete

Deputy Wayne Tisdale: Figure 103 of 265

     This week, I painted the Deputy Wayne Tisdale figure from the Zombie Hunters set.   I selected a nice simple figure to do, to get myself back into the Bones painting groove. 
    I  prepped this figure in the usual way; soaking it in a dish of water with a couple drops of dish soap added, then giving it a light scrub with a soft toothbrush, and then rinsing and drying.  I then glued the figure to a 7/8th inch black-primed fender washer with Aleene's Tacky glue. I then glued the washer to a tongue depressor with a couple drops of Elmer's White Glue

I decided to do a simple blue-toned uniform, based loosely on the local police here where I live. So, I began by painting his pants with Apple Barrel "Navy Blue", followed with doing his shirt with Anita's "Baby Blue". I painted his hat with Folk Art "Medium Gray".

When these colors were dry, I gave the hat a wash with thinned Black ink, and the shirt and pants a wash with thinned Iron Wind Metals "Dark Blue" ink.  I let this dry, and then painted his shoes, belt, and belt accessories with black paint.  I then painted his head and arms with Apple Barrel "Apple Flesh".  Next, I painted the handle of his pistol, as well as his hair, with Americana "Asphaltum".

I let things dry a couple minutes, and then gave his arms and head a wash with thinned Winsor-Newton "Peat Brown" ink.  I painted patches on his shirt with the "Navy Blue", and the hatband behind his head with black.

  I then added Apple Barrel "Yellow" details to his patches.  I painted in his eyes white with black pupils, and then did highlights on his face and arms/hands with the base "Apple Flesh".  I painted, what I assumed to be a toothpick in his mouth, with Americana "Khaki Tan".  Lastly I painted his badge, belt buckle, and the butt of his pistol with Ceramcoat "Metallic Pewter".
   After this all had a couple hours to dry, I painted the whole figure with some Ceramcoat "Matt Varnish".  I then let this sit overnight, and the next day I flocked the base.  That afternoon I sprayed the figure with Testor's "Dullcote".

Over all I;m pleased with the paint job on this nice simple figure.  I'm also very happy to be back in the Bones painting saddle again. :)

Figure 103 of 265: Complete

Horace Action: Figure 102 of 265

   This week, I took a break from painting fantasy, and painted the Horace Action figure from the Zombie Hunters set.
    I  prepped this figure in the usual way; soaking it in a dish of water with a couple drops of dish soap added, then giving it a light scrub with a soft toothbrush, and then rinsing and drying.  I then glued the figure to a 7/8th inch black-primed fender washer with Aleene's Tacky glue. I then glued the washer to a tongue depressor with a couple drops of Elmer's White Glue

  I began painting, by doing all the skin with Apple Barrel "Apple Flesh".  When this was dry, I went back over the skin areas with Americana "Asphaltum".

Next, I painted the pants and the hair with plain black.

When the black was dry, I went back over it, drybrushing it with Duncan "Slate Blue" to give it highlights.  I then painted the shirt with Folk Art "Metallic Blue Sapphire".

When the shirt was dry, I went over it and added highlights to the raised areas and edges with Folk Art "Pearl Aqua Moire".  I then painted the belt buckle and necklace with Ceramcoat "14K Gold", and the pistol with Ceramcoat "Metallic Pewter"

  I wrapped up the figure by doing the eyes white with black pupils, and added some highlights to the raised areas of the skin with some of the "Asphaltum" with a little of the "Apple Flesh" mixed in.  Lastly, I painted the figure's white base with the "Asphaltum" to make it less visible when flocked.  I let the figure sit overnight, and then gave it a coat of Ceramcoat "Matte Varnish".  The next morning I flocked the base, and later that afternoon I gave it a spray coat of Testor's "Dullcote".

  I pleased with how this figure turned out.  I had envisioned doing a satin shirt effect when I first contemplated the figure, and I think it came out really well.

Figure 102 of 265: Complete