The Ship Model Forum

Hi All,

I recently gave these flea sized figures a try to populate some of my ships, they seem to look better with some figures.

My method is to use some Elmers' White Glue, Polyvinyl Acetate first. I apply it to each figure in turn using a round pointed toothpick to avoid getting too much on them and turning them into flea sized lumps. Once it hardens up I paint them, lightest colors first, graduating to the darkest. As you add the layers of paint they get even more mass lending a more 3 dimensional appearance. It also helps if you use either some clear Acrylic, I use Future Floor Finish, or spray on gloss coat like Testors' between each color coat to stop any bleeding from one color to the next. I have a 000000 round pointed brush from Dick Blicks' Art stores that I used for painting. These go for about $9 each, but they are sable brushes and high quality, if taken care of do last for some time.

If you are hesitant to do the painting trip, Eduards also makes prepainted sets, they currently have two different ones. You can add the White glue and as it dries clear the colors show through. One set is primarily intended as US Flight Deck Ops with the appropriately colored sweatshirts and the other is General Naval figures of the US variety in Whites and Light Blue/Dark Blue fatigue type wear. The Toms' Modelworks basic set is about $6 for 120 figures and the Eduards sets are a lot larger at double the price for about half again as many figures.

Once the Elmers' glue dries it is still capable of being bent to animate the figure, it is vinyl after all. Hope this helps.

I will admit to full blown AMS. My procedure is to select a figure with long outstretched arms and well separated legs. My favorites are the figures on Toms 1/700 set which meet the above description. I bend each figure to an animated position with a twist at the waist, moving the arms to a realistic pose, sitting position etc. I tend to do them in groups such as "walkers", "pointers", "rail leaners" etc. or as specific groups-three men loading sidewinder from cart to F-14. I place tiny drops of thick cna on a scrap of plastic and stand each figure in a row (I really wish someone would produce figures with one long leg which could be held in forceps then stuck into a piece of clay!!!). I then put a glob of "green stuff" on a palate and put Testors cement into a cavity and stirr it with a brush until it is thinned. I put a drop on the head of each, then a drop on both sides of the torso, then the buttocks, then the head again etc. When dry each gets a coat of flesh, then hair, then uniform, then hat. When you pull them out of the glue the feet will be bare metal and need touchup. This is my least favorite part of a project, but I then enjoy arranging the finished figures.

Try this.

http://www.warshipmodels.com/~users/MichelB/figures.bmp

Yes, 1/700 figures are, to say the least, EVIL!!!

Here is how I paint the little guys to give them some body.

1. I prime them with Tamiya Spray Primer.
2. I paint the whole figure the flesh tone color.
3. I paint the the whole figure (none flesh parts) with the shirt or jacket color.
4. I paint on the pants.
5. I put a drop of hair color on the back of the head. You can also put a drop of flesh color on the face.

I try to use unthinned paint when painting the little figures.

You can also put several coats of paint on them.

The more layers you use the more body they will have.

Take your time and have fun.

HTH

Gordon

I am getting ready to populate my refited Kumano. The PE figures look cool, but they are also flat... like anorexic flat. Any way to add some depth to them?

In addition, any good tips on painting the crews' uniforms? They are *tiny*.