Author Topic: New to Flat Figures  (Read 2792 times)

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Nicholas Ball

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Re: New to Flat Figures
« Reply #8 on: March 03, 2014, 04:46:11 PM »
Welcome to the site John.

There are many very good painters here who are only too willing to give you advice, on all topics, as you have already discovered,    all you need to do is ask ;)

Eventually,  if you find us a helpful lot, you may wish to sign up as a member, this will give you further access to all the past 111 Journals, which have interesting articles, again from painting through to figures available and general articles.  There are 4 Journals a year.

There is also a Workbench thread, where we post photo's of figures we are painting at various stages, these can also be very helpful.

What historical period do you prefer? or do you, like me, paint whatever takes your fancy?

I hope you enjoy painting your first flat, and I very much look forward to seeing it when it's done.

Kind Regards       Nicholas

John B

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Re: New to Flat Figures
« Reply #7 on: March 03, 2014, 03:40:52 PM »
Thanks to all for the information.  There sure is a large selection of figures to choose from.  I have ordered and received several figures from Berliner Zinnfiguren and The Little Tin Soldier.  I hope to post a picture of my first flat soon.

PJDeluhery

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Re: New to Flat Figures
« Reply #6 on: February 16, 2014, 10:59:51 AM »
Welcome aboard, John!

I agree with the advice below. LTS has the largest selection, but RL has things LTS does not. Both provide excellent service.

It might help to get out to a show and see some flats in person. Depending on where you live we could give you some guidance on that, if you like.

Also, check out the gallery section here.
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If the world is wrong; then right your own self...Brother Dave Gardner

Brian

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Re: New to Flat Figures
« Reply #5 on: February 16, 2014, 07:19:18 AM »
Hello John, you have two very good flat figure suppliers in the USA, very easy to deal with and trustworthy.

   Red Lancers
   The Little Tin Soldier

If this is your first flat that you'll be painting try and choose a basic figure, no Hussars or armour to start with just something nice and easy, then have a look at Glen's  SBS    http://www.intflatfigures.org/index.php?topic=1147.0   and ask questions as we're here to help
But have a go, 30mm has a different style to the bigger figures but it all comes down to techniques that you can learn. 

marko

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Re: New to Flat Figures
« Reply #4 on: February 15, 2014, 06:13:43 PM »
Welcome John,


You might try this thread and the report I wrote:


http://www.intflatfigures.org/index.php?topic=1101.0


It's titled Purchasing Flats the US Experience and has links and some feedback on a number of vendors.  It addresses exactly the question you are asking.

Good to know it was read...


Good luck and enjoy.


Mark  8)
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Glen

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Re: New to Flat Figures
« Reply #3 on: February 15, 2014, 05:55:20 PM »
Hello John,


In a nutshell there is wide variety of flat figures available from dozens of manufacturers. The figures generally range from 30mm to 100mm+ and pretty much cover all historical eras from the prehistoric to modern as well as fantasy/sci-fi. The historical figures cover all nationalities as well, but most focus on European history. There are large ranges of American Civil War pieces, Native Americans, etc. The traditional flat is engraved onto a slate block and cast in a white metal alloy. Some are two-sided. Pieces are sold as a stand alone figure or in sets. You can also get accessory sets (cannon, field equipment, etc.). Other flats are being cast in resin, but these are a distant second compared to the metal pieces. Other people (such as myself) scratch build their own. Most flats do not come with painting guides - written or illustrated. Additional research will be necessary if you are painting historical pieces - a Napoleonic era French Cuirassier for example.


Most of the vendors are in Europe and most of those seem to be in Germany where flats originated. You'll find a list of engravers and casters in the 'Links' above. I have not dealt with any of them (more on that further down). Much of the flat industry is a garage or kitchen-based enterprise. Some are larger than others and some are better at illustrating their wares better than others. Their web presence ranges from nothing to fully illustrated catalogs. Judging by comments on this site, there are a few who don't speak English, but most seem to be pretty good at getting back to you when you have questions.


In the US, the top dog flat vendor is The Little Tin Soldier http://www.thelittletinsoldier.com/catalog/ . The Red Lancer http://www.redlancers.com/ also has a few flats. I use the LTS for anything I don't make myself. The service is great and shipping is both reasonable and timely.


On a side note, flats are cleaned up/trimmed using the same modeling tools you use for plastic, metal,and resin models and figures. All should be primed and can be painted with artists oils, modeling enamels (Testors, Humbrol) or acrylics (Reaper, Vallejo, Andrea).


Do you haven any specific genres or scales you're interested in? It'll help narrow down the answers; otherwise, we'd fill a book...


Whereabouts in the US are you?


Cheers ...and welcome to the crazy. New guy buys the beer.  ;D


Glen


...and what Charles said.

Charles

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Re: New to Flat Figures
« Reply #2 on: February 15, 2014, 05:28:31 PM »
Hello John
Well, it's a vast subject, flats have been going for well over a hundred years, there are literally thousands of flats in almost every subject you can name. The traditional scale is approx. 30mm but larger scales are increasingly popular. Take your time scouring this site, the links, the galleries, the vendors etc.  We have collectors, painters, vendors, producers (editors as they are known), all on this site. Enjoy it!

John B

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New to Flat Figures
« Reply #1 on: February 15, 2014, 04:42:57 PM »
Hello.  I'm a long-time figure painter but new to the world of flats.  As a resident of the US I'd appreciate some hints on some of the best sources of flat figures and which vendors sell via the internet.  I'm also interested in learning more about the different varieties of figure producers available. Thanks.


John B