International Flat Figure Society - British Flat Figure Society
Flat Figures Painters Forum => Techniques => Topic started by: Isabelle on July 16, 2014, 09:02:55 AM
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Hello at all :)
I had bought there are 3 years on Fredericux Rex's internet shop, a piece of wood inclined and at the extremity an litttle piece of wood where put with some blue tack for example, the flats. It's a very good idea but I have used it but the problem was the flats weren't at the same level as the piece of wood inclined and I hadn't used it.
In his book, Mike Taylor say he use a base similar as for the round figures. But I think it mustn't be stable enough for 30 mn flats ? :P
What do you use as support ?
Thanks for your help :)
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I Blu-tack them on to small blocks of wood Isabelle. I am also interested to hear what other people do.
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If I understand correctly you are looking for a way to hold a 30mm two-sided flat while painting it and/or a means of displaying it after painting it. Try wood spools from a hobby craft store. They come in various sizes.
Si je comprends bien, vous êtes à la recherche d'un moyen de tenir un plat 30mm recto-verso en peignant et / ou un moyen d'affichage après le peindre. Essayez bobines de bois dans un magasin d 'artisanat. Ils viennent dans différentes tailles.
Glen
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That's a good idea, I think it's time for a raid on my wife's needlework basket. She won't miss a cotton reel or two. ;D
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I thought I saw someone using a wine cork and another using a bottle cap at WorldExpo. My friend Joe Videki, from Canada paints minis. Have a look at this page:
www.geocities.com/j (http://www.geocities.com/j)videki/TMWOJV-Index.html
to see his various ways including: a flat head screw into a dowel, the holder for a number of dowels, pinned bases with a holder, and corks. Lots of ways to make a creative holder.
For one side work I have taken black foam board of a size you prefer, cut a slot to hold the base AND glue another small piece of foam to the back. So when it sits on my work bench it is tilted with the top raised, like a tiny drafting board. I usually make it slightly larger than the piece so I can note the colors I am using on the board, in pencil.
I remember seeing old paint tins like Humbrol or Games Workshop being used. Those tiny jars of jelly at the hotel could work too. I guess it is what you feel the most comfortable holding onto, not only upright but upside down and sideways.
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A few pictures are better than a long speech
I have some little pieces of wood of different sizes; I stuck the figures on them with double side tape; so I can paint only one or several figures
[attach=1]
To paint I put the figure(s) on my easel so that it is just at the level of my eyes; so I do not have to bend over the table which is much better for my back !
[attach=2]
Just be carefull when you remove the figure from the wooden base; use a very thin blade
Eric
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If its single sided I used a piece of foam board with a slot for the base cut in it .For both sides and rond boss figures I stick them to a strip of wood I bought years ago .Napoleon isnt glued down but you can see the outline of a base .
The holes in the wood are for my Trackpass 1/43 figures which have paperclip type wire inserted in figure and base ,its not a great way of holding them :-[
http://i.imgur.com/yF4S47Hl.jpg[/img]](http://i.imgur.com/yF4S47Hl.jpg) (http://[IMG)
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Very goods ideas ! !
Glen thanks very much :) it's very practical because the size is more adapted than a standard base.
Be careful Roger :D If you're ready for a raid in your wife's needlework basket ........ try not to be prisoner of all the needlework of the basket :D :D :D
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Eric,
Thanks very much. It's a good solution. I have seen pictures with easel on the link of Zinnfigurenfreude Leipzig. But I wondered if it's solid enough to lean on the easel to paint ? And at what level do your hand is ?
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Glen,
Thank you very much for the traduction very kind of you :)
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Thanks very much Socko for your ideas and advices :). Is it possible to post photos to explain your post ? ;) It's would be very kind of you because my English has some deficiency :P :P :D Thanks very much Socko
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Well, Isabelle, there is no need to lean on the easel; in fact it is not so comfortable ;D ;D ;D
Just seat right on your chair; choose an adjustable office chair to put it at the right size; mine is at its lowest, but I am 188cm ::) ::) ::)
Then you put your two elbows on your table, take your brush in the right hand, maintain the easel with the left one (or reverse if you are left handed) and a few hours after you will have your painted figure :) :) :) :)
Eric
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Yes thanks very much Eric, I'll try your method :) and thanks for yours explanations because I'm left handed ;D ;D
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Alfsboy has a small black card at the bottom of his photo like I described. I just put a small support under and behind the top to tilt the card. I am on holiday and cannot send a photo.
See if this helps for ideas.
http://www.geocities.com/jvideki/images/100_2697-1200s.jpg (http://www.geocities.com/jvideki/images/100_2697-1200s.jpg)
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Hi Isabelle, sorry for the late reply.
I personally cannot paint using Eric's or Roger's way. I have to rest my hand so I can do the fine detail.
Here is what I use, it is made from parts of an old desk. The platform is raised at the back by an adjustable leg, and I have attached a strip of wood so I can place the foam board on it at either 90 or 45 degree.
[attach=1]
[attach=2]
[attach=3]
Then whilst it dries I place a small plastic pot over it to stop dust etc. You will also see the notes on colour mixes etc that I attach to the board with bluetack
Nicholas
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Hello Nicholas :)
Yes it's more something like it I'd like to use ! ! A very good idea too ! ! Thanks very much Nicholas ;)
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OK, so here's an idea for 2D Miniatures: a small painting platform of the type Nick made. A square piece of plywood, a notched strip at the bottom so the painted piece can be rotated to a 45-degree angle as Nick shows, and, rather than a single foot post, a foot piece that is the width of platform to improve stability. Dimensions, angle of the platform, and finish to be decided by people who know more about these things than I do (I hold flats in a jewelers vise or insert them into a slit in a piece of cardboard that I hold).
Table or shelf-top plate holders may also come in handy. These are also available at hobby craft stores and stores that sell frames.
Glen
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I cut a slit in a piece of scrap black foam board and paint on this. I like the black background. I also remove the front part of the stand before painting.
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PJ, not to go off topic here (well, maybe a little bit) but does the use of a black background alter your perception of color? I know some people swear by black or white primers, but I've always preferred a neutral gray. I would think a gray foam board might give a truer rendition of color. Just thinking out loud...
Glen
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To each his own, Glen. I know what you are talking about: perception of color and use of various colors on palettes and undercoats. I usually undercoat in white; my paper palette is either white or gray.
Many of my flats are displayed on a black background, so for me it feels pretty right. For others? ....maybe some would have trouble.
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Hi
After reading this thread ...I looked around for something better than
putting my current paint job on a piece of card
What I came up with has been a great help .... "The Helping Hands Magnifier"
must have bought this about twenty five years ago at least....I removed the magnifier
left with a weighty base and two crocodile clips on a bar and universal joint
I find it has really helped
Frank
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Looks cool - I have one of these buried some where as well that was a gift.
In my case I spray paint poster board that is then sliced up for holding my figures, though I only paint one side of the figure as I am too slow to do both...
mark 8)
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I too have started painting on black foam board like PJ. I tended to find that as I painted on a White background, when I put the finished figures their black background the colours did look darker than I thought!! :o
My painting stand is getting a bit old and there are a few issues with it! >:(
I need to adjust the angle of the piece as I get lower and I cannot do it on this :(
the 45 degree piece of balsa wood is slowly disintegrating!!! and I'm now on 53.5 degrees :P
I find that taking photo's is a big issue, and if I could adjust the base more I recon this would help enormously ;)
therefore, as Jack of all trades, master of not- one - of - them ;D I have a new design concept ready for my return from Eindhoven
It will be fully adjustable :o it will hold pieces at various angles :o and it will be heroic and glorious!!! :-\
OK it will probably look like sh*t, it probably won't work!!! and will probably fall apart when I first put weigt on it, but hey!!!!! looking on the bright side, it will look fantastic on the bonfire on November 5 th with the Catherine wheel going round on it !!!! ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
TRUST ME, I KNOW WHAT I'M DOING -- it'll be fine. ;D ;D ;D
Plans will be available should it be successful. watch this space!!!
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Looks Ok to me Willie ;D