What varnish or clear do you recommend over skin tones?

[BattleScale Collectica Show]

Hi all. I'm just putting the finishing touches on my 1/6 Scale BSG Apollo action figure. I'm planning on using Ammo Lucky Varnish over my acrylic finish. I'll be using ultra Matt over the outfits, but I don't like the look over the skin.

What are you master figure guys laying over the faces and hands?
Thanks for any tips and suggestions.
BSG

[stuartv]

I use Windsor and Newton Galeria Acrylic varnish (Matt, Statin and Gloss), all very good. Satin would give the skin a sheen, you can also mix the statin and matt to get the desired finish.

[BattleScale Collectica Show]

thanks for the suggestion. I was mulling over a satin finish...wasn't sure what others usually do.

[stuartv]

This airbrushes and brush paints very well. For airbrush I add 20% Vallejo airbrush thinner and 20% Vallejo flow improver.

[Steve Zuleski]

I'm quite a few days late seeing this question, apologies in advance.

This may sound crazy to a lot of guys, but I've been using Dull Coat from a rattle can foreverrrrrrrrrrrrrr, and forever. Very rarely do I run into an issue, but I prefer the solid flat finish on all my figures. There's nothing worse, imho, than a semi-glossy figure, unless of course, it's leather or rubber, etc, or even wet.

Experiment and see what works for you, hope that helps. Cheers, Ski.

[BattleScale Collectica Show]

thanks for the info. For the red/brown suede jacket I've gone matte, and for the tan cotton shirt and pants I went super matte. The black boots and belt both will be gloss....I'll be doing some test on skin tones with the Satin. Haven't had time to work on the figure last couple weeks. Once I'm happy I'll post some pics.

[dean48ws]

Apr 5, 2024 12:35:57 GMT -5 BattleScale Collectica Show said:

thanks for the info. For the red/brown suede jacket I've gone matte, and for the tan cotton shirt and pants I went super matte. The black boots and belt both will be gloss....I'll be doing some test on skin tones with the Satin. Haven't had time to work on the figure last couple weeks. Once I'm happy I'll post some pics.

No, please show us how it is now to encourage those of us who struggle with figures!

[dodgy]

I base coat in enamels and then work with oils. I've never used varnish on any of my figures. I'm happy with the finish of the oils themselves. When working with oils white spirit will result in a flat finish, whilst linseed oil will leave a more gloss result. Be careful with gloss on figures, it can result in an 'out of scale' effect.

[dodgy]

Apr 5, 2024 16:33:23 GMT -5 dean48ws said:

Apr 5, 2024 12:35:57 GMT -5 BattleScale Collectica Show said:

thanks for the info. For the red/brown suede jacket I've gone matte, and for the tan cotton shirt and pants I went super matte. The black boots and belt both will be gloss....I'll be doing some test on skin tones with the Satin. Haven't had time to work on the figure last couple weeks. Once I'm happy I'll post some pics.

No, please show us how it is now to encourage those of us who struggle with figures!

Deano, I'll make you a deal. I've never built a civilian truck, but if you want to have a crack at a figure, I'll have a crack at the dark side and build a truck. I've only ever built two cars, so auto modelling and gloss finishes are definitely out of my comfort zone. I'm happy to share any knowledge of figure modelling I can to help and I'm sure that Ski and others would too.

[BattleScale Collectica Show]

Apr 5, 2024 16:33:23 GMT -5 dean48ws said:

Apr 5, 2024 12:35:57 GMT -5 BattleScale Collectica Show said:

thanks for the info. For the red/brown suede jacket I've gone matte, and for the tan cotton shirt and pants I went super matte. The black boots and belt both will be gloss....I'll be doing some test on skin tones with the Satin. Haven't had time to work on the figure last couple weeks. Once I'm happy I'll post some pics.

No, please show us how it is now to encourage those of us who struggle with figures!

I'm far from an expert on figures. this one is a prototype so I have to be happy before I can share.

[dean48ws]

Apr 5, 2024 17:22:10 GMT -5 dodgy said:

Apr 5, 2024 16:33:23 GMT -5 dean48ws said:

No, please show us how it is now to encourage those of us who struggle with figures!

Deano, I'll make you a deal. I've never built a civilian truck, but if you want to have a crack at a figure, I'll have a crack at the dark side and build a truck. I've only ever built two cars, so auto modelling and gloss finishes are definitely out of my comfort zone. I'm happy to share any knowledge of figure modelling I can to help and I'm sure that Ski and others would too.

Cheers mate, but to be honest I have had a crack at a couple of figures but I'm not confident enough in them to post them up. In my opinion, you can represent a working truck with a satin finish, unless it's getting a wash every night, most trucks don't gleam for long. Or, build an older truck from the 70's or 80's, still build it however you want but go a matt or satin finish to represent 30 year old paint.

[dean48ws]

Apr 5, 2024 18:18:53 GMT -5 BattleScale Collectica Show said:

Apr 5, 2024 16:33:23 GMT -5 dean48ws said:

No, please show us how it is now to encourage those of us who struggle with figures!

I'm far from an expert on figures. this one is a prototype so I have to be happy before I can share.

I understand exactly where you are coming from. I've also done a couple of BSG builds, again, far from expert but great fun. Just finished watching Caprica.

[dodgy]

Remember that any modelling subject is a non guaranteed finish and don't be afraid to post. This is a very safe site, you will get nothing but encouraging feedback here. If you're open to learning no one will be judging, just offering assistance based on experience. We've all started somewhere.

[BattleScale Collectica Show]

here is what Apollo looks like after printing and supports removed.

[kyledehart5]

That looks like a very nice print.

[BattleScale Collectica Show]

I really enjoy working on these custom 1/6 scale PLA printed figures. But they take A LOT of work to get ready for paint.

[Mike]

I would love to have a crack at one of those figures. But the answer to your question for that scale is 50-50 matte and satin.

I will usually use a satin finish over acrylic before I apply oils and washes and then seal it with a matte finish. But I typically work in 1/35 with some excursions into 1/12. In the larger scales you can get away with a mild sheen for skin, but not in the smaller scales just for a note.

For example, I replaced the head on this 1/12 figure. I added a satin to the skin and gloss to the eyes and lips. The effects wouldn't work on a figure much smaller than this.



Please keep asking questions if you need any more help. Lots of good answers here.