Conquering the Basics: Painting Your First Miniature Figures

In this video, Jon looks at where to start when painting your very first 1/35 scale model figures using an old kit from Tamiya... The World War 2 US Army Infantry set. If I can get a great result on a 50-year-old kit, anyone can!
**This video is NOT sponsored. Some product links are affiliate links which means if you buy something we'll receive a small commission. **
Reference Videos:
The EASIEST way to build your FIRST scale model figures - Tamiya 1/35 WW2 US Army Infantry Set • Master Scale Model Fig...
Painting this Awesome 1/10 Roman Legionary Bust • Painting this Awesome ...
Which Magnifier Is a Model Painters Secret Weapon!
• Which Magnifier Is a M...
Will Tamiya Fine Surface Primer solve your Priming Woes?
• Will Tamiya Fine Surfa...
Unexpected Result After Trying AK Interactive Primer and Microfiller
• Unexpected Result Afte...
THE KIT I USE:
BONUS FOR FLYING RAVEN VIEWERS!
If you enter the code BEN7183 at check out when buying anything through an Element Games Link (see below), you will receive double "Element Crystals" (store credit) on your order!
EQUIPMENT AND PAINT BRUSHES:
- Jucoci Wooden model painting handle:
Amazon: amzn.to/3SKOjwp
- Rosemary & Co. Series 33 Kolinsky Sable round brush
www.rosemaryandco.com/pure-ko...
PAINT:
- AK Interactive 3rd Gen WWII US Army Soldier Uniform Colors set
Amazon: amzn.to/3IoMNMV
- Vallejo Model Air Deep Sky
Amazon: amzn.to/3T7gzc7
- Vallejo Model Air Skin Tone
Amazon: amzn.to/3Epxy5n
- AK Interactive WinterStreaking Grime:
Amazon Link: amzn.to/3RHOVBp
- Element Games: elementgames.co.uk/element-es...
Humbrol 125 ml Acrylic Thinners
Amazon Link: amzn.to/3CEPbNf
Humbrol 125ml Enamel thinners
Amazon Link: amzn.to/3rAxaJU
THE KIT I USE TO MAKE MY VIDEOS:
- Camera: Panasonic LUMIX DC-GH5
Amazon: amzn.to/3yq2b7b
Wex Photography tidd.ly/3rGFQhT
- Microphone: SYNCO Mic-M2S
Amazon: amzn.to/3T436C5
- Mic arm: WANBY 11 Inch Articulating Friction Magic Arm
Amazon: amzn.to/3Cgi0OP
- Camera stand: Flexible Arm, ULANZI LS08 Overhead Camera Mount,
Amazon: amzn.to/3ebYcnI
- Tripod: Neewer Portable 56 inches/142 centimeters Aluminum Camera Tripod amzn.to/3CHRejY
- Lighting GODOX SL100Bi
Amazon: amzn.to/3MlOBHK
Wex Photography tidd.ly/3CCwvxQ
- Editing software: Hitfilm Express #FXhome
CHAPTERS:

[@martinoconnor4314]

Hi mate, great vid and I have picked up some tips..... but....why go to the trouble of zenithal priming the figures then obliterating the highlights and shadows created by the priming?
I'm no expert figure painter but the way I learnt to take advantage of zenithal priming is by building up the top colour with very thin glazes so that the highlights and shadows still show through.
Since I started painting with glazes I very rarely need to mix any lighter or darker shades of the top coat colour for highlights and shadows.

[@FlyingRavenStudios]

Hi mate, great question. Yes glazing is certainly one technique you can use and it does work really well with a zenithal highlight as you say. Also the blue and tan will definitely have a greater effect through a glaze.
For this video I was trying to keep things really simple. Also what was very interesting was that the AK paints where a lot more opaque than I was expecting!
However, the reason I still like to use a zenithal highlight like this with more opaque paints (opposed to a glaze) is for two reasons really.
1) It means I can see the detail a lot easier. In this example, I used a more global zenithal highlight rather than a directional light source as it simply helps to pick out the detail.
2) It gives a better idea where the shadows and highlights will go which can be useful as a guide. But this admittedly is most useful if you are using a directional light source.
Of course it is all down to personal preference and painting style, but that's my logic behind why I still used the zenithal highlight for this project.
Hope that helps and makes sense!

[@martinoconnor4314]

@@FlyingRavenStudios Thanks for your reply mate, i wasn't criticising I was just wondering. I totally agree with the zenithal priming showing up the detail, when done with black and light grey for black uniforms (Panzer crew) the figures look like old B&W photographs. I use a mixture of colours for priming dependent on the uniforms finished colour eg. dark brown overall and flesh tone highlights for tropical uniforms. Black and white is too stark a contrast.

[@FlyingRavenStudios]

@martinoconnor4314 no worries, I didn't take it as criticism 😁. Out of interest, do you prime and then spray the various base colours? Or do you use a range of different coloured primer paints depending on the subject you are painting?

[@martinoconnor4314]

@@FlyingRavenStudios Sorry for the delay in replying, MOT time 😭.
I usually prime with two shades that will work best with the top coat, I did try three but it wasn't really worth the extra effort.
I usually prime with Tamiya acrylics and top coat with very thinned glazes of Vallejo Model Color. Do you have an email address that I could send pics to?

[@FlyingRavenStudios]

[e-mail] 👍