Kjundude1

In 2009, I dedicated the whole year to try to improve my figure painting, with mixed results. As soon as 2010 came around, I NEEDED to build a model. So here is the one I built for the Atlanta Metro Show...it was my first model in over a year and it felt good. Comments always welcome.

Thanks, Guys. The kit is the Academy 2003 Abrams M1A1. I did some research and found that the kit came with tracks that were for the earlier Abrams M1A1, so I decided to do it in NATO camo. I AM NOT an amor guy, so I make lots of mistakes. One friend told me that I needed to change the caps on the road wheels to black, so I will. I will also replace the smoke grenade launchers (Thanks Robert.) I am now working on a Marder II with Voyager set and Friul tracks. That is a huge leap for me. I should have it done in a years or so...LOL. Chris Fontenot

I am not normally an armor builder. I needed a break from figures and I didn't want to start a ship project that would take a year, so I figured that this would be a quick (6 Weeks) little build. It did also give me a chance to learn a little more about armor. I painted with Polly S nato colored paints. Weathering was done with MIG and Vellejo pigments. Comments and advice always welcome.

Mike, That is a beautiful model. Chris Fontenot

This is a very nice start. I think this will be a cool figure. Chris

This should be good.

Beautiful work!

Thanks Jim.

Thanks Jim. I agree with your assessment, and I will work on that on the next one. Chris

Thanks Les and Jim.

Thanks for the kind words, Dick.

Thanks, Dick.

My other favorite general. Again, painted in Vallejo Acrylics. This is a 200 MM Verlinden Bust. The thing that I really like about painting with Vallejo and using inexpensive Velinden figures are they are great for practice. I have several that I have painted, then learned new skills, soaked the figure in rubbing alcohol to strip it and paint it again. Chris Fontenot

You are quite welcome, Ed. Dick, there are several good ways to do very nice painting. I have always used Vallejo acrylics, but many people do beautiful work with base of Acrylics and top coat of artist oils. Even people that do acrylics don't all do it the same way. The important thing is try different methods and find the one that works best for you and most imporant...just have fun. Practice, experiment and ask questions. Chris Fontenot

Lets liven this board up a little. This is a 250MM bust of one of America's best general of all time. It is a resin bust, scupted by Matt Springer for the APG. My painting skills did NOT do justice to a great sculpture. Comments and advice always welcome and appreciated.

A glaze is thinned paint about as thin as a wash, (don't let the paint flow into the creases) but take most of the paint off the brush and put a VERY thin coat over the transition lines or where you want to slowly build up color...let dry ...and do again. It takes patience, but the results are woth it....and it does take several thinned coats. Chris

Check out this one that I recently did: http://forum.ipmsusa3.org/index.php?showtopic=3865 On the tunic and cloak, I tried to get in many different values from dark gray to off white. This increases contrast. I also use glazes to defuse the lines between different color values. Chris

Dick, I am glad to help and I am still learning too. With the highlights and shadows, I am still learning to add the highlight color to the mix a little at a time to get a whole range of colors values and not just 3 colors. The trick to acrylics is learning to master the glazes. I have not done that yet, but I am still learning. Let me know if I can help you in any way. Chris Fontenot

This may help. Chris Fontenot

Ed, thank you for your kind words. This is a white metal figure, primed in Black Krylon primer. I actually worked on this one for about 4 weeks. I am a very slow worker. I did not do any undercutting. That would have created a nice effect. Again, thanks for the kind words. Chris Fontenot

It has been a while since I have posted here. This is a Pegaso 54mm Warrior monk. Matt Springer did a SBS on Timelines Forum on this piece, so I thought it was a great learning opportunity. This is only the third 54mm figure that I have evr done and my first attempt at so much white. It is completely painted with Vallejo Acrylics and weathered with Vallejo pigments. Advice and comments always welcome. Chris Fontenot

Kenny, It looks great. Chris Fontenot

Wonderfully done. Chris

Very nicely done.

It looks very nice.