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Painting
Preiser Model Railway Figures for your model railway layout (Courtesy of Pink Kar)
What better way to put the finishing touches to your model
railway layout by adding some great little figures to
compliment the beautifully crafted layout and railway engines
on display. Even better providing these model railway figures at
minimal cost makes it all the more pleasing.
You may think that the creation of your own model railway
figures is a monotonous task but when you view the end result,
I have a feeling you will be pleased with your work and have
found it a worth while exercise.
Remember that in a pack of 120 model figures, retail
price per figure is about 13p. At that sort of price the
chores and the monotony becomes worth while.
I can hear you saying, I got no talent, my craft skills to
paint these small model figures are not up to the job, well
don’t worry, with the information contained on this page,
skill level is minimal, just commit your self to giving it a
go.
All of the tasks described should be done with the figures
left on the spruce.
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If any of the
model railway figures have obvious moulding lines, which is
rare, then carefully scrape away from the figures with a
sharp blade or knife.
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Spray the
complete spruce with a matt black car primer, available at
Halfords or other auto centres at a reasonable price. Give
the model figures two light coats which is better than one
heavy one and allow to dry thoroughly.
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Adding colour
to the railway figures is easily done. For the colour coat use
 water
based acrylic craft paint, the liquid kind in a plastic
‘snap-lid’ minibottle. The colour is dense in a thin coat,
and dries quickly to a matt finish. It is also more
convenient to water wash brushes when you change colours.
The essential colours you need are a mid green, mid blue,
scarlet red, yellow, black and white; all other tints can be
mixed from these. Skin colour for the model figures can be tricky - most acrylic
paint ranges include a couple of flesh tones - buy both!
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Use decent
brushes; three will be enough for 00/HO size model railway
figures, preferably flat, certainly springy and coming to a
sharp point or edge. Floppy haired brushes will never
transfer paint properly.
Sizes? Smallest 0.75mm to 2mm.
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Paint the
faces of your model railway figures first and all fleshy
bits whilst still on the spruce. Load the brush with model
paint very sparingly and apply the paint almost dry, this
will allow eyes, mouths, wrinkles etc. to show through dark.
Attempting to paint good looking detail on faces is really
only effective on the G scale model figures.
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Now paint the
main areas of figures clothing using the same technique of
‘dry brushing’ used before. Have some pictures of actual
model figures or people as a guide for colour - holiday
snaps, colour magazines. Use each colour in turn, for
example each figure that is to have some blue on it is
painted at the same time. To lighten - mix in a little black
or white, use other colours to slightly change the tint.
Don’t worry if things become a little muddy, colour on many
model figures is far too bright. When all the blue variants
are done switch to another colour and continue with your
model railway figures.
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Do hair and
footwear followed by any detailing, belts, ties, scarves -
but leave the faces alone flat brush very gently floated
across raised features, again with nearly dry paint, will
give a perfect and almost life like result.
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When
absolutely dry neatly cut the figures from the spruce, touch
in the scar with appropriate colour and the job is done. No
need to seal with a matt varnish as paint scuffing on the
model figures generally won’t occur. For belt and braces use
any spray varnish but make certain it is absolutely matt.
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Fix the model
figures in position around your railway track on tiny beads
of Deluxe Tacky Wax DL49, this allows for repositioning of
the figures at any time and prevents broken legs if the
figure is accidentally knocked.
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Hopefully you
will find nothing to complex about this and the effect it
has on your model railway track layout is awesome,
particularly given the minimal cost and effort.
Thanks to Pink Kar for their contribution. If you have any
secret tips that you would like to share with us, then
please drop us an email at
feedback@stocktonmodeller.co.uk,
include your web address and we will link to you.
Cheers
Stockton Modeller Team
feedback@stocktonmodeller.co.uk
Stockists of Hornby, Bachmann and Heljan Model Trains, Coaches and
Wagons.
Also stock all accessories to compliment your set with full
kits available.
http://www.stocktonmodeller.co.uk
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