Dumb question, but why do you paint shadows/lighting on model figures, but you don't do it on a car, plane, boat, etc.? It doesn't make sense to me. I thought maybe there's some reason I don't know. 
Explain to me why you paint shadows on figures, but not vehicles
- Thread starter Sluis Van Shipyards
- Start date
Many people do shade vehicles. Washes seem to be that. I don’t think the same type of technique works as well. Just a thought
I think because the figures are much smaller, and the shadows and highlights bring out the details. Not the same with a larger vehicle, although sometimes I'll dry brush highlights on a vehicle's intricate details.
division 6
Master Member
Pre and post shading an highlights on aircraft and vehicles.
Plus The washes for shading and dry brushing the highlights.
Plus The washes for shading and dry brushing the highlights.
mcusanelli
Well-Known Member
Not a dumb question at all! Figures need shadows and highlights not only to bring out the details, but to look realistic. We’re used to seeing people full sized, picking up natural light and shadows and various flesh tones, ect. Because we see that in each other in 1:1 scale, smaller figures, even 1/6 scale figures are too small to pick up the same amount of light and shadow we’re used to seeing, so they look flat and dull. Keep in mind that a smaller figures need more contrast than a larger one, but depending on what kind of effect you’re going for, it’s up to you, and when in doubt, less can be better. Hope that helps. I always recommend Shep Paine’s how to books because no one explained painting figures like he did and those books are a treasure trove of great information
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