Digital M@ Posted October 19, 2004 Share Posted October 19, 2004 OK, I was convinced to overcome my fear of huge miniatures and have assembled and primed a dragon. Now, How the heck to I paint it? I can't attach it to a base because then I lose brush access to too much of the dragon. But, on th other hand, this thig is so big what else can I do? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lars Porsenna Posted October 19, 2004 Share Posted October 19, 2004 Buy an airbrush! Alternatively, I break it into sections and paint each section individually, going on to another after I'm done. This makes you feel like you're actually accomplishing something, but also allows you to maneuver the mini to a comfortable resting position so you can get at the details. Lay it on some soft foam (like they used to pack in blister cards or in figure cases) to avoid scrathcing the paint. This is what I've done in the past... Damon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thrush65 Posted October 19, 2004 Share Posted October 19, 2004 Which dragon are you painting? I attached Verocithrax to a wood block using several large head screws. The screw heads secure the integral base to the block very well so the model may be held upside-down with confidence. The wood block fits in the jaws of a Panavise as well so I can work on detail with the model in various positions. For smaller dragons and other larger models I hold the integral base or pins with a large clamp or Visegrip type locking pliers. If it's to be pinned I feel safer with screws (as a hold) on some models. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Enchantra Posted October 19, 2004 Share Posted October 19, 2004 Well, What I have done is work on all the pieces separately then glue them together. Depending on the size I have attached them to a base first. If they are huge I just do sections though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderator Froggy the Great Posted October 20, 2004 Moderator Share Posted October 20, 2004 Kaladrax I painted each peice seperately and then glued him together. For Marthrangul, I glued him together, then suffered severe pain in my left wrist from holding him. As soon as I got his underside done I glued him the heck to a CD and finished from there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Digital M@ Posted October 20, 2004 Author Share Posted October 20, 2004 Well after the headaches of trying to fit a wolfen together after it was all painted and then trying to match the custom colors I had painted a week earlier, I pinned and glued this mother together. I Primed him with two light coats of black followed by two light coats of white and put a single coat of red on most of his body. I got my camera charger to work and may do a WIP thread to discuss the process of painting large figs. I can tell it will be easier than I thought, but still very time consuming. I am really excited about it though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gwawl Posted October 20, 2004 Share Posted October 20, 2004 All of the dragons I have painted required filling and sculpting around the jointed areas with kneadatite so I do not paint parts and then assemble models. Even the relatively good models from Reaper do not fit well enough to skip the filling and sculpting detail stage. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
airhead Posted October 20, 2004 Share Posted October 20, 2004 gwawl, I agree and Matt, I could not imagine trying to reblend over GS. GS, pin & glue. Then prime & paint unless the piece is separate enough to not require blending (shield, wings, etc.) It was a pain trying to get the hydra painted after assembly. Those necks were TIGHT. DM, I would love to see your WIP pics. Especially as I have a Marthrangle that is still in the box waiting on me to get the courage to start. Early thoughts on him are that I will assemble all but the wings. Paint the main part, and the wings separately. Final assembly will be putting the wings on and any minor blending required there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Erion Posted October 20, 2004 Share Posted October 20, 2004 I, too, have Marthrangul sitting in a closet waiting for me to assemble him. I've done some larger scale stuff, but he will easily be the the biggest and most expensive single mini I have ever painted. I'm working on some new techniques on a bunch of Confrontation stuff before I even think about giving him a try. I do hope to have him done for a local painting competition next summer, though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paintminion Posted October 20, 2004 Share Posted October 20, 2004 Dragons! Always a good way to catch my attention. When painting any dragons, I pin/glue/putty first, prime the whole thing, double check it all...and then it depends on the dragon. In general I paint them on a tray...easy to carry back and forth for sealing as I go through the stages, as well as turn the model without touching it. I seal things really well so that I can handle the dragon...pick it up and hold it in position as I do the belly and undersides. Hold it on its side as I do underneath the wings. I have also been known to attach the dragon to large tuna fish cans to hold onto the can or a block of wood, and pile boxes underneath to bring it more up to eye level to paint certain areas like the face. Pretty much, though it's hands on with frequent sealing. (My last Golden Dragon of Chaos for Dark Sword took just about an entire can of Dull Cote). Pics can be seen in the Dragon Diaries on my site Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paintminion Posted October 20, 2004 Share Posted October 20, 2004 Bring it in, Digital, I'd love to see what you're working on and maybe I can help you out a bit in person. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Digital M@ Posted October 20, 2004 Author Share Posted October 20, 2004 I will bring it in. I was hopong on bringing it in this Friday, but my family has mad eplans for me I think you said you would be gone next week, so hopefully the week after, but I may be in Detroit then. I have to look at my Calendar. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paintminion Posted October 21, 2004 Share Posted October 21, 2004 AH, I'm gone for about two meetings...Anniversary and Birthday weekends...Back after November 5th weekend. So...can you wait that long? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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