Hi Job, I do recognize that situation: Spray varnish (in fact any varnish) very often ends up making my figures look too glossy or shiny too.

 

I haven't found the solution yet, but I have been recommended dullcote for wargamers, which I will try next. This one is supposedly good: http://www.testors.com/product/0/1160X/_/Dullcote_Lacquer - but as I said, I haven't tried it yet.

Thanks Mikkel,

Next week I'm going to my art shop and I will ask them if the now a solution for the problem.

One possibility I thought of is to use a diluted liquid varnish. But I didn't want to try that on the pastels.

And I don't have much spare figures to try that on.

Although the brightness of the yellow color disappeared, I'm content with the final result for now.

For the pictures I also used a different setting as last time.

Hi Job,

I like the definition in the skirt now. Light and shade is just what you want. I have found that Vellejo acrylic matt varnish is very good - as is all of their paints - and it doesn't disturb the paint underneath.

This is a 25mm wargaming figure of mine and illustrates the highlight/shadow effect that I would be aiming at, though it is very difficult to do on small figures. The flesh on the figure has been finished with the Vallejo varnish.

 

Hi Job,

 

I like the definition in the skirt now. Light and shade is just what you want. I have found that Vellejo acrylic matt varnish is very good - as is all of their paints - and it doesn't disturb the paint underneath.

 

This is a 25mm wargaming figure of mine and illustrates the highlight/shadow effect that I would be aiming at, though it is very difficult to do on small figures. The flesh on the figure has been finished with the Vallejo varnish.

 

 

Thanks. I think I have to do some experimenting with some Langley figures I won't use for my diorama's. 

Like your figure. I have now a Facebook like link to the Figure Painting Magazine.

Amazing to see what can be done, although it is on a bigger scale.

I wandered into our local Games Workshop while waiting for SWMBO, told them I was just browsing and a 4mm modeller, greeted like a long lost relative and given a guided tour without any sales pressure, also chatted to a couple of guys painting figures in the shop, who were quite prepared to give me a demo, and let me try my hand, if I had the time.

Don't know if this is typical of all GW outlets, but a bit of cross-fertilization never hurts. 

I don't know if there are Games Workshops in the Netherlands.

But I can try to find them on internet.

I did some research and found some useful information about thinning acrylic paints. This time I used for the base a 1:1 thinning with a acrylic medium. I read that other figure painters use a different self mixed thinning medium. Next time I will try the following one: 25% retarder / 25% mat acrylic medium and 50% water. Maybe I have to paint several light layers but that doesn't matter. For shading you have to thin the paint 1:4 and for washes 1:10.

I have still to learn a lot on this subject.

I tend to thin the varnish with water alone, and give several coats if required. My experience with retarder has always been problematical - my advice would be that 25% sounds like way too much. I use literally one or two drops at a time, but maybe different brands have different retardant effects.

I tend to thin the varnish with water alone, and give several coats if required. My experience with retarder has always been problematical - my advice would be that 25% sounds like way too much. I use literally one or two drops at a time, but maybe different brands have different retardant effects.

Thanks for the reply. Your information is very welcome.

I'm not really into using matt varnishes as final coats, but clothing is an exception. Over the years I've tried all kinds ranging from Humbrol, Railmatch and Precision enamels, GW, Testors and Microscale, but the most consistent true flat sprayed neat or brushed has been Windsor & Newton Galeria acrylic varnish bought from the local art shop.

It was the before and after photos of the Harrier on this thread which convinced me (external link):

http://www.britmodeller.com/forums/index.php?/topic/46166-winsor-newton-galeria-matt-varnish/

W&N also do a satin and gloss varnish in the Galeria range (useful to make up your own brew) and a varnish remover.

I'm not really into using matt varnishes as final coats, but clothing is an exception. Over the years I've tried all kinds ranging from Humbrol, Railmatch and Precision enamels, GW, Testors and Microscale, but the most consistent true flat sprayed neat or brushed has been Windsor & Newton Galeria acrylic varnish bought from the local art shop.

 

It was the before and after photos of the Harrier on this thread which convinced me (external link):

 

http://www.britmodeller.com/forums/index.php?/topic/46166-winsor-newton-galeria-matt-varnish/

 

W&N also do a satin and gloss varnish in the Galeria range (useful to make up your own brew) and a varnish remover.

Thanks. I have found that one on internet with some background information. The great advantage for me is that this varnish has low risks ( but I have always to be careful, and will use it with an open window) and is to thin with water. 

One other thing I read is that we have to let the acrylic paint dry for several days before varnishing. 

I have made my shopping list and this one is on it. I will also buy a transparent acrylic artist paint to see how I can use them by figure painting.

Figure painting is for my a truly new chapter to get it on a next level.