Be sure to be honest as always with your critisisms and opinions - its the only way I grow.

Okay... first I think we need to know what exactly you started with, and what you did.

It kinda looks like you took an existing painted figure, and just went over it with some v-color. Did you strip the paint off to start with a clean base? Did you leave portions of previously existing paint before going over it with your paint? If so, what did you add?

I did do just that - I was told by a few here that there is no need to strip a toy when using VCOLOR - in certain spots i sprayed over existing black while letting some show thru and in most other places laid down new colors completely over the existing original colors - depending on the areas.

What exactly is V-Color?

Sorry if I sound like a Fresh Meat, but I'm actually picking up some figs to paint for the first time. I was just going to use some spray paint.

As far as the figure goes...
I like the under arms, you just need to work with the whole figure. Prime it and then put down your paint scheme over the whole thing.

What I'm planning on doing is buying a couple of figures and painting them over and over again until they look perfect.

vcolor is japanese paint - order it from Kaiju Taro

and as far as priming these toys i was ytold not to from a few real talented artists on here - the vcolor lays right down





what exactly do you mean ?

manimal, you should paint it all one color or strip it, then start from scratch. that way, the paint app on the figure is all yours

Just what I was going to say. Lay down primer (or just a color of your choice) down like a canvas, then throw down your own style. Plus it is better if you use all the same kinds of paints, this way they all look similar. For example, you don't usually want matte and glossy finishes on the same figure or even using spray paint and brushed acrylics.

Ahhh.. I see. What I think people meant was that while you don't necessarily need to "prime" a figure when using v-color, it's would probably be advisable from a creative point of view to start with a flat base-color to work with... a blank canvas so to speak.

I think the main issue that comes to mind is that it's pretty clear where you added on the flat colored paint over what looks like a metallic or shinier base, so there's too much contrast between the new and the old that doesn't marry well.

I'd give it an acetone wash to strip all the paint off, and then go over it with all new paint to really give your paint an opportunity to speak for itself... Right now, it's sorta like singing karaoke over a track with vocals already on it. Make sense?

ah yes i gotcha now - makes sense


lemme go strip this and redo


thanks for the tips

First thing that caught my eye was the bright red strips on the arms (of course.) I like the idea but maybe it's a strong and simple idea watered down by the complexity of the rest of the scheme. Maybe if the body had fewer colors, you could "work" that red effect in a few places and really make it pop. Plus, with the Hedorah of the movie in mind, you might want to make the irises of the eyes that same glow-y red to "unite" them with the other red areas. Er, assuming you're going to maintain that effect.

I just re-watched the movie this past weekend. When Hedorah sucks on a smokestack, his eyes turn red. I seem to remember that happening to some dorm-mates back at school, too.

xoconostle - ill do just that - i do think i went a little overboard in colors as well - was just so eager to see how this VCOLOR lays down on a hedorah - im startin over on this one

I have to watch that now, what movie is it??? heheh

It looks like the paint was a little think too, you might want to thin it out. When its like water you wont get spiderwebs either.

I don't know if its just me, but I have NEVER laid down a base color. There is no just no need for it and depending on what paint you use especially spray paint. A base will just be to think for these small detailed toys. V-color isn't "just" Japanese paint. It chemically bonds with vinyl, and vinyl only. Try painting on any other surface with it rub on some making tape and see what happens.

Being that it bonds will allow it to cover opaque. And after some experience you can really manipulate it. Paul will tell you , V-color has a lot of secrets. You can get some pretty good effects using just the thinner alone !

And I have been experimenting with a few new techniques. You can use other paints will it. You just have to lay them on top of the vcolor and not the other way around. Well so far that is what I have found. I treat it the same way I would treat oil and acrylic together.

Persoanlly I want to keep these traditional. Use the same paint as they use in Japan. So I would NEVER use spray paint on them. But to each his own. use what you happy with and enjoy it. Thats all that really matters.

Loco you still have some techniques that I cant figure out and want to learn

I thought these started out as blue blanks, so wouldn't the black be considered a base?

Mr. Moco always there to find the mistake ....

NOPE as a base I meant a >>> primer <<<<

I thought this was obvious bit I guess I was wrong.

Sorry... to make my self very clear .... I DONT lay down primers.

Thanks for being there locomoto

But to thin and it will spatter like a watter fall.

i found out it wasnt the ill mix of paint but rather too high a pressure - i removed a cap extension on the brush and just started sprayin a Godzilla fig - all is well



I dont plan to "prime" toys as some have suggested - it works for other toys but as LASH said this VCOLOR is like no other paint - it dries fast and does bond to the toy - i jus thave to rework olor layout and such - thanks for all the tips guys - resprayin this tomorrow and I should have new pics

stop showing this set dammit! every time I see it I kick myself

alright started new - gonna go real dark on this one instead - first pics so far

Manimal... did you really acetone it of just spray black on the eyes ??

Because if you gave it an acetone bath, you may be just one of the best around as it looks exactly as you had it before.

yep acetone bath then started over - i wanted to use the blue / green again but ultimately i dont think its gonna work - so this will go all black and keep in the LAVA tones instead - was able to make the orange glow a bit more and soften it with a cotton candy pinkish around the corners

re-did this to ease up the harsh contrast the glow underarms and give the body to one or 2 colors

- gonna go real dark on this one instead - first pics so far






[ Added: Fri Oct 05, 2007 5:54 pm ]

Oh, one more tip for any spider-webbing that might appear... I just load up my airbrush with some paint thinner, and go over the webbed areas after the paint has had some time to dry... seems to melt the webbing pretty well.

yes thanks for noticing and tipping me on that - i am having a bit o trouble with webs as one must when starting out - i thinned my paint twice and its milky in flow - i think i have to back my needle up as suggested by lash - i think my compressor is pushin harder than there is room to let paint out - in th efuture I think i will invest in a better compressor