My Geisha Girl

[Greg37985]

This will be my entry into the group build, infact my first group build gulp!! she is a 120mm semi flat figure made of Resin and she is currently on her way to me in the post. so more picys and plans on how I intend to tackle her when she arrives.

[longlance67]

Greg,

She should paint up to be a beautiful piece indeed mate



looking forward to it



Shane.

[Coen]

Wow... that will be a challenge to paint Greg.
Tonnes of subtlety. Lots of room for creativity with the robes.
Great choice buddy!

[gosselin2112]

This genre/ medium of figures is getting popular. I like the subject and wish you all the best in the journey.

[fly1ngdutchm4n]

Good luck man!
looking forward to see this progress!

[Paul]

Good luck, look forward to seeing it started

[T3hGuppy]

Nice one dude.

Look forward to this one.

[Lee]

Look forward to seeing her 'dress up'

[Rob]

Lovely figure, good size too. I look forward to seeing this one in all its glory.
Good luck
Rob

[Greg37985]

She has arrived! So this is my opening salvo.. here she is in the packet.
On the picture of the full model I have positioned it with light hitting it from the rear and I will use this to determine the shadows and highlights.
for this model. Next stage cleaning and priming.

[Modelpro72]

Very nice Greg. I'm looking forward to your thread.

Lenny

[Coen]

Holy crap Greg, she's gorgeous!
I'll look forward to watching this.

[Greg37985]

Coen, the resin model isnt bad either

[Coen]

Ah hahahahahah

[Greg37985]

Right as mentioned in my previous update I was at the priming stage.
This was done with 2 thinned down coats of Humbrol matt white enamel and applied with a brush.
I then added the first layer of shading. The aim is to create a monochrome effect to aid the application of thin colour layers. This technique was used by the old masters to give there paintings depth.
The first layer has been applied to the deepest shadows.
The light source is entering at the top Left hand corner down to the right hand corner

The shading colour is not Black as this is to harsh and to counter this I have used a Burnt Umber and Prussian Blue mixture using Americana craft paints (the Type you find in Craft Stores).
This was thinned down with water and applied in layers to build up the shadows.
So the next stage I will repeat the above using white added to the mixture and less blue to make the shading more subtle.
I have picked up a lot of the above by visiting sites and blogs of Flat figure painters and there work is breath taking to put it mildly.
So I hope in the next post to have the pre shading done and make a start on the face

[Coen]

Holy Crap Greg... you sound like you know what you're doin...
I like you... I'll be following your thread that's for sure. Haha.

[Greg37985]

Ive kinda got my head around the theory behind painting these things I just hope it pays off.
I`m really enjoying it so far anyway, doing my entry and seeing everyone elses.

[Nige201980]

Looks great just like that mate really like it well any Japanese art stuff lol

[fly1ngdutchm4n]

she's beautiful mate!
I like what you did with the pre shades

Good luck on further progress!

[Greg37985]

Hi, Ive made a start on the flesh tones for my geisha. As you can see ive done her shoulder flesh tones and her face in traditional make up I think it gives the whole thing a bit of contrast.
The flesh was achieved using vallejo (Vj) dwarf flesh from their game colour range.
For the light tones varying degrees of Vj white as added in thin layers right upto the tip of the shoulder
and pure white was added for the final highlight.
For the shadows craft colour Red and burnt sienna was added and was painted from dark to light.
Ive used a very thin mixture of paint on all of the above building up consectuive layers.

The face started with 2 coats of white with a tiny amount of light grey its bearly noticeable but it has to be as subtle as possible.
Again a tiny amount of blood red Vj was added to the white mixture,tiny amounts of this colour was blended into the cheeks then a a slighty darker mixture was painted around the eyes as well.
The lips were painted in blood red and darkened in the corners with burnt umber. the bottom lip was highlighted with a touch of white.
The eye make up was added using a mix of red an burnt umber.
The eyes were painted in burnt umber and highlighted with a dab of white.
Pheww!! well I`m fairly pleased with the result so far but it still needs a lot of tidying up on it




I have also statred to do some work on the Kimono having added more base shading for my foundation shadows.
The kimono is lined in various colours so these will make a nice contrast to the outer garment which
will have a floral design on it.
Ive added a base colour and the pre shading is doing its job nicely, I will however add this these tones to make them stand out more.



Well thats all for this update I hope all your projects are going well and you are enjoying the challenge as much as I am. I wont be saying that when I tackle that floral design on the kimono.
Keep painting everyone

[Nige201980]

WOW mate she is beautiful.

[Coen]

This is the closest thing that we have to a face drop smiley Greg.
She's gorgeous dude.
I had no idea you were that artistic. This isn't just a figure painting, it's art as well.
I can already tell that she's going to be a show stealer.

[Greg37985]

OOooh I dont know about that Coen, thankyou all the same
I think there is going to be a full house of well painted figures and people have done something thats opened up new avenues to them when this is over.
Its been about 25 years since I did a big figure I was about 18 then, very impatient and easily distracted by the female of the species and nights out with the boys
I think I`m a bit older wiser and more patient now .
The model has been a joy to paint so far but I`m looking forward to doing my first 1/35 piece of armour when this is finished. Just got to get my airbrush and bits and pieces sorted out. I only live
25mins from Telford so the International IPMS show is on the horizon, so I shall be stocking up there.

[Coen]

Lucky....
One day I hope to be able to attend one of those big shows.
It'll be awhile though. My neck of the woods isn't known for a modelling mecca. haha.

Even for someone that hasn't touched a figure in years Greg you have a knack or something.
I've got a degree in art, so I can spot a bit of talent here and there, and I can see that you've got something there.
It's cool to see You aren't giving yourself enough credit.

[Greg37985]

Many thanks mate I hope my Armour modelling will come upto your standard oneday.
Yes it is a bit wild in your neck of the woods, you should do a model of Bigfoot there must be some in your neighbourhood.
Anyway get yourself plane and head on over here you can do Bovington tank museum whilst your at it.

[Rob]

What a beauty!

[Coen]

Many thanks mate I hope my Armour modelling will come upto your standard oneday.
Yes it is a bit wild in your neck of the woods, you should do a model of Bigfoot there must be some in your neighbourhood.
Anyway get yourself plane and head on over here you can do Bovington tank museum whilst your at it.

Tempting...

very very tempting.
Next summer maybe I'll do just that.

[Nige201980]

Many thanks mate I hope my Armour modelling will come upto your standard oneday.
Yes it is a bit wild in your neck of the woods, you should do a model of Bigfoot there must be some in your neighbourhood.
Anyway get yourself plane and head on over here you can do Bovington tank museum whilst your at it.

Tempting...

very very tempting.
Next summer maybe I'll do just that.

and Duxford and many other cool museums we have over here.

[Coen]

Oh If I came to England next summer guys... I'd be there a month. Lots of time to check out a good chunk of it.
I would make worth the trip. I'd have to drive up to Scotland as well and see where mine and my wife's peoples come from too.

[Greg37985]

Time for Part 4 of My Geisha Girl

This week I have been concentrating on tidying up some of the flesh areas as the zoomed in photos show every brush stroke yuck.
I've added the highlights to the hair using craft colours Wedgewood blue, I may add a tiny dot of white to this colour for a final highlight.

I have continued doing the kimono lining and I've gone for some bright colours (oh yes!), but this is
silk and my girl is a top Geisha so only the best for her .
Colours used are vallejo Magenta and Amarantha red
Ive laid down these base colours using thinned paint 50/50 water. Where there is an extreme highlight I have removed excess paint with a cotton bud (cue tip).
I have to add the shadows to these colours that will come next.
There wasnt much natural light when I took this photo resulting in the lamps that I have used deflecting back light off the model.
It doesnt quite show the depth of colour Ive achieved, saying that as I speak the sun has come
out and is now bathing the Shropshire countryside and Welsh hills in sun typical!



I am also starting to think about the main kimono design, luckilly there is a picture upon which this model is based and I will have a bash at reproducing it on my figure.



This is going to be fun

So before I go just a big thankyou for all you kind comments and messages and hope that all your subjects are going well to (superb from what Ive seen so far)
Keep painting everyone

[fly1ngdutchm4n]

Totally awesome! she's beautiful already. Top shelf painting

[Nige201980]

WOW brilliant mate and going to be beautiful when finished.

[Coen]

My head explodes with your awesomeness Greg.

This is gorgeous. You're doing a wonderful job buddy.
The Kimono will be a challenge I bet.

[T3hGuppy]

Hey hows this one coming along.

Dying to see that design for the cloth.