Painting Figures And A Puppy... The Armor Modeler Way!

My friends, this might be the quickest and easiest method to paint presentable figures!
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Disclaimer: Most of the weathering products I use in my videos such as Ammo by Mig Jimenez, AK-Interactive, Wilder and VMS were sent to me for free, but with no obligations to promote them. I received a lot of them a long time ago, even before I started this channel. VMS is also one of my Patreon supporters. Being independent from big and exclusive sponsorship deals and showing you a wide variety of different brands and products was one of the founding ideas of this channel and I will always stand by this.
Music: Quincas Moreira - Scratch the Itch - KZbin Audio Library

[@Cainite]

I just noticed that this month I'm 2 years subbed to some bohemian dude making plastic models dirty! 👍 To the next 2 years friendo!

[@RamenPoweredShitFactory]

Same here, time flies!

[@The_last_prime]

Wow youre becoming better and better, that puppy looks adorable.

[@harlech2]

MAH-FRENS!!!!!! That just never gets old. Hope you are still healing well.

[@treyzmodels422]

😂👍

[@ftanakasp]

Nice tutorial. Great videos thanks. Also the phrase “keep building models, do not collect them” is the best phrase in the plastic model hobby environment, great job.

[@komma8203]

First, i am a figure painter that has been watching youre stuff for a few years now. So tip for applying bodyhair, use thin paint and make thin small lines in the same direction

[@brianreddeman951]

Me: 40 yrs of figure painting to get to my skill level. Nightshift: ~one year Both: painting is fun

[@somethingorother319]

That's one way to look at it, but you have to account for his several years of painting in general too. Experience in the general field still counts towards sub-categories.

[@brianreddeman951]

@@somethingorother319 Well of course but he is a very talented artist far in excess of my own skills 😁 All admiration from me.

[@DiegoSableZub]

He is lying that for two years he has only been painting figures. This is a PR move. But it works beautifully, there's nothing to say. I adopted some of the tricks for myself.

[@ramboturkey1926]

for hair maybe a wide brush with separated fibers or a sponge and drag it across

[@bobrivett7645]

I've been painting figures for many, many years. Started with the 1/72 scale soft plastic figures. Those didnt include shadows, highlights or any blending. Started with 1/35 scale figure's in the mid 80's. I will tell every set of figures i paint is a learning experience. I was primarily a enamel painter, with model masters paints. When rustolem discontinued that line of paint i started buy AK, Mig and Vellajo paints, still learning how to use them. Anyway your little set of figures look very convincing too me. I love figures with vehicles and aircraft. I think they just add to a model, even if poorly done. So thanks for your tutorial video, it is much appreciated.

[@stephenbridges2791]

I like your result. There are some that say a very dark grey is actually a correct representation of black in 1/35 scale due to the scale effect. I have tried that and never was happy with the result, either. I have found that adding some type of blue to the color works for my eye. Saving black for darkest of the recesses. Two useful colors for hair in the Tamiya range are clear blue and smoke (clear black). These two thinned down to a filter consistency work for black hair. A mix of clear blue, clear yellow, and clear red work for brown hair. Since they are clear, your previous shading can still be seen. The smoke can also be used for shadows in a black uniform. Lately though, I have been using oils a whole lot more than I used to. I've been leaning that way more and more.

[@granola661]

Otherwise nice but they look like gollum with that yellowish skin tone

[@Brent-Nelson68]

There is no such thing as scale effect in regards to color.

[@warrencann3824]

I've watched heaps of figure painting tutorials AND I still learned heaps from this one! I think you already have hit on a unique style. They look brilliant.

[@feydrautha212]

You singlehandedly destroyed my figure paintig universe - it took me years of mastering figure painting with oils and you revolutionized it in one year! Bravo! Kudos! Gonna have to try out your method, that's for sure - thanks!

[@kaamoshaamu]

From the all the videos, I think these figures were one of your best ones. Small details.

[@mikoajbienkowski2305]

I absolutely love that in addition to watching cool video i get to have almost minute of puppy in the background of puppy being painted

[@secondarycontainment4727]

The color tint of the Caucasian face is Scalp/Forehead YELLOW, Middle RED (except under the eyes/eyebags are BLUE), the Muzzle is also BLUE. Try nudging your glazes slightly in those temperatures for those areas (maybe just do a light glaze in those areas at the end). I bet you will like the result.

[@coenvancamp1976]

If you’re interested; in the games industry we call those red skin tones in the face ‘sub-surface scattering’ or SSS for short.

[@canarc1]

It never ceases to amaze how talented dudes are in stuff you never even considered.

[@mikequandt7724]

Excellent job and thanks again for the tips. I've been a modeler for 51 yrs. Mainly armour now and did my first alpine figure recently. Can't wait to do another while using the techniques that you have shown. Thank you again!

[@jacobs_models995]

Not usually this early to one of your vids Uncle. My excitement for the final product and diorama is unmatched right now!

[@sergeytimchik1440]

Круто! Очень круто! Посмотрев твои видео новичкам не нужно покупать какие-то журналы и пособия. Ты очень понятно показываешь. Так держать!

[@beck645]

These videos are incredible! Has anyone noticed when he says “my friends” at the beginning that he sounds just like Gary Oldman playing Bram Stokers Dracula? To me he’s a dead ringer for him. I love listening to him speak. Excellent teacher. I’d love to sit with him and watch and learn.

[@rrl4245]

Totally agree with your points about diorama modeling - I consider the base one 'model', the figures another and the vehicle or vehicles (tanks, cars, trucks, APCs, etc.) still more...

[@FirstLast-ks6vm]

You keep saying "the figure painter method" but lemme tell you Uncle Nightshift, in twenty years of painting figures I've used it all... Acrylics, oils, enamels... You name it! Also doge is adorable 10/10

[@daniellejones5981]

You finally primed Flesh with white! I'm so Proud!

[@davidtebera4488]

On painting the arms the inside of the arms should be paler and a slight green while the outside a bit more warmer tones. What about experimenting with scratching/pressing the forearms with a piece of sandpaper say, 360 grit to cause slight dimples/slashes that you can then highlight to show forearm hair.

[@earh0xable]

Oils and enamels are becoming a lot more common in miniature figure painting. I use them quite often. It’s cool to see how a scale modeler approaches figure painting. Great video, as always!!

[@crtzmo]

Really well done and interesting approach, thank you for sharing this! Question / suggestion: 14:05, you can see the sitting figure with the hat casting a shadow on the tank from your studio light - to better "integrate" figures with the tank, wouldn't this be something you can address during the build of the diorama? Deciding on where the sun is, and adding shadows to bring everything together, tank, figures, diorama details.. Just an idea. Thanks again!

[@GrannyBender]

It could be a really interesting approach.

[@somethingorother319]

They look amazing, dude. You're smart for branching out on medium types. I'm almost entirely an acrylic painter (and almost solely for figures). But I wouldn't say your way is lazier at all. Work smarter, not harder.

[@larrymanns364]

The fur texture on the puppy is incredible!

[@johnhobson6042]

Stunning work one of best painters around

[@ywin28]

You never let me down. addicted, attractive, skillful figure painting touch by touch.

[@buryatsky]

I got additcted to your "Ma Frends!", I', waiting it for the new chapter every Friday. Thank you for your great videos and amazingly detailed work. Your models are far beyond a hobby and I'm happy you are able to make living out of your passion.

[@raymondserafin9396]

Great job pending the figures hope I can paint something figures like that I keep practicing

[@christophernorgaar6373]

In a long line of great & informative videos, this one is my favorite. I am learning figure painting as well. I agree the sculpt of the figure is important. No matter how complex, a good sculpt will assist in painting. BTW, the little dog was the best part & I'm sure it will add realism & "life" to your diarama. I hope to become as good as you are.

[@ivan_ki8989]

ahh friday is beter when i hear meh friends

[@uselesswatcher1]

Start your base coat with a blue black. That way you can go in both directions. Never use white as a lightening of black, except as the last coats

[@TheMich97al]

Dear Uncle Nightshift! At first, I want to send you a big "Thank you!" Few days ago, I went back to play your videos about buildings (shed from the T29 diorama) and diorama bases, because I am painting a russian wooden house for my vignette now and your videos helped me a lot! As you maybe know (or probbably don't) I love your videos and models, especially your Somua S-35. So thanks a lot for your videos, your advices and of course, your great humor! Love listening to your voice during my modelling sessions! Now I would like to write something to this project. The Jagdpanther looks really awesome! You are better with every another model! The same thing with figures painting! Your results are really unbelievable great! But I would also like to write something about their uniforms. Again... Please, I mean this as an advice, not critic or something bad. So... I think, the combination of black pants and fieldgrey blouse is not the best way. Same with fieldgrey uniform with black cap. I'm not sure about fieldgrey shirts, I know that they wore grey shirts and W-SS soldiers also sand-brown ones, but fieldgrey? As I wrote under the video about your Jagdtiger commander, TD crew should wear complete filedgrey uniform with red piping on shoulderboards and also around collar tabs. Another thing are their ranks. Especially the guy with puppy (the dog is just adorable!) I see a "pyramid" on his shoulderboards, that indicates his NCO rank. But German NCOs had on their shoulderboards also silver "ribbon" and of course Waffenfarbe (in this case red) piping. So, please, try to find some more references for German uniforms and your figures will be the best on the World! That's true! Or, If you are interested, I can try to help you about uniforms as well, so if you want, contact me and I will try to do the best for you! Again, thank you very much for your great videos and sharing your knowledge! I'm looking forward to see the finished diorama! Best wishes! Michal

[@Lyzrinn]

Commenting so your comment goes noticed. Uniform accuracy is crucial in my opinion, although his work is great, it’s not completely accurate, especially what you said about the piping and the rank !

[@styrenehelp]

Wow, those heads are amazing when you had finished.

[@ianstewartbrown5308]

You sir are a genius when it comes to painting!!

[@kennethengstrom9261]

Just say WOW! 😱 Top notch figures and Jagdpanther model👌👌 Thank’s for the videos 👍

[@a.t.4634]

Ah yes.... Finding a dogo picture for "moral support". Cuteness in an armor painting video! Heartwarming, wholesome... And here I thought I've seen it all! Thanks for the good vibes! Zdravus!

[@SmallSoldier]

Excellent work on those figures again Martin! Who doesn't like a cute little puppy.👌

[@Calatriste54]

Inspiration for a 1/48 B-17 crash landing site diorama.. well done, man.

[@ismr2356]

私は今までフィギュアの塗装にエアーブラシを使った事が無かったです。 その発想がなかっただけなんですけどね。 あなたの作例はとても興味深いです。 素晴らしい仕上がりですね！

[@FearGFX]

Pin washes and oil paints work perfectly on figures! I've been mixing different techniques from different leagues of scale modeling in my bust-and figure painting

[@Vincent-gc8zd]

I'm always something new from my visits to your channel. Such quality 👌

[@drakethornix6954]

Absolutely love your videos and find them super interesting. Another option you could do to make the arms more interesting is to possibly add grime on them, like grease and oil from them maintaining and living in the tank.

[@simonmichaelis1]

Thankyou again! This is great work and great learning tips. Like most of us I love the fact that not everything always works during painting process. I impress myself when a mistake once dries look good! :) More Please.

[@gerrykennedy7849]

Dublin says a big Hello! Absolutely Brilliant!

[@asdf9890]

OMG, as a dog lover, I’ve got to get that soldier/puppy! 😍

[@basfinnis]

The figure painting looks great.

[@andrewschanck3363]

Martin!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! As usual... Incredible.

[@jacobakana5649]

Those look awesome! The fur on the puppy definitely does look nice! Great job as always!

[@tomtruesdale6901]

Those figures turned out great. Love the puppy

[@sonofeyeabovealleffoff5462]

Always a pleasure to watch perfection. Thanks Uncle Night Shift.

[@Gabriel4Drummer]

You are an artist! Even my grandmama watch Yours work with flushed face like watching a good action movie :)

[@loupiscanis9449]

Thank you , Uncle Martin .

[@MrElliptific]

The oil lining is actually superb at subtly defining the figure. Really well done, and yes, add more animal to your dios :)

[@digitalincometactics9858]

Using various techniques is the key to make the figure pop!

[@crucialcustard7668]

awww little pupper, very cute!!

[@brycep7093]

I just had a great idea you could put a greasy rag under that that guys hand and make him a little greasy. Of course this would be experimental and you should practice before doing so, but I think it would add some more detail especially to the arms. I would suggest only doing this to few member’s though (in this case one) since not everyone will be dirty like that.

[@ProjectSimusFlorida]

Very nice! This is Glenn Bartolotti from armor models by Glenn Bartolotti.

[@TheBatNaz]

Puppy looks amazing

[@FredGlt]

You have done an amazing work, Martin, and that puppy sure looks adorable :D The only thing I would say is : the skin tones are a bit too… yellow-ish. If you compare it to your fingers when you were holding the figurines, you'll probably see that your fingers had a bit more pink to them. Right now, it feels like there's a layer of fine sand dust on their arms and faces, which doesn't fit with the cleaner clothes. Otherwise, the shading is very well done and you've truly outdone yourself on those black pants, they look perfect!

[@arsmithx]

Others have already asked, but I will do so again: who manufactures these figures? I don't recognise them. Fab video, as always! Thanks :)

[@АлексейАлекс-р2я]

Actually this figures are awesome. I've been looking for such method for sges. Thanks a lot!

[@miamijules2149]

Uncle Night Shift Baby!

[@coldemonspl]

Hi Martin, the Jagdpanther looks great, I can't wait to see it on the base, the whole thing is visually very clear, you have a nice camo color, the contrasts do a great job here, just like the weathering. I especially like the mud that you placed very nicely on the model. Dry grass on flat surfaces is great, I also use it sometimes on my models. I like that you started adding some stowage to the models. This undoubtedly enriches the model and additionally attracts the attention of viewers. I remember your models from Moson, when you showed them in the old building, where I missed these little things, although they looked great anyway! ourite Especially my favourite M36 jackson with rubber side skirts! Old times! I'm looking forward to see the next episode! cheers!

[@jesusalfredofernandezcruz1833]

Yeah! The panzer puppy is back!.

[@certifiedidiot9625]

These are the best figures I’ve ever seen!

[@HerrK79]

Absolut WOW! The figure painting looks fantastic and the details amazing. 🔎😍👌

[@lavawolf666]

search for black templars painting, is warhammer mini, usualy they give good tip to how paint black

[@SlightlyLessThanGrey]

Fantastic work! If you’re looking for some visual detail for plain skin sections then dirt and grease marks are the way to go!

[@msee383]

Great figures and superb paint job

[@mauserkk98]

Nice job ,very impressive.

[@marvinothetanker2285]

Amazing as always

[@warwickstephenson1613]

Finally I might be able to paint some figures. Thankfully my recent build an m60a1 with era painted in the summer merdc scheme is coming along nicely along with my Serbian m36 Jackson. Will you ever paint a us army tank in the merdc schemes.

[@richardclowes6123]

Loving the puppy . . . what a lovely job you did of that. The rest was pretty awesome too ! I'm about to embark on some rock climbers for my friends kitchen wall which is made of stone. What scale size should I go for ???

[@johntreloar8203]

They look great, 10 out of 10.

[@rufffinoo]

Fantastic work!

[@JrgPt96]

About painting those puppies; you could just make the next tank totally crewed with dogs? Either that, or take a stab at the T34/85 from 'Four Tankers and a Dog'

[@LV426-Acheron]

"And its easier for the avarage Joe. I know it because im one of them." "And that was a f*ckin lie." Amazing and inspiring work. I will use them at my next project. Thank you so much

[@vasilyvostok2489]

Love the dog

[@martinbradstreet5728]

Looks great, bud! You can be humble all you want. I just hope and pray I ever get as good as you with painting figures!!! I will take refuge in the addage "Practice makes perfect", I think!!! That much I can be sure of (as long as my attitude stays even keel)!!! Thank you for all you do - I love your attitude and hard work!! -Martin

[@bosto84]

What to say... Friday fun again... 😀👌

[@XxBloggs]

I’m definitely going to try this method

[@johnhobson6042]

Fantastic love you work👍

[@BERGY212]

Great tutorial, thank you very much!

[@J.V.FHS9]

Hi uncle! Wondering if you could make more Russian ww2 models, like a kv2 or bt7 or something. Love from the USA

[@McBurnside6380]

So well done. My models are 1:56, so I can't find crew that detailed. Once I get better I'm going to move up to 1:35.

[@PaulBarich1918]

Bye far one of your best models yet dude keep it up!

[@balkanpeople6969]

when i saw how you put the heads it remind me of the scene from mandalorian

[@harleypoulsen]

Just a hint. Try to filter the waterbased paint before pouring it into the airbrush. helps a lot preventing the brush from glogging and spitting.

[@Z3kyTw0]

Its incredible how you keep getting better and better bro. Fantastic work

[@limoucheu8522]

Fantastic. I congratulate myself to have suggest you to do figures! What improvements, spectacular. Congrats.

[@joshfaulkner2686]

Tip from a gunpla builder: gloss coat your figures and use an ink pin wash then clean up with regular lighter fluid. You get the ease of an oil wash without the staining.

[@stephenhutchinson1484]

Body hair is best done with extremely thinned smoke pigment, less is more and build up in layers, HTH's? Great figures Sir

[@ChromDome]

What paint brushes do you use? Your tips always look perfect.

[@philRminiatures]

Outstanding job on the faces...😍😍

[@loganheard1384]

For arm hair. You could take your fake grass and paint it black then apply the grass with glue. Atleast that is what I do

[@jonL88]

Awww that puppy