The EASIEST Way to Paint Realistic Scale Model Figure Faces

[@readhistory2023]

If you paint the flesh tone over the edges of whites/pupils especially thick it gives the illusion of an eyelid. I paint the irises and pupils with a toothpick. You can cut or sharpen the toothpick to the desired size. It's much easier to make a perfect dot with the toothpick than it is with a tiny paint brush.

[@Henrik_Nilsson]

Thanks, I will try using a toothpick 😊

[@Stryperguy]

Thanks I have been struggling to paint the eyes this will help me alot

[@russjohnson8228]

Great tip

[@challenger2031]

Can I ask, how do you apply the toothpick to the eye section without scratching the mould, do you just apply it finely or is there a better way to do it, because every time I do it it goes into one massive dot. I would be very grateful if someone could give me some advice. Toothpick I would imagine is the safest bet rather than a small brush.

[@brianhall4182]

Fir anyone using GW paints, this also works with Reikland Fleshshade in place of the Rust. Reikland has a bit of an orangey-red tint to it and provides a more subtle effect.

[@rebeltorc]

Instead of an enamel dark wash could you use agrax earthshade or nuln oil and get the same effect?

[@seangoat]

Yep , I do the same. The Games Workshop paints are great for figure painting

[@blessedandbiwithahintofmagic]

Thanks Hank - this is really solid stuff. For a girl who has always struggled to paint the face, even set the features right (I'm talking not just model making, drawing and portrait painting, too), this might really help. I'm finally getting into model making, which I've loved since I was a little kid, and, now having just entered my 30s, I'm finally picking up and starting full scale. Thank you so much, best!

[@michaelkiehn9254]

Thanks!

[@SpruesNBrews]

Thank you very much!! I really appreciate it! 🍻

[@TimNewTim]

GREAT!!! Thanks so much - at last a tutorial that flows quickly and simply with very good resolution. Exactly what I needed.

[@SpruesNBrews]

Wonderful! I'm glad to hear it - thanks for watching!

[@SherlockSpiner]

Faces are challenging for me being that I never knew what steps to do, for example I tried putting whites on my figures eyes and killed the whole effect, now I’m ready to purchase some rust wash and get painting! Thank you so much for putting the amazing amount of effort into your tutorials, it means the world to me as a newer modeler.

[@SpruesNBrews]

I'm so glad!! Great to hear that this has been helpful - good luck & happy painting! 👍🖌️

[@FB2ABG]

Another victory for Sprues&Brews Scale modeling! Keep 'em coming!!!

[@SpruesNBrews]

Thank you! Cheers! 🍻

[@tezza2213]

Great video Hank. Very much appreciated your easy to follow explanations, steps and tips. My first 2 figures using your steps was a huge improvement on my previous efforts. I look forward to seeing my skills improve with the rest of my figures as I go along. Thanks mate.

[@stevemoss3788]

Same here it really has moved me on from the “paint them Tamiya flesh with eyes as best I could”

[@garylawless3608]

This was a very helpful tutorial Hank! I am not a good figure painter, but your methods have helped me a lot. I finally got a satisfactory result on uniforms thanks to your instruction, and now I can attempt faces with more confidence. Love your channel man, and greetings from Australia 🇦🇺!

[@SpruesNBrews]

Awesome! Keep on practicing & enjoy! Cheers 🍻

[@nigelcarren]

One minute in and I had brush envy!!! 😂🤣 I have got to get me some brushes like that. Thank you and best wishes from an Englishman making armour in a French forest. 🇬🇧⚒️🇺🇲

[@felippejonsson6078]

Nice. that final wash really brought it to life.

[@SpruesNBrews]

Thank you! Isn't it amazing what a little wash can do?

[@felippejonsson6078]

@@SpruesNBrews For sure. I think im going to steal your technique 😏.

[@ralph132]

Really like what you shared here, it's a real great method. Quick, simple and not a ton of shadow and hi-light layering steps. Like you said its a 1/35 scale face so no need for all the fuss to get great results as you have proven. Thank you for sharing this, figure looks fantastic !

[@SpruesNBrews]

Thanks very much!!

[@mikemodels928]

Despite having 5+ years experiance with figure painting i really enjoy ur tutorials.

[@SpruesNBrews]

I'm really glad to hear it - cheers! 🍻

[@mikebrindos3612]

Excellent tutorial! I like to use a very sharp No.2 pencil for the irises. Super easy to use and if you get it wrong (walleyed or cross eyed) you can remove it easily enough with a wet brush. I use this trick often as my hands don't always stay steady. Vallejo's flesh wash works well if you don't like the orange tones of the rust wash. One thing to always remember is to paint in the eyelids after you paint the irises. That will solve the "googlely eyes" issues many of us start out with. Eyebrows can be added with a pencil as well. Happy Modelling!

[@mylesturnbaugh]

The best video ive seen yet on the face and ive seen many and read many books also.

[@thomasdarnall8912]

How would you go about painting facial hair (ie mustaches) or stubble on the face?

[@cmartin1959-qq2mi]

Very Professional well put together video and excellent process.

[@Ricks135scalemodels]

Outstanding explanation!! I've seen many people do this and your beginning is very similar BUT, your dark wash at the end is absolutely amazing for the results. I'm going to try it!!

[@SpruesNBrews]

Thank you!! I'm glad you enjoyed - good luck & happy painting 👍🖌️

[@taiwanvstheworld]

Thank you so much Hank for all these secerty hacks for painting models. I am also a plastic model fan based in Taiwan. Once again thanks a lot.

[@SpruesNBrews]

Thanks for watching!!

[@ada42klm]

Hi Hank! Your previous method of painting flesh worked very nicely for me. Nevertheless, I'm going to give this new method a try. I know from watching your video I'll be happy with the results. Thank you for sharing my friend. Kudos to you 😀.

[@SpruesNBrews]

Thank you very much! This version is a little quicker with a bit less hassle... either works!

[@quinto]

Excellent video. Very professional and descriptive instructions. You just might be the best on KZbin. You should get a medal 🏅 or two 🎖️ 🏅

[@SpruesNBrews]

Far too kind - thank you!! I'm glad to hear it was helpful!

[@sca4789]

Nice! White primer also works well.

[@DeanFromTexas]

Great video Hank! I've been painting 1/35 figures since about 1975. (Ya, I'm gettin' up there) I've always struggled. THIS video is the trick I think. Thanks for helping me!

[@SpruesNBrews]

That's great! I'm glad to hear it's helpful! Happy painting 👍

[@andyhawkins2160]

Hi, my favourite ww2 vehicle, and I'm slightly biased as I'm British, is obviously the Spitfire! Love the channel, keep well.

[@hcrun]

Good tips....thanks for this. I have been painting figurines (25mm up to 150mm) since the late 1970s and have never used an airbrush. All my work has been done with (a) priming with automotive (spray can) grey primer, (b) undercoating using flat acrylics and then (c) finishing with artist's oils.

[@SpruesNBrews]

Thanks for watching!

[@rickgregory9616]

I just added my own little touch to this technique. Rather than a Rust Wash for the final layer, I added a very small amount of Tamiya Brown Panel Liner. This gives the figure a little bit of a tan, as well as tones down a little of the final flesh base color.

[@Frizze223]

Concise explanation, can't agree more!

[@SpruesNBrews]

Thank you!!

[@Thedutchspitfire4045]

Wow what a great technique! Thanks, ill try it on my next figure!

[@SpruesNBrews]

Thanks! Cheers & happy painting 👍

[@davidm6256]

Thanks Hank for the advice, I can definitely understand how to paint a facial figure that won’t look like a cartoon, I’m saving this video for the next time I do one

[@SpruesNBrews]

Great! I'm glad to hear it - happy painting! 👍🖌️

[@JALEO1970]

Very cool!! Thank you for this tutorial. I am going to give this figure painting series a try.

[@powersmodelgarage]

Just tried this a few days ago and it worked great.

[@SpruesNBrews]

Awesome!

[@johntreloar8203]

Nice how to Hank, my figure painting is non existent, but this might be all I need to finally paint the faces properly, Thanks for sharing.

[@SpruesNBrews]

Give it a go - it's fun! Cheers 🍻

[@johntreloar8203]

@@SpruesNBrews Will do, thanks again.

[@stevecam724]

Can't wait to try this 👍👍

[@SpruesNBrews]

Fantastic! Happy painting!

[@dannyondik1723]

What is the type of paint brush he is using around 1:27 in the video?

[@dimasherlambang6762]

Thanks Hank. Its always a pleasure ride to see your video. And by seeing your tutorial encourage me to follow your step painting the face. Painting face is always a nightmare for me. 😭😁

[@SpruesNBrews]

Thank you very much - and you can do it!! 👍🖌

[@shlamushaaretz5357]

Thanks Hank, really helpful and good process.

[@SpruesNBrews]

Great! I'm glad to hear it - thanks!

[@frankprins3525]

Great tutorial Hank. Keep up the good work

[@SpruesNBrews]

Thank you!!

[@38blaze1212]

Great tutorial!

[@PeteCorp]

That was amazing

[@SpruesNBrews]

Thank you!!

[@ADAPTATION7]

Wow! He knows all the tricks of the trades! Probably a lot of trial and error prior.

[@dl16888]

I used AK intermediate Gauzy Agent (shine enhancer) to protect the acrylic paint before using enamel or oil wash to weather the models. I don't know why but the acrylic paint would be damaged when I attempted to remove the excess washes from the models. What is the best protective varnish to use before weathering effects? Thank you for the great videos!

[@Kozzzmozzz7]

Hi Hank and community! Is the odorless thinner you use the same as the tamiya thinner or is it something different? Do you use any magnifying for those tiny details ? Even the smallest brush seems to be make me painting outside the lines of the details? Is there any tool that can paint but not use a brush? Thanks!

[@FinsburyPhil]

Excellent tips Hank. I've always shied away from figures - I'll give this a go. Thanks

[@SpruesNBrews]

Go for it! Figures can be tricky... but they don't have to be! 👍🍻

[@SnyperMac1]

That’s a great way to tackle faces! It you want to get the whites of the eyes though (this works for me may not be possible for everyone to do) paint the whole eye the iris colour the dot white on the corners.

[@SpruesNBrews]

Interesting! I'll have to try it out 👍

[@jkshankle66]

Thank you Hank, great video. I have learn so much from watching your videos.

[@SpruesNBrews]

I'm really glad - thank you!!

[@detlevwalter7495]

A very good tutorial. Helpful.

[@SpruesNBrews]

Thank you!

[@mp-modelplastic]

Very good video, excelent explanation of the tecnic. Thanks for sharing. greetings from Portugal😉👍

[@giovanninonloso9221]

Great video and very good result ! Appreciated your effort and time dedicated to share your experience. Thanks !

[@SpruesNBrews]

Thanks for watching!!

[@calessel3139]

That looks like a great technique. BTW, I've developed an unconventional method for figure painting in acrylic that's quite easy, simple, and fast which produces decent results. To put it in basic terms: first prime your figure in gloss white. Then cover the figure in a very dark watered down wash of the base color, then let that layer dry. Keep applying progressively less dark base color wash layers, letting each layer dry. When you reach the point where you find yourself using undarkened base color, then stop. At this point, if done right, your figure will already have realistic looking highlights without you having to actually apply them. So this method essentially eliminates the need to highlight the figure. Now there are details I'm leaving out, for example: sometimes you may need to go back and apply darker washes in crevices as you go along or touch up a highlight area; and of course, you have to paint details, like belts and buttons, conventionally. Also, although it can be used on hands, it doesn't work well with faces, nor with uniforms with camo patterns. But if your painting a figure with a solid uniform color (or solid jacket of one color and solid pants of another), it works great, is easy to do and looks good.

[@johnojohnson177]

Hi Hank, another great tutorial so thanks for that 😃👍🏻 As I said the other day I’m totally new to all of this, I’ve just purchased some Ammo Matt Lucky Varnish, do I need to thin this prior to use ? Thanks

[@hamiltonwalker8760]

I so enjoy watching the figure painting. So much so that I re-read Bill Mauldin's "UP FRONT" ww2 cartoons featuring Willie and Joe. Have you considered doing a Vietnam base camp build?

[@SG-738]

Great clinic Hank, I have seen more than a few figures painted with the white eyes…it always looks like a crazy 1000 yd stare or they are cross eyed lol. Keep plugging away, you are always fun to watch.

[@SpruesNBrews]

Haha right? It's tough to get the eyes right. Thanks for watching! 🍻

[@stevee406]

Thanks for a great video. I've tried your tips on my current model, and it looks good. You don't list what you use to magnify your model to put the eyes on. I really struggled with that part. Can you please let me know what you use for magnification?

[@matthewbull9102]

hi hank, i followed you from the begining,when i started painting figures,great tips once again, you been a great help

[@SpruesNBrews]

I'm glad to hear it - thank you!!

[@bougeac]

Sorry for another question, what are your thoughts on using an acrylic black wash instead of enamel for your method?

[@SpruesNBrews]

I would recommend using a different medium for your weathering elements, as a same/same technique can sometimes eat away at your varnish coat. If you're using acrylic paints, I'd recommend using either an enamel or an oil wash 👍

[@davidbenson3931]

HI FROM Ireland 🇮🇪. Hank your system looks great and I will give it a try for sure because my face painting skills are poor. Thanks for your awesome tutorials they are great confidence builders. 😊 Now its time for some tanking 🤔 perhaps the Meng VsKfz 617 German minesweeper with some Dragon German Pioneer troops with a sprue brother facials make over and a nice German beer afterwards. Any recommendations I fancy an Erdinger ...

[@nirnman]

I have found no matter how fine a brush I use i can never get the eye dots even and discovered using the end of a cocktail stick for them works well

[@SpruesNBrews]

It's tough!! But that sounds like a great technique 👍

[@spencergregory8049]

I may try that!

[@Mark-pr7ug]

Thanks. Last year I started a f16 1:32 model kit and painting the pilots facial area kind of got me stuck. It looked a toy doll lol. I'll try again with your tips.

[@SpruesNBrews]

It's tough! Hopefully this helps, though!

[@spartan770101]

Wow thanks for this tutorial. It will definitely help me out!👍👍

[@SpruesNBrews]

I'm really glad to hear it!

[@roby7380]

Bravo, bellissimo video

[@ReubenHardwick]

Hi there, what are the brushes you're using in this video? What would you recommend. I'm really interested in starting it up as a hobby. I need tips on equipment and your video is brilliant.

[@redbeachonestudios7813]

Great video, Hank, I really enjoyed it, and think you’re doing an excellent job on your video presentation, and content 👍😎

[@SpruesNBrews]

Thank you very much - I really appreciate the support! 🍻

[@robertl.4675]

Brilliant! Thank you!

[@Bespelled22]

This is similar to the process I use but with some subtle changes. I’m very interested to try your process and see if I can refine my own

[@krissbazarek8166]

Nice figurines. Interestingly painted.

[@SpruesNBrews]

Thank you!

[@garycamp3389]

Great tips! .I watch you all the time.. thanks,. Gary from ..ct. USA. Keep it up.

[@SpruesNBrews]

Thanks, Gary! I appreciate the support! 🍻

[@TonyKelly-p7x]

Hank, I have tried using gloss varnish, but using semi gloss (for me) on the figure before adding the wash works better. Enoy your tutorials.

[@arclementsjr]

Hi Hank, you are a very good teacher. If not already addressed would consider creating a tutorial on non caucasian figures, thanks. 👋🏾

[@SpruesNBrews]

Hey there! I do have a video from last year on painting black & brown skin tones as demonstrated in a Vietnam-era US Marine if you’d like the check it out 👍

[@arclementsjr]

@@SpruesNBrews, will do! 👍🏾

[@malcolmmacdougall]

looks great, i was wondering how to do this

[@SpruesNBrews]

Thank you!

[@adamcann4865]

Great tutorial as always Hank. Will try this technique on my next figure build. Keep up the good work.

[@SpruesNBrews]

Thanks very much! 🍻

[@stevemercer952]

Thanks Hank for a very good video. I know there are a number to choose from but can you say, in this instance, what flesh tone you started off with?

[@JC-ew5ss]

I am going to try this for real sized heads for stage props (background people in plays).

[@SpruesNBrews]

Oh wow! I'd be curious to hear how it goes 👍

[@FredWilbury]

Thanks great tutorial, any tips for 1/76 scale Regards Fred

[@wdstauter8429]

Love the video. Do have any air brush tutorials? That seems to be the piece I’m missing

[@SpruesNBrews]

Thank you! And I'm hoping to film an airbrush video very soon!

[@chrisbrown-ed6du]

Look fantastic

[@SpruesNBrews]

Thanks!!

[@mikesal56]

Hey Hank, great job on all! Very informative. I wanted to ask you, have you worked on 3 D 1/35 machine guns? It's difficult getting to the gun itself. Any tips or pointers? Thanks, Mike S

[@87mitchb]

Great technique thankyou.

[@robertbuchanan3993]

Could you use Vallejo flesh wash if you don’t have light rust?

[@nazgul1779]

Greetings from The Netherlands ! I have been following your advises for some time and they have helped me a lot. Thanks for sharing ! The figure looks really awesome. I am busy with a German panzercrew from Tamiya at the moment, and can’t wait to see the finished work. Thanks again ! 👍

[@almartin3283]

Excellent! What kind of varnish do you use? Enamel base or water base? Do you recommend this for 1/48 as well? Cheers Al

[@callanabbott6538]

Is the rust wash acrylic or enamel? And if acrylic can you use enamel wash?

[@jamesstallard4832]

Hello, could you put the eye dots in before the rust wash, so you can correct if end up with googly eyes.

[@SpruesNBrews]

I'm sure that would work, too - yes!

[@jamesstallard4832]

@@SpruesNBrews cheers, I’d need 3 attempts on the eyes 😆

[@degs7693]

this feels like a cheating because its soo easy yet looks soo good :) thanks for sharing !!

[@misterdabalina4694]

What can I substitute the ammo odorless enamel thinner with it having a hard time finding local?

[@lappin6482]

love the content....keep it coming hank 🍻

[@SpruesNBrews]

Thank you - will do! 🍻

[@rjgonzalez6322]

Thanks for your tips, Gibraltar 🇬🇮

[@mikebrenfrenette7228]

How do you break the superglue bond from the screw after you're done with the miniature

[@dumpbeez15]

This great! The hardest part for me is painting the tiny dots for the eyes and not having my figure look cross eyed. My 48 year old vision doesn't help. Love your videos Cheers!

[@SpruesNBrews]

Haha it's tough!! Thanks - cheers! 🍻

[@HO-bndk]

If eyesight is an issue try an "optivisor". They are not that expensive and work really well. If you have more money to spend, you can even get a digital microscope.

[@George-pp2hr]

Very nice finish of that natural posed US soldier. It's very LIfe like. I've noticed many figure face painting there's shadow around the eyes mouth but I know many real people's faces have red cheeks while around the eyes is the lighter flesh tones. It seems raised areas of the face would have the redish tones? No criticism of this video artwork of the figure just something I've noticed on other painted figure faces. Excellent work on your figure.🙂🇭🇲🦘✌️👋

[@jamiesale9460]

Best I’ve watched

[@icewindofchange]

I always make whites of the eyes, even on 1/72. I know people dont notice, but I have this perfectionist thing that I MUST make eyes. It get easy after a dozen of minis or so.

[@multipl3]

Great practical tips! Thanksyou

[@SpruesNBrews]

Thanks for watching! 👍

[@collecting.wheels]

great video dude! thanks! so helpful with my formula 1 driver minitaure!

[@SpruesNBrews]

Awesome! I'm glad to hear it - thanks! 👍

[@IronFreee]

Realistic skin tones are easily achieved with layering. Starting with a blood red color instead of the black can make it easier.

[@SpruesNBrews]

Interesting!

[@dan8402]

So easy a kid can do it! Well it isn't super easy. I think the one thing new modelers don't do, is use gloss and flat coats. Also making sure you switch between acrylic for your painting and solvent based for washes is key. The reaction, or lack of, from the materials, really does make it easy.

[@SpruesNBrews]

Yeah it's a tricky hobby, so nothing is super easy - but I've tried to simplify it as much as possible while still getting a quality result 👍

[@dannyshaw949]

Nice video! Thanks for the info, been thinking about using more washes in lieu of thinned acrylic paints for skin tones (and uniforms)… Nice outcome, will keep watching. Thanks! ❤😊

[@SpruesNBrews]

Thank you! I appreciate it 👍

[@Mizone505]

Do you think the gauzy for the airbrush? And can you substitute the light rust for Vallejo flesh wash?

[@SpruesNBrews]

Gauzy out of the airbrush for sure, and yes - you could try that wash, too!

[@josegabrieldasilva6523]

Thanks again...fron Brazil

[@kajn3206]

For war gaming figures, I liked the light base (elf flesh) and the red wash, then the eyes and the black dot plus eyebrows

[@SpruesNBrews]

Nice!!

[@markjames3562]

I've seen a lot of art related tools but the tray you use with the dots of paints are new to me. What is it? Can you tell me about it and what it does? Thanks, Mark

[@SpruesNBrews]

Sure! It's called a wet palette - mine is from Frontier Wargaming, but a lot of folks produce them (and you can build one up for yourself using stuff you have at home)! Hope that helps 👍