Painting Mannequins (By Request!)

[cricket]

Another quick note, I realize I'm new to the forum and hope I'm not out of line in suggesting that maybe this thread get pinned in the display forum. feminine looking or poorly sculpted/finished mannequins are a problem for a lot of collectors who I believe could benifit from this post.
cricket

[Chap15]

Mark,
air brush. I was suprised to hear you use brushes for your heads, they look great.

Mark,
That is a question I had. Much of the model paint seems thick. Do you thin it and then paint it on. They also sell the same type of paint in a spray can. Would a spray can work also???

[NZMark]

Hi Bob, Cricket,
I've been using airbrushes for years, and like the effects achieved with them, but in this case I find the mixing on the surface with brushes much more effective and controllable. Humbrol model paints were all I used as that's what my general modelling experience led me to use. I don't thin out the mixes, as I don't undercoat the head's or what ever on most occasions. Naughty, maybe, but as long as the surface is clean and not darker than the colours I'm applying I can easily get away with it.
I'll add an up-date with regard to attaching heads etc soon (I'm busy working on a commission head for a US collector at the moment which is taking up a bit of time).
Cheers,
Mark.

[Chap15]

Mark,
Have you ever done a complete change of a female mannequin to a male mannequin? Would car body filler on the face work? Where would you put it.
Would cutting off the breasts weaken the form???
Now this is getting strange.
But I found a female mannequin for $10.00. The arms would help my male forms.

[NZMark]

Hi There,
I certainly have converted females to males, in the early days that's all I had to work with. The hard part isn't the bodies - I've cut the breasts off and filled the body cavity with anything from paper to styrofoam, then fibre-glassed the front smooth.
The heads are the part that you either replace completely or re-model. I remodelled mine with car-body filler, and modelling putties for the finer details.
I'll find some pictures I've saved on disc and show you what I mean ASAP.
Cheers!
Mark.

[Grubhy]

My Dieter

Hello!Some pics of my latest project-more info ASAP

[Grubhy]

Owning to Mark I was able to paint manny's eyes and add shades- I used to build only tank models in 1/35 scale.Thanks for help Mark

[Grubhy]

It's really easy-Guys you really can do it by your own!

[NZMark]

Brilliant Robert,
Well Done!
Mark.

[Grubhy]

Thanks Mark - I have had good teacher More pics when " Dieter" will be ready! (I can't wait...)

[NZMark]

Hi Robert,
I really like the 'five oc'lock' shadow you've worked into the jaw-line. What paints did you use? The flesh tones look excellent!
More Pictures, Please!
Best Regards,
Mark

[Glenn Barbaritz]

awhile ago My good Friend NZMark painterd up a face for me and sent it my way. it was beautiful. I mounted it on my mannequin and when the weekend came I put Him all together to do a full photoshoot for the forum. I put His tunic and trousers on and had to relieve myself. as I was in the bathroom I heard a nightmarish sound. no words can explain my facial features as I walked back in my den knowing what was going to be before my eyes.

[Glenn Barbaritz]

[Glenn Barbaritz]

well, after going thru all the typical emotions one does after losing someone so close to them I PMed Mark and shot Him these pics and asked if there was any hope. He said "lets go for it", I of course agreed as starting all over would be just to much time and money. after many emails from Mark coaxing me along I finally got to this point today. Ill be honest, He may never get eye brows again. theyre friggin hard to do. Mark you are one talented individual! I tried a few times and wasnt happy with them. maybe in the distant future Ill go for them again. even without, although not nearly as nice as Marks version he sent me. I can atleast display Him without much embarressment. I think He looks alright and Guys, if I can do this for my Dude then theres hope for anyone as I am not an artist at all. once you get the paint to look like real flesh (thats the tough part) applying it and fading it together isnt that bad. if you dont like certain areas you just go over them again and again. the paint dries very quick and I used my finger to fade it out. worked out pretty good. I just want to say a HUGE "THANK YOU MARK" for without your coaching this just wouldnt be.

[Glenn Barbaritz]

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