1. Painting and fixing figures Painting passable figures without pain or suffering and rapidly fixing up already painted figures.

2. Problems with commercial painted figures Popeye! Flat, no contrast Colors too bright and toy-like or otherwise off. Bad proportions

3. What we really want Shadows and contrast Grungy working stiffs in messy industries Faces with some character Colors closer to what we like

4. Tools Good brushes - Winsor Newton's Knife, file, flush cutter and putty for figure prep If you add pins, pin vise, drills Xuron cutter Needle nose pliers for bending Ceramic dish or CD as palette

5. Art of the quick fix Acrylic ink washes Dry brushing Judicious touchups and detailing Weathering powders

6. Preparation Trim the flash Add pins if needed Fill holes or carve on problem areas Prime, white grey or sometimes black

7. Colors Advantages of working with a limited color palette Colors that work we together Colors that look good under our lighting

8. General procedure Paint in dressing order, from the skin out Try to avoid painting between two already painted portions Paint several figures at a time

9. Sloppy painting Thinned acrylic paints are self shading A wash of dark acrylic ink can add deep shadow detail to figures Drybrushing lighter colors pops out highlights

10. Detail work Black lining Small details

11. Eyes

12. Faces

13. Special effects Add gloss for leather or oiled hair Add extra goodies using putty or paper Look at some of the military modeling groups for true insanity