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So i got a commission to paint a halo action figure of all things and am wondering if there is any difference in how you should paint something on such a large scale. The figure is a 6 inch tall dude.

Clean it very carefully. If you can disassemble it and then be able to put it back together do so.

Action figures tend to have a release or top coat on them that makes paint stick TERRIBLY. A real good cleaning and a prime coat will help a lot.

Joints will be really hard. They might scrape off your well done paint.

The customer said I can go ahead and glue it to prevent moving and therefore scraping the paint. What I'm really most interested in is if I should reduce the contrast? Miniatures are very small so we add a lot of contrast so it's noticable at a distance. By that logic should I tone down the contrast a bit, since the scale is so much larger?

Power Elephant wrote:
The customer said I can go ahead and glue it to prevent moving and therefore scraping the paint. What I'm really most interested in is if I should reduce the contrast? Miniatures are very small so we add a lot of contrast so it's noticable at a distance. By that logic should I tone down the contrast a bit, since the scale is so much larger?

Not sure i'd be paying you a comission if you are needing to ask questions like this

I'll be sure to post the results for you. Figure painting and miniature painting use all of the same techniqes, I'm just asking if there is something major that I should look out for. Rest assured that I'm not trying to con my client or anything. I'm not asking for payment until the model is finished and the customer is happy. Furthermore he only orderd a pretty basic paintjob, but I'm trying to go the extra mile in honor of him being my first customer (not counting my friends).

Mordian2016 wrote:Not sure i'd be paying you a comission if you are needing to ask questions like this

Bit harsh. Some of the techniques and conventions of wargame mini modelling don't directly translate to other model hobbies, even the short hop to 1/35 and bigger miniature figures. That PE recognises the need to adapt techniques and asks about it, is a couple of steps in the right direction. It's more insightful than the same old 'what colour of paint do I need for blue?' questions.

Power Elephant wrote:What I'm really most interested in is if I should reduce the contrast? Miniatures are very small so we add a lot of contrast so it's noticable at a distance. By that logic should I tone down the contrast a bit, since the scale is so much larger?

I'd agree. I don't have much personal experience in painting larger scale figures, and less about repainting action figures in particular, but what I've seen involves less contrast than wargaming minis. Have a look through the articles here and at CMoN, that might deal with larger models (not necessarily larger-scale) and at sites like www.planetfigure.com, www.statueforum.com, and www.theclubhouse1.net.

I think questions like this are reasonable.
I would treat it similar to "thinking out loud" and going through a checklist of how you think you should proceed on a project and expect anyone to sound-off if something was not considered.
Some things spring to mind with the action figure based on client wants:
- Agreed that some disassembly and a thorough cleaning would be needed to ensure adhesion of fillers, glues and paints.
- What is the end result wanted? To make it more like a statue? Put in a diorama? Would they still want to be able to pose/play with it?
- I would lean toward pinning and gap filling all joints but would ask/send what pose to settle on.
- The stance and display intent would determine how the figure would be mounted and would need some thought of how to lay that out (tempted to get that done first to tweak the pose to fit).
- I would be prepared to tweak limitations of the figure like adjusting the hands to better grip it's weapon for instance or reposition ankles if not poseable.
- Yes, larger models would need much more subtle lines, similar techniques to large vehicles, airbrush is looking like the way to go (at least to start) and many washes when using hairy brush.
- Any discussion on paint scheme: pretty much as received or a variant the customer may envision?
- I would suggest sending a picture each time a modification is done, final pose/pinning done, filling/sanding done, prime and the "block painting" before detailing and shading. So no surprises. I would word the email as "progress" as a statement and less a question: you want their buy-in but not feel they are making decisions for you. Detailing an shading you do not show progress so that will be the surprise at the end and everything up to this point avoids show stopper "bad surprises".

My thoughts of how I would approach a project like that (I did something like it for fun) and viewpoint as a customer.
Good luck!

Thanks for the help. With all your tips I now know all the details and will be able to make him my customer happy.