figures...

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

I just want your opinion, which figures do you think are the finest?
I ask because I want to buy some figures for my layout, but the thing is that:

  • It doesn’t matter how good you paint them, Preiser figures always look too much like plastic
  • Woodland Scenics figures are nicely sculpted, but they look a bit cartoony.
  • Life-Like figures have a nice fleshy look, but they are difficult to modify, can look somewhat chunky and there’s not much variety.

any thoughts?

2

Yes, my thoughts are that if you think Preiser figures “look like plastic” no matter how they’re painted, then you haven’t seen them painted well, with highlighting and shadows.

And LL figures are usually a little larger than scalle size.

3

ACL fan is right! [bow]
Preiser fugures are about the best out there, and when properly painted and given a wash of india inks to give shadows and a more 3 dimensional look, they are fantastick!
And LL figures are not the only thing out of scale. Their cars, trucks, and farm equiptment are also a little large for HO.

4

Try the ones by http://www.musketminiatures.com/ they are very good, and come either unpainted or painted (for a bit more).

of course this means you model between 1860 and 1950, but the 20mm/22mm figures are also pretty much in scale with HO and if i remember right, you model HO.

But they also have an N scale line, but it’s not as full as the HO line.

Jay

5

Scot:

I’m a fan of Preiser figures as well. I buy them in the bulk sets which are quite cheap. Then work them over with jewlers files and exacto blades to suit my need.

To my eyes at least, the problem with nearly all figures is the colors are too bright and stark with little sign of wear and creasing of cloth. I find I have better results when I dull the paint and finish with washes of dust and dilute dullcote or similar matte spray.

I suggest you do a sample figure to match the color of an outfit you have in the closet from memory and then compare your effort with the color of the actual clothes.

Randy