EDÜHIN, MORNING STAR – 35MM

Edühin, Morning Star, a 35 mm figure

A fantasy figure from the AK Interactive brand. The 35 mm is a statement of the size of the figure, not the scale of a model. The figure arrives unpainted, with no scheme laid down. Before you reach for the first color it pays to settle one single thing on which all the later layers rest: where the light comes from.

Modulating volume by the direction of the light

Volume on a figure does not come from highlighting the raised parts, but from highlighting them consistently from one side. Once you have settled the direction, every part of the figure behaves the same way: surfaces turned toward the light get the most steps of highlighting, surfaces turned away stay at the base or sink into shadow, and the sharpest accent falls to the edge that catches the light first. Light from above and slightly in front looks the most natural, because that is how we see things most often. The aid for planning is simple: shine a single lamp on the figure from the direction you have chosen and paint exactly what you see. The modulation then only has to be graded by the size of the area, because large areas take smooth transitions over several steps whereas a small detail often makes do with two. And if you are unsure whether the volume is pronounced enough, squint; the transitions disappear and only the distribution of light and shadow is left, which should read from a couple of paces away.

Painting tips

• Choose the direction of the light before you lay on the primer and do not change it.
• Lighting the figure with a lamp from the chosen direction is the simplest aid you have.
• Choose the smoothness of the transition according to the size of the area.
• Check the result as you go, squinting and from a distance.

Who the figure is for

• For painters who want to master working with directional light.
• For collectors of fantasy figures for a display case.
• For modelers moving from vehicles to figures.

The figure is supplied unpainted. Paints, glue and other accessories are not included in the package, unless stated otherwise.