"Hola amigo, I come to suck your blood!"
Wappelmania - Taking the Leap into Oil Paints with the Dark Dog.
Hi everyone,
The last two weeks I started watching the videos of James Wappel who paints nearly elusively in oils, and I was blown away!
I remember in the early ’80s historical miniature painters used to use oils. In that time, acrylics started to come into popularity, so I never had the inclination to use oils. I could achieve all the effects I wanted with acrylics.
After watching, Mr Wappel do his magic, and making it look so easy, I decided to jump in and I am very happy I did so.
It is like learning to walk all over again. My first attempts were disastrous, and I was over the moon. Oils have given me a new and enjoyable challenge. I do not envision ever stop using oils.
Below is the first miniature I ever painted completely in oils that is good enough for the tabletop! It was painted over a black acrylic undercoat. It took me several attempts to get to this result. If I painted this in acrylics it would be ten times better.
Nonetheless, I haven’t enjoyed painting miniatures this much in a very long time!
A Dark Dog painted completely in oils over a black undercoat.
I will not do away with acrylics altogether. I will still use acrylics to paint 15mm and 10mm armies, and certain details like gems and gold trinkets. Over time though, as I get better and more experienced with oil paints, their use will come more and more prominent in my work. If not for the quality I can achieve, then for the sheer enjoyment I get out of the process.
So until my next post, stay safe and have fun.
NR
Lovely jubbly! ?
Thanks a lot. I am glad you like it.