Hi, just read roger buntings topic and was just wondering whether it is best to paint mini\'s using a magnifying glass or just simply by eye. I asked this at my local gw store a while back but was advised to steer clear of magnifying glasses so up to now I have refrained from using one. Let me know your thoughts on this. Thanks.:innocent:
eye or magnify
- Thread starter minifreak
- Start date
Gilvan Blight
New member
It\'s a matter of personal preferance.
I personally use both. Most of the time I use the naked eye, but when doing small details like eyes I use a magnifier. I have a lamp with two halogen bulbs and a magnifier in between that does the trick nicely.
I personally use both. Most of the time I use the naked eye, but when doing small details like eyes I use a magnifier. I have a lamp with two halogen bulbs and a magnifier in between that does the trick nicely.
Dragonsreach
Super Moderator
Horses for courses.
I wear glasses and find I can\'t focus on anything inside 3 feet with my \"Normal\" lenses, hence why I wear Readers.
(Bi-focal/Varifocal lenses are no good for my job when I\'m inside the guts of a PC or server.)
Magnifiers will help with a lot of fine detail but you shouldn\'t rely on them 100%.
And with the greatest of respect to the GW staff, the vast majority of them are \"Bulk\" painters not going to inordinate amounts of effort to get detail right.
I wear glasses and find I can\'t focus on anything inside 3 feet with my \"Normal\" lenses, hence why I wear Readers.
(Bi-focal/Varifocal lenses are no good for my job when I\'m inside the guts of a PC or server.)
Magnifiers will help with a lot of fine detail but you shouldn\'t rely on them 100%.
And with the greatest of respect to the GW staff, the vast majority of them are \"Bulk\" painters not going to inordinate amounts of effort to get detail right.
I use my eyes only. I would love to use some form of magnification, but I find that it distorts my depth perception... which as you can imagine is a big problem. 1/32 of an inch is more than enough difference between a beautiful, reflective, lifelike eye, and a blob.
Anyone else have this problem????
Anyone else have this problem????
Gilvan Blight
New member
Definately. I found when using my magnifier I had to learn to adjust to the differance. It took some time, but now that I know how things move while looking through it, it\'s just like working without it.
My suggestion for starting off is to paint a large easy area like a cloak under magnification. You won\'t need the magnification but you will get a good idea on what the lense is doing to distort your perceptions and dexterity. Once you know how to adjust then work on things like eyes, belt pouches, straps, jewlery, etc. I also find that a magnifier is good for getting to some of those hard to see spots to ensure that you didn\'t miss anywhere. Though I often use the magnifier to find the spot but then paint it with the naked eye (well almost naked, I do wear glasses).
My suggestion for starting off is to paint a large easy area like a cloak under magnification. You won\'t need the magnification but you will get a good idea on what the lense is doing to distort your perceptions and dexterity. Once you know how to adjust then work on things like eyes, belt pouches, straps, jewlery, etc. I also find that a magnifier is good for getting to some of those hard to see spots to ensure that you didn\'t miss anywhere. Though I often use the magnifier to find the spot but then paint it with the naked eye (well almost naked, I do wear glasses).
No Such Agency
New member
I actually own a binocular magnifier which preserves the sense of depth, but I find that it doesn\'t really help me much except in cases where I\'m trying to paint detail and there are things in the way (e.g. painting eyes inside a helmet slit). It just takes so long to adjust your muscles tot he scale your eyes are seeing, sometimes by the time you are comfortable painting that pupil on, the paint has dried on the brush too much to do it.
verzaniproductions
New member
If you really want a quality magnifier, invest in an optivisor. It is available where jeweler materials are sold, and you can find them easily on ebay. I use mine for everything except the basecoats of a miniature. For me, I can\'t imagine going back to naked eye painting after using the optivisor for the last few years.
Dragonsreach
Super Moderator
Trouble is Matt not every one finds an Optivisor a comfortable piece of equipment to wear.
I have one, but after about 20 minutes of constantly stopping to have to readjust the placement/positioning, I\'m fed up with it.
I have one, but after about 20 minutes of constantly stopping to have to readjust the placement/positioning, I\'m fed up with it.
A mixed reply from everyone. I\'m still unsure whether to give it a try or not. Verzaniproductions i looked at those optivisors on ebay they look pretty cool. I might get one just to see how bad my minis are or not(hopefully). :drunk: Keep the opinions coming in guys to pursuade me one way or the other.
Einion
New member
I think you can get Rolson products in the UK. If there\'s a DIY store or similar near you with a crafting/small tools section they may stock the Rolson version of the Optivisor which will only set you back about 20 quid.
But there\'s no knowing ahead of time if you\'ll like how some things work unfortunately. This is one of those things where if we had to get used to it we would, say your close vision is totally shot so it\'s either use a magnifier or have to give up minis entirely. Most people could find they\'d be able to adapt in those circumstances, but most of us don\'t want to force ourselves to accommodate to something new and you can certainly make more of an effort than just trying something a couple of times and deciding \"It\'s not for me.\" (which, let\'s face it, a lot of us have done with certain things).
At least with a modest investment you\'re not going to kick yourself too much if you can\'t adapt now. Regardless of which way you go on this definitely work under a good, bright light as low lighting does your vision no favours.
Einion
But there\'s no knowing ahead of time if you\'ll like how some things work unfortunately. This is one of those things where if we had to get used to it we would, say your close vision is totally shot so it\'s either use a magnifier or have to give up minis entirely. Most people could find they\'d be able to adapt in those circumstances, but most of us don\'t want to force ourselves to accommodate to something new and you can certainly make more of an effort than just trying something a couple of times and deciding \"It\'s not for me.\" (which, let\'s face it, a lot of us have done with certain things).
At least with a modest investment you\'re not going to kick yourself too much if you can\'t adapt now. Regardless of which way you go on this definitely work under a good, bright light as low lighting does your vision no favours.
Einion
Yeah Einion I know what you mean about the lighting a few times I have stayed up late painting thinking the mini was the best thing since sliced bread when going to bed until I have looked at it in the daylight- oh my god they looked bad. I try to paint during the day as much as possible.
Einion
New member
Oh don\'t sweat that exact thing too much - lots of superb-quality paintjobs look dodgy in direct sunlight or very bright indirect daylight.
Long as your paintwork looks good under bright artificial light that\'s usually plenty good enough.
Whatever you do, don\'t ever look at something upside down in sunlight that you\'ve done under artificial light! You\'ll want to chuck it in the nearest bucket of paint stripper lol
Einion
Queenoftheunifrogs
New member
where yould you get one of those magnifying lamps in the uk? just curious as my vision is terrible (i can see 5 inches from my face without my glasses on and thats it)
wiccanpony
Official Freak Bar Witch
gads! I\'m almost 60 and I couldn\'t paint without an Optivisor, my eyesight is that bad.