Older painers question about miniz and eyesight.

[KnightOverlord]

I have not painted in 10 years and now the minis seem smaller. I ordered a bunch of the wrath of kings and they were so small I swear they look more like 18mm not 28mm. I wonder if this is my eyes or are,they just really friggn small?

What do other older painters do about painting way small miniatures? I have a jewlers head thing and some 3.5x reading glasses, but still have no idea on how to paint these smaller miniz. Plus my hands seem to shake a little where ten years ago they didn't. I may stick to 54mm or larger busts. Nut Planet dot com some awesome larger miniz as do scale 75.

Im onoy 48 so these problems may only get harder. Ill try and post a pix of the mini in question.

Any suggestions from y'all?



Michael

 

[Dragonsreach]

40+ years of painting + Shooting + being an old git = reading glasses and clip on magnifiers.

 

[Yuggoth]

My eyes are not the best too. I find good light very important. Getting a really strong daylight lamp has definately improved my painting a lot.

 

[KnightOverlord]

Thank you for the suggestions.

Michael

 

[Big_Bunny]

The best thing is a strong lamp. If it's not lit well, you'll never see the mini properly no matter how good your eyes are.

Personally, I use one of those lamps with a magnifying glass on them. I think it's only 2X but that's fine for me. The magnification is helpful, but it's the actual light that makes it or breaks it.

View attachment 43832

 

[Ritual]

Regarding shaky hands... Ir could be partly due to the fact you haven't painted for some time. Whenever I've started painting again after an extended hiatus, I've experienced somewhat shaky hands. But, it's gotten better as I've gotten back into the "zone". You could also make it easier for yourself by finding a good way to let your hands support each other. Lean the hand you're holding the brush with agains the wrist of the hand you're holding the miniature with, for example. That way you will reduce the shakiness considerably.

 

[KnightOverlord]

Thank you again for the suggestions.

I found a couple daylight lamps and a similar light with a magnifier in the center. Have you ever had problems with you paintbrush hitting the magnifier part. I also ordered a magnifying head set, similar to a jewlers it also has a light.

I do agree that light is a problem. Thank you so much for the suggestions. I hope to get back to competition level painting again. Hoping that this is not a young mans game.

cheers

michael

 

[krom1415]

I find when painting now at 56, the eyes take a long while to adjust back to normal vision.

And yes the miniatures are getting smaller but can't get into larger scales yet.

Best of luck.

 

[Big_Bunny]

Regarding brushes hitting the lamp ... I break the last 3 or so inches off them. Not only do I find them more comfortable but also they won't hit anything.

 

[fromchaos69.jm@gmail.com]

The headset is the way to go. Very inexpensive and quite effective, but don't get the kind that look like glasses with scopes on each lens, get a jewelers Loupe, or a Headband loupe. It will improve your painting. You will get a little dependent on them, but it's better than not painting at all because you can't see your work. View attachment 43913View attachment 43914