Having a professional modify figures

[Sim]

I've applied a gloss black paint marker to some of my figures to do minor paint corrections, but I've recently noticed it has become liquid again on the figure in some cases.  I don't notice a pattern, for example it has stayed dried on my Safari flamingo, Vitae Jinyunpelta and Colorata anglerfish while it has reverted to liquid on my Safari fat-tailed scorpion, Vitae Sinraptor and Colorata Velociraptor.  In fact, I applied the paint to both eyes of my Vitae Sinraptor and it has stayed dry on one eye and reverted to liquid even spilling out on the other eye!

It's terrible really, the paint marker said it was permanent on plastic but after looking at the manufacturer's website it says plasticiser can affect the ability of the paint to bind to plastic, it just depends on the plasticiser.  Following this I won't use the gloss paint markers again.  However, it's got me thinking about whether I could commission a professional artist to do modifications to figures, after seeing the excellent work they've done on customised figures I've seen on this forum.

So I have a few questions:
1. Can you recommend artists that could modify a figure's paintjob or sculpt?
2. Do the figures modified by the artist become sticky or more stiff than before?
3. Do the modified figures remain waterproof, or could water damage them?
4. Do you know what material the artist uses for adding sculpted anatomy to a figure?

[thomasw100]

I've applied a gloss black paint marker to some of my figures to do minor paint corrections, but I've recently noticed it has become liquid again on the figure in some cases.  I don't notice a pattern, for example it has stayed dried on my Safari flamingo, Vitae Jinyunpelta and Colorata anglerfish while it has reverted to liquid on my Safari fat-tailed scorpion, Vitae Sinraptor and Colorata Velociraptor.  In fact, I applied the paint to both eyes of my Vitae Sinraptor and it has stayed dry on one eye and reverted to liquid even spilling out on the other eye!

It's terrible really, the paint marker said it was permanent on plastic but after looking at the manufacturer's website it says plasticiser can affect the ability of the paint to bind to plastic, it just depends on the plasticiser.  Following this I won't use the gloss paint markers again.  However, it's got me thinking about whether I could commission a professional artist to do modifications to figures, after seeing the excellent work they've done on customised figures I've seen on this forum.

So I have a few questions:
1. Can you recommend artists that could modify a figure's paintjob or sculpt?
2. Do the figures modified by the artist become sticky or more stiff than before?
3. Do the modified figures remain waterproof, or could water damage them?
4. Do you know what material the artist uses for adding sculpted anatomy to a figure?

I have used two professional artists for getting partial or complete repaints and some minor modifications to some of my PVC figures and for getting built up work of resin models (both traditional cast and 3D printed) and full customized paint work. I did also get some build ups and paint work of resin models through Lana Time shop in China.

For the paint design, it is generally advisable that you come up with some rather clear ideas, ideally even some concept art that you may find in a book or online.

Now about your questions:

1) The artists that I have commissioned are Dinosaur Models Artworks and dinocommissions. I can recommend both, but note that they have quite a different style. You need to check their Instagram to get a feel for that. Dinosaur Models Artworks does modifications and repaints of PVC figures and build up work of resin models, whereas dinocommissons as far as I know does mostly resin models.

2) I got only minor modifications on the PVC figurs like covering seam lines and the like. The material used for sculpt modifications is two-component epoxy putty which becomes rock solid. I guess the modified areas become stiff because this is a non-flexible material. I have not tried to bend them out of caution so I do not really know.

3) The question if the figures remain waterproof breaks down to two questions, i.e. the paint and the sculpt modifications. Because the sculpt modification is done by epoxy, I would think that this is waterproof. The paints that are used are acrylics and these are water based not oil based. So I would think that if you take the figures to the swimming pool the paint will start dissolving. I have done some paint fixes on my figures and used Valejo model paints and these are water soluble.

4) Already answered under 2)

[ceratopsian]

I have used Martin Garratt in the UK to repaint commercial figures. I haven't asked for modifications other than fixing moveable jaws to be immobile. He has successfully mended a figure that smashed in transit from Mexico. The figures are not stiffer or stickier. No idea on waterproof question but the artist could tell you. He will either do exactly the paint scheme you request or come up with something entirely by himself, or somewhere between the two extremes.

Someone once suggested on the forum trying local Warhammer artists for small modifications. But I haven't tried that. Our local shop closed!  But it sounded worth pursuing.

[thomasw100]

I have used Martin Garratt in the UK to repaint commercial figures. I haven't asked for modifications other than fixing moveable jaws to be immobile. He has successfully mended a figure that smashed in transit from Mexico. The figures are not stiffer or stickier. No idea on waterproof question but the artist could tell you. He will either do exactly the paint scheme you request or come up with something entirely by himself, or somewhere between the two extremes.

Someone once suggested on the forum trying local Warhammer artists for small modifications. But I haven't tried that. Our local shop closed!  But it sounded worth pursuing.

Sorry I forgot about Martin Garratt which would probably be the best option if your are in the UK, not least because you do not need to deal with all the customs formalities.

The Warhammer artists seem to have a specific style (albeit the differences between individual artists) that one may like or not like. I do always feel that the Warhammer stuff looks either cartoony or metallic. Not sure how to express this otherwise.

The work of people who mainly focus on prehistoric animals is different from that and I like that more. If you compare work from lets say Martin Garatt, Dinosaur Models Artworks and Paul van den Stenberge they all have their distinct style, but all of them have a way of bringing dinosaurs and other prehistoric animals to life.

[ceratopsian]

I would certainly say that for small modifications, it's best for @Sim to find someone in the UK.  I've used Ben in Belgium for painting resins and for repainting a CollectA pterosaur and he's been brilliant - but I would be reluctant to send a model out of the country for a small adjustment to the paint scheme or the model itself because of customs formalities and potential extra costs. 

[SidB]

I was one person who suggested a local warhammer artist, as I use the excellent services of an individual in my neighborhood. Now if you're concerned about certain distinctives (cartoony, metallic), if you have the right artist, that person may well be able to make the requisite adjustments, especially on small  and/or corrective jobs. Mine  certainly does and also his work is not "cartoony", but extremely sophisticated, accomplishing levels and nuances of detail on very tiny figures that is astonishing.

[Sim]

Thanks for the replies guys!  They are all very helpful!  The figures I'm looking to have customised would be PVC figures, I don't collect resin models.  I have some experience with acrylic paint, it shouldn't be harmed by water if it's good quality.

I've looked up some of Martin Garratt's work and I'm not sure if he'd be willing to make smaller modifications to figures, such as removing bases, colour matching where the base was removed from, or repainting figures similar to mass-produced colourations.  Maybe I should ask him, although I don't know how to contact him.  Help with that would be appreciated!

I like the work of Dinosaur Models Artworks and I saw they do things like paint matching, where are they located?

[thomasw100]

Thanks for the replies guys!  They are all very helpful!  The figures I'm looking to have customised would be PVC figures, I don't collect resin models.  I have some experience with acrylic paint, it shouldn't be harmed by water if it's good quality.

I've looked up some of Martin Garratt's work and I'm not sure if he'd be willing to make smaller modifications to figures, such as removing bases, colour matching where the base was removed from, or repainting figures similar to mass-produced colourations.  Maybe I should ask him, although I don't know how to contact him.  Help with that would be appreciated!

I like the work of Dinosaur Models Artworks and I saw they do things like paint matching, where are they located?

Dinosaur Models Artworks is located in Barcelona, Spain. They do about anything that can be done. I just had the mouth of one of my Haolonggood Argentinosaurus closed. Repaint is in the making. Big project and will take some time.