More prejudices surround figure painting than any other aspect of modeling. How many times have you heard, 'I would love to paint figures but you have to be a master to do it well', or, 'I couldn't do that even if I tried' when, in most cases they haven't tried. Many of us build impressive models, display them in well executed dioramas, and then leave out the most important part, the figures. Figures add more realism to a diorama than any other item, but there are many lifeless dioramas simply because we are afraid to take that first step, the dreaded face. The rest of the figure is something most people will attempt because it can be done with enamels, but, the face, that is done with oil paints. Funny, but there is something sinister about artist's oils to many modelers. In this section, we are going to attempt to dispell the anxiety of using oils and painting faces. Although there are many methods and styles, most are complicated and tend to discourage rather than encourage the beginning figure painter.
