Stone age family

[Little Jo]

Wow, just one day offline and I got a lot of feedback.

Thanks to you all for the kind praise.

(Although when I now look two days after on the photo I must admit, that the fur structure on the female does not look as fine grained as on the orginal figure ...)

I sooooo love these customs!!!! And the presentation is just superb!
That photo would make a great desktop wallpaper (hint, hint!).

Okay, I understood. Please give me a hint when I forget to send it to you in the next days.

I've often thought of trying to make a female partner for the Caveman Special, but I'm sure I couldn't have done it as well as this.

I assume, you would  When I'm looking at you customs (e.g. the Santa Babe) I think this would be no big deal for you 

Top marks for doing such a good job of matching the tanned skin tone. May I ask what paint you used? A combination of colours, I'm guessing.

Right. I'm using the Revell enamel paints (although lately I also tested some of the Revell acryl paints); in this case it's actually a combination of color (don 't ask me how long it took 'til I found the exact match ... and don't ask me which incredients I used  -- it was not that easy because the head and the legs do directly fit to the painted pieces so the shade must be as much accurate as possible because it would be visible very clearly if not)

Have you considered sending photos of some of your creations to Playmobil, Jochen? 

No, I never considered this. Do you think I should? (Aren't they reading here anyway ?!?  ) But on what should I hang the story to? As enhancement requests? Suggestions for new sets? Or just the simple storyline "your stuff is so lovely, look what many nice things can be done with it" ... 
But as longer I'm thinking about it, maybe I actually should do it. Currently I have some customs in work which would be actually a good suggestion for add-ons. (Hm, maybe the badminton set too, or ...)

[Captain Henry]

WOW! 

Jochen - those are absolutely wonderful! Of all your customs, I think those are my favorites. Bravo!

[Sylvia]

I'm using the Revell enamel paints (although lately I also tested some of the Revell acryl paints); in this case it's actually a combination of color (don 't ask me how long it took 'til I found the exact match ... and don't ask me which incredients I used  -- it was not that easy because the head and the legs do directly fit to the painted pieces so the shade must be as much accurate as possible because it would be visible very clearly if not)

I had the same problem when trying to mix paint for my hula dancer figure (as seen in the Tokens of Friendship topic). I mixed batch after batch of paint and still couldn't get an exact match. In the end I had to settle for something slightly lighter because each time I tried to darken it, the tone became wrong. It was also much shinier than I wanted it to be. Yours looks much better with just a slight sheen.

No, I never considered this. Do you think I should? (Aren't they reading here anyway ?!?  ) But on what should I hang the story to? As enhancement requests? Suggestions for new sets? Or just the simple storyline "your stuff is so lovely, look what many nice things can be done with it" ... 

I would suggest a combination of all of those comments. 

I suppose they are reading here from time to time, but why not write to them direct?
I know other people have done so in the past and influenced development of new sets or features in existing ones (the arrow slots in the steck castles, for example).

[Little Jo]

It was also much shinier than I wanted it to be. Yours looks much better with just a slight sheen.

Oh, yes, I forgot. I used matt or silk matt paints. Best effects looking most similiar to the orginal PM shade are with silk matt paints, from my experience. Using a cotton sheet to polish the painted item afterwards makes it look quite similiar like original PM stuff.
If you only have glossy paint (because of the exact color match) I'm sometimes using a matt clear varnish afterwards, which gives a quite similiar effect.

I know other people have done so in the past and influenced development of new sets or features in existing ones (the arrow slots in the steck castles, for example).

Oh, really? This was a fan suggestion? Cool.

[Sylvia]

Oh, really? This was a fan suggestion? Cool.

Yep! I believe it was Gordon Smuder who sent in that suggestion. 
He's a member of playmoboard, and for quite a long time his signature on his profile read: "You can thank me for the arrow slots."

Thanks for the tips on reducing shine when using gloss paints.

In the past, I've also tried painting with matt paints and applying a clear satin varnish, but it's still hard to find one that isn't too shiny. Richard has also recommended a spray that can be applied (can't remember the brand name right now), but I've yet to try it out.

[Richard]

Richard has also recommended a spray that can be applied (can't remember the brand name right now), but I've yet to try it out.

Hello, Sylvia ...

The product seems to be similar to what Jochen is using. It is made by Testors and used to be called "Dull Coat" ... This appears to be what they are calling it now ...1960 Model Master - Clear Flat Finish 3 Oz. Spray Can ...

[hoppatussa]

Excellent job.  I love the baby!  I must aquire some painting skills!

[Meg]

Jo,
I have been getting caught up after a month's absence.
I am very VERY impressed with all the customs you have presented.
Not being caught up, I cant say if this is my favorite, but it is certainly one of the contenders.

I marvel at your skill

Meg

[Robbie]

Very creative and a really brilliant background!

[Sirena]

I think the baby is really cute! And I like the woman too. Thanks for sharing with us.