How to Paint 1/6 Heads
A prominent feature on action figures, 1/6 heads have been around for centuries. Hobbyists often collect and customize action figures by painting their heads, bodies and making clothes for them. You can make them look like soldiers, movie stars, music performers or virtually any person you can imagine. Painting the 1/6 head yourself can provide a rewarding experience, allowing you to feel the achievement of a finished piece.
Other People Are Reading
Things You'll Need
- Sharp hobby knife
- Mild liquid soap
- Lint-free cloth
- Paintbrushes, assorted sizes
- Acrylic paints
- Clear-coat matte paint
Instructions
-
-
1
Remove any visible mold lines left over from the manufacturing process on the sides of the 1/6 head using a hobby knife. Do not scrape off any parts of the actual head unless you are attempting to re-create or enhance the shape of the face.
-
2
Clean the head with warm water and mild liquid soap, removing any dust, residue or other particles. Wipe off any moisture and pat the head completely dry with a lint-free cloth.
-
-
3
Create the skin tone by making light strokes with a large paintbrush. Do not press on the brush or paint the top of the head or the eye areas. Start at the center of the face, and move outward. Pick the color of acrylic paint based on the image or skin tone of the character, model or person you want to re-create. Use a thin brush as you begin to apply highlights to the base skin color. Place the brushes under warm water to clean them, and allow them to dry. Wait until the paint dries before moving on to the next step.
-
4
Create the eyeballs on the action figure's face with your thinnest paintbrush and white acrylic paint. Allow the eyes to dry before moving on, which can take an hour or two unless the conditions are extremely hot and humid, in which case you may need to wait even longer. Clean the brush, and place it on a flat surface to dry. Use the thin brush to paint small circles within the white eye sockets with the chosen color, and allow the sockets to dry. Add the pupil and the iris to complete the eyes.
-
5
Paint the hair with your desired color paint using a medium-size brush. Start at the center top of the head, and use outward strokes to create the illusion of the hair growing and looking natural. Use the same color to paint the eyebrows. Clean the brush with water, and let it dry.
-
6
Place the head in a cool, dry environment to let it dry completely overnight. Use a larger brush to coat the head with matte coat to protect the paint job. Leave the head in a cool, dry environment for another 48 hours before attempting to attach it to the body.
-
1
