My first repaint

Here's my first repaint. It had to be a jaguar (Schleich)... My favourite big cat and a personal totem of mine.

Holy, hopping hamster

I have just seen your pictures of this cat outdoors, and see close-up it is even more impressive

Thanks a million, Susanne!

Amazing reapint ! You can be proud !

Wow, he is GREAT!! I never would have guessed that was your first repaint, incredible work!

For a first repaint it is fabulous! I think now you've found you are very talented and the way is to continue painting and painting. Starting with a jaguar is very brave! Now you have to keep challenging yourself and keep your good work.

Awesome job--esp. for your first time. I am sure it will not be your last.

Awww! Thanks for all the kind words of encouragement, everyone. I'm hoping I can keep pushing the envelop and perhaps, one day, make some figurine myself.

Beautiful!!

Nice work :)

Thank you so much, Jessica and Andreas!

Lovely repaint, congrats!

Thanks Anna!

Very nice repaint.

Thank you, Robert!

Your first repaint, shows that very talented person made it :)
I really like it ! Now it look`s like real Jaguar.
You have a nice taste for the colors and good technique with the brushes ( with will be better and better with every next model), so I`m sure, that we will see more lovely painted models from you :)
..like the Papo Cougar, which I also like very much

By the way, I saw your introduction and the problems with the ``sticky Jaguar``.
I have the same problems before...because of the different Acrylic Varnish I tried ...
But since I use Vallejo Varnish - Mat and also Satin , I don`t have this problem anymore :)
Our dear Anna told me about Vallejo ..and I`m very happy with this brand.
I think, that maybe one of the reasons to be not sticky is, that Vallejo Varnish is made it on water base.
It is important also how you put the varnish on the model ( but I think you know that :) )

Thank you so much, Kosta! I've seen your work on the forum, and such lovely compliments coming from you means a lot to me. Your models are incredible!

I think the reason my model went sticky is because the sealer I used was solvent based (xylene, I think). It may have affected the paint.

Just a few quick questions... Is it necessary to put on a varnish? I'm quite happy with the flat look of the paints. I did buy a Vallejo satin finish, but I'm a bit reticent in using it. Also, should it be painted on thin or sprayed with an airbrush?

Thank you very much for your so kind words to me

The varnish is good thing, because it`s protecting the paints. With varnish, you don`t have to worry, when you touch the model :)
If you like the model, how it look`s after you repainted it, you can use Mat varnish ...then will look`s the same, but more secured. The Satin varnish gives it a nice, discreet shine ...so it depends how you want your model to be at the end.
My varnish is aerosol ( the Mat and also the Satin ), so I spray it on the models.
I didn`t try other ways ..so I don`t know how to use other type of finish.
So, your Vallejo satin finish is not a aerosol ?
And one more question, what is ``sealer`` ? I don`t know this word...and Google translate , doesn`t help me too
You paint with acrylic paints right? Don`t you use water for solvent ?

A bit more information about using the Aerosol Varnish (mat or Satin) :
I frizz the spray from 30 sm...I`m waitnig around 15 min to be dry...and I do this at least 3 times (or more) everywhere on the model.

And one more tip : If you want your model to look more realistic, you can make the eyes shiny...
for example , with Colorless nail polish (or something else..)

You're very welcome.

The Vallejo varnish I have is in a small bottle (like the paints). I guess I have to paint it on, just like the colours. The store I bought it from didn't have an aerosol one. I could probably thin it down and use it in my airbrush, I guess, but I think I'll try it on a scrap piece of paper beforehand... I don't want to mess up my jaguar!

"Sealer" is just another term for varnish or lacquer... It "seals" the paint off from dust and scratches.

Thank you so much for all the tips and advice. I've seen your models and they look like they are alive. Glossy eyes makes a big difference.

Thank you for the explanation about ``Sealer`` :)
Google translate give me very funny translation for this word

So, yeah, your Vallejo varnish is not aerosol ...and I think, you are right ... you have to paint it on, just like the colors. But I never did that before ..and I don`t know how will be the result..
So yeah, please try it on different piece before .... :)

Thanks Kosta!   I managed to varnish both my jaguar and puma yesterday, and they came out looking fabulous. I think the varnish also makes the colours more vibrant. Oh! And thank you about the advice on shiny eyes. I followed your advice on my next model. Take a look at my [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.] I recently finished... I'm so happy with him. The shiny eyes really makes a big different. 

That`s great news
Can you please tell me, how did you put the varnish on the models ?

I`m happy , that you tried to make the eyes glossy on your cheetah. It gives a nice detail ..and your cheetah look`s great :)

If I`m not wrong... Anna told me about the trick for the glossy eyes :)
So, this is one of the sweet parts of this forum - to learn from each other :)

Thank you, Kosta!   I decided to paint it on. Spraying the varnish clogged the airbrush too quickly, even if I thinned it out.

This forum is so cool! I like the way we all share tips and tricks, and of course, our love of miniature animal figurines. 

Thank you for the info :)
..Waiting for your next repaint...or custom ... or own model ...