I recently 3D printed a scale figurine of a mermaid pin-up and had an incredible time bringing the model to life with oil paints and acrylics. The 3D model was sculpted by Red Clay Collectibles and I could not be more impressed with the quality of the design. Originally the model was designed for miniature scale, but I scaled it up in the 3D slicer before printing on my Saturn 8K resin printer.
The painting process was both challenging and rewarding. I used a combination of Winsor & Newton and Gamblin oil colors to bring out the intricate details and vibrant colors of the mermaid’s skin. The skin tones were particularly enjoyable to paint and I had a lot of fun experimenting with different techniques to get the desired effect.
However, painting near the hair and neck of the model proved to be more challenging. I encountered difficulties with blending and avoiding smudging, but I persevered and was eventually able to produce a satisfactory result.
During the painting process, I discovered the benefits of using zinc white oil paint instead of titanium white. I found that zinc white helps with de-saturation and value adjustments, allowing me to achieve a more accurate representation of the mermaid’s skin tones.
Work In Progress
Completed Model
