HMS series

How the series is put together

Kit figures have one peculiarity: they come as parts that already carry the colour of the plastic, and the modeller is usually unifying and finishing rather than starting from scratch. The HMS series works from that premise. The flesh tones are mixed to follow on from one another, so they can be used as highlight, mid-tone and shadow for skin.

The translucent colours are for glazing: laid over a flesh base, they give flushed cheeks, warmth in the folds or a brownish cast without hiding the modelling beneath. The smooth clear coat seals the work and evens out the difference in sheen between bare plastic and painted areas. The fine gold serves small decorative elements, buckles and fittings, where a coarser metallic would swamp the detail.

Working with the range

Start from the mid-tone, not the lightest

It pays to lay the mid-tone as the base, then the shadow into the folds and the highlight on nose, forehead and cheekbones. The reverse order leads to layers covering each other and the surface losing its volume.

Translucent colours by the drop

A glaze has to be so weak that one pass is barely visible. The result is built over three to five passes. Adjust the density with a product from the thinners and cleaners category intended for this paint type.

Clear coat last

Apply the clear coat thinly over work that is completely dry. To match the result to the sheen of the surrounding parts, compare the options in the clear coats category.

What suits them

• Figure kits, the subject these shades are aimed at
• Space, sci-fi and fantasy kits, where kit figures appear most often
• Modelling brushes in the smallest sizes for eyes, eyebrows and facial detail
• An airbrush for laying a flesh base smoothly with no brush marks
• Bottles, pipettes and palettes for dosing glazes accurately

The rest of the same brand's range, including opaque shades for vehicles and aviation, is in the Gunze Mr.Color category.