Above seventy millimetres a painter finally has room to work. Figures of 75 and 85 mm correspond to roughly 1:24 to 1:21 and are aimed at modellers who would rather bring one piece to perfection than finish ten quickly. Eyes, the weave of a surcoat, the texture of mail and gradual flesh transitions all become genuinely visible.
Historical subjects lead the listing, especially fourteenth-century Italian knights, a crusader's last stand at the Springs of Cresson in 1187 and soldiers of both world wars, with civilian, fantasy, steampunk and biomechanical pieces beside them. Scenic bases are common, turning a single figure into a small diorama. The guide below covers accuracy, part counts and dry fitting.
This size targets more experienced painters, because every surface is big enough to show both your skill and your shortcuts. Historical subjects dominate, with knights and twentieth-century soldiers most strongly represented, and alongside them sit civilian genre pieces, fantasy and science fiction including biomechanical designs. Many castings include a worked base, from stone paving to a wrecked hull, which changes the task from figure painting to scene building. Expect a part count in the teens on the more elaborate releases, and expect the base to take as long as the body.
With a historical figure, research heraldry, uniform and equipment colours before you start; a large surface magnifies every error without mercy. Genre and fantasy pieces tolerate a free palette and reward experiments with atmosphere, such as an evening or winter key.
Large figures arrive broken down into body, arms, head, weapons and base components. Dry fit everything first, then paint separately any surface the brush could not otherwise reach and join those parts last. Fill the resulting seams with putty and sand them back before priming, since a shoulder joint left visible will undo an otherwise excellent face.
If large display figures are new to you, build confidence on 54 mm model figures first. Once the extra surface has you hooked, the peaks of the range are 120 mm model figures and model figure busts, which concentrate everything into a portrait.
An overview of every figure size is kept at model figures.
