Hey all,
I am from a traditional oil painting background and now a 3D artist for a landscape architects. I’m getting into 3D printing a little and thought I might be able to combine my skills. For example, I could model a rhinos head in detail, print it out and paint it in detail. A example of a painting to maybe give some idea what I’d like to do - http://www.artmajeur.com/en/artist/mhc-art/collection/the-art-of-martin-coohill/1007580/artwork/rhino-study/180606
Does anyone paint detailed models?, what kind of paints do you use?, are there any websites with such work? - if I could sell such work and find some kind of niche all the better
Thanks,
Martin
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3dpGeek
2
I acually just painted an owl that I modeled and printed. I am not a professional in painting by far but I think my first results were decent. I used acrylic paint and brushed it on. My model is in abs though. I have found many people use the spray guns for abs or airisol cans. In researching the topic I have found it really depends on what type of plastic and what type of tools your comfortable with.
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Nice job, @lalap! Was it laborious? Just wondering, moving forward do you recommend acrylic on ABS or are you still looking for more options?
3dpGeek
4
I don’t have access to a spray gun so for now I am sticking with the hand painting. It was to bad. Between applying acetone and the few coats of paint in took me Saturday and Sunday. This model also had a great deal of detail and it was my first time painting something like this so it took a little long then expected. It definitely takes a little practice if you haven’t done it before. If you have a spray gun and are comfortable with I would say definitely give it a shot.
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I think you will love this: An Interview with Model Painter Adrian Yablin — Bold Machines
A 3D printed model painter explains step by step her workflow. Her style is more cartoonish, but that really is up to the artist. Their project Bold Machines is pretty cool by the way.
I would recommend you to smooth your prints first via cold acetone bath for example, as the surface of your print will be clean and shiny, ready to apply the paint.
My experience is with 3D printed monsters designed by children (aka Moyupi), so nothing realistic, but in my team we used this acetone smoothing method, white plastic primer spray, acrylic paint and some spray vernish for the finish, and it worked out well. Good luck!
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Cool, I’ll keep it in mind. Thanks!
That’s great, thank you for the link. It gives me something to go on, I’d still like to find some more detailed paintwork - the sort of work done on models for movies like Jurassic park
Thanks for the tips!.. cool owl too
I noticed on the interview she was using Golden acrylics, I’ve got some at home, very good and expensive acrylics
A little investigation trough Youtube brought me to this artist, Rick Baker, he also explains his creation process in the link, less detailed I think but really interesting anyway, since he works for Hollywood: http://3dprintingindustry.com/2014/02/27/hollywood-legend-brings-popeye-life-3d-printing/
Is this realistic enough? 
Hello Martin,
Where are you based ? im in Paris, France.
I propose to scan and print selfies to my clients.
I am looking for a painter that could paint some 3D Printed selfies.
I would like to experiment and see what it would look like and what’s the cost and time it takes.
Cordialement
Alexandre
Hi Alexandre,
I’m in Bath, UK - in the south-west. Sounds like an interesting idea, I could send you some of my work if you want to see what I’ve done in the past. If you’ve any scans you want me to look at I’d be interested to see them.
Thanks Lucika, that’s very nice, much more what I’m looking for!
