"Do You Use Your Thumbnail?" Topic

JSchutt once wrote:

I use my thumbnail as a palette. Once a figure is blocked out, I tend to use but a drop of paint at a time for my "fine work" and hence don't worry about paint drying out on me. Working from such a close proximity to my eyes, brush and figure helps control paint flow… which is what it's all about.

Do you do something similar?

I use my thumbnail to keep paint from accumulating around the bristles and ferrule.

And I thought I was the only one who did this.

The other day, while out to dinner with my three-year-old, our waitress was told I had a "pretty pink fingernail". I had forgotten, I had been ruddying a few cheeks and weathering some red cuffs.

I have traces of bronze patina right now.

What an EXCELLENT idea. I didn't before this heads-up. In the future, I will.

Agreed, interesting idea. Especially for painting small details, such as faces and buttons.

No. I use my paint pallet as a paint pallet.

I don't think it would work for me. It does sound like it could add some efficiency for some.

Only by accident.

Yes, and the back of me hand when dry brushing!

Tally Ho!

I may have to give this a go. Thanks Bill!

I've done it occasionally but don't do it often.

Not just the thumbnail rather the entire thumb. Most goes on the pallet, but when I notice there is still too much on the brush I'll quickly use the back of thumb to remove the excess.

Christopher

Sigh! Guilty, use thumb nail mainly to get paint running smoothly and at right thinness, get lots of stares when I pop down to the shops, people most probably think I'm up to real weird stuff :)

Yes. That's what my thumbnail is for.
Michael

Does using your thumbnail to tighten loose screws on your eyeglasses count?

Huh, it's not just a backstop when cutting with an X-Acto knife, who knew?

In a word, no. I try to avoid getting pant on any part of me.

No, makes them taste bad when I'm chewing on them.

Interesting idea. Hadn't thought of that. But I think I'll stick with my old methods.

Yep, been doing that since I first read about it in Military Modeler (IIRC) way back in the mid-'70s.

I don't trust paint anywhere on my fingers when handling minis I'm painting…

Yup, thumbnail and thumb. And like nickinsomerset, the back of the hand for extra-drying for drybrushing.

ditto

No, I use a disposable plastic, drink cup lid as a palette.

No cleanup, and easily replaced for free (not counting the cost of the beverages I buy and drink to get them).

Straws make great paint siphons, and are free too.

No.

No, never heard of such a thing.

Never thought of it.

Yes, picked it up mid '80's in an early 'Eavy Metal column in White Dwarf.
I have to remember to clean it off before attending council meetings as I otherwise get strange looks from member s of the public the rest of the council already know and just chuckle) My mother once thought I'd got a damaged nail (black & green)…

No but I paint the cat's noses when they get too close while I'm painting.

This:

Rich Bliss: In a word, no. I try to avoid getting pant on any part of me.

I use my thumb to sharpen the point of the brush and to make sure that the paint is properly diluted before I apply it to the figure. I always end up with a multicoloured finger :D
I leant to do this when I was working at the GW Studio, watching some of the guys from 'evy metal

No

I try to avoid getting pant on any part of me.

Even your legs?

@Bashytubits, awesome picture!

For those who like the idea but don't want paint on their nails thumb pallettes are a "thing". Used in nail varnishing….stainless steel and available on Amazon