I would really like to get opinions on this
Bob C.
Original Post
Replies sorted oldest to newest
I do mine in flat. I've never seen real people walking around that are glossy. Don
Click picture to enlarge....
Attachments
Images (1)
Flat. People are not shiny, and generally their clothes are not either.
Flat, too many have them glossy and it doesn't look good. SCALE RAIL -nice layout !! I would like to see more.
I use flat myself ---- more realistic I think
Bob C.
A quick shot of DullCote will fix it.
Rod
yes. one can make the argument that not all clothing is dead flat. there is also some shine on faces at times
Bob C.
if a worker has a shiny face with dull cloth will be more accurate.
Andre.
No RRs in the photo posted !! On most layouts I think it would be pretty tough to tell if someone had a sweaty, shiny face !!
"Shiny happy people holding hands"
REM
I use flat myself unless it is the 70's and I am modeling polyester.
All the best,
Miketg
Flat would be best. I only occasionally see glossy people walking down the street.
Flat for sure.
Flat for most all situations. Semi gloss for those doing hard labor...figures with sledge hammers, etc.
how about a semi gloss with a strong leaning to flat?
Bob C.
How about flat for everything except hair, which I usually do semi-gloss. Not that I only model greaser era people but I have always thought that passenger figures inside a car and under illumination look a little more realistic with a bit of shine.
Well look around at the people in the room with you. and look around on the street the next time you go out. Get some ideas. I think the opinions above are good, in most cases flat is best. Someone doing hard labor may be sweating alot and look shiny on their face and hands.
But, how do the models look from 3 feet Away? How much is seen?
HANCOCK52
Good point about the hair
Bob C.
thanks for the input to all posters
Bob C.
Andre, I would fire the makeup artist. Of course most people on a layout don't have 4K lights hitting them in the face on a sunny day. LOL. Don
FLAT
Flat...except Mafia guys.
No one does "hard labor" on my layout. Well, maybe a few. 
Don
Attachments
Images (1)
If it's hot out they should be glossy
I'm going to buck the trend and vote for glossy. Almost all of the responses so far cite realism as the reason for duller finishes on figures, but one has to keep in mind that it isn't a given that realism is the ultimate goal for all of us. My layout shifted from hi-rail to a postwar, toy-like layout, and I have since added some tinplate equipment. An increasing number of trains, accessories and human figures on my layout feature colorful, glossy finishes. The answer to the original question is like so many others related to this hobby, being less a question of right or wrong than it is of preference.
Shiny or flat, in the end it really comes down to your own personal preference anyway. it's your layout.
GERMAN
good point
Bob C.
on page 19 of the2016 signature edition catalog Lionel shows us a very glossy engineer --- looks toy like to me.
Bob C.
RoyBoy posted:Flat. People are not shiny, and generally their clothes are not either.
"I beg to differ."
Jerry
