Let's talk stockings. I'm currently working on a steampunk miniature and I'm painting semi-opaque leggings. Stocking sheerness can range anywhere from a silky, transparent nylon (left) to a thicker, more opaque version (right).
I've watched a few video tutorials on transparent fabric, including the one on Dark Sword Miniatures's DVD featuring Jessica Rich. Not only is Jessica a fantastic painter, she's also a cool person. She donated 20% of the proceeds to RAINN and signed copies for those who bought the DVD through her website-- I'm happy to have been one of them!
“I am now selling 70 copies of my DVD set where 20% of the proceeds will go to RAINN (Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network). This charity is dear to me, and has helped over 1.5 million victims of sexual assault since it’s founding in 1994. Here’s a link to their site if you’d like more information: www.rainn.org”
"Jen - Harvester of Souls" sculpted by Jeff Grace; painted by Jen Haley (click for the link to Dark Sword's website)
Marike Reimer also has some great examples of wet/transparent cloth-- check out her Cersei Lannister and "Woman Emerging from Water" both from Dark Sword miniatures and sculpted by Tom Meier. While those are undoubtedly amazing examples of painting transparent cloth, I'm attempting to paint darker sheer fabrics, similar to Jen Haley's "Jen - Harvester of Souls" that Jeff Grace sculpted of her for Dark Sword Miniatures. I am in love with the way Jen painted sheer, ripped stockings. Also, how cool must it have been to paint a miniature of one's self?
My goal is to recreate this sheer stocking effect and, if it goes well, also paint some rips (Lord, help me). The rest of this miniature is still under construction and I'm keeping her upper half a secret until it's done. However, I can tell you that painting in 75mm scale is difficult. It's definitely a switch and I think I need to increase my brush size. It's taking some serious patience. However, I've done a lot of research-- now it's time to use it all and create some great results!