Some Tips on Painting...

I'm trying something new right now, so I thought I'd put down a few thoughts about the strategy for painting miniatures.

Painting 'Now' Technique(s)

I was reading about a different painting technique and decided I'd give it a go on my 28mm wild west figures.  Essentially the process is this:

1.  Prime the miniature black.
2.  Dry brush the figure with white. (black will remain in all the low spots.)
3.  Paint your figure with a layer of color(s).
4. Add a layer of lighter shades over the base color.
5. Dry brush white over the top to highlight the uppermost details.

The result is a figure that shows a better amount of shading and highlighting than I am used to doing. (progress pics to come soon showing the stages.)  The results have eliminated the need to do a dark wash and the shadows are still in the appropriate places.

Painting 'Past' Technique(s)

Here is how I've painted my miniatures in the past:

1.  Prime the miniature. (Black, White, or Gray.  See notes below.)
2.  Paint your figure with a layer of color(s).
3.  Add a layer of dark wash (thinned down black or brown paint and water) to get some shadows in the low spots, folds, and etc.
4.  Add a layer of lighter shades over the base color.
5.  Dry brush white over the top to highlight the uppermost details.

Selection of Primer Color:

Here are a few colors to choose from:

White: All of my early figures, 15mm and some 25mm, were painted white.  This was because they were 15mm ACW and Napoleonic figures, and 25mm Star Wars with brightly colored uniforms.  The white base coat makes the colors come out that much more brighter.

Black: I now paint all of my figures with a black base coat.  I started with my 20mm WWII skirmish figures and carried it through to all of my newer 10mm Zulus, and 28mm ACW, Seminole Indian, and other skirmish figures. The black base coat tends to dull the colors somewhat, giving them a muted/dirty/used tone, exactly what I wanted for those time periods.

Gray: I tried to use a gray base coat, but I just didn't like the results, not to mean that you won't.  It gives a result somewhere between white and black.  Some of the pro-painters swear by it?

Painting 'Future' Technique(s)

With this 'new' technique, at least to me, I've eliminated the dark paint wash step. I keep reading about doing ink washes and I know some live by it.  I'll probably give it a try on some future miniatures and will report on the results.

Here's some pictures of my Deputies in Progress using my 'New technique'.

(Color Schemes are taken from 'Pale Rider')

#1: The Primed Black Figures.

 #2: The figures are dry-brushed white.

#3a: Color being added to the figures, under-layers first.

 #3b: Color being added to the figures, outer layers second.

#4: Additional lighter shades & highlights.

#5: Final shading. (Coming Soon.)

#6: Bases, flocking and details. (Coming Soon.) 

25mm ACW Wood and Stone Barns

Here's even more paper building goodness.  This time in 25mm/28mm scale for your ACW games.  These would fit in fine with other black powder games as well.

15mm ACW Wood and Stone Barns

Here's a 15mm Wood and Stone Barns that I created years ago, with an option side workhouse or storage area.  I designed it for the ACW, but would probably fit in for any blackpowder era game. Enjoy.

15mm and 25mm European Stone Barn and Stone House

More paper building goodness that I created years ago.  Take your pic, 15mm or 25mm? 

Paper Building: 15mm ACW Barn

Here is a copy of some 15mm Paper, ACW Barns that I created. There's no reason why they couldn't be used for other eras such as AWI, Seminole Wars, European Wars, and etc.  Happy Building.

Battle of Quatre Bras, Part II.

Here are some pics from the conclusion of our 15mm Napoleon's Battles, Battle of Quatre Bras.

On the British left flank, amazingly, the Brunswickers were holding off the French line. (The French were quite cursed with more than their share of bad die rolls.) 

The British center is faltering, and the Dutch Belgian in the town are taking a beating form the French Grand Battery.  

With a big whole in the British center, including the routing of the troops deployed in the town and numerous routed British troops in the backfield, the French Guard Cavalry finally charges through the gap.  It was a good day to be a French cavalryman as they scooped up three routed units and were ready to strike at the last of the British Reinforcements entering the road. However, the British Guard would put a stop to the Cavalry Charge.

Despite the Brunswicker victories on the left flank, it was simply just not enough time, and the British would not be able to retake the town of Quatre Bras.

15mm Napaloeonic "Brunswicker's" Legion

Here is my latest painting project that I completed for the Quatre Bras game..the Brunswicker Legion.  One of the easiest painting jobs since the uniform is mostly black.

Battle of Quatre Bras, Part I.

We are currently playing the scenario, The Battle of Quatre Bras, using 15mm troops and the Napoleon's Battles rule set. Two weeks ago we played part I. (first half) of the battle. Tonight will be part II. (second half) of the battle.

An overview of the battlefield 

An overview of the battlefield 

 The French Center as they prepare for the advance on the British held Quatre Bras

The British center and right flank, as they move up to occupy Quatre Bras.