Painting technique

I’ve been able to paint a bit more recently which has been nice.

A while ago I was fortunate enough to be ‘handed down’ some Britannia Russian Cavalry from a wargaming friend. Looking at the Rapid Fire Orbats I realised I was very close to having an early war Cavalry Regiment.... so I’ve been working on those!

Churning out so many has given me the opportunity to describe my painting technique for my 20mm ww2 figures. I use a different one for my ships of course, and I’ve also used slightly different techniques on my 28mm Aztecs.

So, here we are. I use a similar technique to the standard ‘block and wash’ method.

Firstly, I wash and prep the figures. By washing them in a little detergent water, it removes some of the chemical that is used to remove the model from the mould. I then stick them to their base and use filler (spackle) to mould a little base.

Secondly, I undercoat with a black spray paint - nothing expensive, just a cheap car spray paint from the auto store.

Next, I block in the main colours (note I am just painting the rider here, not the horse) and I’m not concerned how neat it is. This will be tidied up in a later stage.

Now I apply a wash. This is usually Vallejo Sepia Dipping Wash, although I apply it with a brush, not by dipping. I like it with the WW2 models as it really sinks well into the creases and also gives the figures a dirty tone which I think is appropriate for soldiers in the field. It also covers up some of the little bits of model that perhaps the first coat didn’t apply to properly, and gives the face definition as the models are a little too small in my opinion for the full face treatment with eyeballs!

The first highlight follows, which involves taking the original colours and over painting them, albeit leaving the crevices with the wash in not covered. I concentrate on the broad raised areas where light would hit.

The second highlight is either a suitable different colour - eg I use Green Grey (Vallejo) as a second highlight on German Fieldgrey (Vallejo) or a slightly lightened original colour, with a touch of white or Ivory added. I then add the finer details, such as cap colours or metal bits on the rifles or cavalry swords.

 

I don’t always apply both the first and second highlight to all areas. The helmet on this figure has just had a first highlight, while the cavalry scabbard didn’t have the ‘first’ highlight, just the second one. But, the tunic and breeches, blanket, satchel and rifle have had both.

And there we are! Hopefully it has been of use to you.