Friday, September 4, 2020

Malakand Field Force prep 6d: Painting Brits

I am pleased with how these are looking. As I finish up the final painting of objects, the next step will be lots of cutting in on the straps and other spots where the paint slopped over. This step will take a bit longer than others, but as it is exciting to see how the fig is turning out, it tends to go fast.

This fellow ended with a Snidely Whiplash sort of 'stache.

The officer needs a few touches here and there, shiny buckles and such.

Very pleased with the Lee-Metford rifles - they highlight easily. The brass studs on the bayonet handle also popped right up.

 Close up showing the brass butt plate on the rifle.
 More straps and buckle work, that's what this pic says to me!

Over white primer, both flesh tones look good. The grey is an intermediate stage for the dark blue of the winter Home Service trousers. They'll also get the red stripe.

As for the wet palette, it definitely keeps paint for several days. I think I put too much water in it at first. You can blot excessive water out by picking up the parchment paper and blotting the paper towel under it. Easier to add water than to remove it, however!
The black and tan [right] have been there a  few days. The brass and dark brown in the middle were also still damp [hadn't dried out] but I added color to change the tone.

A few thoughts:
- overall, these are pretty quick since the size makes it easier to paint accurately. However, one has to avoid the desire to add too much unnecessary details that aren't visible from more than a couple feet away.
- most of the objects have enough depth that you have to paint the sides [straps, water bottle, etc]. This requires cutting in later.
- definitely possible to paint these to a high standard, like good 28mm figs. The choice is yours. If you're just painting up a few dozen for skirmishes, then you're looking at a $30 project or so, that still fits on a modest dining table.
- don't prime excessively, and I am not seeing much benefit to the water/PVA glue mix thus far.

Looking forward to wrapping these up in a couple of days.

8 comments:

  1. Replies
    1. thx, Trad!
      you have a plastic 54mm or metal 42mm project among your blogs? Can't remember.

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  2. Looking great! You've inspired me to get back to mine after letting them languish this week. I did intentionally try to give one of mine the Snidely Whiplash 'stache - let's say it did not go well and leave it at that!

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  3. Glad I could inspire you a little after you have spent so much time inspiring me! Don't worry about the mustache you will get it - just a trick of the wrist. If you can play guitar you can paint a mustache. ;)

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  4. Cracking job, they are nice figures with very few duff poses.
    Regards,
    Paul.

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  5. Thanks Paul - doing the cutting in now, they are looking very nice.

    I think all the poses make sense at some point if you're skirmishing, altho the guys butting with their rifles [dramatic as it is] look a bit out of place without an enemy in front of them!

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  6. Thanks! Not at your level [amazing paras!] but this project isn't striving for a realistic look. I'll save that for another one.

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