One long running project that I intend to work on this year isn't so much a "work in progress, but rather a technique in progress" which stems in part from a web blog that some of you may be familiar with, Unfashionably Shiny. Not only does the blog play homage to some (in my opinion) fabulous painting but showcases some beautiful early wargames figures.
Those familiar with Don Featherstone and Charles Grants wargames books will know where this is coming from, often referred to now as Classic Wargaming. I am trying to reproduce the results of the classic wargamer painting style. Coming from the black undercoat school the first step was to get used to using white undercoat, harder than you think! These pics are from my first attempt.
Rebel ACW Infantry
So after priming the figure with white auto primer I gave the whole fig a wash of Payne's grey to help pick out the detail, the figure is a Dixon ACW Reb, Dixon was chosen for the simple reason, plenty of exaggerated detail, anything to make life easier.
After the washing the figure with Payne's grey I played about with other varied coloured washes, these were applied to get an overall feel for the final colour scheme, and provide the shadow later on.
Starting to block in some colour now on the coat and trousers
Although I have finished with the washes the paint is still a well thinned down mix to allow the white undercoat to provide the highlights, which you can see on the folds of the trousers and water flask.
I have finished blocking in the colours and have started to highlight the jacket with some of the ol' dry brushing, some habits can be hard to break
I have also done a little bit of outlining around the belts etc. which I usually don't need to bother with when using a black undercoat, not heavy just letting a wash of brown black flow around the detail. Could have done a better job of cleaning off the flash!
The finished article, err, minus the flag....... I used a wash of very light grey to fix up the chalkiness of the with dry brushing highlights on the coat, it just looked wrong. Tidied up the hat a bit and and what ever else needed a lick o' paint and sealed 'er up.
Unfortunately I have not kept a good visual record of the process used on the second attempt see here but I am far happier with it. I was able to control the paint/washes better and let the undercoat and detail of the figure do a lot more of the work.
Sticking with the ACW theme for the time being but changing sides, some union infantry next.
to be continued......
