Wife got me a few kits for Christmas of figures I wanted so I had something to practice with. I will say, props to those that can't paint like like 1/35 scale figures.
Most of the videos I've watched, the people use Vallejo paints. A few others mix in other brands like MIG, Tamiya and a few others. I did make a trip to HL to pick up some of the Vallejo Glazing Medium and some of their thinner.
I used my Mr. Surfacer black primer to get the black base. Initially I used the Createx Opaque White. However, it seemed to interact with the Vallejo though it didn't before. My first go around with the glazing technique didn't go well. The paint seemed way to thick.
I ended up putting them in a metal container with some Windex and toothbrush and got them back down to the black base.
This time around, I used my Tamiya flat white for the preshading. Went to Walmart and picked up Sistema plastic container since it creates an air tight seal. Now I have a wet pallet. The "wet media" paper I had wouldn't keep thinned paint wet long enough and I think that's one reason my paint seems thick. I have the Vallejo Model Color line of paint along with some Tamiya acrylics.
Using the Vallejo German Field Grey (70.830), mixed with Glazing Medium (70.596) and thinned with Thinner (70.524), I painted the bottom of one figure and the majority of the other. I believe I ended up with about 6-7 coats of paint. Though it doesn't look as good as others I have seen, I feel it's a good start.
I then mixed a bit of that with White (70.951) and thinned with water to use as a highlight color. And mixed in a bit more white for a lighter grey for the gloves. After the highlights, I thinned some of the previous grey mixture with Black (70.950) to make a shadow color.
I proceeded with the White to do the jacket of the one figure. This was about 7 coats of paint. The black base still showed through in the crevices which would help with the shadows. Having gown up in the north and have seen snow and white clothing give off a hint of blue tint, I made a wash using Luftwaffe Uniform WWII (70.816). I removed as much as I could from the brush and washed the white jacket.
After this was all dry, using a hair dryer, on the lowest setting and warm air setting, I used the black thinned out to go over some of the seem lines and add just a tad shadow along the fur lining.
My hands are not steady at all. Trying to go over the straps and other things, I found it difficult.
The faces were done in a base of Medium Flesh Tone (70.860). I tried a few different things afterward. One face I used Burnt Red (70.814) mixed with Retarder Medium (70.597) for shading and to try and give the face a tint of redness from the cold. Not sure it turned out. Highlights were done with a very thinned out Basic Skin Tone (70.815) and Retarder, which is a lot lighter than the Medium Flesh Tone.
The silver parts were done using the Oily Steel (70.865) and the ammo pouches were done using Dark Yellow (70.978). I used Mahogany Brown (72.044) for a worn cloth shadow on the pouches.
Using various shaped brushes for painting, shading, highlighting and shadows, I was able to complete two of the six figures. Though they don't look like any of the other glazed figures I've seen, it's a start. And I painted the dog. That was hard. Especially trying to blend colors.
Currently, I am working on some of the gear for these two figures. Their rifles, other ammo pouches, a grenade. Following the same color schemes, the wood grain of the rifles is done in a Dark Yellow with a wash of Mahogany Brown. The grenade is being done in a solid Field Grey with dry brushing using Black and a #2 pencil. Some of the highlights on the rifles is done using the #2 pencil as well.
I am also working on the rifle straps using some modeling masking tape. Instead of painting it, I am washing it with Black. With the yellow showing through, it does look like a very well worn leather trap that has seen a lot of use.
However, as much as I hate PE, these straps are just as bad. I cut the initial length too small, so I had to redo them with a longer piece. Hoping I can get them attached and mounted okay.
Once complete, I will spray them with Tamiya Flat clear like I did with the figures for the tank. This will take that sheen off them, hopefully not making them look like plastic.
UPDATE:
Was able to attach the ammo pouches and rifles with scratch made straps. Straps were made from modeling masking tape. Did some paint touch up and resealed everything again. Will spray the Tamiya flat clear tomorrow.
