Lots of time in the painting chair the last few days, 30 minutes here, 90 minutes there, and so forth. Just about halfway done blocking in all of the main colors. You can see that I have already begun adding the highlights on the waistcoats of a few figures. FYI, the old GW Vomit Brown makes a great yellowish-brown base for the later Citadel Golden Yellow highlight on top.
Amazingly, that little bottle of GW paint -- Vomit Brown -- has lasted since since the fall of 2006. One of the very few left from that time, so I'd better hurry up with the facings and turnbacks for the Hessenstein half of the battalion. I added several drops of Liquitex FLow Aid yesterday before closing the bottle again just to be sure it remains solvent long enough to finish the yellows, a color about as difficult to highlight convincingly as white.
In the meantime, basic dark green and yellow facings, dark brown musket stocks/drums, and blue coats are next. The dark blue will nicely cover and coloring outside the lines with the previously mentioned colors and also help neaten up everything. At some point in all of this, I'll address the mounted offer's saddlecloth and oil-based horse coat before moving onto smaller details for the entire battalion.
Highlights for everything after that, and then I'll wrap up with tiny things like mustaches, hair and queues, belt buckles and the dreaded metal buttons. The inevitable touch-ups will come last of all before glossing and attaching the figures to their permanent Litko bases. So, no time to sit back and put up my feet. A lot remains to accomplish during the remaining 23 days of July!
No doubt about it though. Steady and visible painting progress like the kind already apparent is definitely a mental shot in the arm for the ol' painting mojo when it comes to getting 'em done. I wish it were more possible to to sustain this kind of pace during the academic year though, say between September, a month or so into the autumn semester, and May. A lot more would get painted and faster too. Heck, there might even be time for a few more games than is usually available.
-- Stokes
Comments
Looking good, Stokes! (As usual!) Keep chipping away at 'em when time, chance, and circumstance allow. Your slow but steady progress is very encouraging to others, like me, that need to break out the ol' brushes and start in as well. Keep up the good work, and thanks for posing it! Perhaps a review and parade of your collection could be arranged before year's end? Can a (GASP!) game be far behind?!
All The Best,
Martin
Ive been experimenting with the new GW contrasts paints/inks. I think you might find them very handy.Especially one called 'skeleton horde' which is used to wash over cream or white. It gives a good finish for white uniforms.I have also been using a burnt umber one for horses using a deep yellow base coat. Again very effective.