28mm figure painting

Last week I entered the painting competition at Dads War Room in Sutton on Hull. They provided the figures ready assembled and primed white. We got to pick one figure each, from a set of Warlord WW2 US infantry. We were given space, reference materials and encouragement to paint the figure over the evening. Paints were available if needed, but I had brought my own, a mix of Valejo and artists acrylic tube paints.

Three of us old skool painters sat together, sharing paints, palettes and reminiscing whilst the young un's did their thing at another table. One couple had travelled up from Portland for the night as they are setting up their own War Room in Havant.

This was the first 28mm figure I have painted in nearly thirty years! At the end of the night club members voted on their favourite figure and the winners got prizes. Mine didn't place, but I am pleased with him and want to do some more.

I painted his hands and face first with a jar of tanned flesh lightened to suit. After giving it time to dry, he got a spot of eyeliner and lippy to lift his features. I didn't have an authentic USA uniform colour so mixed up Valejo Russian Green and British khaki for his tunic and trousers. Then used a lighter khaki for his pack, webbing and gaiters. Burnt umber picked out his boots and dagger, Paynes grey did his pistol in a nice gun blue. A couple of thin washes of Valejo smoke picked up the sculpted lines, seams and details. Then a very quick application of grass green on the base. 

With a bit more time he might have got a light dry brush to flatten the shine on his uniform and give it some highlights. But my yellow ochre had dried up and the dark earth appeared too green. 

Only issue is, I now have a starter for a new army in a new scale. I will need at least a squad, more probably a platoon, then maybe some vehicles...

I tried Bolt Action rules last visit to the War Room. For various reasons I'm not struck on them so I will need to find something else. I have been looking at Nordic Weasel Games five core rules, and I really ought to have another go with updating my own WW2 rules S.M.L.E.

#WW2, #painting, #BoltAction, #SMLE, #USA