Results are in

 Yes, these lot worked okay, the Dip did it’s job. I was curious to see how the brown stain would look on the dark blue and I think it looks good. Going forward I might give them a slight blue highlight before the Dip.

Excuse my spray painted hand I thought I would get some more chaps under coated and painted up while the iron is hot.

 Above is a batch of figures I bought off EBAY, they were painted well but lacked shading. I thought whilst I had the Dip out I might as well give them a coat. I do need to correct a few things on their details but they should help to swell the ranks.

 Meanwhile, My own batches of generic Union troops are drying nicely.

 

Another batch of Union troops for the Dip

Experimenting with different techniques with this second batch. The strong tone brown is quite dark so is great for clothes but I feel some areas of the mini need a stronger contrast. So with this second group I gave their muskets a wash of black. Also their equipment is very dark too so while I had the ink on the brush I tried on their blue uniforms and a little on their faces. Watching a lot of references and from my own re-enactments, I know the black power gets all over the face with biting cartridges etc, so a bit of black contrast on the face wouldn’t go a miss.

This extra shade on the face did bring out the expressions and characters of the figures a lot more. Again, really quick to do and gave another level of detail to the mini. I will compare the two batches at the end and see which I prefer.

I’m finding that painting them in little strips of five or six minis is actually really fun and gives a much more instant and rewarding experience.

As I paint these guys I try to use the brush in such a way that I leave areas of black undercoat still showing in the recesses. This should help the should help the shading later with the brown tone.

There is one more technique I would like to try on a third batch, using two tones of Army Painter at the same time. A black Dark tone for the equipment/uniform areas and a Strong tone for the trousers etc.

Speed paint challenge ACW

 I gave myself a challenge tonight of seeing how quick I could paint some ACW soldiers to a standard I’d be happy to game with. I started off with a black under coat and added single colours to block out the uniform. I forced myself to just use one coat colour ( Foundry Union uniform B), I found later this can be dry-brushed with earth brown and this acts as a highlight. The soldiers are rough and ready campaign guys, so mud and dust was added to them.

Also, I love the fact that the varnish is as hard as nails and will protect them from knocks and scrapes. My last lot, because of the number of them, I just matte varnished without any gloss or floor varnish underneath. This didn’t sit well with me and I’m a lot happier knowing this lot have been dipped.

 As with the ECW lot, the flesh is the only paint I allowed myself to use two colours on. It made such a difference it was a ‘no brainer’. Skin tone under Army Painter needs two colours I think, as sometimes without, it can loose something and the men appear a little lifeless.

 Well after the quick blocking in and weathering I gave them a brush with the Army Painter strong tone. The results were very pleasing, a lot better than the photos do justice really.

For the American Civil War you need a lot of men unless of course you are using skirmishing rules. This I think has to be the route for me now with all of of my big projects, the results are quick and still pleasing. It’s also nice to force yourself into new ways of working which helps keep the hobby fresh and rewarding. I think that is a good word to use for the Dip, rewarding. Seeing those bags of figures in draws get a lick of paint on them and become units and thus, usable.

 We’ll have to see how they turn out when they’re matte varnished
This lot must have taken me an hour maybe a bit less. The brown tone works well on these guys but should be even better on the soft greys and browns of the Confederate army.

LOTR Armies

 After years of waiting, Dain finally gets to meet Thorin.

 The wolf packs meet up at last.

 A large black Warg snaps commands to his messengers.

 Iron Hills Dwarves battle Gundabad beserkers.

 Gundabad trolls lead the march of the Trolls, tickets now available.

 A throng of trolls. Two Dark Alliance 20mm plastic trolls flank a metal GW war troll.

 Drain and Thorin muster to protect a back gate.

 The great white wolf commands her forces. Her pack is made out of large black wargs, grey wolves and white wolves from the north.

 Two Snow trolls with their animal hide trappings.

These lightning fast wolves will be the terror of the battlefield, moving at incredible speeds to out flank and surround the enemy.

Elf Army so Far

I’ve gone back over these guys and painted their helmet feathers black, they were left bronze before. I have done this so they will tie in better to the Oathmark Elves. More on this to come.

Friend or Foe

 It’s time to go back and give the Elves some love.