Improving a 15mm paint job: guns and crew

4 October 2022 2 Re.

Most popular painting techniques for wargames fall in the category of fast painting methods that aim for the so-called “tabletop quality”. The idea is to have ready a unit or an army as soon as possible, with each miniature painted with the right colors and a bit of contrast between shades and highlights. These quick methods are perfect for wargamers since they do not require much time, allowing the players to spend more time in the battlefield. But, sometimes we have some extra time that we can use to push forward the quality of our miniatures for wargames. I would…

Camouflages with Chipping Effects fluid (hairspray technique)

4 April 2022 2 Re.

This article was published original on 4th of September of 2012. Updated on 4 of April of 2022. In this post we are going to see how to use a Chipping Effects fluid to create worn camouflages where the original base color is exposed. Basically, after painting the base color of the tank, the idea is to apply a thin layer of chipping fluid and on top of this the camouflage.  After activating the chipping fluid with water, we will be able to remove small pieces of the camouflage paint applied on top. These Chipping Effects fluids replaces what classically is…

How to make realistic rust effects

24 February 2022 3 Re.

Some weathering effects are created rather than painted. This applies to any textured effect, such as mud, snow or rust, among others. Of course, we can try to simulate these by painting them. But it is easier -and more realistic when painting a 3D model- when we create them. In this tutorial I will explore the new corrosion creator set by AMMO, U-Rust, designed to create textured rust effects. I think that this kit was initially meant for dioramas and big scale models, but as a wargamer I was curious to see whether we could also use it to paint small…

Fast painting: Warhammer 40k Blood Pact cultist

23 October 2021 4 Re.

In the following article I would like to describe a few options to speed up the painting process of our miniatures for Wargames. The idea underlying fast painting techniques is to use simple and rapid methods to accelerate the work, meaning that we will sacrifice part of the quality. But this does not meant that fast painting techniques are equivalent to paint bad. We will still pay attention to the details, but will focus more on the general looking of the miniature, and more importantly, of the unit or army (after all fast painting techniques evolved to paint a large…

Filters and Washes

1 September 2021 No re.

  In this article I would like to discuss in detail filters and washes, two painting techniques that although apparently similar fulfill very different objectives. This topic deserves its own article as many people mix up what is what. Indeed, to make it even more complicated, quite often these two techniques are confused with two different types of paint (acrylics and enamels). However, filters and washes (painting techniques) can be applied using either acrylics or enamels (types of paint). First, it is important to clarify that we can use two different types of paints on our scale models: water based…

How to store our figures with Feldherr

30 August 2021 4 Re.

This post is a little bit different compared with what I normally discuss in the blog, but still it covers a very important part of our hobby: how to transport our painted figures safely and comfortably (for us and for them). Yes, I do not only paint, but I also play! (not as much as I would like, I have to say). I use to keep my miniatures in a showcase with glass doors at home, where they are protected from the dust and I can easily have a look at them if I wish (strangely, I find it very…

Color Modulation in 15mm

16 July 2021 4 Re.

We have recently talked about several lighting systems for 15mm scale models (this post). One of these systems or styles is the so-called color modulation that we will discuss in further detail in this article. When painting 15mm tanks we can simply apply the desired color, for example olive green for a Sherman, and then just paint the details. But the results will be likely very flat. Furthermore, the tank will look very dark because small objects, such as our small 1:100 models, reflect less light than bigger size objects, such as the real vehicle. Therefore, it is very important…

How to create leaves for your bases

29 June 2021 2 Re.

We have many options and product to decorate our bases or terrain, including the classical electrostatic grass fibers or the popular grass tufts. However, some of these products might be very pricey, specially if we are looking for small leaves fitting the scale of our miniatures. In this tutorial we will see how we can use a natural product as a cheap (free) and very effective alternative to simulate leaves in our bases or terrain. The necromancer illustrating this guide is a lovely model from Citizens of the Old World (Heresylab).  The key ingredient are birch tree seeds. Although you can…

How to apply name tag decals

15 June 2021 No re.

We started a new Mordheim campaign in the local club and I could not resist to paint a bunch of new models for my warbands: some hire swords and more Estalians. But I needed new golden name tags for the new members as I already used all I had. Thus, once more I contacted Scumb4g Kustoms to arrange a new sheet of name tags -gold letters for Marienburgs and Estalians, and silver for Witch Hunters). Furthermore, I painted a beggar with a paper hanging in the front. For this I wanted something special: a text saying Make Mordheim great again.…

How to paint the WWII Polish Kubuś armoured car

3 November 2020 No re.
Kubus

I recently had the opportunity to paint the wonderful new 28mm range from JT Infamous featuring the WWII Polish Home Army, which includes a very charismatic armored soft-skin, the Kubuś. The range includes a mixture of fighters wearing civilian and military garments that results in a very colorful army. If you are planning to start a new Bolt Action army, have a look at JT Infamous website! Thanks to JT Infamous  you can download for free a detailed step by step painting guide showing how to paint the Kubuś using acrylic and enamel/oil paints from AMMO: And stay tuned: soon…