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Miniatures Adventure => Interwar => Topic started by: Operator5 on February 18, 2010, 04:28:05 PM

Title: The Start of my frantic pace to get the Russians done (UPDATE 2/23)
Post by: Operator5 on February 18, 2010, 04:28:05 PM
I have to get my Russians done for my Back of Beyond game at Cold Wars (just three weeks), so I figured I would share my frantic pace to finish with everyone else.

Here they are, set up to get basing material prior to priming.

There are three units of Russian Infantry, one unit of shock troops, and one attached British allied unit (fresh from the Arabian peninsula). I also have one artillery piece and one HMG team. All are from Brigade Games.

(http://www.rattrapproductions.com/Historical/CLA/Images/Russians.jpg)
Title: Re: The Start of my frantic pace to get the Russians done
Post by: Tom Reed on February 18, 2010, 05:44:51 PM
What! No cavalry?
Heh, it looks like a good mix of troops.
Title: Re: The Start of my frantic pace to get the Russians done
Post by: Plynkes on February 18, 2010, 06:19:44 PM
Three weeks? Shit! I'd never manage all those in that time. Good luck, Rich.
Title: Re: The Start of my frantic pace to get the Russians done
Post by: Operator5 on February 19, 2010, 03:04:36 PM
I was able to get basing material on all the figures last night. I'm a bit of basing pedant. I can't just slap glue and drop in sand. I have to use the Vallejo basing material. So, it took about 2 hours to add it to 50+ figures.

I then got 30 of the figures primed. I'll prime the rest tonight and hopefully start painting this Sunday.
Title: Re: The Start of my frantic pace to get the Russians done
Post by: Mancha on February 19, 2010, 03:35:55 PM
I'm looking forward to watching this one unfold.  Good luck.
Title: Re: The Start of my frantic pace to get the Russians done
Post by: Matakakea on February 19, 2010, 05:54:26 PM
I decided two months ago to spend all my backpay to go to Cold Wars just to see what it was like. What day are you running your game? I think I'll have to check out the results of your endevours, in the 'flesh' as it were ;)
Title: Re: The Start of my frantic pace to get the Russians done
Post by: Operator5 on February 19, 2010, 05:57:46 PM
I will be running this game Saturday morning.

Title: Re: The Start of my frantic pace to get the Russians done
Post by: Altius on February 19, 2010, 08:09:14 PM
Three weeks? I recommend quitting your job.

Seriously though, good luck. I look forward to seeing your progress.
Title: Re: The Start of my frantic pace to get the Russians done
Post by: Prof.Witchheimer on February 19, 2010, 08:14:40 PM
Damn! It's a challenge isn't it! Good luck, Rich!
Title: Re: The Start of my frantic pace to get the Russians done
Post by: Christian on February 19, 2010, 09:23:23 PM
The game is afoot!

Can't wait to see it all finished!
Title: Re: The Start of my frantic pace to get the Russians done
Post by: Operator5 on February 21, 2010, 11:39:47 PM
I'm sure everyone does a test figure of their colors (please tell me you do) so, I'm taking a break from painting to update and show my test.

So first, for priming I hit front and back with a quick blast of spray primer, but because I am indoors with the cold weather, I can't do a complete job of it, so I go over each figures with black gesso after the spray primer. So, part of my day was spent with that.

Then there was mixing the paint to get the right uniform color. I don't think I got it quite right, but it's the best I am going to get on my time frame since I can't keep stripping figures to get it. Probably a little more green is needed for it.

Then, I sit down and paint. A drybrush of the base color goes on. When that is dry, a second drybrush of the base color. I use very thinned down paints so these layers are very dark with the black primer. Then, when the second drybrush is done, I go over the raised areas with the base color again, always keeping the brush moving so it blends in. When this is dry, the highlight color goes on.

Anyway, here is the test figure, all done.

(http://www.rattrapproductions.com/Historical/CLA/Images/RussianTest.jpg)
Title: Re: The Start of my frantic pace to get the Russians done (UPDATE 2/21)
Post by: Wirelizard on February 22, 2010, 04:45:16 AM
That Russian looks great, might have to try your painting method at some point - although I've never been a fan of black primer, so far.

I painted up seven or eight Late WW1 Germans for last LPL, and that just about did me in. Perhaps I have uniformiphobia; the thought of dozens of uniformed figures almost makes me whimper... Can you tell I come from a fantasy and SF gaming background, and now primarily do small skirmish?  :)
Title: Re: The Start of my frantic pace to get the Russians done (UPDATE 2/21)
Post by: Whiskyrat on February 22, 2010, 11:05:38 AM
The test piece looks good - best of luck on the mammoth task you have set yourself.

Then there was mixing the paint to get the right uniform color. I don't think I got it quite right, but it's the best I am going to get on my time frame since I can't keep stripping figures to get it. Probably a little more green is needed for it.

I'm sure the folks playing won't notice one way or the other.

Title: Re: The Start of my frantic pace to get the Russians done (UPDATE 2/21)
Post by: Operator5 on February 22, 2010, 12:29:26 PM
I'm sure the folks playing won't notice one way or the other.

If only that were true. ::sigh:: These will be used at a historical convention where I am sure at least half the people who comment will tell me what I painted incorrectly.  :?
Title: Re: The Start of my frantic pace to get the Russians done (UPDATE 2/21)
Post by: Operator5 on February 24, 2010, 12:59:15 PM
Well, I was able to spend about 4 hours last night working on these. Got 5 figures nearly complete. So, this is going to be a little over 1 figure per hour. Doable. The original test figure is in the back left. I adjusted the paint slightly to add a touch more green.

The figures here need about 30 minutes of work yet for boots and belts plus face highlights.

(http://www.rattrapproductions.com/Historical/CLA/Images/RussianTest2.jpg)
Title: Re: The Start of my frantic pace to get the Russians done (UPDATE 2/21)
Post by: Plynkes on February 24, 2010, 01:19:16 PM
I adjusted the paint slightly to add a touch more green.

That's odd, as the new ones look less green to me. I like the colour myself. I have no idea if it is correct or not, but I like it.  :)
Title: Re: The Start of my frantic pace to get the Russians done (UPDATE 2/23)
Post by: theoldschool on February 24, 2010, 01:25:16 PM
I seriously like these. Great work, I might just steal some of your painting ideas.
Pat
Title: Re: The Start of my frantic pace to get the Russians done (UPDATE 2/21)
Post by: Operator5 on February 24, 2010, 02:23:55 PM
That's odd, as the new ones look less green to me. I like the colour myself. I have no idea if it is correct or not, but I like it.  :)

As long as you like it, I'll keep it. :)

And I know they appear less green. When you see them up close you can see that there is more green in them then the original. I may try the next unit with a different green set up. Maybe this squad will have VERY sun-faded uniforms. :)
Title: Re: The Start of my frantic pace to get the Russians done (UPDATE 2/23)
Post by: Mr.Dodo on February 25, 2010, 01:21:39 PM
I like how you are doing them in batches- the end result will be one of subtle variations. I find it too easy to do uniformed figures in sweeping quantities and loose quality. My Nightmare is large units of irregulars. 'And-this-one-shall-be-blue-and-this-one-shall-be-brown...'
Keep up the good work!
Title: Re: The Start of my frantic pace to get the Russians done (UPDATE 2/23)
Post by: Christian on March 08, 2010, 07:39:52 AM
How are the Russians coming along, mate? They look really good so far :) And I think it's almost been three weeks!!  :o
Title: Re: The Start of my frantic pace to get the Russians done (UPDATE 2/23)
Post by: NurgleHH on March 09, 2010, 09:54:46 AM
Are these Russians WHite-ones? Or red Ones???
Title: Re: The Start of my frantic pace to get the Russians done (UPDATE 2/23)
Post by: abhorsen950 on March 16, 2010, 07:29:30 PM
great stuff well done