Empress Miniatures 28mm late war British (update 19 May)

[Truscott Trotter]

yup any shade of brown leather depending on age and usage, but making it look like leather (rather than brown cloth) is actually quite hard - I haven't mastered it yet but I have seen those that have.

[Shahbahraz]

I accidentally managed to do what I thought was quite a good leather look, and it was a base colour, a brown wash and then quite high contrast highlights but very 'sharp' as in small and straight lines, which makes it look 'shiny'.

I dare say places like CMON and others will have brilliant tutorials, but that was what worked for me.

[Rick F]

When I'm doing units and not leaders etc a mahoganyish base coat and wash is plenty for me. But you're right, a large leather garment is far harder to make look realistic compared to thin straps etc

[Shahbahraz]

I reckon they look great and I am very envious of your painting eyes. I have basically given up as I always get them wonky.

[Rick F]

I reckon they look great and I am very envious of your painting eyes. I have basically given up as I always get them wonky.

Thank you, I've recently changed my method. I used to do the eyes first, white line then a thin black vertical line and base coat flesh around. Now they're the very last thing on the figure, black dot (if I'm feeling adventurous, a blue grey dot with a black dot, like the Richard I figure on the medieval board) then with the smallest brush a tiny white spot either side.

[Truscott Trotter]

Yes nice work on the eyes but where the braiding round the rank chevrons? 

[Rick F]

Yes nice work on the eyes but where the braiding round the rank chevrons? 

[LordSpode1879]

Superb job!

[Ash]

One of my favorite range of figures, great painting.
What colour are you using for the wood on your Enfields? Mine always look too dark, you've got a really nice warm tone, really looks the part.

[Rick F]

One of my favorite range of figures, great painting.
What colour are you using for the wood on your Enfields? Mine always look too dark, you've got a really nice warm tone, really looks the part.

Thank you very much, yes I love all Paul Hicks' work.
For the wood I use the process described in Painting War issue 3, it's all done with washes. Vallejo Dark Sand undercoat, then Citadel washes, Sepia, Earthshade, Fleshshade, Sepia, Flesh, Sepia. Sounds a faff but it's not, they dry quite quickly and you can vary the amount to get different shades.