Small backed militia project question.

[NavySeal]

Hello guys.

I am collecting information for a small project on a force/militia based in the Middle East.

 The irregulars (I am not looking for photos of fighters from groups considered terrorists, but backed militias ) that I am looking for inspiration through photos have interesting outfits, but very informal, so my question for experienced painters is a little bit strange, but here it goes: in order to optimise the painting process for less experience painters in this particuar context, should I use a primer based on the main color of the "uniform"?



 I.e, let´s suppose that one fighter uses camouflage in its armour, but he also uses civilian clothes coloured mailly with blue for instance. Should I use blue colour as a primer?

[Rick]

Not sure how to answer this really. The issue of backed militia vs terrorist group is incredibly complex, fluid, political and depends purely on your point of view. Some groups are in the 'enemies of my enemy are my friends' category, some are known to be both backed militia and terrorist group at the same time and a few who have proven loyalties as allies are distanced because it's politically expedient. My advice is to not use any existing group but to create an imaginary one - that way you have more control over the narrative and allegiances.
As to a uniform, I really haven't seen any evidence of these. Government troops have uniforms, militias do not - some may have bits and pieces of different uniforms (camouflaged body armour, helmet covers of partial camouflaged clothing) but little that you would describe as 'uniform'. An arm-band of a distinctive colour, with or without a political affiliation on it, might be worn and, of course, a similar styled flag flying from a nearby building or vehicle aerial could be common.
As to painting, that really does depend on the figures you choose - camouflaged body armour with civilian clothing can look very effective and, in that case, undercoating the civilian clothing would be a good option. Go with what you feel is a good look for your figures.

[fred]

I've found coloured primers a bit too much most of the times I have used them for anything but single colour uniformed troops.

I'd probably go with a pale grey (or even white) primer which then allows you to use contrast paints for the bulk of the clothing which is a speedy way of getting irregulars coloured in.

[CapnJim]

I use a mid-gray primer.  Over the years, I've used white, black, and gray primer, and I've settled on gray.  It's fairly neutral, and regardless of what primer color one uses, parts of the mini will not be that color.  So, a neutral primer color works best for me. 

[NavySeal]

Thaks guys

[mikedemana]

My advice is to not use any existing group but to create an imaginary one - that way you have more control over the narrative and allegiances.

I agree with this assessment! Plus, it allows you to balance the forces for your game better if it is multiplayer. You can have groups that are enemies, indifferent, somewhat aligned, cooperating, etc.

Mike Demana

[carlos marighela]

I use a mid-gray primer.  Over the years, I've used white, black, and gray primer, and I've settled on gray.  It's fairly neutral, and regardless of what primer color one uses, parts of the mini will not be that color.  So, a neutral primer color works best for me.

What he said. I'm cheap so I use a cheap,  hardware store bought generic grey primer on pretty much everything. I break out the white, only if the item is going to end up white or yellow. Yellow requires a white base.

State backed terrorists are likely to be mostly dressed in mufti, maybe with items of captured gear or occasionally items donated by their state backer. Have a trawl through camopedia for items of military dress from likely backers. Iran, for example, has a truly bewildering array of mostly derivative or copied camo patterns. You can't go too far wrong adding an item or two, here and there.

Now on the off-chance that by militia you mean official, non regular local securirty forces, like Iran's IRGC Basji then yes, they are likely to be uniformed and uniform. Of course different units in diffrent areas may well be in different uniforms.

[dadlamassu]

As Rick said it is difficult often to see the difference between a "backed" militia, terrorist organisation, faction militia and any of the other terms used as descriptions.  When deployed in the Middle East (early 2000s) various factions - secular, religious, political, criminal or any mix adopted clothing that would identify them from others.  Some wore all black with different coloured distintive head gear or sashes (shemags, masks etc) some had tee shirts with a portrait of their leader or founder while others had particular coloured outfits - grey, tan, brown, bright tee shirts (one lot wore Manchester United red shirts) were common again usually with different distinguishing items in the Islamic colours of red, black, green and white.

So I would suggest inventing your own and dressing them any way you like.

[CapnJim]

Since I covered your one question with my "Use gray" response, I'll chime in with my bit about rebel groups.  I agree with the others - invent your own.  I usually invent 2 - one pro-government (more or less), and the other anti-government (more or less).  I did that for Northern Gambola and Balczakistan.  I may do it for El Perdomo (I have one already...).

[bluewillow]

I like to undercoat in matt black, I then airbrush the base colour, then paint the figure, wash highlight etc

As for backed militia, I have Lebanese civil war conflict, most figures are generic except those wearing PLO Keffiyeh (classic red and white).
I have a mix of green and camo and civilian clothes on them, but in majority green.

Cheers
Matt

[Rick]

I like to undercoat in matt black, I then airbrush the base colour, then paint the figure, wash highlight etc

As for backed militia, I have Lebanese civil war conflict, most figures are generic except those wearing PLO Keffiyeh (classic red and white).
I have a mix of green and camo and civilian clothes on them, but in majority green.

Cheers
Matt

I do remember the PLO keffiyeh - small red checks or lozenges on a white keffiyeh with a red striped border. My hat is off to you for attempting such a difficult pattern, you're a braver painter than I am! 

[doublenot7]

I concur with the idea of a generic or made up group to model your force after, you want this force for gaming not politically posturing.  As a military and civilian veteran of this respective region; one man's militia is another man's terrorists.  IMHO, when you specifically target non-combatants, you join that later group.  But there's no need to bring any of that discussion to the gaming table, especially if you have others you are not familiar with.  Keep gaming fun. 

So keep it generic and I have found a neutral gray primer works well for either dark or lighter paint schemes.

[Freddy]

I do remember the PLO keffiyeh - small red checks or lozenges on a white keffiyeh with a red striped border. My hat is off to you for attempting such a difficult pattern, you're a braver painter than I am! 

5/0 brush and some patience


To answer the questions, guerilla factions rarely wear uniformed clothing, if any usually it just a head band with the logo of the organization (arabic name). They mix civilian clothing with military gear, the former being characteristic for the era (so 80s Lebanon is a bit different from the 2020s Gaza), the later could be any contemporary or quasi-contemporary military clothing, even western, as they are supplied, looted and often they just buy Chinese knockoff stuff- even within a squad everyone could be dressed differently. For the same reason, no need to go afer exact model or type of gear, there are myriad of those even in ,,regular" armies. Chicom pouches were quite popular until the early 2000s, after that they also became geardoes with all the MOLLE stuff. Some militias, usually the less religious ones, tend towards more of the contemporary civilian style, in the Lebanese civil war many just went for that 80s cool guy style, todays even football shirts can be seen. This also depends on the level of equipment ofc, choosing to wear a wifebeater over a bulletproof west is rarely a personal choice. In rural places civilian clothing is more traditional.