Artizan UK Para tryout

[Remington]

Return of the Greek...

Painted a miniature this weekend... Things are starting to move ahead. I am slowly crawling forward. Decided to try out my  colour palette for my WWII British Paras. This is based mainly on the Artizan Painting Guides, which are very very helpful.
Somehow I am pleased with this fella, but something doesn't feel right. I think it might be the face. I am missing strong contures, I think, that would give him a bit more life. This is mostly due to painting inactivity, I reckon.
The trousers are also a bit funny. I highlighted English Uniform with Desert Yellow and I am uncertain of the results. Next time, I'll use something else.
Any ideas for improving the painting scheme both aesthetically as well as historically? I am all ears. I am also looking for a better painting solution for the metal of the weapons...



Before the weekend I also painted the little Baueda Pillbox. The MG-42 is from Bolt Action.

[carlos marighela]

Dunno, I think it all looks pretty bloody good. The trousers look fine to me, only thing I'd be inclined to do is tone down the gaiters a little.

[elysium64]

Agreed, very nice looking figure, maybe one more highlight on flesh.

[Arlequín]

I'd have to say the gaiters might be better the same colour as the webbing or thereabouts. Otherwise though, I'd be ecstatic to produce that quality of painting, so well done! 

[Silent Invader]

Lovely.  I have some similar figures that I have yet to find the courage (or ability) to paint.

Taking you at your word but at the risk of seeming pedantic, a few historical observations for NW Europe in 1944-45:

I agree that the gaiters would have been coloured the same as the webbing, small pack, pouches, etc.  As it happens, I like the colouration of the trousers and I think recolouring the gaiters will enhance the overall appearance.

The knitted cuffs of the camo smock should be a medium/dark olive green.

The sheaf of the FS knife should really be a chestnut brown (modern reproductions tend to have black sheafs but I've never seen or heard of a period one that colour).

But like I said, lovely painting. 

[Calimero]

I too would have paint the gaiter the same color as the webbing.

For highlighting the trousers color I would mix English uniform with either buff/tan or khaki.

Anyhow, it look pretty good as it is. Nice work!

[ErikB]

Really, really good work!

Only changes I would make (which would not necessarily make them better, just different, toward my taste) would be to make the webbing less green and more khaki only because it looks a lot like the base color for the smock right now.  I'd try for a little more difference.

Gaiters are just a little bit too light and clean, as well.

Otherwise, I sure wish my guys looked this good!  Especially the highlighting on the pants, face, and helmet.  Great job!

[Remington]

Thank you for the replies, guys!

@ErikB
The webbing is actually done with Vallejo Khaki. For the next miniature I might use British Equipment Tan Triad. That might work well.

@Calimero
You are right there. I was suspecting that is the way to go. Let's see how the next pair of trousers will work.

@Silent Invader
Hey, I asked for that opinion so don't you worry.

@all who mentioned the gaiters
That's one of the reasons he looks odd to me, I am certain. I didn't realise it, till you pointed it out. Will work on the guy today and remake some pics.

Thank you once more. It's nice to get so much constructive help.

[Orctrader]

Looks great to me. 

What everyone said about the gaiters.  (Too light.)

Gunmetal.  I just paint black then add grey to the black for midtones and an off-white mixed in for "spot" highlights.

[Remington]

Thanks Orctrader. I'll give that a go!

[ErikB]

That was Vallejo Khaki?!?  No kidding?  I just purchased some but haven't used it yet.  Wonder how it will look.

I have been using Dheneb Stone for my Commandos' webbing.  My painting is inferior to yours (quite) but I've discovered that the stone color over Scorched Brown with a little Delvan Mud wash in some key spots provides a very contrasting color.  Sometimes a little Kommando Khaki to slightly darken the webbing where it crosses over another strip of webbing or is in shadow.

The Brits had green and khaki/stone and shades in between so anything on that spectrum can look authentic.

And again, your figures are great.  Wish I could make mine that good.

[Remington]

Thank you ErikB... I will give your ideas a try should the Foundry Brit. Equipment Tan Triad not work.

After all the valuable criticism here, the Sdean Forum and Sweetwater Forum, I worked a bit on the gentleman and am much happier with him now...
Things that were worked on.
1.Gaiters are now Chaki... Next one will get the Foundry Triad I've mentioned.
2. Gun was painted black, given a strong grey highlight and then washed with black to tone down.
3. Face was given another highlight. I am still missing the depth a bit, as I probably washed over the darkest, base colour the first time around, when I was trying to bled the layers together. Still, it looks better than before.
4. Denison buttons were toned down.
5. Base was given a darker edge. I think it works better now.
6. Bushes were drybrushed with a variety of colours to make the base more interesting.

Now, I know where I am going with the next miniatures.

PS: I was told that the knitted cuffs should be darker, but I wouldn't dare change them. This one will remain like that, but I am sure that no one will notice.

That's the right picture.

[Orctrader]

Nice.

Good before - now even better.   

[Remington]

Well, I got good tips.

Thanks.

[Axebreaker]

Excellent!

Cheers
Christopher