GHQ Models Forums

Hey everyone! I'm new to the forum, but im def. not new GHQ (thankfully), and ive finally reached the point after looking at all of your amazing pictures of the immaculate adn extremely realistic models you all somehow managed to paint so well!(Sooooo jealous ). And so to the point. I have a pretty "large" (i do not know what large is for all of you) collection, some 250-300 tanks, except all are unpainted. I want to know how to go about with that amazing detail, and make them look good enough to eat! Im really interested waht exactly i should be doing, as in Base coats, spraying technique, and adding the fine details, as well as doing infantry? I have a rather Cheap airbrush(i can only afford that after spending $200.00 on my last purchase! ). Almost all of my models are late war American and German, with the exception of two Karl Mortars that i am anxiously awaiting! Any tips or pointers would be greatly appreciated, thanks a lot!

~DeanMartin54

Several of the internal links went nowhere... I hope there isn't a problem with his web site. Lots and lots of information. He paints with great care and skill!

Will

Troy's currently (slowly) redesigning his webpage, so a lot of his links are no-shows. The info IS there, just that the links between the pages are no longer functional.

When Troy did his most excellent tutorial on painting micro armor here on the GHQ Forum, I wasn't sure how long -- or if -- it would be available... so I "grabbed" it and posted it on my website (just click on the title to take you there...):

Troy Paints Micro Armor

Hope this helps!

Regards,
Tom Stockton

Here is a direct link to his guide for one-color paint schemes:

http://www3.telus.net/Ritterkrieg/single.htm

I'd suggest picking something relatively straight forward - a platoon of Shermans for example - to get started. And let me share two things:

(1) This ain't the Sistine Chapel but practice is required
(2) You can always strip the paint and re-paint later.

So dive in and try stuff out. I get decent results and I use a brush - no airbrush at all. You can see a few of my figs here:

http://www.displacedminiatures.com/extr ... Half+Scale

Gotta agree with Extra Crispy on all of his points... and I don't use an airbrush either. My primer of choice (Floquil Light Gray) comes from a spray can, as does my final "sealer" coat (Testors Dullcote) -- everything else I do is painted with a brush.

Also fully agree with the advice on "keep it simple" for your first efforts... and the best thing to do is just roll up your sleeves and "do it!" Yeah, your first efforts probably won't match Ritter's... mine didn't.. and still don't But I am getting better! And how I got better was practice... practice... practice!

Oh, one more thing... be sure to post pictures when you're done, 'cuz we all love to see pictures of everybody else's micro armor!!

Regards,
Tom Stockton

Thank you all very much for all of the links!

I shall "Roll up my sleeves and give it a whirl!" But one last question, what type of brush should i use for the burshing portions? I know very fine, but i dont konw waht to ask for and want to make sure i am doing it right! My first attempt will be on a group of Shermans, Panthers, and Tiger II's, and with around 24 each for that unit, i shoudl get the hnag of it pretty quick!

DeanMartin54:

I agree with all of the other gentlmen's advice. Mainly because since joining this forum, I have learned quite a bit about painting micro armor (after a 25+ year absence). I do my painting by hand as well. It might take a little longer, but I find it easier for my style. Good luck, and don't forget to post some photos when you complete something.

Semper Fi!

My general rule of thumb is to always use the biggest brush you can. For my stuff I use a round "spotter" type brush. They come in various sizes but I do 99% of my work with just a #2 and a #1 and a #0. I have a variety of other brushes for priming and so on (I also prime with a brush using thinned white paint for microarmor). If you pan to paint the entire mini in the base coat color (as I do) use a big, soft cheap craft brush.

As well, never underestimate the power of toothpicks for when you feel the urge to do something that requires a bit more finesse.