Just got my very first test model done for a Valhallan army I've been wanting to do for a LONG time. I've slowly collected these old school metal models way back since I worked for GW, and now I'm at the point where I've got enough to do the army I want to do.
I also recently came into possession of a sample set of Army Painter paints, thanks to Bo at the Army Painter. This model was 100% painted with this range, and I have to say I think they're great. Here's my step by step- if you're interested be sure to check out Army Painter's web store or for local availability try Wolf Game Shop:
1. Prime model Black and allow to fully dry overnight
2. Airbrush basecoat of Ash Grey on greatcoat
3. Airbrush Matt White highlights on greatcoat
4. Cut small geometric shapes in masking tape, and apply to roughly 50% of the model
5. Airbrush Angel Green on the greatcoat
6. Airbrush highlights of Greenskin on the greatcoat
7. After a few minutes, carefully remove mask pieces
8. Paint Matt Black on the inside of the greatcoat, rolled up sleeve ends, coat edges, and all remaining parts
9. Trousers, helmets, rolled sleeve ends, inside coat, and scarves paint Angel Green. Since it's over a black undercoat, you'll get a darker tone
10. Highlight trousers, helmets, sleeve ends, coat inside, and scarves with Greenskin
11. All flesh, service caps, bedrolls, and satchels basecoat with Oak Brown
12. Highlight service caps, bedrolls, and satchels with Fur Brown
13. Highlight flesh with Tanned Flesh
14. Highlight flesh again with 50/50 Tanned Flesh/Barbarian Flesh, and then one more time with pure Barbarian Flesh
15. Matt Black cleanup painting. Black should remain on all boots, ammo webbing/pouches, coat trim, belt, fur caps, and weapons
16. Drybrush fur with Uniform Grey. Drybrush again with Ash Grey
17. Edge highlight remaining black areas with Uniform Grey
18. Paint all aquilas/eagles, buttons, weapon metal areas with Shining Silver. Follow with a wash of pure Dark Tone. Skull icons on standard troopers (lower enlisted) get the same.
19. For officers and sergeants, paint skill icons with Greedy Gold, followed by a wash of pure Strong Tone
For basing, it's the following steps:
1. Use PVA to glue a couple shale rock pieces down, with the remaining area fine play sand.
2. Prime in black
3. Drybrush with Fur Brown
4. Drybrush again with Skeleton Bone
5. Paint rocks Uniform Grey
6. Apply wash of pure Dark Tone
7. Once dry, drybrush rocks with Ash Grey
8. Stipple on areas of Matt White onto roughly half the base in patches- whatever looks good to you.
9. Apply a thin layer of thick paste to these areas made from a mix of Snow Flock, PVA glue, and water.
10. While the patches of 'snow paste' are still wet, sprinkle a little Snow Flock on top for extra brilliance.
It might read like a long list, but this is actually pretty easy. No particularly awesome painting skills are needed, and you'll get a nice wargaming standard that I believe pays homage to a classic paint scheme for these guys. Thanks for checking it out- comments, criticisms, and suggestions are most welcome, though please bear in mind I have to paint a little over 120+ of these guys for the list I have in mind!