Schutztruppe shoulder straps- looking for some painting advice? (1 Viewer)

[Hazebrouck]

Help!

I am currently painting a 54mm schutztruppe officer. The figure is sculpted wearing khaki tunic and breeches. He is coming along quite well but would like some hints on the best way to paint his shoulder straps.

The shoulder straps are of the type shown on this website link-

http://www.sacktrick.com/igu/germancolonialuniforms/militaria/colonialinsignia.htm

They are the third column down on the left side.

As you can see they are quite intricate with red and black flecking running through silver braid (that looks white).

Bear in mind that it is a 54mm figure, should I just paint them an off-white as it is unlikely that you could differentiate the colour flecks at this scale?

Or should I try to include the flecks and the circular pattern, particularly at the button end? I'm not sure how to achieve this and would like some advice from the experienced painters on the forum.

Any ideas

Thanks,

Scott

 

[Obee]

Scott, for a 54mm figure all I'd do would be paint the shoulder strap silver and add a brass button.


I'm sure that would look OK from 6 inches away

John

 

[theBaron]

I agree with John. In that scale, you can't see that kind of a detail. At best, and depending on the casting, you can paint the Waffenfarbe edging to the strap, and details specific to the officer's rank, eg, the starbursts the Germans used.

Prost!
Brad

 

[Hazebrouck]

Thanks gents.

I think I was being a bit over optimist with the scale. But its good to hear opinions regardless. I will have a go at the edging and see how it turns out.

I might post a picture of the figure when finished for some feedback on improving my painting.

Scott

 

[Obee]

Scott,

I'd love to see your painting, so please show us

By the way, what make is the figure?

John

 

[johnnybach]

If I could add one tip for you to try (if you don't do this already) - when you do the button, use a blob of black paint first, slightly larger than you would normally - and let it dry. Later, put a drop of gold or brass colour paint on top, so that an "edge" of black shows around it. The "button" thus formed will really stand out - and that's all the eye will be drawn to.{sm4} johnnybach

 

[Hazebrouck]

John,

The figure is an Old Guard Miniatures/New Hope Design figure. I have collected a few of their Great War and Colonial period figures over the years in varying condition and have started working on a few of them. Will post some images soon.

Johnny,

Thanks for that tip. I didn't know that one.

Scott

 

[theBaron]

If it's a New Hope figure, then the piping is probably molded into the casting, which will make it easier for you to paint. Their figures are very good.

Prost!
Brad

 

[Hazebrouck]

John,

Here is the figure with the painting done. I intend to spray him with two gloss coats but it is a little wet here and the gloss goes dull in these conditions.

I have painted him traditional toy soldier style and I have to say that I am finding it hard not to shade areas like his hands in particular. I have used Tamiya, Vallejo, Humbrol and Games Workshop.

The khaki is a Tamiya colour that matches well but is a bit oily in finish- I'm hoping that the gloss will hide it.

I've also realised how much the macro on my camera magnifies some faults the eye doesn't normally notice.

Any hints how to improve my painting are welcome! Don't go too hard on an amateur.

Scott

 

[theBaron]

Very nicely done! I don't see too much to improve, without changing the style altogether.

The only suggestion I would make is perhaps to add a line for the upper eyelid. I paint the eyes by laying in a thin line of black, for the lid, and then place the pupil in the right place for the direction I want the finished figure to look. It helps to have good castings, like this one, for example, which usually have the eyes molded to a good standard of detail.

Prost!
Brad

 

[Hazebrouck]

Thanks Brad.

I will try that tip with the eyelids next figure.

I agree that these castings are very well done. The hands on this figure are sculptured very nicely and the figure is very fine in physique compared to some other 54mm figures. The instructions indicate that the sculpture was a Roger Saunders.

Scott