1/72 Digital Camo (ACU example)

[arkhunter2002]

First I clean up the figure, as usual. I like to sometimes switch out the weapons with PE weapons, add tape/foil slings and cut out the parts of the figures that aren't supposed to be molded there. For this figure, I did a little of that, however, I wanted to focus mainly on the painting. I cleaned up the figure a little, and then blue tacked it to a bottle cap, my modus operandi for figure painting.




Then I'll prime the figure. I sometimes don't, but I like how the ACU turns out after it's primed in light grey (it seems a little lighter when finished). I am used to priming stuff, because of my background with mainly model building.




Then I added the green grey layer as the base layer. This is the darkest layer. I always thin vallejo with water in a little tray that I put a drop or so of paint in at a time. Usually you can get the green grey layer done fairly quickly. I use a thick brush for this, just so it doesn't take too much time, and my detail brushes don't get unnecessary uses.




Next, I add the Stone Grey color. I use a smaller brush for this. The 10/0. I make small dots, vertical, and horizontal lines. Sometimes it ends up looking like I just blobbed it on, and that's fine, it's fixable, and we'll go back and fix it. I made a few XL blotches on this figure. It's crucial not to rush this part or the deck tan, because then it'll turn out sloppy. After finishing a major part of the body (one of the limbs, the torso, or helmet) I will usually clean my brush so paint doesn't dry in there, although it's bound to happen eventually.




Here's the picture of my "set up" (on top of a blue piece of paper for a more attractive background)




Then after that, I use the smallest brush I have (not sure where I got it, and I have NO IDEA what the brush size is. It's a model master brush, and it's killing me to know. It's smaller than a 10/0, but who knows, I'll stumble into more of them sooner or later). I use this brush for facial details (eyes, mouth and such) and also for the Deck Tan on the camo pattern. I'll also use this brush or the 10/0 for Desert-3 camo as well.




In a little bit (probably Sunday or Monday) I'll go through the equipment, then wash and dry brushing processes, but it's fairly simple.

HTH,
Austin

[arkhunter2002]

Day late, whoops...

Okay, so after you have the base three colors down, I like to give it a wash right away, that way, it starts to blend the colors and darken the shadows. The colors will be blended more with the drybrush, but that will be covered later, because it depends on the environment the wearer is operating in. I'm using Neutral grey for this figure, but I'll also use Dark Sea Grey.



I mix field blue with either stone grey or green grey (I choose stone grey for the example) to get the color for the velco & stuff like knee pads. Knee pads could also be black, medium green, khaki, or even camo (Woodland, Desert-3, or ACU).



Next up is the OD equipment and the boots. I just did this in one segment because I felt like it...lol The equipment I painted in reflective green, washed with USA Olive Drab, and drybrushed in Brown Violet. The boots are Buff with a Khaki wash, and will be drybrushed according to the environment.



And a fairly close up shot...


Take care,
Austin

[west1871]

Cheers Austin Great tutorial on a very difficult subject

[poky]

thanks for the tutorial would be very useful

[Alois Nebel]

Very usefull tips. Thanks for sharing it

V.

[Mai Strac]

Thank's for the tutorial, I'll try your tecnique this week end!!!

[Martin]

great technique!!

[voukerous]

thanks....very usefull !!!