Painting a 1944/45 British Infantryman

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This is a basic guide for preparing and painting one of the new hard plastic Valiant Miniatures with Humbrol acrylic paints. Click on the pictures for an enlarged view.

Paints required



  26 Matt Khaki
  33 Matt Black
  34 Matt White
49 Matt Varnish
  53 Gun Metal
  61 Matt Flesh
  78 Matt Cockpit Green
  103 Matt Cream
106 Matt Ocean Grey
  110 Matt Natural Wood


Stage 1 - Preparation

Cut the figure (components) from the sprue and remove any mould lines/flash with a sharp craft knife (children under 14 - under adult supervision as necessary).

Wash in warm water and detergent (e.g. washing up liquid). Leave to dry and complete any assembly of the figure.

Glue the figure down to a piece of scrap card with PVA glue. This will make handling during painting easier.
   

Stage 2 - Priming

Paint the figure all over in Humbrol 33 (black) thinned with about 30% water.

This thin coat will preserve the detail on the figure and be a guide for applying the next coats.

Leave to dry thoroughly before moving to the next stages.

 

 

 
   

Stage 3 - Uniform Block Painting

Using a fine brush (O or similar) paint all visible uniform areas with Humbrol 26 (khaki).

Do not paint the equipment and leave black lines showing around the pockets etc and where the tunic meets the straps.

Touch up any black areas which have been ‘caught' with the khaki

   

Stage 4 - Picking Out the Equipment and Detail

Use a fine brush and paint the detail in this order:

  • Humbrol 103 (cream) - pick out the webbing,
    gaiters and water bottle.
  • Humbrol 110 (natural wood) - rifle and entrenching tool (but leave metal components black).
  • Humbrol 61 (flesh) - face and hands (leaving the helmet chin strap black).
  • Humbrol 53 (gunmetal) - lightly brush over all black metal components (including the bayonet scabbard).
  • Mix Humbrol 106 (khaki) and Humbrol 78 - (cockpit green) - lightly brush over the helmet.

Stage 5 - Highlighting

Add Humbrol 103 (cream) to the khaki uniform colour and highlight the edges of the tunic (including elbows and knees).

With Humbrol 34 (white) lighten flesh to pick out the bridge of the nose, cheeks and back of the hands: lighten the wood to pick oout the edgesof the wooden parts and lighten grey for the top of the helmet.

Add a little Humbrol 61 (flesh) to the helmet mix to pick out the helmet foliage.
   

Stage 6 - Varnishing

When completely dry use Humbrol 49 (matt varnish) to varnish the figure and protect the paintwork .

 

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