Painting a German 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

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 scrapcard 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 78 (cockpit green).

German field grey uniforms during the later stages of the war varied enormously from dary grey to pale green - cockpit green gives a good battle worn look.

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 green.

Stage 4 - Picking Out the Equipment and Detail

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

• Humbrol 110 (natural wood) - rifle, water bottle and entrenching tool (but leave metal components of these 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 gasmask case).

• Humbrol 106 (ocean grey) - lightly brush over the helmet.

• Humbrol 103 (cream) - pick out the gas mask canvas strap .

Stage 5 - Highlighting

Add Humbrol 34 (white) to the cockpit green uniform colour and highlight the edges of the tunic (including elbows and knees).

Lighten flesh to pick out the bridge of the nose, cheeks and back of the hands.

Lighten the wood to pick out the edges of the wooden parts.

Lighten grey for the top of the helmet

Stage 6 - Varnishing

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

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