i am an armour modeller and i do include allot of figures in my diorama, the thing is i'm not particullary that great at painting the black uniform the panzer crews wear. could someone help me out and tell me what the base coat would be and how to do the shadows/highlighting? or are there is there anything on the internet theat someone can post a link to please
thanks stan

Hi Stan. When painting black always mix a complimentary colour for your base coat. This is because you can't shade black if the base coat is already solid black. I use flesh mixed with black as a base coat. Then I can shadow with pure black and I add even more flesh or a bit of white to the base coat for my highlights. (I use vallejo acrlics)

White is the same way. You can't highlight if your base coat is already pure white so use an off white base coat.
Hope this makes sense Stan!

Good luck!!

Gary

Stanley, I actually just finished a couple of Panzer figures in 1/48 and a bust in 1/10. With the smaller scale 1/48 and 1/35 I find it best to start with a dark grey base coat (Vallejo Black Grey is great for this) and then for highlights add some very pale yellow or off white and mix with with the black grey, applying it where you think appropriate. (A light shone down on the figure from directly above should give a good idea where the highlights should go.) Then for shadows a darker grey or probably black mixed with the base coat and applied to the areas supposed to be in shadow.

Sometimes it can be easy to over-do the shadows and highlights and then your figure can appear slightly 'off'. If this happens, or you are simply not happy with the way the highlighting and shadow turned out then try drybrushing the figure gently with some of your chosen base coat and this should sort it out.

You could also try Andrea Paints Black Paint Set- it has everything you need to easily paint a black uniform.

Anyway, good luck.

KARL187

thanks for the help guys. i am thinking about buying that paint set now, it looks very useful.
stan

i have just ordered the osprey book on how to model and paint panzer crewmen. it looks really good, but i just wanted to know has anybody got it and are here anymore tips?
stan

Hi Stanley.
Id have to go along with what Gary said. Blending a colour like flesh makes for a warm natural black colour for material. Works really well and you dont have to buy any particular paint brand to get their colours. I painted the Tamiya figure below with Humbrol enamels, and oils for the leathers.

great figure you've made there Frank, i have never used enamels to paint a figure before, i've always imagined it as being a lot trickier than painting with acrylics, i am probably wrong no doubt. i might give it a try, any particular brand. humbrol maybe, they have a bunch of that at hobbycraft.
cheers stan