Can anybody provide some general guidelines on how to paint a black German tanker's uniform?

I'm a figure painting novice, so you'll have to really spell it out for me.

Hi Ralph!

A long, long time ago, I built an SAS 120mm figure (op. Ninrod).

As they used black uniforms, I think I can help you:

Do not use black as base color. Use a very dark gray. This way, you can make shadows using black and lights using light gray.

You even can use a little red in the dark gray to simulate some tear on the fabric and do not paint jacket and pants using exactly the same color

I don't have pics of this figure, but the result was pretty good.

I hope it can help you.

Cheers!

Marco

Ralph,

Marco is pretty spot on there but as an alternative you could use a black base coat and drybrush up from a very dark grey through lighter shades.

Paul

ola Ralph

As has been said. Don't use pure black as it is very hard to control any shading and highlighting from that point.
To add to what's already been said.
Start with a mix of Black and skincolor to create a nice warm dark grey. That already looks like a faded black. Shade with thinned black and highlight with the mix your started with with some more skincolor added to it.

These were my two latest figures painted with that mix




Good luck.

Base coat with "aircraft INT Black FS37031" from model master.. it is an off black that allows straight black to work as shadows. Even then you may want to put a touch of grey in the paint to lighten it up. I do not but work up with a touch more white in the paint and dry brush lighter and lighter with a blend in between each coat.

Thanks guys. I'll give this a go when I get home tonight.

Wow! Great looking figures FAUST! The art makes me feel how tired and fatigued the subjects are...with the stubble and expressions. Excellent shading and pin striping on the uniforms plus the art. Nice work!

@ Ralph
Looking forward to your efforts regardless what method you choose.

@ Amoz02t
Thanks for the compliments. I indeed went for the look of a pair of seasoned soldiers who have seen a thing or 2 on the battlefield.
Here is a link with some pictures of the finished figures.
https://armorama.kitmaker.net/features/5376