The testing continues! So far my experiments with the contrast paints have worked out well. I started with the squad of Asp's as the test run, but given how well they came out I went ahead and did the entire force like that. I'll post the complete color list and step-by-step on my next post, once I have finished models to show off.
Once I had the entire force base-coated, I tried a few different colors with my two Gila's (Duelists). One in purple, which turned out too dark with the grey primer (and later turned out to still be too dark even on a white base, I think it might work if thinned down, but did not try that). The other in green, which I liked. That green is a runner up for choice with the army, but grey just felt more appropriate for a Southern group.
I did the Asp's with red shoulders, then considered a different color for each group. Started to go back and forth with it, thinking about doing the whole force with red shoulders instead, so I asked for advice. After explaining to my wife the dilemma (for what is basically a 'platoon' or 'company' sized element, they really should all have the same markings), her response was perfect. "Yes, I know that's not how the military works.. but this is space robots... sooo..." She was right, as it turns out.
Each squad got its own shoulder color, chosen from the colors that I thought would stand out. Tactical? No, not at all. But its "space robots" so I can let that go. The only squad that did not use contrast paints for the shoulder was the command squad, which had issues with the purple contrast paint being a bit too dark. I went with a regular paint (non-contrast) purple instead.
Testing details. Red for the optics (green was considered, especially as the missile pods are also red, but growing up with movies like 'The Terminator' robots have red eyes.. it just didnt feel right otherwise), yellow bands around the missile pods for the warning stripes, etc. I painted a few weapons in a full metallic grey and another set in black. The black looked better, so repainted the metallic ones. I'll probably hit details in gunmetal and drybrush it.
Final bit of testing was the base. I picked up a few big tubes of non-hobby paint on sale at a craft store a month or two ago for basing/terrain use. Painted the sandy/rocky area with a burnt umber, then the squares like concrete slabs. A wash of Agrax Earthshade tied it all together and gave it the weathered/dirty look I wanted. Might hit the sand with a light drybrush before looking for appropriate desert foliage tufts to stick on a few of them.
For me, one of the most time consuming parts of painting a force is figuring out what to paint which color. There are still little details I keep having to go back to get as I realize I missed them (the road wheels in the feet/legs, pouches/knives on the waist, grenades, accessories, etc). I take a lot of notes with what I try, what I decided to go with, and the order I paint them in. Then, when I take another year or so off from painting somethings (or need to go back and make a new squad that looks the same) I have the hard part taken care of. It also helps when people ask how I did them.
This is really exciting for me. As I've mentioned, I have been painting and playing with miniatures in one form or another since the mid-90's. I do not think I have ever been this close to a finished army in any game I have played. Most of the hard part is done, and trying to stick to a commitment of spending at least 30 minutes a day doing something hobby related has really gotten some solid work done.
Next up will be my Northern army, which I have also done some testing with. Ideas are abound there, mostly in how I can improve the technique. For the contrast paint I am using as the 'base coat' I think I will try to thin it down some, maybe avoid those brown 'spots' I got when it was left to dry while too thick. The green on the ballistic padding (a feature on any stripped down or paratrooper gear) did not turn out well either, so I may paint those with a different green as the base, then wash with either a contrast paint or something else. The fiddly bits will be much the same as the south. Eyes, weapons, accessories, they can all match the southern models.
Long-term is a plastic Caprice army from the kickstarter. As of now, I think I have 4-5 models assembled, the rest are still on sprues and in a box. Once both the other two are done, I'll see if I have the drive to push on to a third army. Good news is I already have quite a bit figured out with them with regards to painting. I intend to do them up in a red shade (probably the Blood Angel Red contrast) and the basing will be a red-oxide colored paste that should simulate Caprice well enough (it has a very 'Mars' look to it). My big hang-up with that army is magnets. I have several good guides to work from with how to magnetize the army, its just finding the appropriate magnets I am finding difficulty with. I'll keep looking while I get these two done.
I have a game coming up this weekend with a completely new player, so I'm going to try and get as much done as I can before then. I'll keep things updated here as best I can.
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