Note to Self: British Infantry Painting Guide (1941-1945)

Although specifically this is meant for my Platoon 20 WWII late-war (D-Day+) British Infantry project, I think it will be probably valid for all post France 1940 BEF European theater metal British Infantry I will do. In fact (still to be confirmed) the BEF will probably just have a bit more Khaki equipment on them

Sequence:

Preliminary Phase (often rushed and bits lazily forgotten about)

• Wash Figure in soapy (detergent based) water
• Remove Flash (I regret this if I forget it)
• Change Water (To honour the monks of Vallejo, although to my shame I still do not use "distilled" as they have recommend)
• Base figure individually
• Basic terrain ground on base
• Undercoat metal figure (probably Games Workshop Black or Scorched Brown, this may change to a cheaper alternative)

• Basic terrain shade of Brown (Watered down Anita's Acrylic, used to date: Bark Brown, Burnt Sienna, Chocolate Brown - maybe with a bit of Black thrown in)
  

Base Coverage (of basic colour to area)

• Tunic and Pants (Vallejo: English Uniform)
• Webbing, Pack and Puttees (Vallejo: Khaki)
• Helmet (Vallejo: Russian Green)Boots (Anita's Acrylic: Black)
• Dark Shade of Flesh: (Anita's Acrylic: Bark Brown, alternatively used GW Dark Flesh)
• Guns: (Anita's Acrylic: Metallic Black)
• Note (2014/05/22) Mortars, HMG and PIATs should be painted "Tamiya Olive Drab Green" rather than 'shiny' metals

Shading

• Black-wash figure for shading : (My preference instead of inking, is a weak wash of black, Anita's Acrylics Black, most effective for Webbing details and adding shadows)
• Also black-wash base with with Anita's Acrylic: Black
  

Highlights and Details (or rather how far will I bother to go? Sounds many layers, but in reality it is a bit of a fiddle about phase)

• Highlight base colour again: prominent Tunic and Pants again (Vallejo: English Uniform)
• Lighten (feather) area of highlight (Vallejo: English Uniform + Anita's Acrylic: Lemon Yellow, which is a weak whitish yellow)

• Highlight base colour again: prominent Webbing, Pack and Puttees again (Vallejo: Khaki)
• Lighten (feather) area of highlight (Vallejo: Khaki +  + Anita's Acrylic: Lemon Yellow [again, yes well it was handy on the painting table])
• Final Highlight, just a dab here and there (Anita's Acrylic: Lemon Yellow)

• Highlight base colour again: prominent Helmet (Vallejo: Russian Green
• Lighten (feather) area of highlight (Vallejo: Russian Green + Tamiya Yellow)

• Boots (Anita's Acrylic: Black)
• Lighten with a touch of Gray (I have been using GW: Codex Grey) mixed with Anita's Acrylic: Black)

• Flesh: (Anita's Acrylic: Bark Brown or GW: Dark Flesh mixed with GW: Dwarf Flesh or Vallejo: Flat Flesh)
• High light: Mix in Anita's Acrylic: Dusty Peach [May have to add a white - don't think so though]
  

• Guns: (Anita's Acrylic: Metallic Black + GW: Bolt Gun Gray) - Note: Very light touch required here 
  
• Gun Stocks, Top of Bayonet and the Wooden Axe handle[?] on back of pack (GW: Scorched Brown, then highlight GW: Bestial Brown - This will change to an Anita's Acrylic/Vallejo equivalent soon )
• Bayonet holder (Anita's Acrylic: Black, then GW: Bolt Gun Metal for top and bottom clasp)

High Level Detailing

• Insignia markings: A point yet to be explored!! (Watch this space)
  

Final Terrain Detail/Flocking

• White Highlight: Dry Brushed over base
• PVA Glue and Flock
• [Note: Don;'t rush this bit - leave to dry]
  
• PVA Glue and small batches of Static Grass
  

And I really should varnish them now !!!! [TBC]


The End (sigh, ah Bisto!)