Thanks for the tips on Crimson, I agree a difficult colour I think my approach is probably not the best as I am now going to rely washes to deepen the highlights and shade together. If I was still using oils it would be easy with Alizarin Crimson.

Are the P3 paints still available?

Cheers Simon

I've missed the Letchworth show.
Didn't know it was on, I used to go regularly.

Malc

I found out about it on the Airfix Key Model World show guide. Not a bad little show, though down on numbers from last year, mostly plastic kit traders so very few figures to be had. Apparently according to Rod they broke even as next year was in doubt due to rising prices so will have to watch Keyworld for updates. Caught up with quite a few old friends and had a good bacon roll, only downside was using the M25.

Cheers Simon

Alizarim crimson is great.
And i believe the P3 are still available.
I use the same Mix for the crimson French King's Livery lace.

I like the few P3 paints I still have, might need a restock.

Been painting this afternoon, I have done more highlights by glazing on the jackets Scale Color Deep Blue and Vallejo Deep Sky Blue sparingly mixed with Vallejo Dark Prussian Blue. Once all dry, with the help of a hair dryer they then get a thin wash of SC Deep Blue with Ammo Lucky Matt Varnish.

The trousers have both had very dilute (with water and the Ammo varnish) wash of Vallejos Xpress Color (72.408) Cardinal Purple. This allows the highlight and shade below to show through but tinted to a more Crimson colour.



Let me know what you think.

Cheers Simon

Hi Simon, please keep me in the loop if there's likely to be a show next year, we can meet up for a bacon roll or two.
Do they still hold it in a hotel next to a Morrison's?

Malc

Will do, it is now in a Pentacostal church in the industrial estate, as venues go it's not the biggest but is very well suited for a small show. Parking is free on one side of the road all day and from 1200 for the other side, get there early or it's a bloody long walk.

Cheers Simon

The figures look ok to me, although the red has a bit of a sheen, you tend to get this with Vallejo.
You could try thinning it down a little more when you apply, this can help with getting a matt finish or try the Scale 75 reds, they're very matt.


Malc

Yeah shine is a perennial problem with my painting, will add another wash or two and add some Liquitex Ultra Matt Medium for good measure. I think I also have a tendancy to over work the paint rather than laying it down and leaving it to dry.

Cheers Simon

One last update for the day, I've done a little work on the base, may add more, not sure yet, certainly the edges need tidying up a bit.



Cheers Simon

Got my new wet palette today fro GSW, taking a bit of getting used to but it's better than the Philadelphia tube.

Anyway the Guide got some more lace and some buttons today, also added the decoration to the bag on his colpack. I need the arms on before the trefoil are added to the lace.



I concentrated on the officer today, his boots, sash, belts, medal and kepi mostly. Once the sword is painted and in place I'll paint both his hands together. Then I'll just have to add the scabbard.




Won't get much time at the bench for a couple of days now as I have an ailing Granddaughter for the next two days. Oh yeah Peppa Pig overload.

Cheers Simon

Great progress on the French and the Belgian. I really like the shading on the French figures.

I am now of the opinion that the undercoat makes a big difference as well. Getting that really matt helps I am sure. AK Ultra Matt Varnish as a finishing layer seems to cure shine in the tests I have done.

Cheers Kev, not sure if I'll use suitable kit arms or build some up in paper clip wire, have sort through the spares box.

Sod the pigs I want bacon, lots of bacon.

Cheers Nigel, the French officer is looking OK apart from a slight sheen, might have to break out the airbrush and Alcad dulcote.

I'm convinced the undercoat needs to be matt, I used to use Games Workshop Citadel White built up to be opaque as a base but not sure they still make it.

Cheers Simon

Just a quick update, after a hectic couple of days. I've added some arms to the Belgian fella, they are straight from the sprue they come on. Though they have been filed down and pinned to change their articulation. Using arms like this just expedite the process, she's me building the bulk with Magicsculpt around a paper clip wire with a hand stuck on the end. Need to let the liquid cement harden before I start slinging putty at it.



Now I'll get some paint on the French fellas.

Cheers Simon

Spent a lot of the afternoon painting the Grenadier, who like the officer is done for the time being. Now having left the sword, scabbard and rifle till last, oh and two right hands, I need to not rush them to start my next project.






Probably won't get much chance to paint or sculpt tomorrow as I have my monthly appointment for an injection in my right eye. Usually I get an afternoon appointment so at least I can paint in the morning, but tomorrow I'm in at 0815. Oh well life's a bitch and then you die.

Cheers Simon

Yes I believe it is a casting line, that's going yo be a pain. No chance of rest the boss will have me doing all sorts of things!

Cheers Simon

Apart from a small pool of blood and the stuff they inject into my eye floating around like a lava lamp when I move my head I have my vision back.

So I have had a go at sorting the Belgian Guide out. Looking again at his fledgling arms I didn't like the right one so I have changed it. Both arms are now built up on their respective plastic armatures and once cured I can add the final bits of the chest lacing and the cuff lace. I have replaced all the buttons I knocked off, five in total and last night I applied my post it note strips to his back and sides for the lacing there.

Oh and I have put a little filler on the Grenadiers neck after Kev spotted a seam line I missed. Last night I started on the French men's bits and bobs and snapped the flipping bayonet, so bodge job on the way.




Might have to have a rest now as the eye is aching, a weird feeling, though I need to sort the sword for the Guide.

Cheers Simon