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Wednesday, March 12, 2014

Chain of Command - in with both feet

My friend Hugh and I are going to try Chain of Command just as soon as I finish painting up British Airborne.  I've had these fellows on the table since November but the thought of painting Denison smock put me off.  The camo on the smock was randomly applied, and as a result, every tutorial and painter has a different take on how to paint Denison in 28mm.

My conversation with myself while painting Denison went something like this:

Self:  "Don't hold back.  Just slop it on.  Randomly."
self:  "Randomly...how?"
Self:  Checks a picture on the web,  "Triangular blobs and sharp edges.  Some overlap, but not too much. Don't put too much down and cover up the base color. And space it out a bit. And keep it random looking."
self:  "Like this?"
Self:  "No, you're doing it all wrong! Let me see that."  Stares at picture on the web.  "Hmmm."
self:  "Told you it was hard!"

This is my first crack at painting WW II.  It'll get easier  and faster as I get more reps under my belt. Denison version 1 was applied to a Foundry test figure.  I used a banding technique but it didn't look quite right so I quickly changed to v2.  v2 went on the Warlords Games British Airborne HQ set below.  I tried multidirectional angled bits that slopped over each other.  These looked better but the Army Painter soft tone wash obscured the camo.  Lets hope the 3rd time is a charm!
v3 went on a set of Crusader figs with a diluted AP wash.  Success!  They took paint very well and the camo looks decent.  With a painting scheme under my belt, it's onto some lovely Artizan figs.

For me, it's important to find a partner before starting new painting and gaming projects.  With one in hand, I'm into Chain of Command with both feet! We have yet to get our first game in and already, we're plotting out other armies and fronts.

The painting scheme is tucked under the fold.

Recipe:  

Block paint figure in base colors, diluted wash, followed by selective highlights.

Beret:  flat brown 984, Red 947
Helmet:  German Camo Dark Green 979, Khaki 988- Hessian Strips are done in Khaki
Smock:  German Camo Beige 821 base coat, then Flat earth 983 plus Reflective Green 890 for pattern.
Webbing, gaitors, belt:  Green Gray 886
Pants:  Green brown 879
Respirator and scarf:  German Camo Dark Green 979
Rifle/Weapon wood:  Flat brown 984
Wash is Army Painter Soft tone diluted at a ratio of 2 parts wash, 1 part water. 

Bases are Milk Chocolate for block, highlight with Cocoa, and a light touch of Desert Sand. 

Following the rule "faces, bases and flags," flesh gets a full workout with a base of Hull Red 985 followed by Foundry Flesh 5A, 5B and 5C.  I do the Foundry highlights last so that neither the wash nor a stray brushstroke can ruin the skin.   

32 comments:

  1. Based on your approach to SAGA I expect to see every nation represented and all the unit types possible!:-)

    Seriously, they do look very nice Monty!

    Christopher

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    1. Thanks Chris, and LOL, all is possible! We're mulling over Russo-Finnish, early war East front and more.

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  2. *WARNING* Master at Work!

    He can do ancients, he can do Dark Ages, now see him do WWII! Can he be tempted to do Napoleonics? :-)

    Brilliant work, Monty!

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    1. Rosbif, you are too kind! If I every put a toe into Napoleonics, I'll have to consult with you to see which faction would be the easiest to paint. Russian perhaps? ;-)

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  3. Thanks for this. I will use this as a reference if I ever go with Paras.

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    1. Chris! Just last week, I started looking around at all the options for CoC. I came across your "In the Name of Roma" supplement and shared it with my friend Hugh. Italy - East Front is on the table and if we did that, your supplement would be a joy. I may just buy it anyway to learn. More later!

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    2. Please do. It is an interesting and lesser known part of the eastern front.

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  4. Monty, you are a methodical master! Great news that you found a comrade in arms to dive into 28mm WWII. Looking forward to seeing your impressions on Chain of Command. That is a set of rules I am interested in as well.

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    1. Thanks Jonathan! I know many are happy to paint up figures that might never get in a game. I want to paint for something I'll get to play so this is a great opportunity. It's great to change things up at the painting table too. Saying that to you is preaching to the choir, I think!

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  5. Thanks Andrew and your work in Napoleonics is tops. Moieterei did a 9 step tutorial for splinter pattern camo that was to die for. Me, I'll settle for Finns in 3 easy steps.

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  6. This is all new to me, Monty - thank you for including your test models, I was beginning to get a complex thinking that everyone but me gets it right first go!
    ; )
    These paras look the business, alright, but that camo looks daunting.

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    1. Thanks Evan! To put it in perspective, my first test figure is NOT pictured above.

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  7. You are really branching out! This will be another period for you to do commission work in.

    I think your cammo looks excellent. I liked your internal dialogue and isn't it funny how much thinking goes into doing something random!

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    1. Thanks Anne! Yes, this could be a hot one.

      As for my internal dialogue, sometimes it become external. My daughter has a few things to say about her dad, the guy who talks to himself.

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  8. Be careful Monty, you'll catch the virus 'all periods I want to play'...I have this virus! A beautiful work, really impressive!

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    1. I'm following you fellows who play ALL periods. Thanks for the inspiration, Phil!

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  9. Greate work Monty

    CoC are a realy nice set of rules, I sure you will have some greate games !

    Best regards Michael

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    1. Thanks Michael, I think we'll have a game here very soon!

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  10. Some of the club guys tried out CoC last night, seemed to go well. A little more tactical depth than Bolt Action, I'm given to understand.

    FMB

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    1. Marcus! This is partly your fault...all your lovely Bold Action AARs made me want to throw in for some WW II. So, thanks for the inspiration!

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  11. Very nice job Monty. You are a brave man doing the camo in 28 mm, it gave me fits in 20 mm. Very similar approach though, although I use Agrax Earthshade as binding colour. I hope you enjoy CoC, it is a great game. My son and I just had a game with British paratroopers vs germans, they are great fun to play.

    John

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    1. Your glowing reviews and AARs helped hook me. I've been looking for an opportunity since, and answered when it came knocking. Can't wait, and thanks!

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  12. They look great, Monty. As with any camo pattern, paint for effect, not realism - that said, you've done both. Best, Dean

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    1. Dean, I might have to have that tatooed on my arm. Its a great motto!

      Paint for effect, Monty!

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  13. Excellent work Monty! Have some of these guys on my painting table so I know what a pain in the ass these denisons can be.

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    1. Moiterei, thanks! A fellow could look at your WW II painting and throw their brushes away! Luckily, I stifled that feeling and instead, drew inspiration from your work.

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  14. Hi Monty,

    they are fantastic !
    they seem to wait the green light to jump!
    all the best.

    Gilles"par St Michel ! vive les Paras!"

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    1. LOL, good one as always Gilles! Green light, go. Thanks sir.

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  15. Nice Work!

    Will you be accepting commissions for this period as well? I've been wanting to do some Chain of Command, but I'll never have the time to paint yet another period.

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    1. Iowa, thanks! And yes, I can't wait to dive in with more WWI. My email is in my profile. I'll check and see if I have your email in Yahoo but if I can't find you, shoot me an email and we'll talk. I'd be honored to paint for a fellow painter like you!

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  16. Shoot, I can't find you in my Yahoo contacts. Ring me up when you get a chance via my email m_luhmann AT yahoo.com

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  17. Great looking paras Monty. Looking forward to seeing more WW2 stuff from you.

    I hope you'll get some great games of Chain of Command – it's an excellent set of rules that rewards real tactics.

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