WIP Critique Operation Nimrod - or 50 shades of black!

[kempie]

Decided to start on the Operation Nimrod vignette I got from Mitches Military Models. Only early days but I think I’m headed in the right direction with my pallet of blacks. From here, I think I’ll get the rest of the figure up to a similar point and then decide how far to push the highlights and possibly build some textures in.

Any suggestions or constructive criticism are more than welcome.

Cheers, kempie

 

[Briggsy]

Liking the tones on the black, a notoriously difficult colour, also add in that their kit would be well worn as opposed to brand new adds another factor. What British squaddie would want to be seen in brand new kit!

Looks really good so far I like it.

Cheers Simon

 

[kempie]

Many thanks Simon. It’s a challenge but a good change after nothing but Vietnam War stuff for the last three or four months.

 

[Nap]

Hi Kempie

Great to see you posting , a challenge to paint black for sure , coming on nicely

What colours are you using ....liking the hoods

This might be of interest to you ...there’s a mix from Mike Blank in amongst the posts as well as Bobs great painting
https://www.planetfigure.com/threads/5-rgt-ruesch-hussars-1735.698363/

Do keep sharing the updates

Have fun

Nap

 

[kempie]

Thanks Nap, I wanted to try to use variations to highlight the different uniform elements.

Vest is Panzer Aces Dark Rubber and highlighted with Vallejo Dark Sea Grey

Shirt is Panzer Aces German tank crew with a little AK Extra Dark Green added as base then highlighted with Vallejo Khaki. Actually turns out the uniform was originally green and dyed black. Happy accident for me!

Gas mask is Dark rubber again but will he highlighted with Vallejo light grey

Hood is Dark Sea Grey and Extra Dark Green.

Cheers, kempie

 

[Malkie]

An interesting project, all the blacks will be an interesting challenge.

 

[kempie]

Thanks Malkie. It’s certainly an interesting exercise.

This post is one part progress and equal part memory aid.

Continuing my not blacks.

Trousers -Rubber Black plus Khaki
Boot uppers, holster & mag pouch - ProAcryl Black plus burnt umber
Gloves - ProAcryl Black plus Iraqi Sand
Gunmetal - Rubber Black
Bright Metal - Light Grey
Plastic ( radio, grips) - Panzer Aces German Tank Crew

Webbing straps and pouch - US Olive Drab
Arm Pouch and hood trim - Russian Uniform
Grenade - Refractive Green

Cheers, kempie

 

[kempie]

Another day’s progress. Have brought pretty much everything up to the same basic highlight level as the shirt and vest.

Also huge step out of my comfort zone by painting in a basic set of eyes behind the gas mask lenses. Will tweak it a bit more before glazing over with Tamiya smoke.

As usual any feedback or constructive criticism is welcome.

Cheers, Kempie

 

[Nap]

Hi kempie

Coming along nicely , are you pushing the shadows more be interesting to see how the highlights and main areas progress

Thanks for the update

Looking forward to seeing more

Have fun

Nap

 

[Briggsy]

Looking great I'd be inclined to leave the highlights as they are, that stuff isn't very reflective. It is a shame the boot tread wasn't cast on the bottom of the visible boot sole.

Cheers Simon

 

[kempie]

Thanks for looking in gents!

Simon you make a good point about the nature of the materials for highlights.

Perhaps the right approach to bump up the contrast would be to darken the shadow tones a bit as Nap wondered about.

Get a few more hours in today. Will see how it goes.

Cheers, kempie

 

[William Gibbs]

Beautiful work! It’s good to see The Regiment represented. You should listen to Jethro Tull’s “Crossfire” while painting. It sets the mood…..”Who Dares Wins”!

 

[kempie]

Calling this one done for now. I glazed in some deeper shadows in a few places and refined the eyes behind the mask. Still need to smoke the lenses and glaze the flashlight as well as add a sling for the MP5 but will do all that at the end.

Appreciate the feedback provided and if anyone has any suggestions or constructive criticism there’s still time to use it on the next four figs.

Cheers, kempie

 

[Briggsy]

That's really good, I think you have captured the essence of a Trooper of the time. Looking forward to seeing the others.

Cheers Simon

 

[kempie]

Thanks Simon. Appreciate your dropping in.

Cheers, kempie

 

[kempie]

Beautiful work! It’s good to see The Regiment represented. You should listen to Jethro Tull’s “Crossfire” while painting. It sets the mood…..”Who Dares Wins”!

Thanks for dropping in William. I’d not heard that track before.

Cheers, kempie

 

[Nap]

That's really good, I think you have captured the essence of a Trooper of the time. Looking forward to seeing the others.

Cheers Simon

Agree there Simon , I certainly admire kempie for going for this amount of serious black representation

I was wondering if he’s going to use something to represent the lens on respirators ...there’s a product avail that goes in area milky but dries fully clear

Looking forward to seeing Trooper #2

Nap

 

[kempie]

Nap, I think I’m going to use Tamiya smoke for the lenses. Next figures will progress as a side project while I return to Vietnam figures for a while.

Cheers, kempie

 

[Nap]

Nap, I think I’m going to use Tamiya smoke for the lenses. Next figures will progress as a side project while I return to Vietnam figures for a while.

Cheers, kempie

Personally think that might be too dark , this is what I use ....as I said above goes on milky like PVA but then dries back clear



Look forward to seeing more on the Vietnam project

Have fun @ the bench

Nap

 

[kempie]

Experiments will be done, but I thought a dilute mix of smoke would give a sensation of depth. I do like the crystal clear though. Used it for instrument faces in model aircraft.

Cheers, kempie