A Blog about Wargames and wargamers. Discussion of rule sets, painting techniques, different models, figures, links to manufacturers, reviews of all of the above, and other gamer resources. Not all Gamers, not all modelers - a blend of both! You are at http://tabletopgamer.blogspot.com Your hosts are Bwana Bill, Krazy Keith, and Consul Scipio. Thank you for visiting our little slice of the World Wide Web!

Friday, March 04, 2005

More Progress - and a Rant about Mud


I skipped something last night I probably shouldn't have, but got a good deal more done on Johns' tanks. This afternoon I'll get a bit more RLM-62 light tan on the last two that I built, and then I'll do the camo. Then lettering, markings, then finally inking, highlighting, and then the very best part...

mud!

What's not to like about mud?

One of the things I distinctly recall from my few times in the field, is that after a few hours in the boonies, everyone’s uniform looks pretty much alike, unless they're a slacker! Muddy! Dirty! Salt stains where your straps and belt rest.

Those parade soldiers are just a bunch of pretty boys! Real soldiers, meat-eaters, mud-crunchers - they get dirty and grimy, and they don't have a chance to clean up very often.

So you're thinking, “But those great little figs have so very much beautiful detail! I don't want to cover it up!”

What detail are you talking about?

The boots? Yeah, nice detail; usually the weakest bit on a figure.

The pants? Hey, a little mud won't cover the detail on the pants - and it might actually bring out the detail a bit!

Ok, before any of you Nappy (Napoleonic’s!) gamers start looking for measurement lumber to adjust my attitude, please keep in mind I'm talking modern warfare here - Hooo eeee! Modern warfare includes, for Keith’s purposes, anything from 1914 to current day.

Now... I'm also painting up my Johnny Rebs - or that is to say they are sitting on my table. I painted one command set, officer, drummer boy, and banna wava. I muddied them slightly and it looks good.

Just a touch on the boots, elbows and knees won't destroy any of that lovely detail on their chests (ribbons, medals, etc) or the braid on their epaulets.

Go on... dab a bit on... you know you want to!

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