Its a Romeo Models figure, sculpted by Maurizio Bruno. And what a job he has done with this! In my view this has to be one, if not the only 54mm Hoplite on the market that is jus’ an outstandin’ piece of sculpture.
I started with the armour ‘cos this will need to be painted in first and then have an airbrushed coat of matt varnish applied. This is due to my process in paintin’ the armour on this dude!
I used my favourite kind of paint, Vallejo alcohol-based metallics with a wash of Tamiya’s X-19 Smoke, which was thinned 50/50 with Tamiya’s X-20A acrylic thinner. This wash will dry out slightly glossy, and is the reason for the matt coat.
All this combined with the beautiful lustre and shine of this alcohol-based metallic paint, ensures such a beautiful and phenomenal finish.
Very cool. It’s a very interesting subject to see. It’s very much an intermediary between the more traditional Greek armor and what would be seen on a Roman Legionary. What an interesting confluence of time and geography.
Does the same process work for any shade of metallics? I was thinking it would add some nice depth to brass ship propellers.
Yeah, this wash will yield excellent results over anythin’ like this. I used to use it on the engine components in my 1/24 cars. Don’t jus’ stop at one coat though, try two or three. It will need to be flatcoated after though.
KC, sorry its been awhile, i’ve been busy doin’ other things.
Here is the interior of the shield done an’ dusted! I used GW Scab Red for the base colour, its a real nice shade and goes on real nice too. Also, the armour has had a shot of matt varnish, too.
Paul, looks fabulous… gotta love those GW paints, scab red is one of my favourites too! I scoffed when they came out with the new formula for their paints, but I’m chewin on my foot now mate LOL. Anyway, the armour is incredible. I’m curious about what scale this is! I’m going down your route and will be starting a figure this comming weekend, once it comes from Squadron. It’s an Andrea figgie, but it’s 54mm… how does that compare to what you’ve got going on now? Can’t wait to see more, perhaps a shading tutorial in the near future?!?
CDNTanker, this should answer the scale question. I too ahve recently discovered GW paints. Cheap, nice line of colors, easy to thin, airbrush and clean, and best of all, it’s the only line of paint carried at a store within biking range of my house. Handy when I nead a couple colors but my parents are out.
The figure looks great! As always, I can’t wait to see your too-perfect-to-beleive skin tones.
OK, i’ll get some images together for this tutorial.
Here are the pteruges, I used Vallejo Black Red. For the shadin’ I used Burnt Sienna mixed with Lamp Black, and for highlights I used Burnt Sienna mixed with Naples Yellow Hue. For the actual trim of the preruge I used Vallejo Flat Brown mixed with Vallejo Beige Brown as highlight.
By my standards this is really slow goin’ and i’m feelin’ it!
Anyway, the little time I had today I used to paint in the tunic. For this I used Vallejo Dark Red with jus’ some shadin’ applied and no highlights. For the crumpled up sleeve at the top of his arms I shaded the whole colour turnin’ it to a very very dark black red, then I lightly semi drybrushed the folds with the base colour to bring it back up. I did this 'cos the folds are too tiny any other way.
Looking great as usual…one request–For one of your pictures of this guy in the near future–could you place a small reference item in the picture? something like…hmmmm, gotta think what kinds of stuff is the same on the other side of the pond…maybe just a paperclip, or a little jar of paint? It would just make it easier to tell how big/small it is!
OK Ian, no worries. I can tell you that this is currently standin’ on top of a can of Tamiya TS spray paint. It also stands at 73mm tall includin’ the base.
