"Quickshade on older figures?" Topic

Has anyone used brush or dip shade on old school figures that have few undercuts?

I have a load of old Minifigs 25mm barbarian infantry from the early '80s, some in tunic and trousers, some also have a cloak and some are stripped to the waist.

I thought the basic block paint and shade would be the way to go as they are light on detail to paint anyway.

Any views/advice would be welcome.

It doesn't work well imho. Old school figures look best painted with a simple method of toy soldier like quality and gloss varnish. Any form of wash on a figure with no real sculpting definition just looks dirty all over.

Don't do it.

Paint 'em properly in Old School style.

Well, I will say the opposite… I block paint, and Dip green and tan plastic Army Men figures. The small details they have, come out looking pretty good to me. Bottom line: do a few "test figures" and see what you think of the results. Proceed accordingly. Cheers!

I agree with Stg Slag do a few test figures, but also try different colors of dip wash; light medium and dark to find what is best looking to you.

I guess its going to depend very much on a figure by figure basis.

I've now tried one using a Citadel wash and that doesn't look too bad, considering the trade off in figure quality and time spent compared with 2015 items.

I'm wondering about the relative thickness of Quickshade would effect things though.

I use a very thin Raw Umber wash and it came out very well on my old Minifigs which have now been spruced up and looking rather fine.
Some pics at
link
Simon

I would give it a test – I'm pretty sure it will work out fine. I am a big fan of the Minwax Polyshades Antique Walnut for just about everything.

I use a very thin Raw Umber wash and it came out very well on my old Minifigs which have now been spruced up and looking rather fine.

Yes that's the vintage. Come up pretty well I think. The first test figure I've done is on my painting table next to some 28mm Perry metal ACW Infantry at them moment – looks like a Hobbit alongside them!

The thing that makes me hesitate over Quickshade most of all is the price of a tin of the stuff!

If you use mahogany (or similar) wood stain instead of 'Quickshade' then the cost of investment is a lot lower. I found mahogany-coloured wood stain to work really well over 15mm ancients figures from various manufacturers. The wood stain was particularly effective over bare-chested warriors & naked fanatics, and also worked really well over yellow, green and red-painted clothing. It didn't look so good over shades of blue but not so bad to make me think they needed alternative, or additional, shading when based within a group.

I use the same Minwax product/color as dsfrank. I've tried the Minwax Tudor (black), but I prefer the Walnut, as it gives the figures a dirty look, like they've been fighting and rolling in dirt.

The Minwax products (Polyshades urethane-stain) is much less expensive than Quickshade, and it is the same product… There may be other brands available from your local DIY stores, for even less money. Cheers!

Simon, I have a hunch repainting the pikes in a lighter shade (natural wood or similar) will improve the ECW figures even more.

Henry – I did consider that but in the end decided not to stray too far from my original 1970's colour scheme. In any case I am sure that with some preservative treatment together with dirt, pikes would have acquired a relatively dark patina before too long.
Simon

I recently used the GW Seraphim shade on my Indians and Macedonians and it brought them back to life. They look a lot better for it and some had the old enamel paint on from the early eighties.

Definitely dip them – works wonders