"6mm painting. Tips? Guides? Sites?" Topic

Hi guys looking for a good source of modern/sci-fi 6mm painting tips.
Found older threads on TMP and most links are dead.
Also GHQ site is supposed to have a guide but can't get onto the site.

Not period specific, but very useful, try the Baccus how to guide:
link

Got to Tac Cmd … link Just finished these >

That chap in the blue hat is just begging a sniper…

Lovely work.

Tip #1: Do NOT try to paint it like a "small 15." You're going for impressionism, not realism.

Tip #2: Paint the unit not the figure.

Tip #3: Lighter, brighter colors or they'll be invisible on the table top.

Yeah, it's in Luftwaffe Blue. And after a little time in the desert the gritty dust [not beach sand] turns may things into a dusty shade of the local terrain.

Tip #3: Lighter, brighter colors or they'll be invisible on the table top.

I do the opposite to make my models invisible. If your opponent overlooks your units that's a plus for you. He can't "shoot" at what he can't see … Like "Ghillie" suits …

Or 6mm camo uniforms …

Also how the heck do you get pictures to show up in the post instead of just links like I have?

Some nice examples thanks guys.
I have to say that the advice of using lighter colours is spot on!

Here is what I have so far.

To Be fair they are 10mm Dropzone I bought cheap to practice on with the air brush but already I can testify to the advice of going with lighter colours. When your looking at them from tabletop height the left hand ones are just dark blobs. Will try a sepia wash on the right hand ones to see if that helps.

I didn't want to spend an age on the infantry so went for just one hi-light which I think looks good.
The photo doesnt show it well but the lighter tops of helmets packs etc is air brushed.
Will pick out boots, weapons and faces then basing and done.

Nice camo !

Thanks Legion.
At tabletop distance though it is too dark.
I dont think ill be able to transfer it to 6mm.
Its funny that I have painted up some cammo and am now concerened about it not showing up.

Now the airbrushing is done its time for painting the wheels which for some reason I find the hardest part.

Well like I said … I want them to blend in with the terrain on the table … I never spray my Infantry, only use brushes. The only thing I do spray on them is Testor's Dullcote … after I've completed painting them.

Here is a stand of 6mm GW Squats that I used as a test for different techniques.

From left to right you can see (1) the figure after the wash of black paint, (2) the figure with the base colors and highlights over the black washed figure, (3) the figure with layered base colors over the black washed figure, (4) a figure primed with Armory White Primer, and (5) the figure with blocked in colors and dipped with Army Painter Quickshade Strong.

I did the Army Painter figure on the end first as I thought that would be the best choice… and I was wrong! It was easy to block in the colors and apply the dip, but there isn't enough contrast at this scale. Maybe if I used AP Dark it would work better, but as it stands it fails in the contrast department.

Then I remembered that I used to paint my Baccus 6mm Napoleonics with a black undercoat without any highlighting at all; they just recommend bright colors. Now, my figures were already primed white, so I decided to do a quick wash of black to put dark into the recesses and keep the raised bits light. Then I'd add my colors on top. So that was my next figure (3). In addition to doing a layer or two of paint, I also drybrushed the red quilt with a little red/yellow mix. It turned out very well. So well, in fact, that I decided that I'd try to improve on it by doing a Foundry style two layer job (black, then a base color and a smaller highlight) on the last test figure (2).

As you can see, there isn't much difference between (2) and (3) if you ignore the paint placement. The (2) starts with slightly darker shades and then has a brighter highlight applied. It was double the work for a minimal payoff when compared to (3). I think that the middle figure is the best.

I have some other 6mm stuff on my blog. Feel free to take a look!

squadpainter.blogspot.com

- Jeff

My Schwarzwalder Black Watch Squats …

I also like to put a gloss on visors and lens after the matte seal.

Some solid squats there jeff.
Thanks for everyone taking the time with the hints.
Once I've knocked out some more practice 10mm I'll get some infantry up.

Another couple of test cam patterns.
Id like to know what you all think as im pretty unhappy.

I feel like they came close but not sure what id be able to fix the issues with my skill level.

Hopefully it will look tidier after the wash goes on.

Look great to me!

As a 15mm kind of dude…..you guys are tempting me sumthin fierce.