Wednesday 9 July 2014

Second Afghan War Pathans

Second Afghan War Pathans for Demo Game at Partizan 2015 (May/June)


I recently finished these little fellows as a start to my demo game that will be at Partizan 2015. I've got a hell of a lot of work to do as I've got to make the terrain and make it look good as well as provide top quality paint jobs on all the miniatures, thus, publishing the results is a good way of pushing myself.




















So after all the nicely finished off mini's I think, as promised last time, I should mention a word or two  on the Matting Down process:

If you remember the last time you saw these mini's they looked like this:





Too glossy by half for my tastes but well protected from dust and damage by the Humbrol Enamel varnish. The next step is to matt them down. Now that can be done in a number of ways. The best way for me was to use Testors Dullcote. It used to give a very satisfactory, solid all over matt. It used to come in a black can and look like this:


Unfortunately, Testors no longer do this version of Dullcote, at least in the EU, as I believe it was found to contain dangerous chemicals. I used to always apply the Dullcote with a respirator on so's to avoid the noxious fumes. So, we now have the white canned version:


Many folk seem happy with the matt effect that this product gives. I for one am not one of them! In my opinion it leaves a sheen at best and a slightly satin finish at worst. Not what I want after spending hours painting up a bunch of miniatures! I good while back I did find a brilliant product that leaves all miniatures completely flat matt- you want to know what it is called? Well, if you can work it out from the back of the can I'll let you know!! It wouldn't be fair for me not to leave a clue, it is not Dullcote!  :>)




Answers on a postcard or just take a guess with by leaving a comment.
Darrell.

17 comments:

  1. Replies
    1. Thanks Michael- Hope the holiday is going well?

      Darrell.

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  2. HMG paints Nisocoat 2 matt top coat... or is it semi-matt?

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    Replies
    1. Thanks Neldoreth :>)

      Darrell.

      Delete
    2. FIC matt varnish, a re-labelled HMG product but which one? The specs for Nisocoat mention mixing which would not be possible in a spray can.

      Delete
    3. Got it in one.... but which one? :>)

      Darrell.

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  3. Oh and stunning figures!

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    Replies
    1. Thanks Pat- very kind of you to say so.

      Darrell.

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  4. Very nice. The Humbrol spray is very matt if you want to give that a try.

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    Replies
    1. It's not Humbrol spray Paul. :>)

      Darrell.

      Delete
  5. Funny, I like my figures with a seriously matt finish as well and I find the "new" Dullcote just fine. I suspect it is a case of climate as much as anything as I can't imagine you're forgetting to shake the can properly.

    Regardless, beautiful paintwork and a wonderful choice of colours.

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    Replies
    1. With painting professionally for well over a decade I've become used to all the tricks of the trade when it comes to varnish. Climate can be tempered by leaving the heating on and making sure that all the windows are shut- oh, and don't spray if you have a household full of kiddies!

      Thanks for the kind words Michael- appreciated :>)

      Delete
  6. I always hand paint my Humbrol Matt enemel varnish! Didn't even know you could get is in an aerosol!

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    Replies
    1. Yeah, there is a Matt version of the Humbrol spray available- at least last time I looked. It's not the varnish that I use though :>)

      Darrell.

      Delete
  7. This comment has been removed by the author.

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    1. [blooming blogger, for messing up my first message!]

      Top job, Mr Hindley, sir!

      Roy

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    2. Thanks Roy- much appreciated sir!

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