So, I expedited one through the basing process and started painting him up. Then realised he was wearing a 'mono', or workers' overalls, not his tunic. Bit of a setback, that, but I pressed on.
Still, his cap gave me a chance to test for the right colour, seeking a colour variously described as 'pea green' and 'green grey' I managed to turn out three lovely variations on 'lurid mint green' before getting in the right ballpark here. This is Vallejo green grey (humm, there's a clue there) highlighted to Vallejo 'pastel green' then with a nudge of white.
The flesh has been tweaked once more to my satisfaction. I'm led to believe that the 'mono' would traditionally be blue or grey, particularly if he had republican leanings. Well, I baulked at painting either of those colours again, as I seem to have majored on blue and grey for most of my projects in recent memory. So brown the monos shall be, in my little corner of Spain. It gives me a chance to try out some new brown recipes, at least.
I rather enjoyed painting this sculpt, with very well-defined detail that suits my painting style. I can't wait to get to grips with more of them.
5 points, now we're rolling....
From Curt:Lovely work Phil! I feel your pain on working on paint recipes as I'm trying to replicate the green/blue of the Spanish Foreign Legion - it's actually making me bit mental. I think I have about dozen pots of paint on the go trying to figure something out. Anyway, this guy looks great. The 'mono' coveralls in brown are unique but I'm sure that if we dug hard enough there would be some historical precedent that the colour was used. I also like the cap, the colour reminds me of a lighter version of Vidal's uniform in 'Pan's Labyrinth'.
The Empress models are fabulous - such a joy to paint and one can certainly tell you're enjoying them as your painting is excellent. I look forward to seeing more!
I feel your pain on ending up painting the same colour over and over again... a quick scan through my paint box shows far too many shades of grey (thankfully not 50!) and brown.
ReplyDeleteYour test guy looks fantastic, can't wait to see the rest come together
Fantastic painting work in that figure. I think you have had a very good idea painting your miniatures one by one. Please, don´t change it :)
ReplyDeleteAbout the brown mono... Uncommon at least but very interesting.
Great painting work, Phil!!!
Thanks Juan but it's time to paint in groups now :-)
DeleteOnly a third of them will be in monos, the rest will look dapper in shorts or tunics.
Lovely work Phil. :)
ReplyDeleteCheers Tamsin
DeleteThat brown is gorgeous Phil. A unit or three of those would look brilliant. Maybe just change the webbing colour a bit to break it up?
ReplyDeleteMillsy's right, a contrast with the webbing might be a nice add-on. I know from looking at some colour shots of the leatherwork of the cartridge cases that it was often a light honey yellow colour (which could be a nice contrast with the brown). Still lovely work nonetheless.
DeleteYes, I think you're into something Michael.
DeleteBlack leather would be a reasonable option and fit with the Balagan painting guide. Curt's left-field honey yellow would work well on this mini I think. Do I recall that the civil guards used the same for their webbing?
Yes, the Guardia Civil seems to have been frequently equipped with that colour of webbing but I have also seen it amongst other troops as well. (I have a suspicion that this type of equipment found its way into various units as the war wore on.)
DeleteMaybe a tad to brown for my taste. Have to vote for a lighter colour for the webbing also. That asside it's still great brushwork nonetheless and a whole unit of them certainly will be a sight to behold.
ReplyDeleteThanks got the views Martin
DeleteI'm glad he passed the test, I hope to see more of these next week.
ReplyDeleteCheers!
DeleteHe's great Phil. Yes a change of colour in the webbing might look better but the SCW is not about looking good. So I would not change it. just my 7.62mm's worth.
ReplyDeleteCheers Clint :-)
DeleteLooks very nice! Since I wasn't a participant of the SCW, i won't argue the colors! ;) He is very cleanly painted, but a contrast to the web gear would make him perfect! ;)
ReplyDeleteThanks David
DeleteVery nice work indeed Phil - a whole unit would look very interesting.
ReplyDeleteI hope so - I've not seen any 28mm carabineros on English-speaking forums/blogs etc.
DeleteNice brown! Top stuff.
ReplyDelete