How to Paint Imperial Guard Infantry Camouflage

[PensacolaWarhammer]

I promised this when I posted the test model for my Airborne Imperial Guard color/camouflage scheme, so here's a quick and dirty tutorial on how I achieved my camouflage on an infantry model. You can read about the process more in depth at Pensacola Warhammer

 

 

I started by priming the figure with Vallejo Surface Primer Grey. The light, neutral color will help keep the camo colors from becoming too dark and making the miniature almost impossible to see.

 

 

 

I based coated all cloth material and anything that will be camouflaged with Vallejo Model Color Stone Grey. Now comes how I actually achieve the camo pattern.

 

 

This is the secret on how I achieved my camo scheme. Given the size and limited surface area of an infantry model, it's almost impossible to get a camo pattern to show up. Instead, you have to give the impression or illusion that there is a camo pattern. The foam does a great job at giving the impression that the fatigues have digital camo pattern to them.

 

 

 

The first color is my green color. I used Vallejo Model Color Russian Uniform WWII. I dip a small piece of foam into the paint and then dab any excess onto a piece of paper or paper towel. Once the excess paint is removed, I gently dab the model with the foam. You don't want to go over board at this stage as you'll be putting on another color, and you'll still want your previous two colors to still be visible.

 

 

 

I repeat the same process as before but this time with a brown color. For this, I used Vallejo Model Color Saddle Brown.

 

 

 

The final step to go the model with a black wash. This actually does a couple of things to the model. Obviously, I brings out the detail the camo might be hiding, but it also helps blend the colors together so there isn't a stark contrast between brown, green, and grey.

 

Next time I'll show you how I do my armor and guns, so stay tuned.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Kierdale]

Interesting. I've used sponge to rough up the edges of camo on tanks before, and the thought occurred to me too that it might look like digital camo on infantry, but I haven't tried it yet.

Looks pretty good. :)

[PensacolaWarhammer]

@Kierdale

 

Thanks. You're right I use basically the same method to do armor chipping. As I mentioned, the scale and over all lack of surface area on infantry makes it almost impossible to do a true "digital" camo. As we do with most of our models, you have to fool the eye. :)