42nd Highlanders Painting Guide for The French and Indian War, Part 2

Grenadiers, 42nd Highland Regiment

 

Let's finish painting these figures and also do some kilts!

 

 

The wood on the muskets was painted Vallejo Earth Brown (unless mentioned, all paints are Vallejo). The sporran (purse) was painted Leather Brown and the scabbards for the dirks were painted with GW's Skraven Brown. The tassels (?) on the sporran were painted Buff while the end of the scabbards for the dirks were painted Shiny Gold. To finish the muskets I used silver for the metal except for the trigger guard which is Shiny Gold and the musket straps are Flat White. The end of the pistol butt sticking out of the folds of the kilt were painted Earth Brown and Shiny Gold.

 

For the broadsword the basket hilt is Silver, the scabbard Flat Black and the metal at the end of the scabbard is Shiny Gold.

 

Let's paint a kilt. The trick, at least for me, is to remember that the kilt will be seen at gaming distance. Do not worry if a line isn't straight or the local historian mentions you missed one of the horizontal colors. While gaming it will look just fine. Since the 42nd had a darker kilt, I actually made the colors brighter than they should so the actual tartan could be seen. Hey, it's my army.

 

I started with wide horizontal lines with Flat Black and then did the vertical lines. You can see in the picture above that some of the lines are a little wavy or not the same width. Blame it on the folds of the cloth; that's what I do!

 

I then painted inside the Flat Black with Dark Blue. I did Dark Prussian Blue first but the blue color did not stand out at gaming distance so I went with the lighter Dark Blue.

 

Here is what the front looks like; not perfect but it will look good on the table.

 

There is historical controversy when the Grenadier company added a red stripe to their tartan. Was it after they changed their facings to blue after the Royal designation or before? I threw the dice and decided to add the red stripe. The color I used was Flat Red. I also did the stockings and all I do is make big red "X's".

 

I then carefully added another horizontal and vertical thin stripe with Flat Black. Thank goodness there are only 4 grenadiers in my unit.

 

Same process for the line company and command group but easier. No red stripe!

 

Here are the completed (almost) grenadier and line highlander.

I still need to paint the grenade on the back of the grenadier's bearskin mitre.

Here is how the piper turned out.

 

Since Warlord took the time to sculpt buckles on the shoes, I figured I would paint them - plus it adds a nice highlight. I painted the buckles Shiny Gold.

 

The flaming grenade painted with Flat White.

 

I use 25mm Litko wood stands and white glue to put the figures on the stands.

 

I let the stands dry over night. I then put some globs of glue around the base . . .

 

 . . . water it down and spread it around with an old brush . . . 

 

 . . . and then stick it the ole sand box. I use hobby railroad fine ballast for my ground cover - and it is a lot cheaper than other brands.

 

Once it is dry I shake off the excess sand.

 

Add some random globs and then water then down and spread them out gently with that old brush.

 

Once dry it makes a great seal for the sand.

 

I then water down some Americana Burnt Umber and spread over the base.

 

Who says you have to use expensive paint?

 

Once that is dry, add some smaller globs randomly on the base and water them down - but don't cover the whole base - unless you want to. I like the some of the sand to show. If you want your bases completely covered with static grass that's fine; just skip the adding the brown to the sand and that will save you some time.

 

To the static grass bowl and shake off that extra static grass.

 

I added a small shrub, and once dry, I spray paint a clear, flat covering over the figures.

Tah Dah! All done.

 

Gaming Distance!