Boot Camp
Alright you, fall in !

I thought that you might like to view the basic training I provide your miniatures.   After all, its what sets Colour Guard Miniature Painting apart from other painting services.

The first thing that I do is wash and prepare the figures.  This includes removing flash, deburring, etc.   When ready, good quality spray primer provides the base upon which I apply the paint.

I start with the flesh and work in layers the same way that you get dressed in the morning

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Left: Primed Figure
Middle: Flesh basecoat is applied and then washed
Right: Flesh painted with first highlights, eyes and hair base coat


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Left: Flesh and hair fully highlighted
Middle: Base colors (shadows) on uniform
Right: Remaining base colors, equipment and facings

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First highlights on uniforms and equipment, muskets blackened.  Muskets, swords and metalwork of all kinds are left for the final steps so as not to contaminate any other painted surface with even the hint of a metallic sheen that is not supposed to be there.
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Muskets painted, all metals finishes, figures mounted and flocked.  Miniatures are also dull coated to protect them.


Now that you've seen how I paint the figures, how about looking at the unit's Colours?

Hessian Lieb Regiment, 1804
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This pencil sketch is 1 1/8 square

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Base colors painted, black background for any metals
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Colors are highlighted, gold and silver embroidery done.   Final finishing also includes mounting on stave and the folding/molding, plus some final highlights.
At Colour Guard Miniature Painting metal is always backed with black.  I find that this provides a much better base.  It makes for the best shadow and causes metals to cover well in fewer coats.  It also increases reflectivity, much like a mirror and in this way makes the items appear more realistic.

Though well painted figures can strike awe into gamers, the unit is not complete without the best looking officers and musicians.  At Colour Guard Miniature Painting, I strive to find the best information, whether a drummer is simply in reversed colors or Royal livery, I dont skip it. 

Every detail from hat lace, to gorgets to the color of the buttons-
from the plainest wooden drum, to brass or copper
from bunting flags to silken colors- no detail shall be omitted.