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luft2

Luftwaffe pilot figure with added dark wash and drybrushed highlights applied.

Painting a figure follows a logical sequence, from the inside out. What this means is beginning with the body, in this case the face, paint the "layers" closest to the body and work your way outwards. This will make life a lot easier and prevent you painting over detail.

The following is the sequence I follow. Happy painting!

 

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Stage 1: The basic figure primed white

 

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Stage 2: Paint the face.
Flesh colour of your choice.

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Stage 3: Paint the flying helmet.
Dark brown leather.

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Stage 4: Paint goggle strap.
Khaki brown.

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Stage 5: Paint tie and goggle lens.
Black.

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Stage 6: Paint tunic.
Luftwaffe blue is a light blue/grey colour.

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Stage 7: Paint life jacket.
Bright yellow.

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Stage 8: Paint parachute and harness.
The straps are white or weathered dirty grey.

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Stage 9: Paint metal parts.
Harness release is silver.

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Stage 10: Paint oxygen mask.
Dark brown leather.

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Stage 12: Paint black details.
Black rubber oxygen hose and communications wire at back of helmet.

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Stage 16: Final detailing.
Seal the finished pilot with a light coat of clear matt varnish. Once this has thoroughly dried, apply a very thin wash of dark grey over the entire figure. Using a Q-tip, gently remove the wash from high areas allowing the wash to remain in the low areas, creases, etc. This will add to the sense of depth. Finally, once evrything has dried thoroughly, a very light dry brush will high light the high spots and further add to the realism of the figure. This final detailing is not a must, but I am sure you will be amazed at the difference it makes to the figure.