04 May 2011

GZG Crusties - Paint Test

I've owned these little gems from Ground Zero Games ever since they were released, but I've been intimidated by the idea of painting them.  I finally became frustrated enough with not having them painted that I did some searching around the other blogs and message boards... I never hesitate to steal good ideas.  Spacejacker's quick basecoat/wash method mentioned here looked great to me (even if he was unsatisfied with the results).  So I decided to give it a try... but what to use for a base color?

I figured there was no point guessing.  After a blast of white primer, I chose four different colors and set to work.  Each produced a pretty effective result using that basic method:

From left to right:

  • Testors Model Master "Wood," Wonder Wash "Dirty Brown"
  • Citadel "Rotting Flesh," Wonder Wash "Skin" then a thinned "Dirty Brown"
  • Citadel Foundation "Khemri Brown," Wonder Wash "Standard Black" then a second wash of "Dirty Brown".  "Khemri Brown" is also my usual color for desert troop bases
  • Citadel Foundation "Gretchin Green," wash of Dirty Brown
While the fourth one is probably the most District 9-inspired scheme, it's my least favorite.  I personally like the first one best.  The third is also good, I think it would look too dark for an entire army.  Any other thoughts or suggestions before I knock out a quick platoon of these guys?

Chris
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6 comments:

  1. graymatterbluesMay 4, 2011 at 2:44 PM

    The "rusty" brown (first listed) is I think the best. It is a light enough color to stand out and still get all the detail. The second one would be my second choice although I do not like it nearly as much.

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  2. Ben LeeMay 4, 2011 at 4:04 PM

    The first one :)
    Where I went wrong was not enough contrast between the basecoat and the wash... Yours doesn't have that problem. Looking great!

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  3. dylanMay 5, 2011 at 3:25 AM

    Number one definitely! Although number three looks closest to the 2300AD Kafer if you were using the crusties for that.

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  4. TimHerrMay 5, 2011 at 7:32 AM

    I'll jump in and advocate for #1 as well. I'm biased, though, because that's very close the the color I'm doing mine up in.

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  5. QalphaMay 5, 2011 at 4:25 PM

    Heya

    I suppose mixing and matching between the different colour schemes through out the platoon for some real variation is out of the question?

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  6. Basement Gaming BunkerMay 5, 2011 at 9:40 PM

    Thanks for the kind words, folks!

    Dylan - in my gaming universe the Crusties are cheap mercenary labor/fearless contraband smugglers. Imagine if the aliens from District 9 landed in Cold War Moscow rather than Johannesburg, and let your imagination run wild.

    Qalpha - it isn't out of the question at all. #1 will be the most numerous, but I could mix in a few #3s here and there.

    Chris

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