31DEC23 Haydon Commando Pt. 3

 Figured I'd put in the good shots I took of these here in the last hour and a half (at time of writing) of 2023!  I need correct what I mentioned, you can only get the STL files through Kickstarter (we'll see if Mad Robot has any coming up)!  However, their resin casting is pretty top notch.  You can order a complete squad (10) or fireteam (5) troopers.  Just look for these specific items to match my build if you like: beret heads, heavy field packs, Haydon Pattern Las Rifles, Commando Torsos, Commando Standing Legs, and Commando Arms.

As far as seeking advice for how to paint DPM, and for that matter US M81 Woodland, I found the following blogs handy:

Tim's Miniature Wargaming Blog (for DPM) from 08OCT08

Arcadia Prime (M81 Woodland) from 11FEB13

Both contained helpful, common sense, ideas on these patterns that worked out just fine for both of these patterns in 28mm.

"Alright Lads, lets give these Xenos, Traitors, and Heretics a rough go!"

So, prior to painting the Haydon Commando Paras above, I painted the "Rescue Team" (not assassins) below, following along pretty faithfully to Arcadia Prime's article linked above.  I need to find better photos of the Woodland, but it turned out just fine for this scale.

The Major

The Tracker

The Suit

The Heavy Fire Power

The Long Distance Connection

"If it bleeds, we can Cleanse and Purge it." -The Major

30DEC23 Haydon Commandos Pt. 2

Figured I would start off with a photo of the nearly finished leader (in my mind, an NCO like a Sargent or Corpral equivalent).

My attempt to capture a 28mm scale UK DPM temperate climate pattern camo was...  Pretty OK.  Looks like my M81 Woodland in he same scale!  

Color selection for the major parts:

Medium flesh and black to pick out face, hands, an the headband of the berets.

Just that little touch of black went a long way!

Forest green kicked off the start of the DPM splotches on the base of plaid bone.  

Followed by burnt umber.  Here I realized I hadn't added enough mid and high lights!

So I went with more khaki earlier, over the darker areas and the gators over the boots (as planned initially).  I probably should have started on the khaki as a base coat, this paint is translucent enough!

Back to black for camo splotches and picking details like buckles.

Hippo gray made good Las barrels, scopes, and battery mags.

Ivory was applied to the patches and lenses.

Finally, I went back and detailed with every color and few others to tighten things up and finish.

29DEC23 Haydon Commando paiting, base coating

Been a while!  Earlier this year I got an Elegoo Mars 2 Pro resin SLA pinter and really took of 3D printing miniatures.  Mostly through MyMiniFactory purchases, Patreon support of artists, or in this case a Kickstater campaign by Mad Robot Miniatures.

Haydon Commandos are clearly inspired by British Royal Commandos, but just as easily the Para Regiment as well.  My choice is clear with the red berets of the Paras in lieu of the green Commando.

After assembling the miniatures I primed with a dark brown camo spray paint that matches burnt umber near perfectly.  I followed this up with dry brushing raw sienna as a mid tone, and ivory as a highlight completing my basic underpainting.

As you can see, nothing fancy here.  Inexpensive camo spray paint, and cheap craft store acrylics.  Results were great, my photographs are terrible!

Now, the more expensive paint, Army Painter Speedpaints.  Here are my paint selections and what I painted with each:

Made a great khaki base

Missed the web gear with this color in this shot...

After painting the web belts, I used Mr. Super Clear Matt to seal the speedpaints before proceeding to apply regular acrylics.  Part 2 forthcoming.