Nineteen44: How I paint... Volksgrenadiers

Since coming back to the hobby a few years ago I have been both awe inspired and slightly intimidated by the standard of some figure painters out there. I have tried to change my technique, desperate to emulate that smooth, clean and punchy style I see on modelling forums and websites (and the back of the boxes) but it just ain't happening. In the same way that Usain Bolt is better than me at running, I guess there will always be those who are better at painting. I do what I can.

In spite of buying an expensive set of Foundry acrylics a while back I just can't get to grips with them. I use enamels and white spirit, hence the tired brushes. Chalky drybrushing still works for me! So here it is, I'm laying bare my rather shabby efforts at some @WarlordGames Volksgrenadiers. This is the last guy on the bench from the squad of ten metal figures.

Not painted by me (but a very nice job!)

The first stage is to paint his head. I always do that first because then I feel that he has a personality, as well as eyes that somehow seem just a bit too big.

1. Black undercoat, then a flesh tone and some light brown wash.

2. Dark wine lips and biiiiiig white eyes.

3. Over paint to reduce the biiiiig white eyes and stick in a pupil.

4. Muck about a bit with lighter flesh tones on nose and cheeks, or a 5 o'clock shadow or such like.

5. Grey cap, pick out eagle and buttons in black.

6. Highlights on cap. White eagle and silver buttons.

I always undercoat in black, as I often line out with black later, so it can save me a bit of work. This guy will be in splinter pattern camo, so I use a fairly light stone colour as a base, otherwise I find the pattern can get lost at 28mm.

Next stage is applying the pattern. Mid brown geometric sort of random shapes, with some leaf green infilling and the best effort I can manage with the 'rain' overprint. These are just very thin green lines, which need a steady hand.
Trousers get a general smudging of gray.