JigBakerSugar said:

It is a big PITA, but from a battlefield perspective it really makes a difference. The idea is to make a 1 inch tall model with a 1/3 inch rifle look like a 6 foot tall soldier with lifesize equipment from far away. 

Im going to go brush my Barbie's hair now. 

 Ummm, so schould i higlit armor in some places with more gray?:D

 My approach when using metallic paints is to not paint 100% of the metallic surface. And to basecoat it in a much darker shade of metallic. For example use black and metal mixed together on 80% of the surface, then paint over in your primary metallic about 50% of the surface. Kind of like how shading is doneon a tattoo. 

In a few days I'll post a pic so it will make more sense. 

 In past few weeks i hedn't had much time for painting. I gave monkeys and TB some work, made an experiment with gorillas bases, and yesterday painted the DD. Also today i found out how much i suck at making photos and how much a photo can change how the mini looks like.

All opinions appreciated.

 That's a lot of painting. I find the Dust minis to be easier than most to paint, and very rewarding. 

Hen the sculpts and molds are good it doesn't feel like you're taking a buffing wheel to a turd pile. 

Well, that's definitely an improvement. Why don't you try some drybrush or wash? These are really simple techniques that get stuff done quickly and almost automatically.

 I think he was using testers enamel paint early on. 

one thing he needs to learn is to stop painting 100% of each surface in the base color. 

 Working on that:P

As for washes all of them exept for coats of DD were washed and the gorrilas fur was drybrushed for some 3D effect. Also i drybrushed the DD guns to mach the weapons from orginaly painted core set;) Where else schould i add some of that?

 The folds in pants and clothes could use a little highlight on the creases. That might make a different on the DD's

 Hmm i would like too keep the colors of those, that's the problem with your advices of multi painting one surface, i don't have ideas for colors :D

I have some spare time today, i will wash them with devlan mud and them drybrush back with the previous colors, will see how this comes out.

 Hmm after i washed them schould i use the same base colour for hihliting/drybrushing or schould i add some white for some "shining light"

You could first highlight with the same colour, and then do a lighter highlight with some white mixed in.

 As loophole said take a look at the pants on my Sigrid thread. Might give you an idea. 

Mandate dry brushing isn't the best technique on all surfaces. I use it only on gritty textures. For clothes I wet brush along the folds and ridges. Painting less an less area with each brighter highlight. 

 Wow!  I think you are doing really good.  I hope I can get to being able to do this good with minis.  I am going to get some new paints and brushes tomorrow.  What's best for faces, paint colors, etc?  What basic colors do all you guys find are the core for painting the dust minis?

Zjb12 said:

I'm mostly using valllejo paints, and i'm pretty happy with them. As for washes i got badab black and devlan mud from GW adn those 2 are enough in my opinion. Vallejo has some great colours like US olive drab or US dark green that are corespondent to colours from 2 WW and help you get the imaginable one:P It's easier this way couse i wouldn't have an idea how to get the colour i'm using on pants by mixing base colours. On the other hand i think if you want to experiment you can always get only few base colours and mix them up for requiered color.