Dakkon426 said:

Exactly. Please compare the pics of the back of the BBQ Boys (primed black) and Recon Boys (primed white)

I`ve changed few things in my photobucket account, so, before I`ll post new pics I have to repost the older ones - for comparision purposes :D

There You go:

 1. BBQ Boys, winter camo

2. The Gunners, winter camo:

3. Recon Boys, winter camo

4. Spec Ops Rangers, winter camo

5. Spec Ops Rangers, regular camo:

Camo comparision:

Ok, now to the new stuff… It`s been a while since I published any pics here, but meanwhile I got married, went for a honeymoon trip and had usual problems with running my company and 3-year old kid :D I also wanted to gather some stuff and to post some more stuff in one batch - there it is:

1. Recon Boys - regular camo:

Errors made:

The problem with Army Painters` Anti-Shine varnish appeared again - the cracked "sunburnt earth" surface emerged on many flat areas, for example helmet of the ranger on the left on the picture above or on the belly of the squad leader, just under his armor with star decal. I was really angry with this because matting is the last thing I do with the models and it is ruining your whole work. But finally I managed to find a reason of this - see below. Humble experiments with drybrushing Catachan Green mixed with Rotten Flesh are also not very visible, however, I am quite pleased with this squad.

2. BBQ Boys, regular camo:

Errors made:

Not very many, as I found the reason of the cracking effect after matting the minis. I was aware that matting should be done in the same humidity and temperature like the whole paintjob. But I was not aware that is has to be EXACTLY THE SAME. I was spraying the minis outside my apartment, in the staircase covered by glass roof - 'greenhouse effect' was raising the temperature there by 2 or 3 Celsius degrees in comparision to my conditions in my apartment, the humidity was also higher there. When I moved to my colder basement, the cracking effect was finally gone. I also removed more QuickShade after dipping the minis, so the coats and helmets of these guys look realy pleasant (in the beginner`s eyes, of course :). Drybrushing only with Rotten Flesh is also more visible.

3. The Gunners, regular camo:

Errors made:

See above :) Like the QuickShade shading effect on the bazookas, additionally drybrushed with Boltgun Metal. Coats, pants and helmets drybrushed only with Rotten Flesh, as previously.

4. The Boss, regular camo:

Errors made:

Don`t put these white Allies HQ decals on the shoulder pads - they are just too big, don`t stick very well and it is really easy to rip them apart.

I wanted to distinguish The Boss form the other squads with regular camo, so I gave them snow bases. Also added some details (like small dots of Mithril Silver on buttons) and drybrushed them heavy with Rotten Flesh only.

I think these minis turned out pretty good, but I still see MANY things that need improving. Right now I`m starting painting the A3 models - I`ll experiment with the rust/stippling techniques for the first time. 

Haven`t been here for a while, but it doesn`t mean that I was lazy - free time is just very rare commodity to me so I`m happy if I am able to find two or three hours a week to paint. Anyway, here goes the next part of the 'Absolute Beginner Story':

1. Grim Reapers - regular camo:

To save time, I just leave the original green primer, just slightly drybrushed with Boltgun Metal. Rust effect - technique used for the first time - is just Bestial Brown. Errors made: corrosion would affect edges and corners of the metal plates, not 'middle' parts. Models also look 'too clean' in my opinion, even considering that I always use Army painter QuickShade Strong Tone dipping method to give a strong protective layer in addition to shading effect.

2. Tank Busters - regular camo:

Another experiment - I tried to paint yellow stripes on the bazooka shields with the use of masking tape and I think it worked out pretty well. I`m also pleased with the face of the unit leader - I found a tip in the web to paint only lower lip of shouting male models and it is true :)  Further with rust effects, to Bestial Brown I added some additional weathering with Boltgun Metal and Chaos Black and unfortunately it turned out a small overdose - these guys look now like they had bought they armours in some chop shop/ thrift shop…

3. The Hammers - regular camo:

Pretty smooth work this time - not too rusty, I added some blood on the Power Fists with homemade stippling brush. No significant errors made - except of the fact that their faces look fairly the same, so the look like clones :D

4. Red Devils - regular camo:

Very cool (and demanding) models to paint, lots of details. This time I tried to improve my paint-mixing techniques (note the difference between orange Power Fist and orange phaser hose or olive grenade with olive ammo pouches) . Errors made: well, I`m not very pleased with their faces (adding eyebrows made their look quite weird, painting white eye corners is also a pain in the ass). Next time I`ll try to add decals BEFORE quickshade dipping (although it is much easier to apply and  position them on very even, slicky layer of quickshade) so the arm decals will not look brand new.

Right now I am painting my A3 Allied infantry in white winter camo and man, white primer doesn`t forgive anything… More photos soon (read: in few months :D)

Very nice work. Are you only paiting allies at the moment? I wouldnt mind seeing what you do with some Axis.

Still got couple of Allied units to paint, but later I will take of of my Axis of course :)

They all look great, very nice work!!!

Your figures are looking really good, I look forward to seeing more, I am using GW Devlan Mud to wash my figures with but you are tempting me to buy some Quickshade!

Long time no see :) I had to take a small break from painting as I was starting to loose fun. And it worked - I am spending all my free time on painting again! Anyway, let`s get back to business - as I said before, today I`ll post some A3 Allied infantry with winter camo and first batch of heroes.

1. Grim Reapers - winter camo:

Errors made: this time I was applying decals before armor weathering with Boltgun Metal, Chaos Black and Vermin Brown… Navy anchors on right arms could be more visible IMHO.

2. Tank Busters - winter camo:

Errors made: WAY TOO MUCH weathering, especially on legs.

3. Hammers - winter camo:

Errors made: I`m pretty pleased with this squad, as I`ve decided not paint eyes, lips etc. Shading with Ogryn Flesh and QuickShade only should do the job. And they did.

4. Red Devils - winter camo:

Error made: Only one - 'black hole' mouth of the squad leader looks pretty weird…

5. Bazooka Joe

Errors made: None. Absolutelly my best work up to date.

6. Rosie

Errors made: Shouldn`t have been trying to paint her eyes and lips with separate paints etc. Now she looks like a sad frog-clown-whatever.

7. OZZ 117

Errors made: little too much weathering.

8. Rhino

Errors made: once again - painting eyes with these models is pointless. For a beginner level, simple shading is enough.

Work in progress: NCO Command squad and rest of Allied heroes are on the way, so stay alert!

As always, all comments are greatly appreciated.

Very nice work. The progression from the original posts up to now is evident.

Can't wait to see some walkers!