I have been wanting to do a tutorial on painting
for ages and I finally remembered to take photos of
my work as I went along. This tutorial is aimed at
getting a basic to good standard on a 15mm Sherman or
any allied vehicle without using an airbrush. I use
a combination of Vallejo and GW paints.
Step 1: I assembled more or less entire the tank.Some
people leave the tracks off for painting.
Click on any picture in the tutorial to enlarge.
I sprayed the
entire tank with Chaos Black primer. Leave for 24hrs.
Step 2: Using a brush touch up any areas that the spray
can missed with Chaos Black GW paint. Just brush it on.
Step 3 : With a flat brush gently brush on Vallejo 924
Russian uniform over the whole tank. Please note at this
stage its not going to look great but bare with it. Also ensure
you brush strokes are in one direction down the length of the tank.
Step 4: Another coat of Vallejo 924 exactly the same
as before. It should now start to look better.
Step 5: Finally another coat of 924 and the colour should
be perfect.
Step 6: GW Agrax wash(basically a black wash). Gently put
it in all the small gaps and places shadow will sit. Do
not wash it all over the tank ! Don’t forget to do the tracks and
areas in-between and behind.
Step 7: Drybrush 886 Vallejo Green Grey using a flat brush
over all the raised parts. This will give you a good
highlight against the 924.
Step 8: Decals time. Carefully cut out to size and put on
your decals. I put mine on with Micro Set and leave them to
dry over night.
Step 9: Next up is the tracks. Some people as mentioned add
the tracks later making it easier to get your paint brush into
the area under the mud guards. Its up to you but I find it
possible with a small brush. Paint the tracks black.
Step 10 : First I use a HB pencil to literally
draw on the tracks leaving a silver shiny track look. Don’t go mad.
Step 11: Vallejo 818 Red leather dry brushed(small amount) onto the
tracks.
Step 12 : I then stuck on the wooden stowage and painted it Vallejo
Flat Brown. You can paint the tool handles at the same time. Later
highlight with GW Tallarn sand or Vallejo New Wood.
Step 13 : Tool heads and clasps are painted GW Leadbelcher and later
highlighted with GW Chainmail. Finally add an agrax wash.
Step 14: Optional weathering. Light dry brush of Flat earth on tracks
and lower running gear and bottom areas of the tank.
Step 15: Optional adding crew. The commander was added and I used GW
green stuff to back fill the large gap in the commander’s cupola and help
stick the twin opening hatches on. The commander was painted with English Uniform
followed by an agrax wash. I used GW Tallarn sand for highlights.
Step 16 : Testors Dullcote varnish spray to make sure your paintwork is
protected.
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I hope this tutorial was helpful and will make it easier for some
people to get started in the hobby without having to become master
painters. The picture below is what the finished product looks like
with a nice backdrop behind it and in the correct lighting conditions.
I think my tutorial pictures had a bit too much light in them giving
the tank an incorrect shiny look.
Happy painting .
The model warrior 