6mm Wehrmacht painting guide - Keeping it simple.

I wanted to post a guide for how I have started painting my 6mm Wehrmacht figures. I basically wanted to speed the process up and not ruin my eyes for something that looks just like a vaguely coloured blob on the table. 

I have previously discussed how Sudden Strike, an old computer game (that I loved), had each nation be a vaguely different, semi historically accurate colour scheme. This felt like something I might want to replicate in 6mm for ease. However, there was something about painting Tiger 2s and Jagdpanthers grey that didn't sit right with me. As such the vehicles will look pretty late war accurate and the infantry just need to be vaguely Feldgrau-looking.

Here is how I did it.

Step 1: basing and priming. I base my figures on stands of 1, 2, or 3 figures. My standard is a 1p coin. Gun teams are as many figures as the gun requires. I then prime the stands white - this brightness helps with other colours. I then paint the coin with a sand coloured craft paint. I apply no texture whatsoever. (One step simplified). The paint going onto white primer helps it stick. With my Soviets I painted the figures on the strip and attached them later to bases - which has caused problems.

Step 2: I then paint flesh - I am messy with this.

Step 3: I paint their uniform - Vallejo Feldgrau. I get my brush a tiny bit wet to help the paint spread a little, and keeps it lighter. Some of the figures have had their faces painted over mostly, and I do not care. They are always facing away from me anyway. 

Step 4: Guns and boots are painted black. Not wooden stocks, no gunmetal colour. Just black. Paint from the boots ends up on the base - this does not matter.

Step 4: I paint their gear with Vallejo Desert Sand - backpack, canteen. I do not care that this may not be accurate, I just want the gear to stand out a little.

Step 5: I wash the miniature with Citadel: Agrax Earthshade. 

Steps 2-5 are all done in one session.

Step 6: I paint the helmets Vallejo German Grey, and if they are wearing a cap, I paint that Feldgrau. That helps the figure pop a little and gives some colour. 

Step 7: I paint the coin rim a dark colour - Vallejo German Grey normally but black will do.

Step 8: Cover the entire base with a light green flock.

Steps 6-8 are one session

Step 8: Seal the entire thing with a matt spray. This is done when the weather is good enough to let them sit outside so the smell doesn't come in the house.

Closer than I will ever look at them. They are far from perfect but get the job done. 

Compare the bases of the vehicles - the infantry are much lighter.

This picture best represents the light I see them in and the distance as I am usually sat at a table. They look perfectly acceptable. 

Highlighting their gear - all sand coloured but still fine.

Also similar light to how I see them just closer. 

In all I find this method to be effective. I can tell who they are from a distance and they paint up pretty quickly. When I show you my US and Soviet infantry you might see some scratches as I painted them on strips first. This sped up their painting, but basing them up was a PITA. This German method is a winner - handling the bases is kind of annoying, but if I were really serious about it I would save some bottle caps and blutac them onto those.