How to paint camouflage pattern on Warlord Games WAFFEN SS 28mm miniatures

Greetings wargaming loons, Paul McGlennon here from Geek Villain studios. I have been into painting, modelling and wargaming along with a keen interest in military history for a good few years. Wargames illustrated have asked me to put this article together on my projects, what has inspired previous projects and what tools, materials and miniatures I use. I, like a lot of you out there, often have a lot of projects on the go so hopefully after reading this you will be driven to complete a project, have learnt a new technique to try, or maybe be inspired to start a new project

 This particular project is for Warlord Games WW2 Bolt Action game, which sees opponents command armies of all nations across all theatres of WW2. Bolt Action is a great WW2 game and the mechanics (use of order dice) and general rules help the game create the ebb and flow of war realistically 

PROJECT: WAFFEN SS 28 mm Bolt Action miniatures

I completed this project about a year ago, it originally started because I needed a new project but wanted something that was going to push me out of my comfort zone with regard to painting, and I felt that WAFFEN SS uniforms offered that challenge.

This project was prior to Warlord Games releasing the plastic WAFFEN SS box set; I did look around to see what was available on the market and settled on Warlord metal miniatures, being the best of the bunch quality and price wise. Next, I needed some colour photos/pictures on different patterns and colours so went onto Amazon and purchased a book on SS uniforms (Waffen SS in colour photographs by Andrew Steven/Peter Amodio), a good book at a great price. I am also fortunate to live near Cosby in Leicestershire, where the Annual Victory show is held, so was able to take a lot of photos of the SS re-enactment group.

Having looked through the book I decided that summer and autumn oak leaf camouflage patterns were the ones I wanted to try, so now needed to get all the paints. 

I really didn’t need to think about a brand as I feel Vallejo acrylic paints are one of the best on the market for colour and ease of use, and the majority of colours I use are from their range. Games Workshop is the other brand I use for a couple of colours plus the ink washes.

Preparation of figures, basing, and undercoating was the next task… As these where all white metal I use a scalpel (carefully) to remove all mould lines and any flash form the miniature then I file the cast base to create an even surface to glue to the bases. I prefer to use laser cut MDF bases 2 X 20mm as I find the basing material adheres better, but anything can be used 

Once the miniature has been glued to the base I use Milliput around the metal base to blend out onto the MDF so the metal base can no longer be seen; once dry, sand is glued all over the base using a PVA and water mix again this is left to dry

Undercoating the miniature is then completed using Matt white undercoat (Halfords), it’s the best and cheapest. I use white undercoat as my painting technique is to use several watered down coats of paint over the white undercoat, this automatically starts to create highlights and once the final wash is applied the end result is not too dark

Base coating starts with the hands, neck and face using Vallejo fleshtone 2:1 mix with flat white, followed by a wash of Games Workshop Ogryn Flesh. Next, I use German Camo Pale Brown 2:1 mix with water and paint the coats, covered helmets and trousers, if the colour is too pale then add another coat 

Now comes the tricky bit, adding the camo pattern. I have seen this done with a toothpick, but I have used a fine detail brush. Using German Camo Dark Green I create large random patterns, once dry use German Camo Bright Green and fill the dark green pattern with small dots (again referring to colour photographs for reference). This process is for the summer pattern if you want to do Autumn then repeat the above process but add German Camo Orange Ochre instead of bright green. To help randomise the patterns for the summer camo scheme I reverse the colours painting bright green as the base colour then dark green patterns and pale brown spots.

Photos showing completed Miniature in Autumn pattern camo:

Next up is the equipment, straps and weapons

Metal parts. Gun, belt buckle, spade and bayonet/knife.  Games Workshop Lead Belcher with Nuln Oil Wash

Wooden parts. Spade handles and weapon stocks. Games Workshop Brown

Webbing, holsters and boots Vallejo Dark Brown or black 

Bread bags or map bags Vallejo Khaki

Gas mask canisters. Games Workshop grey

Bed rolls Vallejo Reflective Green

Once completed to this stage Games Workshop Agrax Earthshade is used 2:1 mix with water over the whole miniature (excluding, neck and hands) and left to dry

Finally, it’s the base which is still white. Games Workshop Typhus Corrosion is used to wash the base all over when dry static grass is glued on in places so some of the earth effect can still be seen tufts can be added if desired. 

 Photos showing the summer camo pattern in reverse: