Updated September 2026, 3 days ago
Sonic Sledgehammer Studio
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Back to the Front! Channel Return and Hobby Roundup
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![One-Coat Paints: Speedpainting WWII French Infantry [How I Paint Things]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/c19td4zhgBk/mqdefault.jpg "One-Coat Paints: Speedpainting WWII French Infantry [How I Paint Things]
Early WWII French uniforms have a reputation for being a little tricky to paint. Not any more! With surprisingly few paints on the table youll be able to knock out a French army fast; this took me about the third of the time itd ordinarily take me to paint a French infantryman. Does it look like it? Well, get up close and squint... but paint an army like this and theyll look just fine on the table, beating out grey plastic - thats for sure!
00:00 - Intro
00:52 - Priming Notes
01:21 - Drybrushing Pre-Highlight
02:01 - One-Coat Basecoats
08:35 - Extra Bits & Finishing Touches
12:07 - The Finished Soldier
Thanks to Producer Patrons Alan, Kyrie, Andrew, Jimmy, Rod, Phil, Robison, Woodcock, David Kinney, and Matt Dischner - as well as all the other Patrons that made this video possible, and Exit23 Games for recording equipment that helps keep the channel ticking over! Find out more at the following links:
https://www.patreon.com/sonicsledgehammer
https://twitter.com/sonicsledge
https://www.instagram.com/sonicsledgehammer/
https://ko-fi.com/docwholigan
http://exit23.games
THE BASE: A layer of PVA followed by sand. Thin down some Vallejo Flat Brown and paint that on to the sand, drybrush in Dark Sand once dry. Dots of PVA for static grass, and a tuft or two. Paint the base rim in Flat Brown. Done!
PAINTS USED:
PRIMER:
Bone White (Vallejo Spray Primer)
CITADEL:
Guilliman Flesh (Contrast)
Black Legion (Contrast)
Reikland Fleshshade (Shade)
Kislev Flesh (Layer)
VALLEJO:
White (Model Color)
Battledress Brown (Xpress)
Khaki Drill (Xpress)
Mahogany (Xpress)
Muddy Ground (Xpress)
Wasteland Brown (Xpress)
Bag of Bones (Xpress)
Brown Violet/US Olive Drab (Model Color)
ARMY PAINTER:
Desolate Brown (Speedpaint)
Strong Tone (Wash)
Speedpaint Medium")
![Cold War US Infantry - BDU Fatigues Kept Simple [How I Paint Things]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/cXh-E4Vi6DU/mqdefault.jpg "Cold War US Infantry - BDU Fatigues Kept Simple [How I Paint Things]
Exercise REFORGER - REturn of FORces to GERmany - was a test of precisely how and how quickly NATO troops could return in strength to West Germany during the Cold War. An annual exercise, it ran from 1967 to 1993 once NATO commanders were satisfied the threat of a breakaway faction of the former Soviet Union didnt still have its eyes on western Europe.
Check out REFORGER 1 from Flank March miniatures on Kickstarter here: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/flankmarch/reforger-1-cold-war-us-army-infantry
The BDUs - battle dress uniforms - work by US troops during this period were iconic for almost thirty years, issued between 1981 to 2006 and seeing continued use in ancillary branches for years afterward as well. Sent to US-aligned military and security forces worldwide, the humble BDU uniform can theoretically work for almost any modern military, mercenary, or post-apocalyptic survivors you want to put on the table!
00:00 - Intro
00:55 - Miniature Notes
02:01 - Priming Notes
02:39 - Basecoats
09:55 - Shading
11:21 - Highlights & Finishing Touches
13:26 - The Finished Soldier
Thanks to Producer Patrons Alan, Kyrie, Andrew, Jimmy, Rod, Phil, Ben, Robison, David Kinney, Fred, Fool in a Hat, and Chris - as well as all the other Patrons that made this video possible, and Exit23 Games for recording equipment that helps keep the channel ticking over! Find out more at the following links:
https://www.patreon.com/sonicsledgehammer
https://bsky.app/profile/sonicsledgehammer.bsky.social
https://www.instagram.com/sonicsledgehammer/
https://ko-fi.com/sonicsledge
http://exit23.games
PAINTS USED:
PRIMERS: Skeleton Bone (Army Painter Spray)
ARMY PAINTER:
Agate Skin (Fanatic)
Army Green (Fanatic)
Leather Brown (Fanatic)
Matt Black (Fanatic)
Camouflage Green (Fanatic)
Ancient Stone (Fanatic)
Strap Grey (Historical)
Strong Tone (Wash)
Speedpaint Medium
Barbarian Flesh (Fanatic)
Dorado Skin (Fanatic)
THE BASE: Apply a layer of PVA glue then basing sand, painted with thinned-down Oak Brown once dry. Overbrush with Leather Brown, then drybrush in Command Khaki. Add dots of fresh PVA and sprinkle on static grass.")
![What the F.O.D? Painting Quar Fidwogs - Wargames Atlantic Plastics [How I Paint Things]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/dDtgzgweQQ0/mqdefault.jpg "What the F.O.D? Painting Quar Fidwogs - Wargames Atlantic Plastics [How I Paint Things]
The Fraedarl Overseas Department, of course - what else would FOD be? The Quar are singularly ill-suited to combat given their dumpy stature and generally peaceful natures, but they war anyway. A classic range of miniatures in white metal has been supplemented by the hard plastics from Wargames Atlantic, including printed parts and STL accessories from the original sculptor himself.
To find out more about Fidwog, its allies and enemies, and the world of Alwyd at large, visit https://rhyfler.com/
Find the Quar and a whole host of other hard plastic kits and printed resin accessories from Wargames Atlantic here: https://wargamesatlantic.com?ref=sonicsledge Making a purchase through this affiliate link nets you cool toys, and I get a few pennies as well. Win-win!
00:00 - Intro
01:08 - Priming Notes
01:59 - Basecoats
07:33 - Shading
08:42 - Highlights & Extra Details
12:11 - Painting the Tractor
13:28 - Quick Notes on Assembling the Tractor
13:55 - Painting Tractor Markings
18:34 - Painting the Lens/Lamp
19:34 - The Finished Group
Thanks to Producer Patrons Alan, Kyrie, Andrew, Jimmy, Rod, Phil, Ben, Robison, David Kinney, Fred, and Matt Dischner - as well as all the other Patrons that made this video possible, and Exit23 Games for recording equipment that helps keep the channel ticking over! Find out more at the following links:
https://www.patreon.com/sonicsledgehammer
https://bsky.app/profile/sonicsledgehammer.bsky.social
https://www.instagram.com/sonicsledgehammer/
https://ko-fi.com/sonicsledge
http://exit23.games
PAINTS USED:
PRIMERS: Ash Grey (Army Painter Spray Primer)
ARMY PAINTER:
Dragon Red (Fanatic)
Legendary Red (Fanatic)
Warped Yellow (Fanatic)
Leafy Green (Fanatic)
Turquoise Siren (Fanatic)
Arctic Gem (Fanatic)
Leather Brown (Fanatic)
Ironclad Grey (Fanatic)
Gun Metal (Fanatic)
Strong Tone (Fanatic Wash)
Speedpaint Medium
Hardened Leather (Speedpaint)
Space Dust (Fanatic)
Orc Skin (Speedpaint)
Electric Lime (Fanatic)
Raging Sea (Fanatic)
Neptune Glow (Fanatic)
Deep Grey (Fanatic)
Wyvern Fury (Fanatic)
Royal Blue (Fanatic)
Matt White (Fanatic)
Banshee Brown (Fanatic)
VARNISH:
Colour Forge Matt Varnish Spray
THE BASE:
Put down a layer of PVA and sprinkle liberally with basing sand. Let it dry, then paint with thinned-down Vallejo Flat Brown. Once dry, overbrush liberally with Vallejo Brown Sand, then drybrush with Vallejo Dark Sand. Add dots of PVA and static grass to taste, or use tufts you like.")
![Imperial Japanese Infantry - New Bolt Action Army Painting [How I Paint Things 500!]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/eFr1bgBAbnc/mqdefault.jpg "Imperial Japanese Infantry - New Bolt Action Army Painting [How I Paint Things 500!]
Thats... thats a lot of How I Paint Things.
The Imperial Japanese Army are one of those that benefit from quick painting methods with one or two details picked out to make them pop on the table. Whether youre painting sunbleached and worn veterans or waves of infantry thrown into a banzai charge, a quick drybrush over a suitable primer colour is absolutely the fastest way to get them on the table looking ready for action.
Check out the entire Warlord Games range at their website here: https://r.warlordgames.com/aff/?SONICSLEDGEHAMMER Purchases made through this affiliate link net me a small commission at no cost to you!
00:00 - Intro
00:52 - Old vs. New Comparison
01:31 - Uniform Colour Notes
03:04 - Basecoats
12:08 - Shading
14:00 - Highlights & Finishing Touches
15:47 - The Finished Trio
Thanks to Producer Patrons Alan, Kyrie, Andrew, Rod, Phil, Ben, Robison, David Kinney, Fred, Fool in a Hat, Chris, and Timothy Ferguson - as well as all the other Patrons that made this video possible, and Exit23 Games for recording equipment that helps keep the channel ticking over! Find out more at the following links:
https://www.patreon.com/sonicsledgehammer
https://bsky.app/profile/sonicsledgehammer.bsky.social
https://www.instagram.com/sonicsledgehammer/
https://ko-fi.com/sonicsledge
http://exit23.games
Backdrop by Jon Hodgson Backdrops - https://handiwork.games/product-category/everything/backdrop-books #jhbackdrops everywhere a hashtag works for more!
PAINTS USED
PRIMER: Desert Yellow (Vallejo Spray), Zandri Dust (Citadel Spray)
VALLEJO:
Green Ochre (or... Khaki Grey, Yellow Ochre, German Camo Orange Ochre, English Uniform, US Field Drab - there are a LOT of choices!)
Dark Sand
Flat Flesh
English Uniform
Khaki
Flat Brown
Leather Brown
Brown Sand
Black
US Olive Drab/Green Brown
Tan Yellow
Vermillion
Basic Skin Tone
ARMY PAINTER:
Tree Ancient (Fanatic)
Tomb King Tan (Fanatic)
Gun Metal (Fanatic)
VARNISH:
Matt Varnish (Army Painter Spray)
THE BASE: Apply a thick layer of PVA glue, then sprinkle on a suitably rocky sand mixture - Ive used Army Coarse from War World Scenics. With much thinner PVA, go over the top of this to seal it to the base. While still damp, roll some small dust out of a bag of clump foliage in the thin PVA mix and nudge these on to the base to create small spots of greenery.
Marine Juice MkIII/Sonic Tonic:
3 parts Reikland Fleshshade, 3 parts Army Painter Dark Tone, 4 parts Lahmian Medium - for simplicity, this is just a bottle of each. Mix well and apply liberally!
Army Painter Marine Juice/Sonic Tonic:
Equal parts of Speedpaint Medium, Dark Tone, and Warm Skin Shade. Mix well and apply liberally!")
![Raise the Legions! Imperial Roman Legionaries - Quick! [How I Paint Things]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/eZjnvfnmFR8/mqdefault.jpg "Raise the Legions! Imperial Roman Legionaries - Quick! [How I Paint Things]
The Roman legionary of the early Imperial period is the type of miniature that looks like theres a lot of work to do, when in reality theres a lot you can leave up to a shade! The basic infantry can just fly off your brush, and with only a couple of Centurions, Aquilifers, or Optios to paint, those stand-out character miniatures can get just a little more work to really help them shine on the table.
Check out the entire Imperial Roman range from Victrix Miniatures here: https://www.victrixlimited.com/collections/imperial-roman-empire Theyre easily the largest and most detailed range available entirely in plastic!
Short, helpful, and to the point: Johns guide on applying LBMS transfers is invaluable if youre going to use them on the Victrix miniatures! Check it out here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SZaMy6cqhIk
00:00 - Intro
00:47 - Making a Shield Jig
01:55 - Painting the Shields
03:39 - Roman Basecoats
10:36 - Shading
12:23 - Highlights & Finishing Touches
14:45 - Attaching the Shields
15:23 - The Finished Romans
Thanks to Producer Patrons Alan, Kyrie, Andrew, Jimmy, Rod, Phil, Robison, Woodcock, David Kinney, and Matt Dischner - as well as all the other Patrons that made this video possible, and Exit23 Games for recording equipment that helps keep the channel ticking over! Find out more at the following links:
https://www.patreon.com/sonicsledgehammer
https://twitter.com/sonicsledge
https://www.instagram.com/sonicsledgehammer/
https://ko-fi.com/docwholigan
http://exit23.games
PAINTS USED:
PRIMERS: White Scar (Citadel Primer Spray), Mechanicus Standard Grey (Citadel Primer Spray)
CITADEL:
Blood Angels Red (Contrast)
Iron Hands Steel (Base)
Retributor Armour (Base)
ARMY PAINTER:
Weapon Bronze (Fanatic)
Topaz Skin (Fanatic)
Dragon Red (Fanatic)
Wyvern Fury (Fanatic)
Dryad Brown (Fanatic)
Ancient Stone (Fanatic)
Wasteland Clay (Fanatic)
Barren Dune (Fanatic)
Paratrooper Tan (Fanatic)
Strong Tone (Wash)
Soft Tone (Wash)
Speedpaint Medium
Blood Chalice (Fanatic)
Jasper Skin (Fanatic)
Pure Red (Fanatic)
Fur Brown (Fanatic)
VARNISH:
Vallejo Matt Varnish Spray, and small applications of Varnish+ (Instar) by brush
THE BASE:
Apply a layer of slightly watered down PVA to the base, then dip in sand - preferably something with decently-sized chunks for a rocky base. I use War World Scenics Army Coarse. Let dry, then paint with thinned Vallejo Brown Sand, overbrush with Vallejo Stone Grey, then lightly drybrush with Vallejo Green Grey 971 (the light one!). Tiny dots of PVA under the largest rocks and stones, then add little bits of static grass.")
![First Impressions of Army Painters Speedpants 2.0, and Samurai! [How I Paint Things]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/fMNoaSjA6Zw/mqdefault.jpg "First Impressions of Army Painters Speedpants 2.0, and Samurai! [How I Paint Things]
A fair few people had asked when Speedpaints were released what I thought of them, and the answer was pretty simple: I didnt have any, and since I already had most of the Contrast range, it didnt make a huge amount of sense to double up on materials.
Enter Speedpaint 2.0 with the improved flow properties and the reactivation issue fixed. Fixed? Well, this miniature took a full-body wash mixed out of Speedpaint Medium with a layer that was only touch dry and not a thing shifted or started to bleed, so Id take that as a good sign.
Many thanks for Army Painter for letting me have a box of new toys to get a feel for the difference between Speedpaint and the other one and done paint ranges out there. Theyre good stuff!
The miniature is from Grey For Now Games range for Test of Honour! Check out the entire range at their main site: https://greyfornow.com/
00:00 - Intro
01:18 - Priming
02:03 - Speedpaint Time!
12:07 - Shading
13:10 - The Finished Samurai
Thanks to Producer Patrons Alan, Kyrie, Andrew, Jimmy, Rod, Phil, Robison, Woodcock, and David Kinney - as well as all the other Patrons that made this video possible, and Exit23 Games for recording equipment that helps keep the channel ticking over! Find out more at the following links:
https://www.patreon.com/sonicsledgehammer
https://twitter.com/sonicsledge
https://www.instagram.com/sonicsledgehammer/
https://ko-fi.com/docwholigan
http://exit23.games
THE BASE: PVA & sand, Vallejo Brown Sand, drybrush Vallejo Stone Grey then lightly Vallejo Green Grey (the lighter one!), tiny dots of PVA to add static grass near and under bigger rocks.
PAINTS USED:
PRIMER:
Brainmatter Beige (Army Painter Spray)
ARMY PAINTER:
Peachy Flesh
Bony Matter
Goddess Glow
Speedpaint Medium
Caribbean Ocean
Brainmatter Beige
Beowulf Blue
Tyrian Navy
Ancient Honey
Hoplite Gold
Grim Black
Ruddy Brown
Broadsword Silver
Moonlake Coral
Moon Dust
Soft Tone
Strong Tone
VARNISH:
Varnish+ (Instar)")
![Chosen Men - Keeping the 95th Rifles Simple! [How I Paint Things]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/fP6hW8ARP5g/mqdefault.jpg "Chosen Men - Keeping the 95th Rifles Simple! [How I Paint Things]
The 95th Rifles - also known as the Greenjackets, or the Grasshoppers - are probably one of the most famed and feted light infantry units throughout the world. Painting their distinctive green uniforms isnt a chore... especially if youre willing to forego absolutely strident accuracy and take up the mantle of Uniform Isnt!
The video where I go overboard in painting a face, hopefully queued up to the right moment! https://youtu.be/TKP_9NXQi_4?si=Do5TqBFaWixEfRqS&t=665
00:00 - Intro
01:09 - Priming & Colour Notes
02:47 - Basecoats
09:54 - Shading
13:13 - Highlighting & Finishing Touches
15:01 - The Finished Rifleman
Thanks to Producer Patrons Alan, Kyrie, Andrew, Jimmy, Rod, Phil, Robison, Woodcock, and David Kinney - as well as all the other Patrons that made this video possible, and Exit23 Games for recording equipment that helps keep the channel ticking over! Find out more at the following links:
https://www.patreon.com/sonicsledgehammer
https://twitter.com/sonicsledge
https://www.instagram.com/sonicsledgehammer/
https://ko-fi.com/docwholigan
http://exit23.games
THE BASE: A thick layer of PVA glue followed by rocky sand - Ive used WSS Army Coarse. Paint with Vallejo Brown Sand, shade with Army Painter Soft Tone, then drybrush Vallejo Dark Sand. Tiny dots of PVA glue to add some static grass in little patches.
PAINTS USED:
PRIMER:
Mechanicus Standard Grey (Citadel Spray Can)
VALLEJO:
Luftwaffe Camo Green
Azure
Flat Brown
German Grey
Flat Green
Stone Grey
CITADEL:
Corax White (Base)
Rakarth Flesh (Base)
Mournfang Brown (Base)
Iron Hands Steel (Base)
Retributor Armour (Base)
Lahmian Medium (Technical)
Skavenblight Dinge (Layer)
Cadian Fleshtone (Layer)
Kislev Flesh (Layer)
Carroburg Crimson (Shade)
Apothecary White (Contrast)
ARMY PAINTER:
Tanned Flesh
Leather Brown
Uniform Grey
Strong Tone
VARNISH:
Varnish+ (Instar)")
![Metallic Black Armour - Iron Hands Revisited [How I Paint Things]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/feh-caT9ZzE/mqdefault.jpg "Metallic Black Armour - Iron Hands Revisited [How I Paint Things]
Iron Hands have a somewhat unfair reputation for being boring. Black armour, a little silver... and youre done. But theres plenty of ways you can put a little life into what is essentially a black and white colour scheme! With a little warmth in your bases, the Marines will look all the more austere and severe as well.
00:00 - Intro
00:48 - Priming Notes
01:28 - Basecoats
08:26 - Shading
10:03 - Highlights & Finishing Touches
14:22 - The Finished Lieutenant
Thanks to Producer Patrons Alan, Kyrie, Andrew, Jimmy, Rod, Phil, Robison, Woodcock, David Kinney, and Matt Dischner - as well as all the other Patrons that made this video possible, and Exit23 Games for recording equipment that helps keep the channel ticking over! Find out more at the following links:
https://www.patreon.com/sonicsledgehammer
https://twitter.com/sonicsledge
https://www.instagram.com/sonicsledgehammer/
https://ko-fi.com/docwholigan
http://exit23.games
PAINTS USED:
PRIMERS: Matt Black (Army Painter Spray)
VALLEJO:
Black (Model Air Metallic)
Silver Grey
CITADEL:
Mephiston Red (Base)
Pallid Wych Flesh (Layer)
ARMY PAINTER:
Gunmetal (Fanatic)
Plate Mail Metal (Fanatic)
Weapon Bronze (Fanatic)
Arctic Gem (Fanatic)
Ancient Stone (Fanatic)
Basilisk Red (Fanatic)
Oak Brown (Fanatic)
Peachy Flesh (Speedpaint)
Periwinkle Purple (Speedpaint)
Tidal Wave (Speedpaint)
Matt White (Fanatic)
Leather Brown (Fanatic)
Wyvern Fury (Fanatic)
True Brass (Fanatic)
BASE:
A thick layer of Stirland Mud right over all the bits you want to be mucky - go over the stupid Chaos helmet on the base if you dont want it! Drybrush heavily first with Golgfag Brown, then lightly drybrush Tyrant Skull over both the sand and the exposed stonework to tie it in. Add tufts you like, and done!")
![Elegoos Saturn 4 Ultra - The Wargamers Printer [Impressions & Review]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/fxCyNvexiNo/mqdefault.jpg "Elegoos Saturn 4 Ultra - The Wargamers Printer [Impressions & Review]
Ive had an Elegoo 3D printer in the house since the Mars line was introduced. As a worthy competitor in the entry-level printer line, the Mars Pro and Ultra versions have added a few neat features to make printing easier. The Saturn 4 Ultras no different, with a bunch of useful tools like an auto-stop function when it detects something that shouldnt be in the vat, a resin warmer, and even a camera so you can remotely view how larger prints are doing.
Check out the fancy product page with all the bells and whistles here: https://eu.elegoo.com/pages/elegoo-saturn-4-ultra
Capable of turning out huge numbers of infantry (especially if you start looking at smaller scales) or large vehicles at a time - even scenery - the Saturn 4 Ultra is a beast of a machine, capable of printing almost anything imaginable for a collection of miniatures or wargaming table.
Also worth mentioning - and not related to the printer at all - is the excellent service Ive always received from Elegoo. Especially considering the time zone differences, their responses are always prompt and thorough, and theyve made sure Ive always had what I need with previous machines to keep them in service and fix any little odd problems that have popped up in the past.
Thanks to Producer Patrons Alan, Kyrie, Andrew, Jimmy, Rod, Phil, Ben, Robison, David Kinney, Fred, and Matt Dischner - as well as all the other Patrons that made this video possible, and Exit23 Games for recording equipment that helps keep the channel ticking over! Find out more at the following links:
https://www.patreon.com/sonicsledgehammer
https://bsky.app/profile/sonicsledgehammer.bsky.social
https://www.instagram.com/sonicsledgehammer/
https://ko-fi.com/sonicsledge
http://exit23.games")
