Uploaded August 2023 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago
The 'tricolor' method is an old, ancient trick I read in a White Dwarf lost to a distant and misty time before memory. Pick a Light, Medium, and Dark version of similar colours and run with those as the inspiration for a very simple colour scheme, letting you finish armies seriously quickly!
Check out the Majestic 13 team I painted using a variation on this same method, just with different colours: youtube.com/watch?v=FBmPR1qKCVA
That same method again works in all sorts of places! By using Vallejo Dark Sand or Citadel Morghast Bone as the armour colour, the same tricolor method would apply here: youtu.be/SR30FH81pGg?si=tlT4tan5t28jII6j
This guy is a 3D print from the Reptilian Overlords range, the 'Master Regiment Template' with heads from the patrol cap set. Check out the range here: reptilianoverlords.com/product-category/mrt/ref/sonicsledgehammer
00:00 - Intro
00:46 - The Three Colour Method in a Nutshell
01:16 - Priming
02:22 - Basecoats
06:36 - Shading
07:54 - 'Stage One' Finishing Touches
09:22 - 'Stage One' Finished
09:53 - 'Stage Two' Highlights & Finishing Touches
11:56 - The Finished Guardsman
VARIANTS:
Urban: Mechanicus Standard Grey uniform, German Grey webbing, and Black armour.
Desert: Army Painter Skeleton Bone primer with Iraqi Sand webbing and Dark Sand armour.
Winter/Ice: Try priming with Grey Seer, Russ Grey webbing, and The Fang armour. Just spitballing with that, but it might work!
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:
patreon.com/sonicsledgehammer
twitter.com/sonicsledge
instagram.com/sonicsledgehammer
ko-fi.com/docwholigan
http://exit23.games
THE BASE: Stirland Mud, drybrushed Golgfag Brown then Tyrant Skull. Paint the base rim in Rhinox Hide, and add tufts to taste. Done!
PAINTS USED:
PRIMER:
Death Guard Green (Citadel Spray Can)
VALLEJO:
Russian Uniform WWII
Camo Olive Green
Steel (Model Air)
CITADEL:
Bugman's Glow (Base)
Nurgling Green (Dry)
Ionrach Skin (Base)
Agrax Earthshade (Shade)
Lahmian Medium (Technical)
Cadian Fleshtone (Layer)
Kislev Flesh (Layer)
Nurgling Green (Layer)
Carroburg Crimson (Shade)
PAINTED OFF-SCREEN:
Metal - Iron Hands Steel (Citadel Base)
Black bits - German Grey (Vallejo Model Color)
Wooden handles - Beige Brown (Vallejo Model Color)
White badges - Corax White (Citadel Base)
Highlighting white - White Scar (Citadel Layer)
VARNISH:
Varnish+ (Instar)
The 'tricolor' method is an old, ancient trick I read in a White Dwarf lost to a distant and misty time before memory. Pick a Light, Medium, and Dark version of similar colours and run with those as the inspiration for a very simple colour scheme, letting you finish armies seriously quickly!
Check out the Majestic 13 team I painted using a variation on this same method, just with different colours: youtube.com/watch?v=FBmPR1qKCVA
That same method again works in all sorts of places! By using Vallejo Dark Sand or Citadel Morghast Bone as the armour colour, the same tricolor method would apply here: youtu.be/SR30FH81pGg?si=tlT4tan5t28jII6j
This guy is a 3D print from the Reptilian Overlords range, the 'Master Regiment Template' with heads from the patrol cap set. Check out the range here: reptilianoverlords.com/product-category/mrt/ref/sonicsledgehammer
00:00 - Intro
00:46 - The Three Colour Method in a Nutshell
01:16 - Priming
02:22 - Basecoats
06:36 - Shading
07:54 - 'Stage One' Finishing Touches
09:22 - 'Stage One' Finished
09:53 - 'Stage Two' Highlights & Finishing Touches
11:56 - The Finished Guardsman
VARIANTS:
Urban: Mechanicus Standard Grey uniform, German Grey webbing, and Black armour.
Desert: Army Painter Skeleton Bone primer with Iraqi Sand webbing and Dark Sand armour.
Winter/Ice: Try priming with Grey Seer, Russ Grey webbing, and The Fang armour. Just spitballing with that, but it might work!
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:
patreon.com/sonicsledgehammer
twitter.com/sonicsledge
instagram.com/sonicsledgehammer
ko-fi.com/docwholigan
http://exit23.games
THE BASE: Stirland Mud, drybrushed Golgfag Brown then Tyrant Skull. Paint the base rim in Rhinox Hide, and add tufts to taste. Done!
PAINTS USED:
PRIMER:
Death Guard Green (Citadel Spray Can)
VALLEJO:
Russian Uniform WWII
Camo Olive Green
Steel (Model Air)
CITADEL:
Bugman's Glow (Base)
Nurgling Green (Dry)
Ionrach Skin (Base)
Agrax Earthshade (Shade)
Lahmian Medium (Technical)
Cadian Fleshtone (Layer)
Kislev Flesh (Layer)
Nurgling Green (Layer)
Carroburg Crimson (Shade)
PAINTED OFF-SCREEN:
Metal - Iron Hands Steel (Citadel Base)
Black bits - German Grey (Vallejo Model Color)
Wooden handles - Beige Brown (Vallejo Model Color)
White badges - Corax White (Citadel Base)
Highlighting white - White Scar (Citadel Layer)
VARNISH:
Varnish+ (Instar)
![Speedpainting Celestine - It Only Took Seven Years! [How I Paint Things]
I say six years a few times in this video about how long its been since Celestine came out. I went and checked her actual release date, and... whew, lad. Its been longer than I thought. Ah, well! They say memorys the first thing to go with age! Happy Birthday to me! 😜✌
Todays guide uses a mix of Speedpaint and Contrast, but beyond the Hoplite Gold you could quite freely choose one coat paints from any manufacturer you prefer. The important thing isnt so much the specific paints as much as working through the job step by step, and considering your stages to prevent as much mess as you can during the painting.
00:00 - Intro
00:57 - The story so far...
02:11 - Priming Notes
03:18 - Gold Armour Speedpaint
08:43 - Further Basecoats
19:47 - The Finished Miniature
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: Vallejo Brown Earth texture paste, drybrushed with Tyrant Skull. Add tufts to taste, paint the base rim XV-88. Done!
PAINTS USED:
PRIMER:
Matt White (Army Painter Primer)
ARMY PAINTER:
Hoplite Gold (Speedpaint)
Matt White (Fanatic)
Murder Scene (Speedpaint)
Peachy Flesh (Speedpaint)
Grim Black (Speedpaint)
Ashen Stone (Speedpaint)
Speedpaint Medium
Battleship Grey (Speedpaint)
Raging Sea (Speedpaint)
Familiar Pink (Speedpaint)
Dark Tone (Wash)
CITADEL:
Reikland Fleshshade (Shade)
Sigmarite (Dry)
Iron Hands Steel (Base)
Black Legion (Contrast)
Blood Angels Red (Contrast)
Nuln Oil (Shade)
Flayed Ones Flesh (Layer)
Pallid Wych Flesh (Layer)
VALLEJO:
Silver (Model Air)
VARNISHES:
Munitorum Varnish (Citadel Spray) Speedpainting Celestine - It Only Took Seven Years! [How I Paint Things]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/vLd2ltzileM/mqdefault.jpg)
![Konflikt 47 - Painting US Firefly Jump Infantry [How I Paint Things]
The Fireflies are the poster boys of the US war effort in Konflikt 47, second only to the Rift-tech modified Paragon soldiers. With the latest in weaponry, able to strike hard and fast almost anywhere theyre deployed, the Firefly jump infantry are a bold, decisive addition to any American army for Konflikt 47, or can form the core of an Airborne force themselves!
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
01:17 - Quick Miniature Review
03:41 - Priming Notes
04:28 - Basecoats
12:44 - Shading
14:11 - Highlights & Finishing Touches
16:43 - The Finished Firefly
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:
Matt White (Fanatic)
Caribbean Ocean (Speedpaint)
Pure Red (Fanatic)
Crystal Blue (Fanatic)
Prairie Ochre (Fanatic)
Agate Skin (Fanatic)
Dryad Brown (Fanatic)
Barren Dune (Fanatic)
Camouflage Green (Fanatic)
Skeleton Bone (Fanatic)
Ancient Stone (Fanatic)
Rifle Brown (Historical)
Midnight Olive (John Blanche)
Fur Brown (Fanatic)
Heavy Metal (John Blanche)
Strong Tone (Wash)
Soft Tone (Wash)
Speedpaint Medium
Plasma Coil Glow (Effect)
Gloss Varnish (Effect)
VARNISH:
Army Painter Matt Varnish Spray
THE BASE: Layer of PVA followed by sand, painted first with thinned down Tree Ancient, then heavily drybrushed with Paratrooper Tan with a little touch of Ancient Stone on the larger clumps of texture. Dots of PVA and static grass to add texture, and a couple of Mountain Tufts from Army Painter to vary the height. Konflikt 47 - Painting US Firefly Jump Infantry [How I Paint Things]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/wKhF_spud4c/mqdefault.jpg)
![Brain Over - Temperature = Very Yes [A Brief Update on Current State of Affairs]
I think the title speaks for itself, but to paraphrase a line from Dr. Hunter S. Thompson, My blood is too thick for Germany: I have never been able to properly explain myself in this climate.
The first person to get the reference in the title gets a cookie. Brain Over - Temperature = Very Yes [A Brief Update on Current State of Affairs]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/wW1h4YtsRQU/mqdefault.jpg)
![Painting & Basing Winter US - Getting Ready for Bolt Action V3! [How I Paint Things]
Weve had a peek at the upcoming platoon organization charts for Bolt Action, and as well as the core rifle platoon, it looks like players are going to be able to theme their forces around what support options they take. Now, the platoon commander requirement for a lot of them doesnt specify that itd necessarily be an officer... but it doesnt hurt to have a few extra replacement butterbars around, especially with Bolt Action 3rd Editions launch box being plastic winter US forces and Fallschirmjaeger!
Keep up to date with pre-orders and new releases for Bolt Action at Warlord Games: https://r.warlordgames.com/aff/?SONICSLEDGEHAMMER This affiliate link nets me a few pennies off the top of any purchases made.
Check out RKX Miniatures for the Hürtgen Forest USA STLs for home printing: https://www.rkxminiatures.co.uk/xshopmaster
00:00 - Intro
00:57 - Priming Notes & Greatcoat Colours
02:08 - Basecoats
02:44 - Painting Eyes
04:17 - More Basecoats
09:13 - Freehand Helmet Stripes
10:36 - Shading
12:16 - Highlights
16:37 - Varnish & Finishing Touches
17:54 - Winter Basing
19:55 - The Finished Officer
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: Stirland Mud, tufts (these are Mountain Tufts from Army Painter), generous helping of Valhallan Blizzard. Jab the snow flock with an old brush to shape and fluff it, then paint the base rim in a dark brown of your choice. Done!
PAINTS USED:
PRIMER: Leather Brown (Army Painter Spray)
ARMY PAINTER:
Jasper Skin or Topaz Skin (recommended - used on-screen is a mix of Topaz Skin and Barbarian Flesh)
Matt White
Matt Black
Leather Brown
VALLEJO:
Flat Brown
Russian Uniform WWII
Green Grey (886)
Iraqi Sand
Mahogany Brown
Leather Brown
German Grey
Camo Olive Green
CITADEL:
Cadian Fleshtone (Layer)
Kislev Flesh (Layer)
Flayed One Flesh (Layer)
Apothecary White (Contrast)
MARINE JUICE MkII/SONIC TONIC:
3 parts Army Painter Dark Tone
3 parts Citadel Reikland Fleshshade
4 parts Citadel Lahmian Medium
- Thats a bottle of each mixed together!
VARNISH:
Varnish+ (Instar) - an excellent, very matt finish from a brush-on varnish. Painting & Basing Winter US - Getting Ready for Bolt Action V3! [How I Paint Things]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/xWuh53uR308/mqdefault.jpg)
![Wargames Atlantic Foot Knights - Barons War Miniatures [How I Paint Things]
Keeping it nice and simple today!
Apologies for having forgotten the size comparison a few folks asked for. Ill grab some photos later, but for now its worth knowing theyre true 28mm miniatures, so to put it bluntly they dont really scale in as replacements for Bretonnians if thats what youre thinking... or you could play another game with them? 😅
00:00 - Intro
00:51 - Priming Notes
01:36 - Basecoats
12:31 - Shading
15:16 - Highlighting & Finishing Touches
18:33 - The Finished Knights
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:
Thick coverage of Stirland Mud, heavily overbrushed first with Mournfang Brown and then drybrushed Tyrant Skull. Add PVA and static grass to taste, then a couple of tufts you like - these are Army Painter Mountain Tufts.
PAINTS USED:
PRIMER:
Matt Black (Army Painter Spray Primer)
CITADEL:
Leadbelcher (Base)
Bugmans Glow (Base)
Cadian Fleshtone (Layer)
Corax White (Base)
Altdorf Guard Blue (Layer)
Yriel Yellow (Layer)
Lupercal Green (Base)
Zandri Dust (Base)
Iron Hands Steel (Base)
Flash Gitz Yellow (Layer)
Wild Riders Red (Layer)
White Scar (Layer)
Russ Grey (Layer)
Sons of Horus Green (Layer)
Cadian Fleshtone (Layer)
Kislev Flesh (Layer)
Reikland Fleshshade (Shade)
Ungor Flesh (Layer)
ARMY PAINTER:
Banshee Brown
Oak Brown
Matt Black
Weapon Bronze
VARNISH:
Munitorum Varnish (Citadel Spray) Wargames Atlantic Foot Knights - Barons War Miniatures [How I Paint Things]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/xxivNh1983I/mqdefault.jpg)
![6mm is Easy! Painting Teeny Napoleonic British Infantry [How I Paint Things]
Turns out that I actually really enjoy painting miniatures the smaller they are - though I think Id draw the line at 3mm figures!
Find Henrys miniatures on MyMiniFactory along with links to his other storefronts and physical prints here: https://www.myminifactory.com/users/henryturner
Also, check out the Kickstarter for the Europe Asunder: Waterloo range as seen in this video! https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/ageofadmirals/europe-asunder-waterloo If you have your own printer, Henrys Kickstarter packs are always ludicrously good value; well worth checking out if youre interested in the era or even if youre looking to try something new with multiple armies included.
Grab your own flags and banners for printing at home from Warflag! https://www.warflag.com/instructions.shtml
00:00 - Intro
00:58 - 6mm Miniatures & Priming
03:04 - Basecoats
10:29 - Shading
11:48 - Highlights: Yep, Highlights!
14:24 - The Finished Regiment
Thanks to Producer Patrons Alan, Kyrie, Andrew, Jimmy, Rod, Phil, Robison and Woodcock - 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: Paint the infantry strips in Flat Brown before gluing to their base. Apply Stirland Mud, drybrushed with Brown Sand and then Dark Sand. Paint the base rim in Flat Brown, then add flock or static grass with PVA.
PAINTS USED:
PRIMER:
Premium Grey (Vallejo Rattle Can)
ARMY PAINTER:
Matt White
VALLEJO:
Rosy Flesh (Came Color)
Flat Red
Buff - or another colour specific to your regiment!
Azure
Light Sea Grey
Vermillion
Basic Skin Tone
CITADEL:
Basilicanum Grey (Contrast)
Snakebite Leather (Contrast)
Black Templar (Contrast)
Iron Hands Steel (Base)
Retributor Armour (Base)
Marine Juice - Reikland Fleshshade, Army Painter Dark Tone, Lahmian Medium in 3:3:4 ratio, or simply a bottle of each mixed together.
VARNISH:
Varnish+ (Instar) 6mm is Easy! Painting Teeny Napoleonic British Infantry [How I Paint Things]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/yeCbQTLasJc/mqdefault.jpg)
![Death Guard-style Infantry - Anvil Industrys Trenchers [How I Paint Things]
You know, with a name like Trenchers and a range thats covered in big, bolted-on crosses, its almost like the most recent couple of Anvil Industry releases might be suitable for Trench Crusade or something, too. Just thinking out loud here! 🤪
Check out the complete range of Anvil Industry resin cast miniatures, including packs of STLs from the Digital Forge, as well as a print-on-demand service if you dont have a 3D printer at home! https://anvilindustry.co.uk/?affiliate=sonicsledgehammer The affiliate link nets me a few wee pennies from each purchase at no cost to you.
Ive said a couple times before, but when something isnt going right on a miniature, its not always a good idea to completely bin the thing before youve seen it through. The work isnt finished until the very last brushstroke, and youd be surprised by how much of a difference just a few last adjustments can make to even the most dire paint job. Todays video is a pretty good example of taking a breath and examining the tools youve got to adjust something on the fly!
00:00 - Intro
01:23 - Priming Notes
02:22 - Basecoats
06:40 - Shading Wash
08:16 - Highlights & Finishing Touches
Thanks to Producer Patrons Alan, Kyrie, Andrew, 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: Matt Black, Brainmatter Beige (Army Painter Spray)
ARMY PAINTER:
Poppy Red (Speedpaint)
Noble Skin (Speedpaint)
Broadsword Silver (Speedpaint)
Hoard Bronze (Speedpaint)
Pallid Bone (Speedpaint)
Algae Green (Speedpaint)
Plate Mail Metal (Speedpaint)
Matt Black (Fanatic)
Brainmatter Beige (Fanatic)
Grimdark Shadow (John Blanche Wash)
Speedpaint Medium
VARNISH:
Army Painter Matt Varnish Spray
THE BASE: Layer of PVA followed by sand, painted first with thinned down Oak Brown, then heavily drybrushed with Burning Ore with a little touch of Dorado Skin on the larger clumps of texture. Mountain Tufts from Army Painter to vary the height. Death Guard-style Infantry - Anvil Industrys Trenchers [How I Paint Things]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/z7TFwUwv1aA/mqdefault.jpg)
![Contemptible Little Armies - Painting 10mm WWII British Infantry [How I Paint Things]
Little by little, I keep painting British infantry in smaller scales. Maybe one day Ill be brave enough to tackle 3mm figures as Ive seen people doing - now *thats* tiny! Smaller scales dont necessarily lack for detail, but that doesnt mean you need to painstakingly highlight everything. In fact, most of my highlights are pretty chunky blobs to stand out at table distance!
Check out the Blitzkrieg 1940 Kickstarter here: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/ageofadmirals/battleground-1940-blitzkrieg/ If you go all-in, tell Henry I sent you! ;D
00:00 - Intro
01:00 - Printing & Scale Notes
01:52 - Priming Notes
02:36 - Partway Basing
03:01 - Basecoats
07:34 - Shading
08:37 - Highlights
11:43 - Finishing the Bases
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: English Uniform (Vallejo Primer Spray)
ARMY PAINTER:
Topaz Skin (Fanatic)
Barren Dune (Fanatic)
Leather Brown (Fanatic)
Mocca Skin (Fanatic)
Dryad Brown (Fanatic)
Woodland Camo (Fanatic)
Barbarian Flesh (Fanatic)
Ancient Stone (Fanatic)
Ruddy Umber (Fanatic) - used on officers equipment
Olive Drab (Fanatic)
SONIC TONIC:
1 bottle each of Citadel Lahmian Medium, AP Dark Tone, Citadel Reikland Fleshshade.
VALLEJO:
German Grey
Khaki Grey
Brown Sand
Dark Sand
BASING:
Apply a layer of PVA then sand, and once its dry drench with a medium brown paint - Ive used Brown Sand from Vallejo. Drybrush with something like Vallejo Dark Sand, then apply patches of PVA and flock. Contemptible Little Armies - Painting 10mm WWII British Infantry [How I Paint Things]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/zOD5gUSLW04/mqdefault.jpg)
