Searforge (General Merc) Test Scheme

I'm using a Grundback Gunner as a test model for my over-all Merc test scheme. With some exception in metallics and various highlight colors, I think this will be the overall scheme across my gray-primed Mercs. I used my Dupli-color Sandable Primer in Hot Rod Grey - which comes very close to matching P3 Greatcoat Grey, making an easy basecoat for what's to come.

Edit 4/16/09 - added a Grundback Blaster to the mix; bringing him up to Base Coat colors and then moving on together as a pair.

Base Coat
*Metals - VGC Gunmetal Metal. The Searforge wouldn't allow oily metals like those crazy Swamp Gobbers or other wilderness types. Nice, even, classic metallic.
*Brass parts - VGC Tinny Tin and VMC Bronze in a 1:2 mix. This accidental color is awesome and creates a really nice tone/value, with good constrast.
*Hull - P3 Greatcoat Grey. See I told ya, priming gray would come in handy. Ease of coverage and a nice base for highlighting.
*Colored Hull Highlight - VGC Hexed Lichen with a spot of RMS Leather White. This accent color will carry through all my Mercs somewhere.
*Metal edging - VMC Brass and VMC Bronze in a 50/50 mix. It pops without being too bright. Including the bronze tones it down and helps blend.

Shading
*Metals - wash with GW Badab Black mixed with a little VMC Matte Medium and plenty of water. This wash may need a couple coats to build up.
*Brass parts & Metal edging - wash with GW Devlan Mud mixed with a little VMC Matte Medium and plenty of water. This wash may need a couple coats.
*Hull - wash with base color mixed with a little GW Badab Black, a little VMC Matte Medium and plenty of water. Focus on the lower areas and blend up.
*Colored Hull Highlight - wash with GW Leviathan Purple, a spot of VMC Matte Medium and plenty of water. Blend up from the lower areas.

Highlights
*Base - this is the perfect point to start the basing. Paint the inside of the base with a solid coat of VGC Earth. Use P3 Thamar Black on the lip.
*Metals - thinking of bold highlights. Highlight with a mix of VGC Gunmetal Metal and VMC Silver. Stay high and wet blend into the darker areas.
*Brass parts - Highlight with straight VMC Bronze. Stay high and wet blend into the darker areas.
*Hull - Highlight with a mix of P3 Greatcoat Grey and RMS Leather White. Stay high and wet blend into the darker areas. Use VGC Glaze Medium.
*Colored Hull Highlight - Highlight with a mix of VGC Hexed Lichen and RMS Leather White. Stay high and wet blend. Use VGC Glaze Medium.
Use VGC Glaze Medium.
*Metal edging - Highlight with straight VMC Brass. Stay high and wet blend into the darker areas.
*Blending - repeat shading washes to blend any overly-stark highlights.

Detailing
*Bolts & Screws - all the grey-based bolts and screws get painted with P3 Thamar Black and then spotted with VMC Silver. Easy! Bronzed bolts get a touch of VMC Brass; brass bolts, VMC Brass and VMC Silver.

Basing - autumn-themed
*Having already painted the inside of the base, retouch with VGC Earth.
*Using 50/50 PVA glue to water to glue my ballast/sand mix into place.
*Wash the entire inside of the base with a wash of P3 Battlefield Brown.
*Get a little sloppy and muddy up the feet - wash, dry brush, or both.
*Dry brush or stipple VGC Earth onto the natural highlights.
*Clean up black lip of base; paint front arc markings in VMC Black Grey.
*Add patches of Cygnar "Summer Blend", GF9 Autumn and GF9 Summer Flocks.
*Add a single dot with the silver Sharpee on each lip, back center.

And some pics...

Incidentally, these pics were the inspiration for my Merc bases in an autumn theme. Not a bad job matching these, considering scale and all, even if I do say so myself.