Thursday 21 December 2006

Guest Spot - How to do the Dip

It is a pleasure to serve as a guest commentator on what has to be the best named blog around, “Yours in a White Wine Sauce.” While Tas was at sea, Maksim asked me for a contribution. We had some issues getting it posted, but the guys have been kind enough to add me to the blog. It is not 2mm, but it is VSF, I hope you enjoy it.

When I started my VSF project at the beginning of the year, I was a bit daunted about doing it in 28mm, I tend to be a slow painter. But, I stumbled across the infamous Dip method on The Miniatures Page and decide to give it a try. It does give the figures someting of a "toy" look, but I like that for VSF and it does cover a multitude of painting sins. I have been happy with the results, here how I do it.

Step 1: Paint Figures

Currently I am working on finishing up my Russian force. The infantry consists of figures from Old Glory’s Boxer Rebellion range and I picked up the Romanov Holiday set from West Wind’s Gothic horror range to use as a force commander and the Tsarina and kids as objectives.

As you can see, I have done a very basic paint job, nothing fancy, no dry brushing or shading, just the basic colors.

Step 2: Prepare the materials

To do the dip, you’ll need a one step wood stain / sealer, such as Olympic One Step. Chose a dark color, I use a dark walnut. You will also need some rubber gloves and sponge brushes. I got all of these at my local Lowe’s home store.

Most importantly you will need a work area that can get messy, do NOT do this on your wife’s antique dining room table.

Step 3: Do the Dip

Stir the stain, put your gloves on, and grab a figure. Grit your teeth, and dip the figure into the stain. This is really difficult the first time you do it, but it gets easier.

Pull the figure out and let the excess drain off.

Use the foam brush to dab (not brush) the excess off. If you do not, then it can pool. The objective is to let it settle into the cracks and bring out the relief in the figure.

Here are the results…

Stoic Russian riflemen ready to serve the Tsar on Earth, Mars, or Venus.

The Tsar and family prepare for a trip to the red planet.

Here are some dipped figures next to more traditionally dry brushed figures for comparison.

I hope you enjoyed this, glad to have you back, Tas.

3 comments:

Paul O'G said...

Great report Patrick and welcome to the Sauce! Ive always been intriged with this very effective method of adding figure depth. When next I do some figures larger than 2 or 6mm I'll be trying it for sure.

Thanks again for the article and well wishs, and I hope to see you here more often Patrick!

Paul

Paul O'G said...

Patrick's "How to Dip" article raise a bit of discussion at the TMP message boards.

You can check it out here:
http://theminiaturespage.com/boards/msg.mv?id=94744

Auston Jeff Butler said...

This has been a big help to me. Thanks!


An exploration of debauchery, vice and other reasons to be a man!

An exploration of debauchery, vice and other reasons to be a man!