Here is a tutorial on painting Army UCP camo.  

http://www.armorama.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=Sections&file=index&req=viewarticle&artid=1333

Disregard the goofy-looking guy in the uniform with the incorrect black boots and long hair.  Also, the author calls the uniform ARPAT (ARmy PATtern, similar to MARPAT- MARine Pattern) which it is not called.   It is oficially known as Universal Camoflauge Pattern (UCP) and the cut of the uniform is the ACU (Army Combat Uniform), which also comes in different camoflauge patterns.

And one on painting USMC MARPAT.

http://www.hfmodeling.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=Sections&file=index&req=viewarticle&artid=597&page=2

thanks, but those are both for 120mm figs, that's quite a bit larger then the 1:35 ones I'm working with, is there anything out there that can help at the smaller scale?

The process is the same.  Here is one on painting 1/35 ACUs...

http://zyclyon.blogspot.com/search/label/Alpine%20Miniatures%20-%203rd%20Stryker%20Brigade%20Combat%20Team%202nd%20Infantry%20Division

and 1/35 MARPAT.

http://www.armorama.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=Sections&file=index&req=viewarticle&artid=704

thanks, that helped a bit, although I still am not quite sure about the colors.  In all of those tutorials the author custom mixed each color, I'm not too comfortable with hand mixing, mainly because I want to do several figures with this pattern and I don't want to have to remix the color if I can help it.  Do you have any thoughts on what stock colors would be close enough?

Not sure if you considered it, but I think I just saw some ARPAT decals i 1/35 for uniforms. Think the company was Alliance Modeling. Saw it on Ebay.   Might be an easier way to do it.

just take some pictures of a few gravel parking lots (gray,tan) and you should be spot on colorwise thats all that UCP blends in with anyway! (tested that theory in iraq) also try finding a ugly '70's early '80's sofa! and don't forget to fabricate a bright yellow, orange, red, or blue P.T. belt for the figures too (especially if they're fobbits!)  just ask your locai iraqi freedom vets they'll get a laugh out of this post. (btw i'm serious about the P.T. belts!) hope this helps!

dave

To my eye, for the sand color Tamiya Deck Tan looks about right. For the lighter gray green Tamiya RLM Gray is a good choice. For the darker gray green I think SAC Bomber Green is a good match.

Great articles there Gino, thanks!

I've tried something similar with digital camo on some PLA tankers I've been messing with. I followed almost the same technique as the gentleman in the first article only I used a small paintbrush tapping on the model adding tiny dots to get the pixelated look instead of a toothpick. The brush holds paint much better than the toothpick. Looks ok to me anyway.