Bish, what is the hesitancy about, look or realism? I ask because you can not discount the possibility that a member of that rank may have had a steel helmet, at that time in the empire.

Maybe polished is not the right term, but I'm sure during down time soldiers were tasked with keeping their armour clean.  It was also the best way to keep iron from deteriorating.  I have also read that the iron strips were laminated, but no idea what that does to the physical appearance.

http://www.romanarmytalk.com/rat/thread-17693.html

regards,

Jack

Also the standard bearers were better equipped than the legionnaires. And their metallurgy improved exponentially.

The Hobbyist

Just keep in mind that ancient armortr isn't supposed to look like polished chrome...I keep seeing references to shiny and sheens...would look like burnished steel or pig iron at best...think of a VERY old galvanized chain-link fence or tin roof...

 

No, i wasn't going to go for the look you see on modern re-inactors. I think just a light thin coat over what i have will do the job, but i am goign to do some tests first. I do like the finish of the Humbrol steel, it just needs a little something over it.

According to the box, 1st century AD.

Curious, what era?

Gamera

Bish: Have you looked at the Citadel/Warhammer line of paints? They're made for gaming figures and have a really nice metallic line for stuff like swords, axes, plate armour etc.

 

Now thats a thought, no, i hadn't. I have just checked there range and they have a Runefang Steel i like the look of. Thanks for the suggestion.

Bish: Have you looked at the Citadel/Warhammer line of paints? They're made for gaming figures and have a really nice metallic line for stuff like swords, axes, plate armour etc.

When you get to the highlights try hitting the model from above with the AB with light color, holding the angle steady like sunlight.

Thanks all for the comments guys.

templar, i had looked at burnt iron, but it seem a bit to dark for me. MM is impossable to get over here, but Alclad does one and i was not to keen on the look of it.

Jack, ye, i had primed it with black Alclad, at least i got that bit right. I had thought about a thin coat of alclad over this. After reading that, i might finish off shining this up and do some tests over the weekend, see how it goes. thanks for that link, really handy.

Thanks Robert, but i think i migt stick to the metalic colours, see how the Alclad come off. I would like a slight shine to this when its done.

Thanks again, i will do some trials and then post some pics once the metal is done. then i can give some thought to the fur, but got a few ideas for that.

Yes, I do believe Robert is referring to the technique of NMM (non metallic metal) painting, very popular among figure painters.

Essentially you use non-metalic paints to create the metal look.  Takes more thinking and planning out the light source, as you can't rely on natural lighting to give surfaces that reflective look - the painted highlights do that instead.

regards,

Jack

I think the armour back then was made of iron, but it was polished to some degree  - not certain burnt iron paint would work.

You can find a number of these painted busts at PlanetFigure.  I found one particulalry interesting as they too used Metalcote Polished Steel, but over a black primer first.  They also applied aluminum for more shine;

http://www.planetfigure.com/threads/painting-an-armor-with-few-colors-help.76238/

regards,

Jack

Model Master metalizer lacquer-Burnt Iron ?