This week I decided to finally try painting some American tanks.  This tutorial follows a base coat "wash" painting method, which allows you to paint your miniatures quickly without a lot of clean-up.  These days I don't use this method very often, but many of you might find it useful.  This tutorial will guide you through painting Sherman's to a very high standard and not spending every waking hour doing it.  All paints are Vallejo, except where noted.

As you can probably tell in the pictures, I tried a new style of primer for these Shermans.  Rather than my usual airbrush primer application, I simply brushed on a white paint wash (2 drops of water to each drop of paint).  I really didn't notice too much of a difference in the final look of the paint job, but I will say that this method is much quicker (don't have to clean up the airbrush afterwards, etc.).  One coat was too light so I applied a second.

I did notice that the primer will come off very easily if you're too rough on it....so be careful after it's on there (varnish is seal it all together at the end).

Your basecoat color should now be applied in a watered down wash consistency - again, 2 drops of water to each drop of paint.  Base coat for these tanks is Brown Violet.  Make sure to draw off the excess with a brush.  I noticed that Brown Violet when left in recesses to dry, changes to a bright lime green color (perhaps the pigment seperating?).  As long as you get all the excess this shouldn't be too much of a problem; and the wash in the next step should hide any that's left.

Mix up a black/brown wash and apply everywhere.  I used 502 Abteilung oils for this tutorial but lately I've been using MIG Productions washes and like them much better.  Pretty straight-forward, all that's left are details.

Paint the details now:  tools, tracks, rust stains, etc.  I used Hull Red for the tracks and rust stains; Tan Yellow for the tool handles.  Then dry brush your tracks with Natural Steel (or the metalic color of your preference). 

Apply your decals at this stage; use Microsol to help them fit to the countours of the tank.  Once this is all dry, coat your tanks with a good coat of matte varnish.  Typically I base my vehicles but some people don't like bases so I thought I'd try this platoon without them.  I recommend another coat or two of matte varnish and then you are done!