19 replies to this topic

[KeeperVS]

So as I've said in another thread I've bought the starter set for Battletech and I'm really at a loss as to how to paint them color schemes and such. I am not stranger to hobby gaming coming from games like Warhammer, Warmachine, and Warhammer 40k, but I'm just not sure where to go in terms of painting.

[Fez Findie]

Well, I myself went with some random color schemes to justify that they are some random mercs or militia or such to add to the flexibility, but also painted some of'em with colors of a particular house, dependin' on which one they originated from. Like Liao colors on Liao mechs and such. At least a Lance's worth on each.

Keep in mind, I'm a casual player at times, though I am also painting a Merc group of my own besides the other units ^^

Edited by Fez Findie, 23 June 2012 - 05:26 AM.

[Mrllamaface]

I always enjoyed the fact that you could come up with what ever scheme you wanted. However if you were interested here is a source for camo specs. http://camospecs.com/ There is a link to this on the classic battletech home page. Also if you can get your hands on some of the older source books they often have pics/descriptions of unit collors.

[Surtr]

I had this trouble too, despite having painted many warhammer armies over the year. What I decided was to keep it simple. My merc regiment is/will be painted in a simple green scheme, I use model master acryl dark green, a GW green wash, high light with acryl interior green. Then i apply a light drybrush of brown around the feet, some flecks of black to represent wear and tear. Paint gun barrels and launcher boltgun metal. Paint viewscreens and other various detail flat black or metal again. One day I might branch out but for now I've found the scale and level of detail on the IWM models lend themselves to simple schemes unless you're REALLY good at painting.

[a rabid chihuahua]

what Mrllamaface put up. go to camospecs and you can see everything and get tutorials . Deffinate +1

Edited by Blane, 23 June 2012 - 08:45 PM.

[Captain Fabulous]

I primed all the mechs that came in the box then picked out a few that my friends and I never played with to practice painting with. (2/3 mechs that I painted in that first lance I actually grew to really like) We tried various random color schemes on them, and we each settled into our own designs that we wanted for personal mechs.

A lot of people follow House colors or already identifiable Merc Corps for their schemes, but I think making your own is much more inviting.

And remember: if you hate how a paint scheme turns out, you can strip it using either Simple Green or Pine-Sol

[RangerRob]

Captain Fabulous, on 24 June 2012 - 05:20 AM, said:

And remember: if you hate how a paint scheme turns out, you can strip it using either Simple Green or Pine-Sol

+1 for Simple Green. Pine Sol might be a little much on the plastic...if you leave it in to soak for more than 24 hours.

I've made generic schemes for each house. Some are right from Camospecs...my house steiner scheme is the 10th Lyran (which I think at least 50% of mech painters have tried). I couldn't find Marik scheme I liked so I made my own...borrowed from the Caterpillar tractor company (Yellow and black).

[Captain Fabulous]

RangerRob, on 25 June 2012 - 09:00 AM, said:

Pine Sol might be a little much on the plastic...if you leave it in to soak for more than 24 hours.

Good catch. What I usually do when stripping with Pine-Sol on either plastic or resin is let it soak for two hours, scrub it with a toothbrush for 5 minutes or so, then let it soak for another two hours.

and repeat as necessary.

[RangerRob]

Better Shots of the Starter Minis that I painted up.

The plastic makes them easier to modify...Thus the Catapult K2, and the Vindicator 5L


And the bulk of my House Marik (Caterpillar colors)

[Captain Fabulous]

Again Rob, your paintjobs are phenomenal. I really like being able to see the bases too!

[RangerRob]

Some closer shots...I really got to get myself a photo booth.

[Surtr]

Gotta love washes! Those look good. I've never had much luck painting with yellow myself. Looks nice.

[Captain Fabulous]

I was never able to see the cockpit detail; they're astounding! How'd you do it?

[RangerRob]

Thanks folks!

Captain Fabulous, on 28 June 2012 - 09:27 PM, said:

I was never able to see the cockpit detail; they're astounding! How'd you do it?

You are going to kick yourself when you see how easy it is to get this look. Found this video on Youtube when I was trying to figure out how to do it myself.

4 minute video on how to "Jewel" the cockpit glass...

Edited by RangerRob, 29 June 2012 - 03:44 AM.

[Limnus]

That's a great tutorial! I'm definitely going to have to try it out the minute I have more mechs.

[Captain Fabulous]

Limnus is me; apparently I had a backup account made using a second E-mail address. Go me, I guess.

[Surtr]

Captain Fabulous, on 29 June 2012 - 07:28 PM, said:

Limnus is me; apparently I had a backup account made using a second E-mail address. Go me, I guess.

Haha. Increasing your beta invite odds? j/k.

A note on the tutorial....why on earth did he choose to paint an ostscout?!?

[RangerRob]

Surtr, on 29 June 2012 - 10:21 PM, said:

A note on the tutorial....why on earth did he choose to paint an ostscout?!?

Nice square cockpit glass?

I actually have two Ostscouts in my collection. They do their job really nicely when teamed with ArrowIV armed Catapults.

[Captain Fabulous]

Surtr, on 29 June 2012 - 10:21 PM, said:

Haha. Increasing your beta invite odds? j/k.

A note on the tutorial....why on earth did he choose to paint an ostscout?!?

Had I thought of that beforehand I would have! I could have set up one account for my home computer and the other one for my laptop.

But I'd probably guess the nice square cockpit like Rob said. That and they're generally pretty flat-faced, so there wouldn't have to be much tricky lighting to get the head lit up right.

[Steelgrave]

RangerRob, on 29 June 2012 - 03:42 AM, said:

Thanks folks!



You are going to kick yourself when you see how easy it is to get this look. Found this video on Youtube when I was trying to figure out how to do it myself.

4 minute video on how to "Jewel" the cockpit glass...

Ahh yes, something I'm familiar with having painted a gajillion space marine helmets.

My mechs are done in a simple bluegrey and white scheme like the mech graphic in my sig.

Great looking mechs RangerBob.

Edited by Steelgrave, 01 July 2012 - 09:10 AM.