PAINTING GUIDE

FIRESTORM ARMADA: PLANETFALL

TERRAN ALLIANCE

- HOW TO PAINT the -

terran alliance

valenfyre main battle tank

B Y Ru b e n To r r e g ro s a

Preperation & Undercoat

Basecoat

STEP 1 - Before painting, remove the burrs

of the resin and metal with a knife, and wash
all pieces with water and soap to remove the
oil from the cast. To prime the model, I prefer
to use grey primer (74.601, Vallejo) because it
is a neutral color that works well with enamel
paints, but you can also use black or white.

STEP 2 To apply the base (or first highlight)

use Dunkelgelb Light Base (AK 007; 552). If
you are struggling you can use masking tape or
paper to help achieve the correct highlight. It
is important to paint each panel with its own
highlights.

To paint the desert yellow colour we use a

triad: shadow, base and highlight. I have used a
colour set from AK interactive (AK 552). Apply a
generous layer of Dunkelgelb Dark Base (AK 005;
552) with the airbrush. It is not necessary to
use any thinner with this paint, but if you want
you can use some water drops.

FIRESTORM ARMADA: PLANETFALL

PAINTING GUIDE

Highlight

Weathering

STEP 3 -To apply the final highlights, use

Dunkelgelb High Light (AK 008; 552). Follow the
same procedure, using masking tools if possible.

STEP 4 - Next you can apply a dust preweathering effect. After using enamels to
enhance the effect, apply a light base with Red
Brown (XF-64, Tamiya). The layer has to be very
thin, so dilute the paint at a ratio of 1:4 with
Tamiyas thinner. Apply the paint to the wheels
and lower sections of the vehicle.

Metalwork

Inkwashes

STEP 5 - Paint the tracks with Track Primer

(302, Vallejo Panzer Aces) and apply a dry brush
with Gunmetal Grey (863, Vallejo).

FIRESTORM ARMADA: PLANETFALL

STEP 6 - To create a weathering effect apply

a brown color filter. I have used two filters
from AK interactive, Filter for NATO vehicles
(AK 076) and Africa Korps Filter (AK 065). But
if you prefer you can make your own filter,
blending ochre and dark brown oils/enamels with
White Spirit at a ratio of 1:4. To apply a filter
layer load the brush with the filter, blot most
of it on paper and then paint the surface (a
filter is not a wash/ink, so never use a swamped
brush!). You can use acrylic paint to make the
filter, but working with oil/enamels is easier.
Wait overnight until the next step.

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Dirt & Grime

Finishing Touches

STEP 7 -To finish weathering, apply more

drained or streak effects with enamels readyto-use products: Rust Streaks (AK 013), Earth
Effects (AK 017) and Winter Streaking Grime (AK
014). If you prefer, you can also use oils or
enamels. To create these effects, first apply
several vertical stripes of different colors
over the surface. After 10-15 minutes blur the
edges with a brush moistened in White Spirit.

STEP 7 - Pick out all the details and apply

some dirty streaks. For this step use two
washes, Wash for NATO camo vehicles (AK 075)
and Track Wash (AK 083). You can make your own
wash by blending black or very dark brown oils/
enamels with White Spirit at a ratio of 1:2,
heavily loading the brush with the wash. Use AK
083 for the tracks, applying a generous wash.
Use AK 075 sparingly on the rest of the model.
After 30-60 minutes remove the wash excess
with a brush moistened in White Spirit. Apply
vertical strokes if you would like to create a
streak/drained effect. If necessary, this is
your opportunity to review the profiling with
a thin brush and black paint.

FIRESTORM ARMADA: PLANETFALL

To finish off the model, paint all of the

lamps and visors with an Acrylic paint, yellows,
blues and purples work very well this.

PAINTING GUIDE

FIRESTORM ARMADA: PLANETFALL

PAINTING GUIDE