28mm Empress Miniatures US Navy SEAL Team

These were completed last week. The camo pattern was done using a Vallejo Khaki base, then highlighting with a mix of 50/50 Khaki and White. The pattern was then applied using Vallejo Flat Brown, US Olive Green and then a Stone Grey. I finally added a GW Agrax Earthshade Wash to help mute everything down into an appropriate worn uniform look.

Launch Time!

Simon De Montfort Mounted Retinue

28mm Crusader Miniatures

Painted by BFD

My inspiration for starting a painting service has to go to Wayne from Wargames Illustrated. Sometime last year he came along to our local Club (https://www.facebook.com/SonsOfSimonDeMontfort) with Editor Dan to play a 28mm Wars of the Roses game. Part way through he paused to hold aloft my Perry Miniatures Richard III model and exclaim "why on earth aren't you charging people to paint?".

After a few weeks of considering this I began my research into setting up a small side business, and questioning other established owners in the same sphere as to what the advantages and pitfalls are. I'd ran my own screen printing business for three years after I finished university, so I was aware of what mistakes to avoid in general terms.

Nevertheless other people have been really helpful, and one thing I've found is that once you announce you'll be offering a painting service all your Wargaming friends start digging out their mountains of unpainted lead and sending them your way - usually preceded by statements such as "I've got this unfinished 15mm Sudanese Ansar Army that's been sitting in my loft for twenty years....."

Anyway, I hope people continue to appreciate my work and I can provide all my future customers with some lovely painted miniatures which they'll enjoy for years to come.