How to Paint a 12mm British Army Bundle
By Victrix Limited 28mm miniatures | Published: 2026-10-26
Category: How-to Guides
Learn to paint a 12mm British Army Bundle quickly and effectively, from priming to basing, with tips for infantry and Cromwell tanks.
Quick answer
Paint your 12mm British Army Bundle efficiently by using a simple base-coat, wash, and drybrush method, then add selective details to make your infantry and Cromwell tanks stand out on the tabletop.
Why a streamlined approach works for 12mm
At 12mm scale, fine details are less visible, so you can focus on broad color blocks and contrast rather than intricate highlights. This speeds up painting and still gives a striking result across a large force.
The British Army Bundle includes 184 infantry and 6 Cromwell tanks, so a repeatable process is essential. Batch painting—doing the same step across many models—saves time and keeps your army looking cohesive.
A downside of this approach is that you won't get the individual character of each miniature, but for gaming pieces that's usually a fair trade-off.
Painting steps for your British Army Bundle
- Prime your models: Spray or brush-prime your infantry and tanks with a dark primer, such as black or dark brown. This creates shadows in recesses and provides a solid base for your paint. Make sure the primer is fully dry before handling to avoid smudges.
- Basecoat the main colors: Paint the infantry's uniforms in a khaki or olive drab, and the tanks in a British green or desert sand. Use a large brush and slightly thinned paint to avoid obscuring details. Keep your basecoat even; a patchy coat will affect later washes.
- Add secondary colors: Paint skin, webbing, helmets, and weapon details on the infantry. For the tanks, paint tracks, stowage, and any visible tools. Use a fine brush and a steady hand. Don't worry about perfection—at 12mm, small mistakes are invisible at arm's length.
- Apply a wash for contrast: Cover the models with a dark wash (e.g., Nuln Oil or Agrax Earthshade) to settle into recesses and create depth. This is a crucial step for making details pop. Remove excess wash from flat surfaces to avoid pooling and staining.
- Drybrush highlights: Once the wash is dry, drybrush the raised areas with a lighter shade of your base colors. This brings out edges and texture, especially on tank hulls and infantry helmets. Use a nearly dry brush and light pressure to avoid chalky streaks.
- Paint the bases: Apply a texture paste or sand to the bases, then paint and drybrush them. This unifies your army and complements your basing scheme. Match the base color to your gaming table for a cohesive look.
- Seal and finish: Spray with a matte varnish to protect your paintwork from handling and gaming wear. This is especially important for frequently used miniatures. Test the varnish on a spare model first to ensure it dries clear.
What you'll paint
- British Army Bundle: The British Army Bundle includes 184 British Infantry miniatures and 6 Cromwell tanks. You'll be painting a large number of models, so an efficient process is key to finishing your force.
British Army Bundle
