Speed Painting 28mm WWII German Infantry with Washes

Quick Answer

Use a basecoat, a single dark wash, and selective drybrushing to paint 28mm WWII German infantry in under an hour per figure. This method works well for both infantry and heavy weapons teams.

Step-by-Step Speed Painting Process

1. Step 1: Basecoat the Entire Model: Spray or brush on a single mid-tone color for the uniform (e.g., German field gray). For the skin, use a light flesh tone. For equipment (belts, boots, gun stocks), paint them black or dark brown. Do not worry about staying perfectly in the lines. A common mistake is using too thick a paint. Thin with water until it flows smoothly but still covers in one coat.
2. Step 2: Apply a Dark Wash Over the Whole Model: Use a dark brown or black wash (e.g., Army Painter Strong Tone or Citadel Agrax Earthshade) and liberally apply it over the entire figure. Let it pool in recesses. Wipe excess off raised areas with a clean brush. If the wash dries too glossy, mix a drop of matte medium into it before application.
3. Step 3: Drybrush the Uniform and Skin: Once the wash is fully dry (15-20 minutes), lightly drybrush the original base color back onto the raised areas of the uniform and face. This restores highlights and reduces the wash's darkness. Use a stiff, flat brush and remove almost all paint on a paper towel before touching the model. Too much paint will ruin the wash effect.
4. Step 4: Paint Metal and Equipment Details: Paint gun barrels, helmets, and buckles with a metallic color (e.g., gunmetal or silver). For a quick look, just paint the helmet rim and gun barrel—the wash already darkened the rest. Do not paint every tiny buckle or strap. Focus on the main focal points: face, hands, and weapon.
5. Step 5: Apply a Matte Varnish: Spray or brush a matte varnish over the finished model. This seals the paint, removes any remaining gloss from the wash, and gives a realistic flat military finish. If you skip varnish, the wash may remain tacky and attract dust over time.

Recommended Products for This Guide

• German Infantry & Heavy Weapons: This set includes 44 figures with 14 unique body designs and 28 unique heads, allowing a full infantry platoon of 30 men plus heavy weapons. The variety of poses and equipment means you can paint a whole platoon with the same wash method and still get distinct, characterful models.

  

• German Heavy Weapons Support: This set contains 3 heavy weapons sprues and 2 main infantry sprues, allowing you to build a large number of heavy weapons support teams. Heavy weapons teams have larger models with more flat surfaces; a wash works well on the gun carriage and crew uniforms, but you may need an extra drybrush step to bring out the metallic parts.