HOBBY: Painting Banners with Sponges

This is a simple technique that I use primarily on the backs of my banners to represent an animal hide or a wool-like material, and has a slightly textured look to it.  I’ve also used the technique to paint camo cloaks, and if I ever have to paint an Imperial Guard army in greatcoats, it will be my go-to strategy for tackling the infantry.  Let’s start with a paint list of what I used for the step-by-step photo below.

Black (Primer)

P3 Bootstrap Leather

VMC Iraquian Sand

GW Ceramite White

GW Devlan Mud

1: Lay down a basecoat of Bootstrap Leather.  Take your time, and put down 2 or three even coats, to make sure you a get a smooth even base. Let it dry completely before moving to the next step.

2: First lay down an even coat of your flow aid (optional), and then use a piece of blister foam to start sponging down a 2:1 mix of Bootstrap Leather & Iraquian Sand.  Notice in my photo that the blotches will run a bit, due to the flow improver.

3:  Continue building up the sponging by increasing your ratio of Iraquian Sand in the mix to 1:1 and decreasing the amount of sponging you add, paying more attention to higher areas.

4: 1:2 Bootstrap Leather:Iraquian Sand

5: Pure Iraquian Sand

6: 3:1 Iraquian Sand:Ceramite White

7: 2:1 Iraquian Sand:Ceramite White.  This completes the sponging.

8: Apply a wash of Devlan Mud to the deep recesses of the area, such as folds at the top, and the area immediately around the banner pole.  Finally, do a fine edge highlight of 1:1 Iraquian Sand & Ceramite White on the creases in the fabric and along some of the edges of the banner.