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The idea was “how to paint a skeleton from scratch”, that  is literally from clipping off the frame to end. Also to show  four skeletons painted in four different ways, one in  verdigris bronze armour, one in the bright bronze armour  similar to the Skeleton Soldiers units on the box cover,  one in rusty old iron and one in dark damaged bronze  armour. I varied the ways I painted the bones of some the  skeletons too, and as last twist I also varied the basing up  as well!  You might like to try one or some or all of the techniques,  whatever suits you or you could mix and match from each  one to another to create other options.  Some of the stages are similar or the same on the  different models but I will mostly repeat them to save you  having to scroll up and down to find relevant sections.  Assembling the Oathmark Skeletons In this article I will go through the approach I have to  putting together plastic kit Oathmark Skeletons,  however the techniques would apply to any of the  numbers plastics now available.  Things You Will Need As follows: A very sharp knife or scalpel; liquid  polystyrene cement; small modelling side-cutters,  preferably a cutting matt or gash card to work on; old stiff  paintbrush; sticking plasters. Having a Butchers When I am going to put together some of these multipart  models plastic figures the first thing is to have a proper  look at the sprue and see what you have got to play with. I  usually start with a body and then try various parts out to  see what I like, or copy an assembly someone else has  done that looks good. (Some people will wash the sprue  before attempting assembles, but I have never done this). Try Not to Snap I carefully snip the parts off the sprue with small modelling  side-cutters, the sprue is fairly chunky so be careful, but  the plastic itself isn’t brittle. Best not to try chopping at it  with a knife however, as is may snap in the wrong place,  and you may damage other important parts on the sprue  or even yourself! Once you have chopped all around the  part it should fall out, without needing to be snapped off. I  cut off just the bits I think I will for a whole model, body,  arms, head and shield. Definitely do not try to snap parts  off with your bare hands or you will snap those bones.  Removing Lines Some of the parts will need the fine mould lines removing  before assembly. I clean them up with a very very sharp  (or brand new) scalpel, scraping along the mould lines to  remove these and removing any marks left where I  chopped them off the sprue. I have a scalpel blade that I  keep just to use for this purpose, I did try having a  whetstone handy to keep the blade sharp, but you can’t  beat a blade that has only lightly touched plastic. BE  VERY CAREFUL OF THE SHARP SCALPEL.  Once you  have successfully removed any mould lines, the fine  
HOW TO PAINT OATHMARK SKELETONS FROM SCRATCH
How to Paint Oathmark Skeletons from Scratch
Above. The four painted Skeletons.
Above. Carefully snip the parts off the sprue with small modelling side-cutters.
plastic detritus left should be carefully brushed into your  bin with a stiff old paintbrush, otherwise this stuff gets  everywhere because of the static charge in it.  Dry Runs If you aren’t sure about how to assemble the parts, you  can hold the bodies up to the arms while still on the sprue  and see if those will do, or have a dry run with some  BluTack and see what works to your satisfaction. If you  are inexperienced with these kits, always try out an  arrangement somehow before you commit it to gluing. You  can kind of tell what’s going to be successful once you  have done several hundred, but seriously, do study what  good sculptors like Mark Copplestone do with their  models and you will soon get the hang of it. After a while  you will be turning them out fast.  
Assembling Skeletons I usually glue the arms on first, and then I can see  approximately which way the figure needs to be looking  and then glue the head on accordingly. Apply a tiny  amount of cement to the arm the press it to the body and  hold for a short while to sort of tack it in place, you will still  have a short while to reposition it if you are not happy.  Once you are happy with the position you can apply more  liquid cement to fix it in place. Then carry on attaching the  other bits to complete your figure.   This is not ABS You can use any sort of good polystyrene cement; I use  thick and thin types as the need arises. The thicker ones  can often be useful for tack things into place, they take  slightly longer to cure so can be useful if you do a lot of  repositioning, and then do the final gluing with the thin  liquid cement. This is not ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene  Styrene) however; you won’t need anything terribly  aggressive and the skeletons are by there nature quite  fine and thin so don’t overdo the glue. Any of these  cements are quite serious stuff, so make sure you follow  the manufacturers instructions at all times. Smoothing Out To smooth out the places where I have cleaned off any  mould lines I go round with the liquid cement carefully  
Above. Fine plastic detritus left should be carefully brushed  into your bin with a stiff old paintbrush. 
“painting” over these marks just enough to soften them a  bit. Do this possess very gingerly as you can easily  swamp the figure in glue if you are not very careful. This  painting also melts any fine plastic dust that may have  been left by the cleaning up process. The shininess of  some parts of the figures in the photos is an unfortunate  side effect of this glue painting. If you have any small  gaps or discrepancies in the fit of any parts, try filling the  gap with a tiny off cut of sprue, then “painting” over it with  your cement till it softens and melts into place. You can  then trim this with your sharp knife to make a clean job of  it. Some More Skeletons This time I have concentrated on just one skeleton pose  but painted in four different ways. To this end I made four  almost identical skeletons to better illustrate the  differences in the paintwork.   Leave your assembled models to harden at least  overnight, the plastic takes time to regain strength after  having been melted by the cements.   Painting the Skeletons So I have assembled four, almost the same, skeletons.  Obviously I wouldn’t normally recommend making four  almost identical skeletons, but they were to serve a  particular purpose here. 
1. Skeleton Verdigris Bronze Armour
Primed He was undercoated with spray car primer, the next thing I  did was to give him a spray coat of the Army Painter:  Leather Brown Colour Primer spray. These sprays are  very pigment heavy so be gentle with them, but make  sure the grey is covered. You can get the Army Painter  sprays from our chums at Great Escape Games.  The next step was to spray him with the Army Painter:  Skeleton Bone Colour Primer. I didn’t spray it on like an  undercoat in the normal random way, with the models now  blue tacked to a piece of scrap card, this coat was  sprayed from just one angle and this was from the top  spraying towards the feet of the models while holding the  spray can in the same plain as the models, not spraying  directly at them like you would normally when  
undercoating. Again be light in the spraying as these cans  still put out a lot of paint! This mono directional technique  is to try and create a shadow effect on the models. But it  only works if you spray it from that one top down direction;  it’s called Zenithal highlights in the trade.   But please go easy with the sprays as it can be quite easy to clag the fine detail especially on a model like this. Washed Once the primer was properly dry, I applied a coat of Mid  Brown Wash all over the bones. I did go back and blob  some more on in places that I had either missed or I felt  needed a bit more shade and I did remove some of the  bigger pools with my brush if too much had collected in  particular place, and again put him aside to dry.
HOW TO PAINT OATHMARK SKELETONS FROM SCRATCH HOW TO PAINT OATHMARK SKELETONS FROM SCRATCH HOW TO PAINT OATHMARK SKELETONS FROM SCRATCH HOW TO PAINT OATHMARK SKELETONS FROM SCRATCH
Bones 1. Skeleton Bone, I tried not to paint out all of the  washed over bones and also left the brown wash to show  in all the depressions. 2. Skeleton Bone plus Matt White, just on the high  points. 3. and that’s it for the bones as I wanted to keep his  bones quite dark. It’s quite a quick method isn’t it!  It  would be good for massed units in Oathmark! 
HOW TO PAINT OATHMARK SKELETONS FROM SCRATCH HOW TO PAINT OATHMARK SKELETONS FROM SCRATCH HOW TO PAINT OATHMARK SKELETONS FROM SCRATCH HOW TO PAINT OATHMARK SKELETONS FROM SCRATCH
Bones. 2. Skeleton Bone plus Matt White.
Bones. 3. that’s it for the bones.
Metal. 1. Rough Iron.
HOW TO PAINT OATHMARK SKELETONS FROM SCRATCH HOW TO PAINT OATHMARK SKELETONS FROM SCRATCH HOW TO PAINT OATHMARK SKELETONS FROM SCRATCH HOW TO PAINT OATHMARK SKELETONS FROM SCRATCH
Metal. 2. Rough Iron plus True Copper.
Metal. 3. wash of Scaly Hide mixed with Green Tone Ink.
Straps 1. Oak Brown plus Matt Black. 2. pure Oak Brown.   3. Oak Brown plus Desert Yellow. 4. plus more Desert Yellow. 5. plus more Desert Yellow just on the edges.
HOW TO PAINT OATHMARK SKELETONS FROM SCRATCH
Metal. 4. another wash of Scaly Hide mixed with Green Tone Ink.
HOW TO PAINT OATHMARK SKELETONS FROM SCRATCH HOW TO PAINT OATHMARK SKELETONS FROM SCRATCH
Straps. 1. Oak Brown plus Matt Black.
HOW TO PAINT OATHMARK SKELETONS FROM SCRATCH North Star Military Figures OATHMARK: BATTLES OF A LOST AGE. Fantasy Mass Battle Game from Osprey Games. Miniatures by North Star and Osprey.
Clean them up with a very sharp scalpel, scraping along the mould lines to remove these.
Above. Have a dry run with some Blu-Tack and see what works to your satisfaction.
Spray him with the Skeleton Bone Primer.
Mid Brown Wash all over the bones.
Bones. 1. Skeleton Bone.
Bones. 2. Skeleton Bone plus Matt White.
Back of Shield 1. Dirt Splatter. 2. plus Desert Yellow. 3. plus more Desert Yellow. 4. plus Matt White.
HOW TO PAINT OATHMARK SKELETONS FROM SCRATCH HOW TO PAINT OATHMARK SKELETONS FROM SCRATCH HOW TO PAINT OATHMARK SKELETONS FROM SCRATCH HOW TO PAINT OATHMARK SKELETONS FROM SCRATCH HOW TO PAINT OATHMARK SKELETONS FROM SCRATCH HOW TO PAINT OATHMARK SKELETONS FROM SCRATCH HOW TO PAINT OATHMARK SKELETONS FROM SCRATCH
with Hombase DIY filler and then left that overnight to go  hard.   1. I then glued on some sharp sand with PVA glue and  painted it Oak Brown. 2. I then dry-brushed on Monster Brown.   3. I then dry-brushed on Desert Yellow.   4. finally I dry-brushed on lightly, Skeleton Bone.  I then added some of the Beige Tufts from Gamers  Grass.   Then some Gale Force Nine: Meadow Blend Flock.  The final touch is a very light dry-brush of Desert Yellow  on the flock and he’s good to go. 
HOW TO PAINT OATHMARK SKELETONS FROM SCRATCH HOW TO PAINT OATHMARK SKELETONS FROM SCRATCH HOW TO PAINT OATHMARK SKELETONS FROM SCRATCH HOW TO PAINT OATHMARK SKELETONS FROM SCRATCH
Above. Some of the parts will need the fine mould lines removing before assembly.
HOW TO PAINT OATHMARK SKELETONS FROM SCRATCH HOW TO PAINT OATHMARK SKELETONS FROM SCRATCH HOW TO PAINT OATHMARK SKELETONS FROM SCRATCH HOW TO PAINT OATHMARK SKELETONS FROM SCRATCH HOW TO PAINT OATHMARK SKELETONS FROM SCRATCH HOW TO PAINT OATHMARK SKELETONS FROM SCRATCH
Above. Study what good sculptors like Mark Copplestone do with their models and you will soon get the hang of it.
Above. Carefully “painting” over these marks just enough to soften them a bit. Do this possess very gingerly as you can easily  swamp the figure in glue if you are not very careful. 
Above. Apply a tiny amount of cement to the arm the press it to the body and hold for a short while to sort of tack it in place, you will still have a short while to reposition it if you are not happy.
Above. Four almost identical Skeletons to better illustrate the differences in the paintwork.
HOW TO PAINT OATHMARK SKELETONS FROM SCRATCH HOW TO PAINT OATHMARK SKELETONS FROM SCRATCH HOW TO PAINT OATHMARK SKELETONS FROM SCRATCH HOW TO PAINT OATHMARK SKELETONS FROM SCRATCH HOW TO PAINT OATHMARK SKELETONS FROM SCRATCH HOW TO PAINT OATHMARK SKELETONS FROM SCRATCH
Above. Once you are happy with the position you can apply more liquid cement to fix it in place. Then carry on attaching the other bits to complete your figure.
Undercoating Undercoating is essential as it provides a consistent  surface on which to apply the next coats of paint. For  the undercoat I used Humbrol enamel matt black or  grey car primer spray. I brushed the Humbrol enamel on with a Warpaints  Small Drybrush brush making sure I covered the entire  model. Don’t let the paint pool anywhere as this will dry  very thick and could obscure details. Also watch out for  any stray hairs detaching from your brush and sticking  to the model during undercoating. Pull them off with  tweezers before they become permanently attached!  Take particular care not to clog up the face and similar  fine detail areas, don’t be afraid to go back and clear  runs or blobs of undercoat off with your brush. I then let  
HOW TO PAINT OATHMARK SKELETONS FROM SCRATCH
the undercoat dry completely before going on to paint the models.  I spray the car primer very lightly in passing sprays, never linger to long with the spray.  
Metal 1. Rough Iron.   2. Rough Iron mixed with True Copper. 3. wash of Scaly Hide mixed with Green Tone Ink.  You could leave it there but I wanted a more aged look.   4. so another wash of the above!  
HOW TO PAINT OATHMARK SKELETONS FROM SCRATCH HOW TO PAINT OATHMARK SKELETONS FROM SCRATCH HOW TO PAINT OATHMARK SKELETONS FROM SCRATCH HOW TO PAINT OATHMARK SKELETONS FROM SCRATCH
Straps. 5. plus more Desert Yellow just on the edges.
Straps. 3. Oak Brown plus Desert Yellow.
Straps. 4. plus more Desert Yellow.
Ragged Remnants of Clothing 1. Hydra Turquoise plus Matt Black.  2. plus Hydra Turquoise.  3. plus more Hydra Turquoise.  4. plus Matt White. 5. plus more Matt White
Straps. 2. pure Oak Brown.
Back of Shield.
Ragged Remnants of Clothing.
Finished Painting That’s his painting completed.   Gloss Varnish The model was then given a coat of Humbrol  polyurethane gloss varnish and set aside for 24 hours  to dry completely. Be careful not to let the varnish pool,  especially on the feet. You don't need a very thick coat of  varnish.  
Painting completed.
Then a coat of gloss varnish.
Anti-Shine Matt Varnish.
Matt Varnish Then they were given two coats of Anti-Shine Matt  Varnish. Be even more careful when painting on the matt  varnish. When applying the matt, brush it out well from  any nooks and crannies where it is likely to collect and  pool. Basing The bases are 25mm square plastic ones that come with  the skeletons. I used superglue to stick the model in  place, blowing over them to prevent the glue whitening off  on the models. I then filled in between the models bases and square base  
HOW TO PAINT OATHMARK SKELETONS FROM SCRATCH
Then Anti-Shine Matt Varnish.
HOW TO PAINT OATHMARK SKELETONS FROM SCRATCH HOW TO PAINT OATHMARK SKELETONS FROM SCRATCH
Superglue was used to stick the model in place.
HOW TO PAINT OATHMARK SKELETONS FROM SCRATCH
Basing. The base was then filled with DIY filler.
HOW TO PAINT OATHMARK SKELETONS FROM SCRATCH
Basing. 1. Sand is glued on and painted Oak Brown.
HOW TO PAINT OATHMARK SKELETONS FROM SCRATCH HOW TO PAINT OATHMARK SKELETONS FROM SCRATCH
Basing. 3. Then dry-brushed with Desert Yellow.
HOW TO PAINT OATHMARK SKELETONS FROM SCRATCH
Basing. Gamers Grass Beige Tufts were then added.
Basing. 2. Then dry-brushed with Monster Brown.
HOW TO PAINT OATHMARK SKELETONS FROM SCRATCH
Basing. Gale Force Nine: Meadow Blend Flock.
HOW TO PAINT OATHMARK SKELETONS FROM SCRATCH HOW TO PAINT OATHMARK SKELETONS FROM SCRATCH
Finished Skeleton in Verdigris Bronze Armour.
HOW TO PAINT OATHMARK SKELETONS FROM SCRATCH
Basing. A very light dry- brush of Desert Yellow.
HOW TO PAINT OATHMARK SKELETONS FROM SCRATCH
Finished Skeleton in Verdigris Bronze Armour
HOW TO PAINT OATHMARK SKELETONS FROM SCRATCH HOW TO PAINT OATHMARK SKELETONS FROM SCRATCH Skeleton 
Bright Bronze Armour