Almost a year ago now I had what I thought was a brilliant idea. I would tackle the challenge of how to clearly define the facing/line of sight/field of view of my Haqqislam force by painting Hazard Stripes onto their bases. So most would have 180 degrees of their base to the front marked to show where they were looking. Models with SSL2 or 360 Visors would have all of their base done and so fourth.
Now anyone who isn't a veteran of many a sleepless night of professional painting would know that is bloody impossible but I tried anyway.
The results speak for themselves.
So I stopped and thought well I could always create a stencil but since I don't own an airbrush nor really know enough about maths/geometry to create an accurate reusable stencil I wasn't sure how I could possibly make it. So I did the next best thing I articulated my idea on one of the larger Australian wargaming forums. Thankfully one of the members there who some of you might know from his design work for CNC Workshop Miniature Scenary Mousemuffins came along and created a brillant little stencil/pdf that you just print out.
LINK - To download the .pdf file.
Tutorial on how to use them as follows.
From left to right,
Cut out stripe brush on plain white glue onto base then affix paper strip. Line up on cutting board or other straight surface and cut off extra paper. You should only have the front or back 180 degrees marked. Once you're happy with where it's placed paint a wash of 50% water 50% white glue over the paper and set aside to dry.
Next take some black paint thin it slightly let's say 70% paint to 30% water using this either slowly go around the edge of the paper covering cut edge or take your brush and lie it on a side on to the base and run right around the rim of the base then reverse and do the top of the base. Both will cover the white paper but the later will create more variation which will help weather the strips. Set aside to dry.
Next I have used Army Painter: Strong Tone to seal the paper and paint. You could use 50% water 50% white glue wash again or something like pledge or even just spray it with a varnish.
Finally to remove any shine left from the varnish/sealer give the base a quick black wash. Let's say 80% water to 20% paint; and then you have it the perfect lazy mans 180 degree field of view for Infinity.
Using this method I have finished all of my painted models very quickly.