Experiments with Magic Wash

[Leman]

It's at www.fat-wally.com

[Leman]

That seemed a little churlish, as it's such a simple formula. You will need a bottle of Pledge Multi-Surface Wax (formerly Klear), an empty jam jar, coffee jar etc with lid, a bottle of Winsor and Newton ink (I used black but a dark brown would also work I imagine). Fill the jar to under half way with the pledge. Add a similar amount of water. then add about a 1/4 of the ink. Stir rather than shake. It's now ready to use, but you may want to experiment with varying amounts of water,pledge and/or ink. After it is dry it can be varnished. Fat  Wally's recipe can be downloaded from his site.

[Leman]

On Fat Wally's homepage click on Painting Services on the menu to the left. This will bring up his list of useful tips, including magic wash. They are all worth having a look at. However he does make it very clear that he only takes commissions for 15mm figures.

[Last Hussar]

Not churlish- I only expected a link. Searching kept getting me fast food places in Eagleland.

[Leman]

Yes, I beefed up my reply because I kept getting a Bolton Wanderers player noted for his girth.

[Leman]

Have now finished the 35th Prussian Infantry Regiment, Fusiliers, complete with magic wash, highlight of coat blue and helmet front plate silver, then given coat of Vallejo satin varnish. There are four bases in total making 32 figures in two ranks.



Not as clear as I had hoped, but you get the idea. Second rank has come out clearer so I was probably too close.

[Techno]

Second rank look damn good, DP.
Think you're right.....Probably a teeny tad too close for the shot. 
Cheers - Phil.

[Subedai]

Looks like another convert.

[Leman]

Here's a better effort.

[paulr]

 

Very nice basing and subtle variation in posing as well 

[Fenton]

They look good

Have you tried using an even flatter varnish spray on them to kill a bit more of the sheen? ( although it might be the flash or light on the figures that seem to be causing that)

[fred.]

They look rather good (especially now we can see them properly in the second shot).

[Leman]

Actually I never use spray now after too many frostings over the years, despite following instructions to the letter. I have also moved from using matt to satin because I prefer the finish as it tends to lift the colours. Unfortunately most of the venues where I use my figures suffer from relatively poor lighting and matt varnish just makes them look flat and dull.

[Fenton]

Actually I never use spray now after too many frostings over the years, despite following instructions to the letter. I have also moved from using matt to satin because I prefer the finish as it tends to lift the colours. Unfortunately most of the venues where I use my figures suffer from relatively poor lighting and matt varnish just makes them look flat and dull.

I think I must be lucky I  have only ever had one slight frosting incident in all the years I have been spraying

[Ithoriel]

Every frosting problem I've had has been solved by applying a second coat of the same varnish.

No idea why it works and first time round it was done by accident while trying to clean the nozzle of the spray can!