Berdans Sharpshooters and far too much to paint

Still have far too much to paint and as much as I love the Zouaves my sanity demands I work on other things.

My Project list is looking nice with the following still to do:

• Union cannons
• Regiment of Berdans Sharpshooters
• Dismounted Calvary
• Mounted Calvary
• Union camp and tents
• Ambulance

I’m currently working on the Zouaves but plan to complete one base of Berdans Sharpshooters whilst working on blocks of 12 Zouaves.

I will depict the Berdans Sharpshooters in the early war uniforms with the Sky Blue trousers.

As with the Zouaves I will:

• Paint all the base colours
• Apply a heavy wash of Devlin mud
• Shade each area of the model

Example of Model with base colours applied

 After Devlin mud wash is applied

I have found that in some cases a single shade in the original colour is enough. In all other cases I will add white to the mix and continue to shade down.

Berdan Sharpshooters with base colours applied

My brush style has changed over the years and I now apply most fine highlights using a tapping method. Instead of drawing the brush along in a classic stroke I tap the brush on the model and work my way along.

The Sharpshooters are already based but this is not a painful experience as they are skirmishers with only 2 models per base. As you can see from the above pictures I apply sand to the bases.