painting army II/4a Ch'in (Qin)

I also aqquired a couple of boxes of Ch'in 20mm figures. Does anyone have painting tips for these guys? The armor looks lammelar, but it is bronze, iron, leather or mixed? What about tunic colors - any idea?

There is some advice under Fanaticus Tips and Guides already.

Furthermore this was discussed to some length on line by Duncan Head and Karl-Heinz Ranitzsch a few years ago. Unfortunately the file is not on this (new) computer and I couldn't find it on the net... :-(

FWIW here is the gist of it as well as I remember it.

Armour was under discussion, no matter what material it was, the Chinese would be quite ready to paint it. My amateur opinion: there are finds of stone armour plate (only for burials!)of standards size with holes on the corners to connect them with thongs (leather?/silk?). IMHO leather could have connected in easier ways.

Colours: modern films use Black, historicaly reserved for courtiers, so unlikely in the field.
The first Chinese reconstructions of the Terracotta army gave the rank and file ine Pale Blue with Red trimmings, scarves and top knots.
Recently it has been considered, that Pale Blue may be a worthwhile alternative to the Pale Blue.

Duncan Head has argued, that the later armies may not have looked all that different from the early Han armies, i.e. in Unbleached White or "military" Red.

The Terracotta army itself is very colourfull and fancy, as you may have to expect from picked guards of a vast empire.

Photo examples are not to hard to find, if you use search machines and "Terracotta" "Army" and maybe "colour" as well. Even travel agancies now show colour pictures online.

(I recall quire ideal colour drawings in intricate detail on some hobby website, but unfortunately, I can't find it.) But then - my Chin DBM army is already painted! )

oops - an typing error:

it should read: a more modern suggestions is Pale Green for Pale Blue.

sorry

Hi there, did you buy the Ceasar`s figures?
I would like to buy them but after buying the samurai box I was a bit disapponted because the plastic was so soft that I had problems on keeping the paint on it!! any way good luck.

I found on the net a site with a guy pictures of his dbm army it might be usefull.

http://homepages.paradise.net.nz/peter.dunn/index.htm

ciao

Giovanni

Hi Giovanni - I got the Ceaser Ch'in, Assyrian and Egyptian figures. The plastic is softer than others, but the fig are quite well done. I am going to prime the figures first with a new spray paint form Krylon that is supposed to form a molecular bond with plastic. Hopefully this will allow the paint to stck without flaking. Do you prime your plastic figures before painting? I have had much success when I use a coat of spray paint enamel (flat surface, not glossy) before painting with acrylic paint.

Hey there,

My guide to painting Ch'in soldiers may still be found on this site. The Terracotta Army was originally painted, and in fanatic detail, so there's plenty of source material. The uniforms are basically a pale green or possibly a pale blue (both reconstructions have been suggested) with orange scarves, red stripes at the sleeves, possibly blue trousers.
Armour was either leather or bronze - it was painted brown, at least. I think bronze is more likely, since leather was generally lacquered during this era to a black or red finish.

It is possible that this army only represents a palace guard, as a prvious poster said, and may not be representative of the uniform of the army. But on the other hand, how can you pass up a source like this??


Rgds
Jonathan Lim