UMS "Agram" : Austrian Pikeman < Articles < Hobby

Austrian Pikeman

Dalibor Čavić, 22nd January 2021

In this short article I will try to show how I painted a historical figure in 1/72 scale. As a model, I used a pikeman from the Zvezda set 8061 17th century Austrian Musketeers and Pikemen. Zvezda is one of the most famous producers of plastic 1/72 figures and plastic models in general of highest quality, and the set of figures itself is very suitable for making a diorama of the Turkish siege of Vienna in 1683.

To start, the figure needs to be separated from the sprue with sharp hobby pliers. Care must be taken not to damage the figure. Therefore, it is better to cut away from the figure, and later cut off the excess sprue with a sharp hobby knife (for example no. 11). This is followed by the removal of mouldlines, and it is recommended to wash the figure in warm water with the addition of soap or dish detergent. Such figures are produced by injecting plastic into metal molds. To make the plastic easier to separate, the molds are coated with a mold releaser. Traces of this oil-like agent remain behind on the figure and can cause the primer and color not to be adhere well to the surface of the figure. Therefore, washing the figure is highly desirable.

After the washed figure has dried, I fastened it to a plastic stopper with "patafix" and painted it with a gray primer from Army Painter. When the primer had dried, I coated the whole figure with a layer of Nuln Oil wash (GW) and let it dry again. The wash itself did not have as much of a "preshading" role as I wanted it to highlight details on the figure that I would have to paint later. This step is not so necessary, but it makes painting easier.

After the figure was prepped, I applied the base colors to the figure. As a reference, I used an illustration and an example of a colored figure on a box (boxart) which greatly shortened my search process for historical literature. The colors I used are Flat Red + Black Red (sleeves and feathers), Medium Blue (pants), Black (hair, beard and shoes), Gunmetal (armor, helmet, sword and spearhead), Basic Skintone (face), Leather Brown + Biege Brown (gloves), Bone White + Biege Brown (socks), Biege Brown + Orange Brown (pike). All paints are from the Vallejo Model or Game Color series. Leather Brown paint from Revell was used for the straps.

I then applied Reikland Fleshshade (GW) to the skin and Agrax Earthshade (GW) to the brown parts. All other parts (metal, red, blue) I coated with Nuln Oil. Already after this step, the figure took on a satisfying appearance that will be enough for some wargamers to play. However, I decided to do two "highlights" for each color (except black). I got the "highlights" by lightening the above colors, with the second "highlight" covering a smaller area than the first (layering). The glazing technique for coloring was out of the question because the figure is quite small. Eventually, I arranged the base and coated the figure with a layer of varnish. I mixed matte varnish (Pebeo) and satin varnish (Ammo by Mig) and diluted it a bit with water.

Latest articles

Back to Basics Workshops in Medveščak Library

          array(2) {
  ["Article"]=>
  array(10) {
    ["id"]=>
    string(3) "476"
    ["member_id"]=>
    string(2) "64"
    ["title_eng"]=>
    string(47) "Back to Basics Workshops in Medveščak Library"
    ["title_hrv"]=>
    string(68) "Back to Basics radionice bojanja minijatura u Knjižnici Medveščak"
    ["mask_eng"]=>
    string(45) "back_to_basics_workshops_in_medvescak_library"
    ["mask_hrv"]=>
    string(65) "back_to_basics_radionice_bojanja_minijatura_u_knjiznici_medvescak"
    ["content_eng"]=>
    string(5094) "
	

	During October and November, we held our Back to Basics miniature painting workshops for the youngest at the Zagreb City Libraries.

	

	

	The first set of three workshops was held in the Youth Department of the Medveščak Library on October 2, 9 and 11, 2025.

	

	

	During the workshops, our youngest participants painted chibi figures from the UMS Agram line and made a castle from upcycled materials.

	

	

	

	

	

	

	

	

	More photos can be found on our social media.

	
"
    ["content_hrv"]=>
    string(5118) "
	

	Tijekom listopada i studenog u Knjižnicama Grada Zagreba smo održali naše Back to Basics radionice bojanja minijatura za najmlađe. 

	

	

	Prvi set od tri radionice održan je u Odjelu za mlade Knjižnice Medveščak 2., 9. i 11.10.2025. 

	

	

	Tijekom radionica naši najmlađi polaznici su bojali chibi figure iz linije UMS Agram te izrađivali dvorac od upcycle materijala.

	

	

	

	

	

	

	

	

	Više fotografija potražite na našim socijalnim mrežama!

	
"
    ["created"]=>
    string(19) "2025-10-13 09:20:17"
    ["modified"]=>
    string(19) "2025-10-13 09:20:17"
  }
  ["Member"]=>
  array(10) {
    ["id"]=>
    string(2) "64"
    ["group_id"]=>
    string(1) "1"
    ["first_name"]=>
    string(9) "Krunoslav"
    ["last_name"]=>
    string(8) "Belinić"
    ["first_name_mask"]=>
    string(9) "krunoslav"
    ["last_name_mask"]=>
    string(7) "belinic"
    ["username"]=>
    string(5) "Kruno"
    ["password"]=>
    string(40) "eb3fda45fbec0258e90d809803b10491c548b22f"
    ["born"]=>
    string(19) "2015-01-18 09:19:00"
    ["created"]=>
    string(19) "2015-01-18 09:20:39"
  }
}

Krunoslav Belinić, 13th October 2025

Gaslands - Tutorial II

          array(2) {
  ["Article"]=>
  array(10) {
    ["id"]=>
    string(3) "475"
    ["member_id"]=>
    string(2) "35"
    ["title_eng"]=>
    string(22) "Gaslands - Tutorial II"
    ["title_hrv"]=>
    string(37) "Gaslands - bojanje autića - nastavak"
    ["mask_eng"]=>
    string(22) "gaslands_-_tutorial_ii"
    ["mask_hrv"]=>
    string(36) "gaslands_-_bojanje_autica_-_nastavak"
    ["content_eng"]=>
    string(5350) "
	

	In this article I will briefly describe how I painted another set of three cars for Gaslands. Same as last time, I started with a black undercoat.

	

	As I decided to keep the colour of the vehicles matt black, I left it at that and proceeded to paint the windshields. Using much the same method I used for the yellow crew, I applied the chosen paint scheme. Unlike blue windshields with the yellow crew, here I decided to use the yellow/red combo.

	

	I then added chrome.

	

	In the end, I added metallic details such as guns etc.

	

	It was time to add the decals. I first painted all the surfaces with gloss varnish. Then I added the decals and after they set properly, I covered everything with Ultra Matt Varnish..

	

	And thus ended the painting process.

	

	GALLERY OF THE TWO FINISHED CREWS

	

	

	

	

	

	

	
"
    ["content_hrv"]=>
    string(5419) "
	

	U ovom ću  članku opisati kako sam obojao drugi set od tri autića za Gaslands demo partije. Kao i prošli puta, krenuo sam s crnim undercoatom. 

	

	S obzirom da sam odlučio da ovaj crew bude mat crn, farbanje karoserija sam tu prekinuo i počeo sam sa staklima. Slično kao i prošli put, koristio sam sličnu shemu, ali u drugim bojama. Za razliku od plavih refleksija na žutim autima, na crnima sam se odlučio za žuto/crvenu kombinaciju. 

	

	Dodao sam krom.

	

	I na kraju dodao metalne dijelove poput oružja.

	

	Na ovim autima, odlučio sam dodati i naljepnice. Prvo sam na površine s naljepnicama stavio gloss lak. Potom sam postavio naljepnicce i nakon što su se dobro osušile sam te iste površine prekrio mat lakom. 

	

	Time sam završio posao...

	

	GALERIJA ZAVRŠENIH RADOVA!

	

	

	

	

	

	

	
"
    ["created"]=>
    string(19) "2025-10-13 07:21:57"
    ["modified"]=>
    string(19) "2025-10-13 07:21:57"
  }
  ["Member"]=>
  array(10) {
    ["id"]=>
    string(2) "35"
    ["group_id"]=>
    string(1) "1"
    ["first_name"]=>
    string(5) "Marko"
    ["last_name"]=>
    string(9) "Paunović"
    ["first_name_mask"]=>
    string(5) "marko"
    ["last_name_mask"]=>
    string(8) "paunovic"
    ["username"]=>
    string(5) "marko"
    ["password"]=>
    string(40) "3bd37b326d19d1880d3b93a4b32e8fb3a90fa122"
    ["born"]=>
    string(19) "2033-03-07 20:35:00"
    ["created"]=>
    string(19) "2009-06-02 20:37:03"
  }
}

Marko Paunović, 13th October 2025

GASLANDS - tutorial

          array(2) {
  ["Article"]=>
  array(10) {
    ["id"]=>
    string(3) "474"
    ["member_id"]=>
    string(2) "35"
    ["title_eng"]=>
    string(19) "GASLANDS - tutorial"
    ["title_hrv"]=>
    string(43) "GASLANDS - bojanje autića za postapoc igru"
    ["mask_eng"]=>
    string(19) "gaslands_-_tutorial"
    ["mask_hrv"]=>
    string(42) "gaslands_-_bojanje_autica_za_postapoc_igru"
    ["content_eng"]=>
    string(2790) "
	

	In this article I will briefly describe how I painted a set of three cars for Gaslands. I started with a black undercoat and then applied a silver (Leadbelcher) spray as the base color.

	

	Then I used the Rust effect from Dirty Down. Once the effect was dry, I sprayed the cars with a clear matte varnish to protect the layer of rust (which is activated when exposed to moisture). After the spray dried, I applied the Scratches and Heavy Chipping effect from Ammo by Mig Jimenez with a brush. After about fifteen minutes of drying, I sprayed the cars in yellow and let it dry for about 15 minutes. I used a brush to apply water over the cars and used a stiff brush, wooden skewer and cotton swab to remove the excess paint that was activated due to the Scratches and Heavy Chipping effects.

	

	Then came the painting. First I covered all the details that would not be yellow in black. Then I used blue to draw out the reflections on the glass. Added the metal details (engines and weapons). And finally added the chrome effects (using GSW paint). For the very end I left the engine shine effects.

	

	The painting of the cars for Gaslands is now complete.

	
"
    ["content_hrv"]=>
    string(2794) "
	

	U ovom članku ću ukratko opisati kako sam bojao set od tri autića za Gaslands. Krenuo sam sa crnim undercoatom na kojeg sam stavio srebrni (Leadbelcher) sprej kao osnovnu boju.

	

	Potom sam koristio Rust efekt od tvrtke Dirty Down. Kada se posušio efekt, autiće sam posprejao bezbojnim mat lakom da zaštitim sloj hrđe (koja se aktivira u doticaju sa vlagom). Nakon što se sprej osušio, kistom sam nanio Scratches i Heavy Chipping efekt od Ammo by Mig Jimenez. Nakon petnaestak minuta sušenja, autiće sam posprejao u žuto i ostavio da se osuši cca 15 minuta. Kistom sam premazao vodu preko autića i tvrdim kistom, drvenim ražnjićem i štapićem za uši sam uklonio višak boje koji se aktivirao zbog Scratches i Heavy Chipping efekata.

	

	Zatim je uslijedilo bojanje. Prvo sve detalje koji neće biti žuti sam prekrio u crnu boju. Zatim sam izvukao plavom bojom refleksije na staklima. Dodao metalne detalje (motori i oružja). I na kraju dodao krom efekte (koristeći boju tvrtke GSW). Za sami kraj ostavio sam efekte sjaja motora.

	

	TIme je završeno bojanje autića za Gaslands.

	
"
    ["created"]=>
    string(19) "2025-10-02 07:39:25"
    ["modified"]=>
    string(19) "2025-10-02 07:39:25"
  }
  ["Member"]=>
  array(10) {
    ["id"]=>
    string(2) "35"
    ["group_id"]=>
    string(1) "1"
    ["first_name"]=>
    string(5) "Marko"
    ["last_name"]=>
    string(9) "Paunović"
    ["first_name_mask"]=>
    string(5) "marko"
    ["last_name_mask"]=>
    string(8) "paunovic"
    ["username"]=>
    string(5) "marko"
    ["password"]=>
    string(40) "3bd37b326d19d1880d3b93a4b32e8fb3a90fa122"
    ["born"]=>
    string(19) "2033-03-07 20:35:00"
    ["created"]=>
    string(19) "2009-06-02 20:37:03"
  }
}

Marko Paunović, 2nd October 2025

UMS Agram at CK2025

          array(2) {
  ["Article"]=>
  array(10) {
    ["id"]=>
    string(3) "473"
    ["member_id"]=>
    string(2) "64"
    ["title_eng"]=>
    string(19) "UMS Agram at CK2025"
    ["title_hrv"]=>
    string(42) "UMS Agram na CK2025 u Stubičkim toplicama"
    ["mask_eng"]=>
    string(19) "ums_agram_at_ck2025"
    ["mask_hrv"]=>
    string(41) "ums_agram_na_ck2025_u_stubickim_toplicama"
    ["content_eng"]=>
    string(2737) "
	

	

	

	

	

	

	

	

	For more photos check our social media!
"
    ["content_hrv"]=>
    string(2864) "
	U subotu, 27.9.2025. naši članovi su nastupili na CK2025 u Stubičkim toplicama.

	

	

	

	

	

	

	

	

	Za više fotografija posjetite naše socijalne mreže!
"
    ["created"]=>
    string(19) "2025-10-02 07:28:26"
    ["modified"]=>
    string(19) "2025-10-02 07:28:26"
  }
  ["Member"]=>
  array(10) {
    ["id"]=>
    string(2) "64"
    ["group_id"]=>
    string(1) "1"
    ["first_name"]=>
    string(9) "Krunoslav"
    ["last_name"]=>
    string(8) "Belinić"
    ["first_name_mask"]=>
    string(9) "krunoslav"
    ["last_name_mask"]=>
    string(7) "belinic"
    ["username"]=>
    string(5) "Kruno"
    ["password"]=>
    string(40) "eb3fda45fbec0258e90d809803b10491c548b22f"
    ["born"]=>
    string(19) "2015-01-18 09:19:00"
    ["created"]=>
    string(19) "2015-01-18 09:20:39"
  }
}

Krunoslav Belinić, 2nd October 2025

UMS Agram at Days of Technical Culture 2025

          array(2) {
  ["Article"]=>
  array(10) {
    ["id"]=>
    string(3) "472"
    ["member_id"]=>
    string(2) "96"
    ["title_eng"]=>
    string(43) "UMS Agram at Days of Technical Culture 2025"
    ["title_hrv"]=>
    string(41) "UMS Agram na 14. danima tehničke kulture"
    ["mask_eng"]=>
    string(43) "ums_agram_at_days_of_technical_culture_2025"
    ["mask_hrv"]=>
    string(39) "ums_agram_na_14_danima_tehnicke_kulture"
    ["content_eng"]=>
    string(6577) "
	

	

	

	

	

	

	

	

	

	

	

	

	

	

	

	

	

	

	

	

	For more photos check our social media!
"
    ["content_hrv"]=>
    string(7407) "
	19. i 20.9. nastupili smo na XIV danima tehničke kulture u Kulturnom centru Dubrava. Dani je organizirala Zagrebačka zajednica tehničke kulture.

	

	

	Na Dane smo došli sa izložbenim prostorom i prostorom za radionice.

	

	

	

	

	

	U sklopu nastupa organizirali smo:

	- predstavljanje Agramera, linije chibi minijatura 

	

	

	- promociju knjige Tabletop Scenery for Beginners 

	

	A s ponosom objavljujemo i da smo za naš rad u 2024. primili godišnju nagradu tehničke kulture dr. Oton Kučera

	

	

	

	Također smo organizirali i besplatne:

	- pokazne demonstracije minijaturističkih tehnika - sculpting i bojanje minijatura u petak 

	

	

	

	

	

	- Back to Basics radionice bojanja minijatura za najmlađe u subotu

	

	

	Za više fotografija posjetite naše socijalne mreže!
"
    ["created"]=>
    string(19) "2025-09-23 08:18:45"
    ["modified"]=>
    string(19) "2025-09-23 08:20:36"
  }
  ["Member"]=>
  array(10) {
    ["id"]=>
    string(2) "96"
    ["group_id"]=>
    string(1) "2"
    ["first_name"]=>
    string(6) "Antoni"
    ["last_name"]=>
    string(10) "Pastuović"
    ["first_name_mask"]=>
    string(6) "antoni"
    ["last_name_mask"]=>
    string(9) "pastuovic"
    ["username"]=>
    string(6) "antoni"
    ["password"]=>
    string(40) "5dfa823ee30df1936c1792d4c8348a4bcf4c64e2"
    ["born"]=>
    string(19) "2005-04-04 18:52:00"
    ["created"]=>
    string(19) "2019-04-04 18:53:09"
  }
}