How to paint Spanish Irlanda Regiment like Franesco Thau

The Spanish Irlanda Regiment was one of the most distinctive foreign units in the Spanish Army during the Napoleonic Wars. Originally formed from Irish expatriates and their descendants, the regiment fought bravely against French occupation forces. Known for their striking dark blue jackets with yellow facings and buff equipment, these troops combined Spanish and Irish military traditions, making them a fascinating subject for historical wargamers and collectors.

A massive thank you to Francesco Thau for helping provide this outstanding guide of how to paint our miniatures. 

This guide will walk you through painting a Spanish Irlanda Regiment miniature, ensuring a historically accurate finish with layered highlights and realistic shading.

Step 1: Base Coating

• Apply a Vallejo German Dark Yellow primer (a muted mustard yellow) to the entire figure. This provides an even base for later layers.

• Ensure full coverage, reaching into all recesses to prevent bare spots.

• Let it dry for at least 6 hours before proceeding to the next step.

Step 2: Underpainting

• Cover the entire figure with Burnt Sienna (a reddish-brown earthy tone). This adds warmth and depth to the colours that follow.

• Apply in thin layers to prevent clogging fine details.

• Let it dry for 6 hours before moving to the next step.

Step 3: Defining Details

• Use highly diluted Matte Black to accentuate sculpted details such as clothing folds, facial features, and equipment.

• Carefully apply this wash to recesses, wiping away excess from raised areas to enhance contrast.

Step 4: Painting the Face

• Apply Deathclaw Brown (Citadel - a warm medium brown with yellow undertones) to the face.

• Use thin layers to retain detail, ensuring smooth coverage.

Step 5: Adding Facial Shadows

• Use Squig Orange (Citadel - a deep orange-red) to paint shadowed areas of the face.

• Focus on hollows of the cheeks, under the chin, and sides of the nose.

• Blend gently to avoid harsh transitions.

Step 6: Detailing the Eyes

• Use Matte White to carefully dot the eyes, creating a sideways glance.

• Keep the dots small to prevent an exaggerated appearance.

Step 7: Painting Facial Hair

• Mix Deathclaw Brown + Black (3:1 ratio) to create a natural hair colour.

• Apply this to the beard, moustache, sideburns, and hair, following the sculpted hair lines.

Step 8: Highlighting Facial Hair

• Use Tau Light Ochre (Citadel - a yellowish ochre) to highlight the beard and hair.

• Drybrush lightly for a natural transition.

Step 9: Refining Hair and Beard

• Mix Tau Light Ochre + Black (3:1 ratio) for softer shading, adding depth to the hair.

Step 10: Enhancing Facial Highlights

• Apply Ungor Flesh (Citadel - a pale, warm skin tone) to prominent areas of the face such as the nose, cheekbones, and forehead.

Step 11: Deepening Facial Features

• Mix Ungor Flesh + Black (3:1 ratio) to create shadows in the hair and beard for depth.

Step 12: Final Face Highlights

• Mix Ungor Flesh + White (1:1 ratio) and apply to the highest points of the face, such as the bridge of the nose and brow.

Step 13: Painting Metallic Elements

• Use Liquitex Iridescent Gold (a rich metallic gold) for buttons.

• Use Vallejo Gunmetal Silver (a dark metallic silver) for belt buckles and metallic parts.

Step 14: Black Details

• Paint boots, bayonet holder, and cartridge pouch with Matte Black.

• Ensure clean, even coverage by using controlled brush strokes.

Step 15-17: Highlighting Black Areas

• Gradually highlight black details with:

  • Step 15: Black + Yellow Ochre (2:1 ratio) to create softer shadows.

• • Step 16: Black + Yellow Ochre (1:1 ratio) to lighten raised edges.

• 

• • Step 17: Black + Yellow Ochre + White (1:1:0.5 ratio) for final highlights.

Step 18-21: Painting the Rifle and Equipment

• Step 18: Basecoat the rifle, canteen, and backpack with Doombull Brown (Citadel - a deep reddish-brown).

• Step 19: Apply shading with Skrag Brown (Citadel - a warm medium brown with orange undertones).

• Step 20: Highlight edges and raised areas with Skrag Brown only.

• Step 21: Apply final highlights using Deathclaw Brown.

Step 22-26: Painting White and Yellow Facings

• Step 22: Paint collar piping, cuffs, and trim with Matte White.

• Step 23: Apply Deathclaw Brown to fatigue cap, collar, cuffs, and rear coat tails.

• Step 24: Blend Deathclaw Brown + Dark Yellow (1:1 ratio) for a mid-tone.

• Step 25: Highlight with Dark Yellow (a deep mustard yellow) to brighten the details.

• Step 26: Use Flash Gitz Yellow + Dark Yellow (1:1 ratio - bright lemon yellow and mustard yellow) for final highlights.

Step 27-30: Buff Equipment and Trousers

• Step 27: Basecoat with Yellow Ochre (Citadel Averland Sunset - a warm ochre yellow) for trousers and buff straps.

• Step 28: Blend Yellow Ochre + White (1:1 ratio) for softer highlights.

• Step 29: Increase highlights with Yellow Ochre + White (1:2 ratio) for additional contrast.

• Step 30: Apply a final glaze with Matte White, starting diluted and increasing opacity for a natural fade.

Step 31-34: Painting the Jacket and Fatigue Cap

• Step 31: Basecoat jacket and fatigue cap using Navy Blue + Lothern Blue (1:1 ratio - dark blue mixed with vibrant sky blue).

• Step 32: Shade with Navy Blue + Lothern Blue (1:2 ratio) to deepen shadows.

• Step 33: Highlight with pure Lothern Blue (a bright sky blue) for mid-tone areas.

• Step 34: Final highlight with Lothern Blue + White (1:2 ratio) to make details pop.

Final Touches

• Check for missing highlights and adjust accordingly.

• Use varnish to protect your finished figure.

Send pictures to sales@battlehonours3d.com ! 

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Your Spanish Napoleonic figure is now complete and ready for the battlefield!

Need a PDF download to print out or a download to follow along? Get it right here

https://battlehonours3d.com/products/painting-guide-spanish-irlanda-regiment