How I Paint Things - Catachan Jungle Fighters

Catachan is a deathworld infamous in the Imperium for the sheer lethality of everything that inhabits it, from the smallest insects, its wildly carnivorous plant life, and of course... the dogged men and women that call it home! Catachan breeds only the toughest, most determined soldiers for the Imperium, and they're at home in any jungle in the galaxy! READ MORE:
The Catachan Jungle Fighters are a classic of Warhammer 40,000. They were some of the first plastic Imperial Guard infantry available, and though those original kits have dated a little since their introduction, they still hold up fairly well today with just a few extra touches on the painting front. Soldiers of Catachan are legendarily rough around the edges and their uniforms reflect their ability to move quickly and easily through dense undergrowth and cover. Luckily, they aren't that hard to paint!
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[@smeckert8650]

Man you are like the Bob Ross of Miniature painting! love listening to you talk when im painting my own minis xD!

[@SonicSledgehammerStudio]

It's just a little harder for me to paint happy little trees on my canvas... ;D

[@OaklandCountyMustang]

I used to build/paint these guys and orks when I was a kid. I never knew how people got the dark details in between the muscles/face/etc but now I do. Thank you.

[@chevy-is-a-good-boy]

Fantastic. While a skilled hand/eye is absolutely necessary for this hobby, even neophytes following your tutorials can yield brilliant results. Your approach is balanced; requiring just the right amount of effort/time that is in keeping with our busy lives.

[@SonicSledgehammerStudio]

There's a truism I've always liked to apply in this: "Finished is better than perfect." We can get some pretty good results without having to spend hours on every individual figure, but it doesn't take much to elevate those steps juuust a little and have our miniatures look pretty neat when they hit the table!

[@OldAverageBritGaming]

I nearly unsubbed until the Agrax came out. Another great video for painting fast once again my friend

[@SonicSledgehammerStudio]

I didn't want to do anything too shocking, so you know I had to bring it out!

[@thepiranhawins3828]

"If it bleeds we can kill it"

[@yoyoyo9669]

thank you so much what a great guide!

[@Jelle1880]

Just painted an old metal Lieutenant with these techniques, came out great!

[@SonicSledgehammerStudio]

Very cool! Love the old Catachans. :D

[@Mil89GR]

I just started a Catachan army and your guide is top!Thank you very much!You got one more subscriber!

[@OriginalDecurse]

exactly what i needed! thanks so much man....i love you

[@peterduke947]

Yes! Was waiting for this, thanks for another awesome video!

[@SonicSledgehammerStudio]

I've had a few requests for the Catachans which honestly surprised me, but I knew I had to follow through!

[@johnkelley9877]

I have thought about getting some Catachan figures and after watching this I will. I like the slightly dirty look to the uniform as it looks more realistic.

[@SonicSledgehammerStudio]

The basic Catachan infantry are a little dated by now; they were the first plastic Imperial Guard and they haven't aged as well as some of the other classics of that era, unfortunately. In particular how their arms join their torsos is strange and leaves weird gaps in their shoulders! The command squad and heavy weapons are pretty cool, though, if you're just in the mood for something neat to paint!

[@HeleentheArcane]

@@SonicSledgehammerStudio and you did a far better job at painting them than the 'eavy metal team back then :)

[@Shooterpirat]

Hey man, thanks for that video! The mini looks amazing. Just the kind of tutorial I was looking for. You also have a good day :)

[@SonicSledgehammerStudio]

Glad you liked it!

[@nippleripples3562]

Out of Agrax Earthshade ? Just use soy sauce !

[@SonicSledgehammerStudio]

Not sure that miniatures are meant to taste good with udon and a bit of crispy duck, mind you...

[@rhinoxrifter356]

I dunno...'nids might appreciate it!

[@m0rtez713]

@@rhinoxrifter356 Hmmmmm... crispy 'nids in soy sauce.

[@killercann93]

Good stuff mate. I had nearly forgotten what the old metal Catachans looked like, still hoping one day gw will make plastic krieg and or steel legion though

[@SonicSledgehammerStudio]

I'd love to see some more plastic Guard variants, but we can only wait and see!

[@alancafferkey3152]

Great video. Thanks!

[@IDICBeer]

Nice job fella

[@longhunter5935]

Outstanding! I’ve just bought 2 troops, HW team, and command squad. BTW I would love to see a video on how you based those. They look great!

[@SonicSledgehammerStudio]

I'll do another video on basing some time soon, then! I've had a few people ask and these ones are actually super simple.

[@carltonbanks5167]

thanks

[@jeffhartsell]

I've noticed in your newer GW videos you use Iron Hands Steel vs. Leadbelcher. Are they reasonably interchangeable? I am getting into painting again and the jargon is different now with shade v. wash and the contract and layer (aka highlighting) paints. I am putting together Cadian, Catachan, Tempestus Scions, and Arbites with an Inquisitor.

[@SonicSledgehammerStudio]

They're slightly different; Leadbelcher's darker, more like Boltgun Metal used to be. I tend to use Iron Hands Steel so I can shade it and not bother highlighting.

[@jeffhartsell]

@@SonicSledgehammerStudio Thanks!

[@swiffe111]

Hey man. Amazing channel ! Thank you for sharing your passion. It roped me in right from the start with "how i paint" title instead of the "how to paint" and it just got better from there ! This channel gave me the nudge i needed to pick up the miniature hobby again after 15 years away. Quick question sir ? I have modified my Catachan paint scheme slightly to better reflect my own military unit. What Citadel paint would you use to highlight a Catachan vest basepainted with "Steel Legion Drab" Thank you again and keep up the wonderful work !

[@blatalus]

Mr.Sonic, i have painted this figure in 1993, but yours looks better, great vid.

[@SonicSledgehammerStudio]

I remember the days when we'd have to mix black and brown ink together to get something even close to Agrax Earthshade... ;D

[@carlmayne3519]

:) - Excellent

[@mathieuwheatleyteasdale9702]

Does the Zandri Dust act as a primer or do you use it over a primer?

[@SonicSledgehammerStudio]

The coloured cans from Citadel act as primers; you don't need to apply anything else first.

[@mathieuwheatleyteasdale9702]

@@SonicSledgehammerStudio Thank you for the info.

[@swaaahtome]

Sonic have you any experience with the GW dry paints? I want to pick up one to drybrush tanks but im not sure which would be closest to Loren Forest... nurgling or niblet green? great tutorial as always! Metal Catachans are so much better looking than the plastic ones for some reason.

[@SonicSledgehammerStudio]

By coincidence, I'm actually messing with some dry paints right now for another video. They work pretty well! If you're looking for Loren Forest, then Nurgling Green is going to be the much better match, particularly if you're doing the hard edges on Imperial vehicles if I'm guessing correctly. Niblet Green is a very bold, saturated green which works better on a richer basecoat.

[@swaaahtome]

Thank you! Seems they dont have a dry Loren so this will have to do!

[@JaymisHawk]

Can I ask how did you base the miniature, and what your preferred method of jungle style basing would be please?

[@dylancarpenter9710]

I always have a hard time getting the knives and water cans to fit on or make any since on where they get place. How do you get yours to look like they belong there

[@Joekirk1990]

Hey mate, are you using agrax matt or gloss finish?

[@SonicSledgehammerStudio]

Always the matt!

[@andrewcarr4]

Any chance I could get a list of the paints used please

[@NewVictus666]

Sly Marbo how to paint?

[@SonicSledgehammerStudio]

If you've seen this video, you've seen how I'd paint Sly Marbo. There's nothing else I'd do differently, to be honest - maybe a slightly different colour for his equipment? But the techniques all apply.

[@NewVictus666]

@@SonicSledgehammerStudio In your viedeo you mentioned a red coler but i cant understand which red it is

[@danielgurney8173]

Generic comment

[@SonicSledgehammerStudio]

Unremarkable answer!