If you're an inveterate aircraft modeler like I am, you've probably gotten into the habit of dumping any figures that come in a kit in the spares box thinking, "I'll get around to them someday" or maybe even, "I'll leave that to the armor guys." If you like to photograph your models, though, there's nothing like a figure to provide a sense of scale and to help establish a convincing scene. Unfortunately for many who specialize in finishing aircraft, painting figures can seem like a black art. The following method is designed to help a modeler produce convincing figures with a minimum of guesswork in a few easy steps. This method is a simplification of techniques discussed by master modeler Sheperd Paine in How to Build Dioramas. It's broken into two stages: painting the flesh tones and painting the uniform and equipment. It is ideal for 1/72, 1/48, and possibly even 1/32 scale figures. Larger figures require the much more elaborate techniques contained in Mr. Paine's book, however.