Painting Spock’s uniform

In the May 2018 FSM, I showed how I modified Andrea Miniatures’ 54mm movie-era Spock to his TV-series counterpart. To finish the Star Trek character in his original-series uniform, I had to apply blue. Trying to decide on the correct hue, I looked at photos online and watched several episodes of the series; all showed variations in the color of the satin velour shirt. Finally, I settled on a recipe for a color that looked right.

It is very important to note that all these steps were completed using very thin layers of paint.  The way they were all blended by using these mixes to blur the edges of each shade.

Paints used

• Andrea Black Paint Set No. 3 (2nd Light) — alternative Vallejo Model Color Intermediate Blue (No. 70.903)
• Andrea Blue Paint Set: No. 6 (3rd Shadow) — alternative Vallejo Model Color Prussian Blue (No. 70.899)
• Reaper Ashen Blue (No. 9057)
• Scale 75 Hiril Blue (No. SFG33)
• Vallejo Model Color Brass (No. 70.801)
• Vallejo Model Color Chocolate Brown (No. 70.872)
• Vallejo Model Color Sky Blue (No. 70.961)

I painted the first shadows into folds. The color is the base shade with a little black 2nd light added. Vallejo intermediate blue is a good alternative.

Next, I deepened the shadows in the deepest folds, around the collar, and along the shoulder seams with more black 2nd light added to the previous mix.

For the deepest shadows in the Vulcan’s armpits, I used pure black 2nd light.

After adding Hiril blue to the base-color mix, I brushed highlights over the upper part of folds, the shoulders, and chest. The thin shades blended the shadows and refined the contrast.

The next layer of highlights was achieved by adding more Hiril blue to the previous mix.

Final highlights made from a mix of Hiril blue and sky blue edged folds as well as the cuffs and hem of the shirt.

I base-coated the rank stripes on Spock’s sleeves with chocolate brown and the Federation chevron on his chest with blue 3rd shadow.