Some thoughts on colors and paints for painting Sudan War Figures:

I use Polly S acrylic paints with a little Floquil (because of its thin consistency, mostly used as a wash over the Polly S) and oil whshes when a shcen quality is desired. I prime my 25mm figures with Floquil spray primers-either Base White OF Lt. Gray. The high price and waste of the spray, compared to handpainting the primer is balanced by the time saved. I allow the primer to dry a day before applying the paint. Colors that I find striking on the figures are:

British Skin Polly S Desert Pink, Ral Partha Suntan, Howard Hues Ruddy Flesh

British Khaki Krylon Camouflage Khaki spray (a real time saver, as suggested by Ye editor)

Polly S Sand 302177 blends with the Spray OF touch- ups and flubs. Polly S Khaki, Gray 30372, Italian Hazel Tan, Floquil Foundation and Buff are also used for variety in unit dyes.

British Scarlet Polly S Caboose Red followed by a coat of Floquil British Scarlet.

Egyptian and Dervish Skin Polly S Sand 500812, Sand 30277, Howard Hues Nubian, Testor's Model Master Enamel Dk. Sea Blue mixed with Black (gives that rich blue-black to the Fuzzy Wuzzics as seen in the 1939 Four Feathers, which used the actual tribes). Polly S Sand Yellow, Floquil Samoa.

Dervish Clothing Besides the basic White, I make use of the Khakis and sands and grays plus Polly S Doped Linen. Floquil Buff looks especially good. A few units painted Floquil "Big Sky" Blue reflects actual color as seen in the 1885 era. Floquil Sandstone and Terra-Cotta adds variety. I find it easier to paint the patches on the jibbas with a round toothpick (dipped into the jar lid).

Rifles I paint the wood stocks with a dark brown (such as Hues' Nubian) and the metal Black. I have an actual Endfield and that's about what it looks like. Polly S Stainless Steel is used for bayonets and swords.

Dervish ShieldsA variety of previously listed tans (Italian Hazel Tan used most often).

Spears Polly S Fr. Chestnut Brown makes a good wood.

Camels Polly S Fr. Chestnut Brown, Sand (30277 and 500812), Stone Grey, Grey, Floquil Foundation, Samoa, Buff

Horses Various tans, browns, beiges, etc. I found that a quick stroke of white around the legs for stockings (with brown hooves) and down the face gives a good appearance with either Black or NATO Tricolor Brown (Also used for saddles) manes and tails with a dot or brown or black for the eyes finishes them off.

I NEVER paint eyes on my 25mm figures as I think they look rather silly and cartoonish. A splash (watered down) of Polly S Grey 30372 on the feet and legs (no higher than knees) gives the effect of dust (can also be used on helmets, fez, turban, etc.). After allowing a day to dry, I spray the figures with the Krylon Matte Finish spray. This gives an excellent finish and dries quickly. I find it better for me to spray the figure before I paint the bases, as I like to handle the figure as I paint and not adhere it to another basing. Floquil Foundation serves me well for bases till I texture them with sand and gravel. these colors give my armies a pretty good appearence on the wargame table.