Hi everyone,
Quick background info... I haven't modelled for 6 odd years, and have started off again with a Tamiya 1:35 Pak 35/36 Anti-Tank gun.
I've done 1 or 2 armour kits before, but never tried much in the way of weathering, so I thought I'd give it a go and let you guys with more experience tell me where I'm going right or wrong.
Over the past week or two I've been reading SOOO many articles on weathering... from dry brushing to washes to chalk pastels to Future... the list goes on and on. Anyway, I've basically experimented with everything I can, and had a heap of fun in the process!
Although in the end I'm not really sure if I'm on the right track. Now my model so far looks good to me, but I've got no frame of reference. Can you guys tell me if I've got it looking somewhat realistically weathered, or if it just looks dodgy...?
OK, on with the pics...
1. OK, what I've mostly done here is mix up some brown chalk pastels with water and tiny bit of detergent, and basically just painted it around the hinges and raised sections. I leave it for a little while and then wipe a little of it off, trying to leave a little in the joins and recesses(sp).
There's also a little drybrushing, although the flat aluminium coloured paint is years old so it doesn't 'go on' the way it used to. New paint on order.
I also tried sort of smudging some red/brown paint on to simulate rust/mud, kind of drybrushing style. It wasn't overly effective... perhaps with some more experimenting I'll get the knack and will make it a technique that gives accurate results.
2. I tried to simulate paint chips as you can see on the left trailing support/tow arm. I sort of drybrushed it on, but the brush wasn't quite dry - if that makes sense... I also made the the recesses in the tire tread quite full of dirt and mud using chalk pastels as described before. Turned out great, but the camera didn't pick it up all that well. I'll have to work on the lighting I suppose.
3. Although this pic is a bit blurry, it really shows how some sections leave a bit to be desired. I don't think it's terrible, but there's room for improvement - which is what it's all about!
(The wheels aren't secured yet which is why they look a bit squify.)
So there you have it - my first model in 6 years!
All comments and tips are welcome - I suppose in the end I just want to know if it looks any good...?
Cheers,
M
Photos taken with a Kodak DX6440 Digital Camera.