Pastels

Thanks for all the tips. I will be using them hopefully real soon now and have pics of the results.

I of ten use Q-Tips. They have many uses! Get them at your local drug/grocery/variety store.

Glenn

I use both brush and foam to apply pastels. Couple of thoughts, 1 is what type of surface are you laying the pastel on? If you are putting the shading on a gloss surface (after decaling and before spraying on final coat), the pastels tend not to cling. I've had the best luck by spraying on the dullcoat, adding the pastel shading and then adding another layer of dullcoat. And 2, pastels tend to disappear when you put a coat of clear over them, so you either have to put on more than looks good before the overcoat, or put down two or three layers until you get the effect you are looking for. If you are like me you have one or two models around that you aren't going to finish (really dog of a kit) or has gotten damaged so badly that it was easier to make a new one. (my wife says I don't throw enough things away). Use them to experiment until you get the effect you want.

Shermanfreak thanks for suggesting them, once I figured it out it made a big difference for something that is simple to do.

What I use Chris is either the oldest brush that I have or I did pick up some stencil brushes at Michaels. hey are a course tipped brush that seems to work really well. Scrub the pastels into the nooks and crannies. After that I usualyy give the entire model a light dusting using a fan brush, a little heavier near the bottom of the vehicle.

Have fun, you'll love this technique once you catch on to it.

Thanks erok68, that seemed to have worked. I finished it up and have the pics in the diorama section. It did make a noticable difference that was needed.

Ok that probally explained the problem. I will try a sponge type applicator and see how that works. I am sure my wife has an extra one in all that stuff piled up next to the sink. Thanks.

That's odd....

I have a pastel set that has a few sponge type applicators with it (they also have them in the womens cosmetic isle, like a reusable swab on a plastic stick. I don't even have to grind any off, just rub the applicator in the color chalk I want and apply to the model. It does come off when touched so, it should be the very last technique applied to the model. Some pastels will even disappear if a dull coat is shot on top as a sealer.

Are you using a brush to apply the chalks? Maybe they need something a bit more stiff to get them to rub into the piece. I would really suggest trying a different applicator.