SEARCH FINESCALE.COM

Enter keywords or a search phrase below:

Washes for Vehicles/Ships

1089 views
5 replies
1 rating 2 rating 3 rating 4 rating 5 rating
  • Member since
    April 2009
Washes for Vehicles/Ships
Posted by stretch_5 on Thursday, September 30, 2010 6:00 AM

Hi All,

So...I have just completed a Star Wars Star Destroyer model. It is painted a neutral grey. Now I would like to highlight the details and give the model an overall used look with a wash but I am having some trouble. I really don't have much experience with mixing washes or even picking the best paints/pastels/pre-mixed washes for the job.  Please suggest something I can use....and list out some steps/instructions if possible.  Anything that is pre-mixed (maybe one of the MIG products) would be best for me. 

I know a lot of this is trial and error..honestly I tried some trial and error the other day with dismal results..Sad

 

thanks

  • Member since
    January 2008
  • From: Tulsa, OK
Posted by acmodeler01 on Thursday, September 30, 2010 6:40 AM

Have you tried a sludge wash? There was an article a while back in FSM about it, and it produces good results.

Mix your (acrylic) paint with a little water and some dishwashing liquid or liquid soap. Slather that over the lines and let it dry for a few minutes then rub it off with a paper towel.

It's easy, the ingredients are readily available at home and it is easy to erase the mistakes and start over if you need to.

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: San Francisco, CA
Posted by telsono on Thursday, September 30, 2010 4:22 PM

You can use the technique called dot oil filtering. Here's a video of the technique. Mig has prepared filters for various base colors, but you can also just follow the technique shown in the video. Oil paints do not usually effect acrlyic or enamel base colors and can be easily wiped off.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wvTD7CbF8jw&feature=related

Mike T.

Beware the hobby that eats.  - Ben Franklin

Do not fear mistakes. You will know failure. Continue to reach out. - Ben Franklin

The U.S. Constitution  doesn't guarantee happiness, only the pursuit of it. You have to catch up with it yourself. - Ben Franklin

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: San Francisco, CA
Posted by telsono on Friday, October 1, 2010 12:38 PM

Here's an example of a tank I made with a snow wash that was weathered away. The weathering was done with oils. they just take longer to use as they take days to dry out.

Mike T.

Beware the hobby that eats.  - Ben Franklin

Do not fear mistakes. You will know failure. Continue to reach out. - Ben Franklin

The U.S. Constitution  doesn't guarantee happiness, only the pursuit of it. You have to catch up with it yourself. - Ben Franklin

  • Member since
    December 2007
  • From: Louisville, KY.
Posted by Cosmic J on Friday, October 1, 2010 11:20 PM

Hey Stretch. I built that Star destroyer kit too. haven't painted it yet though. When I do, I'll definitely use washes.

Oils are good. There are some good tutorials on YouTube for how to make and use oil washes, i'd recommend you look there.

Second, don't use straight black - it's too stark. Try mixing black and a variation of the base color (medium grey) at about a 50/50 ratio. That will give you some darker places around the raised details, without making the model look like it's been dipped in a black wash.

I don't know how you painted it (the images don't show) but if using an airbrush you can get quite good results w/ post-shading and highlighting - this is sometimes called Color Modulation. Back when I started doing it we just called it shading. Big Smile

You can also get some nice effects by mixing different shades of color into the wash - some blue for a cool effect, some yelow for a warm one.

In all cases, it's important to remember that the wash should be very thin - about one part paint for 20 parts thinner. It's better to under do it than over do it. You can easily add more paint, in thin layers - taking paint off is a real pain.

Helpful?

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: San Francisco, CA
Posted by telsono on Saturday, October 2, 2010 10:42 AM

Burnt umber is a good alternative to black. On a grey base, dots of  white, yellow ochre, blue and burnt umber blended together works well.

Mike T.

Beware the hobby that eats.  - Ben Franklin

Do not fear mistakes. You will know failure. Continue to reach out. - Ben Franklin

The U.S. Constitution  doesn't guarantee happiness, only the pursuit of it. You have to catch up with it yourself. - Ben Franklin

JOIN OUR COMMUNITY!

Our community is FREE to join. To participate you must either login or register for an account.

SEARCH FORUMS
FREE NEWSLETTER
By signing up you may also receive reader surveys and occasional special offers. We do not sell, rent or trade our email lists. View our Privacy Policy.