I am by no means an expert, but here are my latest attempts.
First is La Belle Poule. I started with a coat of Modern desert sand
out of a rattle can. I was appalled by the results. It looked yellow! I
then added a coat of Future. Then I made a wash of Raw Umber
acrylic paint, water and soap. I brushed it on and wiped it off with a
q-tip. Here are the results. The one picture looks more yellow. The
actual look is somewhere in between.
My second attempt is the USCG Eagle. I started with a coat of Modern
Desert Sand 9Yep, still paint in that can.) Next came a coat of Future.
Then I mixed a sludge of Burnt Sienna, water and soap. This did not go
on very well so I trashed it and mixed some Burnt Sienna with Retarder
Medium. That went on much better. I think it looks better on the
smaller scale.
I'll probably try something different on the next ship, but stick with
the basic process of a light base coat and a darker overcoat,, maybe
with a little gray streaked in. Hope this helps.