Pastels

I don't know too much about them either. What I do know is that they are kind of like chalk, but softer. I have the earthtones set at the bottom of this page.http://www.artstuff.net/alphacolor_pastels.htm
As far as using them, I have heard of using sand paper and sanding the stick to make a fine dust and then applying it with a brush. Another method I have heard is using a knife blade to scrape the side of the stick and collecting the dust (and then applying it the same way, of course). You may have heard this before, but when you get done and you like the results, spray the model with a clear coat to seal in the dust. Other wise it will get brushed off when you touch it. This is nice because if you don't like the way it looks, you can brush it off and start over. Also, you should apply it a little heavier than you think it should be; I hear it looks a little bit lighter after you spray it with a clear coat. I like the effect too. I will be approaching the weathering phase of my B-24 soon, then I'll try them out. Until then, good luck!

Aviator is right. I usually just scrape the stick of pastel chalk with the back of an Xacto knife into a small receptacle of some sort. Then I take a brush that's not too soft but not too firm and use that to brush on engine exhaust streaks or gun blast residue among other things. Sometimes I'll use those little microbrushes to apply them to smaller areas as well. I'll start off with a light application and generally build it up as I go along until it comes out just the way I like it.

One thing though, Aviator, it's been my experience that they actually get darker if you apply an overcoat to them. On about half my models where I've used pastel chalks I have not applied an overcoat to them. As long as you don't handle them excessively nor carelessly you really don't have to worry about the dust coming off since it typically gets "ground" into the painted surface. You're right that it's not permanent and can be wiped off easily with a damp cloth but it's not like it will blow off like common house dust if you blow on it. Getting back to the darkening or lightening upon applying an overcoat, you might want to test it out on a scrap model or something just to make sure before you weather and overcoat your B-24.

I stumbled across this great set of weathering pastels that is so fine that it's almost like printer toner. It's so fine in its texture. Off the top of my head I can't remember the brand name but tonight I'll try to get the name of the stuff. It comes in various shades and really does become a part of the paint when you use some pressure to apply it.

Hope this helps!

Eric

sounds like youre talking about MIG pastels Eric.

This is what I use....
http://www.ares-server.com/Ares/Ares.asp?MerchantID=RET01229&Action=Catalog&Type=Product&ID=60762
http://www.ares-server.com/Ares/Ares.asp?MerchantID=RET01229&Action=Catalog&Type=Product&ID=60763

They work great
Jeff

You can get pastels, make sure their chalk and not oil ones, at any Hobby Lobby or craft store. They have much more of a variety than like from Micro Mark or an online shop like that.
I got some the other day which are nothing but gray color hues. About 10 of them.

THeir alot cheaper too at these other places.

I burrow my wife's (with permission of course!) and create the dust by drawing on fine glasspaper. Applied with a small brush and not overcoated. Excess dust is blown off but as echolmberg said the remainder is stable if care is taken.

Hi again! I actually checked out the brand name of the powders I use. I don't think I ever looked at what the name was! Ha-ha-ha! Anywho, it's called "Bragdon Enterprises" or something like that and I picked up a container of it when I was in Chicago a few years back. This stuff is just great and if/when the day comes that I run out of the stuff, I'm going to make the 3 1/2 hour trip back down there and get some more!

Here's the link for the company. Hope some will find this useful.

Eric

http://www.bragdonent.com/weather.htm