AK or MiG

Hi Bish

I have both of these products and they seem so similar in use. It kind of depends on what you want to do. I have had more experience with Mig than AK, but the later is sort of new.

Since a picture is worth a thousand words, I've included some of a tank dio I'm currently working on. I used Mig Washes and pigments.I just tried the AK green washes for the scum and moss

In my humble opinion I think the black and brown washes are a must. . Different color washes were used on the buildings and even  for the mortar between the red bricks. Don't forget that you can intermix colors too.

The pigments are going to be allot like your pastels. I ususally apply mine with the pigment fixer for that dead flat "Crusty" look lol. You can use a acrylic medium for more depth as the pigment fixer is a little weak.

The use of a filter designed for your Panzer might be a good place to start  as they are even more subtle.

Sorry if all  this sounds a little vague, but you need to experiment and remember less is more because it can easily be over done. I kind of thought I over did it on some of the buildings

Good luck and send pics of your work!!

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The pigments are good for that dead flat look and that built up "crusty" look ..lol Sorry don't know how else to describe it. I used pigments on the brick edges of the buildings along with Mig's pigment fixer. If you want to go even thicker you might consider an acrylic medium that gives a little more body and dries clear[View:/themes/fsm/utility/:550:0][View:/themes/fsm/utility/:550:0][View:/themes/fsm/utility/:550:0]

My :

Washes and Filters - IMO you'll be better served by making your own, ESPECIALLY the filters. Oil paints and a gentle artist thinner (I use Mona Lisa Odorless Thinner, not sure what's available UK-side) go a LONG way. 

Effects - Honestly, I don't have too much experience with AK's different effects, but yeah I'd see them as more useful than the washes and filters, since they often contain different properties that can be hard to replicate. I mean...using oils its pretty easy to create a brown/yellow filter wash by mixing yellow ochre and raw umber. 

I don't have any of AK's stuff yet, but I do use several MIG effects - namely Oil & Grease, Rainmarks and Wet Effects - and love them.

Pigments - Before I tried pigments, I used pastels, and then tried Doc O'Brien's weathering powders. Which came through Micro Mark for cheaper than MIG's stuff. With both I had problems with them just falling off the model, or shifting, or with something like exhaust staining, having them get all over the wing root. 

When I switched to MIG I was immediately happier. Their pigments "work in" better, fix down well with a bit of that same odorless thinner, and in my opinion just look better. Haven't tried, but I believe Vallejo also makes some pretty awesome pigments...

One other thing I HIGHLY recommend if you can track them down is a set of Aqualon Wisp brushes. These are what I use on my armor to get that streaking effect. LOVE THEM.

Thanks alot for that info guys. I wasn't to sure about the washes as to if they would be much different to a normal oil wash. I might give the Pz Grey a try and see what i think. I want more of a dusty look than dirty, so that might be more subtle than a Raw Umber wash, won't hurt to try. As for the effects, a couple that did catch my eye were the oil stains and one for winter white wash. I think i will deffinatly try the pigments, i might even get a different colour from each brand to do a comparison. I don't plan on going over the top, as its way to easy to spend alot of money for no little improvment.

Thanks alot for your help, and i will deffinatkly make a note of your advice.ST, i had only considered them for vehicles, nice idea about buildings. As a dio builder myself, thats deffinatly something i will look into. And nice Dio by the way, you going to take part in the Dio GB.

Doogs, like you, pastels can be a problem, even if you don't handle it much. Again, i think i might try one from MiG and one from AK. Hopefully this will be my next big jump in weathering.

And love the TD