Not 'weathering', but rather 'realistic-ing'...

GlennH

On Flickr you go to 'share photo' and copy the BBCode and just paste it in your text. It's very easy but I do it on a regular computer where I can have the Flickr page and this page open at the same time.

On Flickr you can also click "Copy image location," then use the "Edit image" icon (above) to paste it into your thread. I somehow always found that easier.

tmj

https://www.flickr.com/photos/193891185@N03/51438849699/in/dateposted-public/

 Not what I'm trying to do, but it's a start. Here's an image of my landing gear.

How do I insert an 'image' rather than a link to an image?

 

On Flickr you go to 'share photo' and copy the BBCode and just paste it in your text. It's very easy but I do it on a regular computer where I can have the Flickr page and this page open at the same time. 

tmj

https://www.flickr.com/photos/193891185@N03/51438849699/in/dateposted-public/

 Not what I'm trying to do, but it's a start. Here's an image of my landing gear.

How do I insert an 'image' rather than a link to an image?

 

Most important thing to do is to go to the Forum Technical Assistance forum down in the Feedback Help and Testing section.  There have been a number of good threads on how to do it.  Here is a quick summary:

The function you chose once you have your image will depend on which image host you use.  I use Postimage myself.  There, a right-click brings some options, of which "copy image link" is the proper option, but in any case you need to copy the URL of the image.  Then in your message composition select the image icon, the icon that has mountains and the sun in it.  Then paste or enter the URL of the image.  Usually it will resize properly so you do not need to fill out anything but the top line in the window.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/193891185@N03/51438849699/in/dateposted-public/

 Not what I'm trying to do, but it's a start. Here's an image of my landing gear.

How do I insert an 'image' rather than a link to an image?

Okay, got it. Thanks goldhammer!

Can't post pics from your phone or computer directly.  Have to use a third party site.  IE. Flikr, Imageshak, or others.  Some free some minimal charge. I have Imageshak and no problems or ads.

Thanks for the responses and the input. I am definately taking notes. Try as I might, I just cannot get a decent photo of my problem. I'm not good at photography and using only a cell phone and a flashlight for the below image. The image looks quite good, but it is actually much brighter than what you see. Sorry, but this is the best I can do via my limited camera skills.  

This is one of the 3 landing gears of an 18" Moebious Jupiter II. The photo does my initial paint job a lot of justice, however. The 'pad/foot', that rests upon the ground, is actually much, much brighter, in real life, than this image truly reveals. "It's too bright!" It's Tamiya 'Mica Silver' #TS-76. No clear coat has been added. This is straight out of the ol' rattle-can. Sure, I can easily dull these pads up a bit with some wash, grime, etc., albeit. I was also planning on painting the entire upper and lower hulls of this 18" model with this same color paint. It's a great looking color, however. That will also make the exterior of the hull, a very large amount of surface area 'extremely' bright when viewed in normal lighting conditions. That is my 'true' dilemma'! How can I tone down the bright color, of this paint, without deminishing the alluring properties of its color? Is such a thing even possible?

... @#$!

I'm trying to post an image, but no joy! Someone care to give me a hint as to how I can successfully post images on this forum? Obviously 'not' a very straight forward proccess...  

armornut

My kits collect dust on the shelf like most of ours do....no matter how hard I try to dust them off they seem to keep alittle behind which tones down paint and decals. I have had some that I could not get" right" only to pull them down months or years later, dust them off , and find wow that is what I'm looking for.

You can't beat Mother Nature for aging & weathering... lol!

Flory here also on this 1/2 finished Corsair cockpit.  The console is grey and light mixed.  I used it here over a flat surface so more would stick for a grimy look.  Im thinking for what you are trying to achieve maybe use it over the gloss surface you already have so it's subtle and will just stay in panel lines.  Just a thought.  

   If you have the patience nothing beats that " weathered" look like real weather. I'm not talking about leaving your model in direct sunlight or a rain storm, this is more of an observation.

    My kits collect dust on the shelf like most of ours do....no matter how hard I try to dust them off they seem to keep alittle behind which tones down paint and decals. I have had some that I could not get" right" only to pull them down months or years later, dust them off , and find wow that is what I'm looking for.

Second on the Flory wash.  Great stuff and super easy.  

For the dirt and grime on the landing gear, you can use Flory Grime wash for that.  You just slop the stuff on there, wait 30 minutes or so, and then take off as much or as little of it as you like with something dampened with water.  For delicate details like landing gear, I just use the same brush I used to apply the wash after I clean it and dab it on a paper towel after each dip in water to make it so the bristles are just damp enough to start removing excess wash.

Here's a lightly grimed nose gear assembly for an Su-25M1 I'm building.

The Flory grime wash works well on cockpits too, to give them a "been in the real world" look.

Normally the shading, as I call it, is done relatively easy with a fine-tipped airbrush. You first draw lines along panel lines, recessions and areas where there's shadow - the paint tends to fade less there and at the same time dirt accumulates there, so you paint that darker first. Then you switch to lighter paint and try to paint out the centers of panels to simulate some fading or the way light bounces off big flat surfaces - and there you have it - shading.

Normally I advice against an approach where you paint your model "clean" and then try to dirty it up - it's much better to start right on with a dirty or shaded look. Since I understand your model is already "clean" you might still try to paint out the centers of the bigger flat surfaces with a lighter shade of what's already there. This and some dark wash should give you at least some colour variation.

One more trick would be to use "dry brush" to bring out the fine detail and edges - or you could take a fine paintbrush and try to accent the edges with a lighter colour this way. A fine brush and a piece of sponge would allow you to simulate subtle chipping in appropriate areas - that adds a lot of realism, too.

Hope it helps - good luck with your projects and have a nice day

Paweł

If you painted with gloss paints or cleared with a gloss clear, go ahead and do your washes until you get the look you like. Generally apply decals before and seal with a shot of clear. Once you have the effects you're happy with, then seal everything with a satin or flat clear.

I'm sure you know that if you painted with enamel, use acrylic washes, and vice versa.