Weathering

[biggestgerbil]

Hi Russel

Weathering is not to difficult, like everything else in life it requires a little (lots of) practice. It seems that you do plastic kit modeling but basic technique is the same through-out.

On each individual model, consider what the original will do for a living. Is it, for instance, a tank? is it well maintained? is it neglected? Is it in a war? It maybe brand new issue on its first day of service.

Paint an athentic undercoat, it will only need to be thin. Then paint your tank in its service colour/s.

Now consider if it has had some use. Much more interesting. Where are the exausts? there will be staining from the hot gasses and the gun muzzle will have powder burns. Neither of these will be jet black. Panel lines also are an interesting place, often done with masking tape on models, use freehand VERY fine lines without hard edges. Tanks don't go that fast generally so don't flare the panel and any protrusion lines to much, it will look silly.

On a model that will represent speed, aircraft etc, them panel lines can be flared back into the slipstream.

This will be more apparent around the engine areas on WW 1 & 2 planes. If a fighter lived long enough its paint will start to peel around panel lines and allow for some dirt where the pilot climbs in and under the wings where the wheels spray water, mud & grass fron the predominantly grass airstrips (don't forget the tailwheel) One little tip....oil is shiny. Don't use matt to represent a major oil leak. Gentle sanding with wet & dry (wet) will wear paint down to its undercoat, VERY VERY carefully pick out panels etc like that.

Weathering generally is more to do with your models progress through the weather, rather than the weather's direct effect upon your model.

Statics ie buildings and other structures suffer with sun bleaching, wind and rain also any spillage that occours as in guttering leakage etc.

OK, I admit that this posting is short on technique but observing how stuff is affected by it's surroundings and what it does on a daily basis will tell you what colours to use and usually how to do it.

"When oi were a lad" as they say, things had a sharp end and a blunt end (trains are an example) but now they dont turn stuff around, it sharp at both ends and can go from Birmingham to London one way, at high speed, in all weathers and then slap it in reverse (or maybe foreward) and go back to Birmingham. Now! which way does the smoke go??

Good luck, and practice. Then more practice.

BG

PS did I mention practice??

[bubber]

I've just purchased Forge World's 'Imperial Armour Model Masterclass Vol 1' (from - http://www.forgeworld.co.uk/acatalog/QUATERMASTERS_STORE_IMPERIAL_ARMOUR_BOOKS_12.html) which has quite a few hints & tips on weathering. Although the subject matter is sci-fi tanks I think any model painter would find it useful.

I've also bought military modeler magazines which occasionally also have weathering techniques.
However both assume a level of experience which I am presuming only comes with 'practice'.

[evandavies]

You can also find some informative vids on youtube.