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Modeller Build Logs
Sherman III Early in North Africa |
| By James Wechsler | | Started: | Aug 13, 2005 | | Updated: | Sep 25, 2005 |
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A couple of weeks ago I wrote up a review here on Track-Link of the Legend Sherman III conversion set (LF 1096). I really liked the set and couldn’t wait to start on it. So I thought, why not do a blog to show how the build-up comes together? So here it is.
Up Next: What items am I going to use? |
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| Chapter 21 - Weathering | Sep 7, 2005 |
With all of the painting done, it’s time for weathering. Like the lower hull, I first mixed up a sloppy mess of Raw Umber oil paint and oil paint thinner (buy this at the art supply store as well). I’ve read several other reviews, and just for a note, what I call a wash is sometimes called a filter by others. I have no idea what is the correct term or how to tell so I just call it a wash.
Anyway, I kept the wash rather thin since I didn’t want to get a grimy/oily look which wouldn’t be appropriate for the desert. I slopped it on and then removed a lot of it using a dry brush and a tissue. One thing I planned for was that the wash would ‘yellow’ and darken the sand color. I purposely used a lighter sand color than I wanted to compensate and the final color now looks to be about what I expected based on the few color references I have. I made sure to get enough wash into the engine grill slots so that when it dried, it would look like the slots were open as in the real vehicle.
Once the wash was dry I went back and did a very local wash with Burnt Sienna around the fuel caps to simulate spilled fuel. I went a little heavy since I plan to ‘dust’ in that area and I didn’t want to loose the effect.
After the wash was completely dry, I gave the model a coat of Testor’s Dullcoat to remove any glossy areas. Then I started in with some pigment powders. My experience with powders is that ‘less is more’. When I first started using them, I would ‘dust’ the whole bottom of my model thinking to simulate the dust gets on real tanks. I found out that this effect doesn’t really scale too well. The result is a fading of the whole area and a generally bland look.
Instead, I’ve now learned to add dust to the areas where it will accumulate. Places like cracks, steps, etc. I try to use dry brushing and ‘clouding’ to give the overall dust impression and then couple the local use of powders to complete the effect. The result is a model that doesn’t loose the detail but still gives the impression of being dusty and worn.
For this model, I ended up using Mig Pigments ‘Gulf War Sand’. I was going to use a lighter pigment for the dusting but when I tried it, it looked too stark so I switched. I used a small brush to apply it in somewhat thick clumps. Then I blew it off with my breath, and then used a tissue and my thumb to rub off the remaining loose pigment. What was left was a small amount of pigment in the cracks, corners, steps, etc.
I mainly concentrated on the green areas but I did a little in the sand areas around the skirts for continuity.
When that was done, I used a little black pigment in some area to simulate wear. I put a small amount between my thumb and forefinger and rubbed them together until there wasn’t much on them. Then I rubbed my thumb and finger on the areas I wanted to make dirty. The result is a small and slightly random discoloration of the area being rubbed.
Finally, I used a charcoal stick to cause some wear on various edges around the tank. I went light and used it sparingly. Again, ‘less is more’.
Up Next: Just the Tracks Maam
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