I have been building scale model ships for a long time but now I believe that it is time to try another type of modeling hobby. Ships are mostly construction with little painting.
I like WW2 history and thought that I would like to start constructing tanks. The construction part will not be too intimadating but I believe that the painting will! I have seen alot of examples while surfing the net and there are amazing! That accomplishment it seems was no easy feat! I have looked for help on finding out just what is needed to paint a tank but have had no luck. You probably have had this request before but I could not find and help browsing the topics.
I would like to know just what the basic needs are i.e. Paints,thinners,brushes,techniques,books that specifically refer how to detailing an armored vehicle.
I am a little daunted by what I have watched on video and it seems that it would be a challange to construct one even with the proper instructions!
I am looking forward to participating in this forum in the hopes that I will be on my way into a new type of modeling hobby!
You’ll need an airbrush for most of the work, and small paintbrushes for details, weathering, etc, and all the brown / green / tan paints you might have on hand- Also I like fine weathering powders to give it a dirty, dusty look. Keep fiddling with it until it looks good to you. You will get your hands dirty, using a soft cloth to rub in the powders and blend everything together. When you’re done, give it a spray coat of flat clear lacquer.
Don’t depend on finding detailed instructions, as this is the kind of project that works best when you “wing it” on your own. I built my first tank last year, and that’s what I did. It turned out looking quite decent. It is not an exact science and you don’t want to “color between the lines.” Remember, you can’t do anything “wrong” and you can always go back and rework areas you don’t like.
Welcome! You probably have most of the tools and supplies, and your ship modelling skills will transfer to armor. I prefer to have reference books on hand in addition to online tutorials or forums; just an old print guy who likes to hold things in my hands. With that in mind, I would recommend Shep Paines Armor Modeling Guide, available in the Kalmbach bookstore above. It’s as good an introduction to the subject as you’re likely to find. Another great source of techiques is Fine Scale Magazine which runs many articles on armor.
When you become interested in specific subjects, there’s a wealth of info in print. I especially like the Osprey series of “how to” books; they are very well written and photographed. As far as online inspiration goes, The Modelling News features new kit reviews and and build articles along with other subjects, tool and publication articles, etc., etc. www.themodellingnews.com
Welcome to the forum,tanks are a great start to modeling.My first armors were the Tamiya 1/48 line,some nice subjects and easy assembly.If your going right to 1/35 Tamiya also makes some nice straight forward kits.I google kit reviews for info about a particular kit.
I would not get to hooked all those video’s. Armour modelling is still modelling. I frequently flick between aircraft, armour, Sci-Fi and the odd ship. As with many things, people build in different ways. Some assembly everything then paint, other like myself paint some parts off the kit.
As someone said, you should have most of the tools, just start simple and go from there.
I second Bish. Get yourself a collection of basic tools and paints, and you’ll be fine.
I’d include:
Tools:
a Nr 11 hobby knife handle and a pack of blades (eg, X-Acto)
a fine razor saw and handle
a sprue cutter (you could also get a cuticle cutter at the drugstore, it’d work fine)
a couple of files in different grades of roughness
tweezers (again, you could get those at the drugstore)
some sandpaper, from 80 grit to 400 grit
some clamps, or even spring clothespins
rubber bands
Paints:
For armor, I’d get a basic olive drab, a Panzer grey, a dark yellow, and a medium brown, whether in bottles or rattle cans. I use the same OD for tanks as for airplanes, too, because my OD is just a base over which I will apply fading and weathering. Get yourself a black, a white, a red, a blue, a yellow, and a green, too. Oh, and a flesh color. Don’t be shy about adding a figure or two.
I don’t have any favorite brand or medium. I’ve got enamels and acrylics, from Tamiya, Model Master, Testor, Andrea, Vallejo, and craft store acrylics. I also have a selection of oils. For thinning or cleaning brushes, I use mineral spirits, with the enamels and oils; water or isopropyl, with the Andrea, Vallejo, and craft store brands; and Tamiya’s proprietary acrylic thinner, with the Tamiya acrylics. But if you just start with the basic colors, you’ll be well-armed to do what you need to do.
Have a look in the tips & techniques forums here in FineScale, too. Shep Paine was mentioned. His books are very good for modelers starting out to move beyond just building a model, to doing something a little more sophisticated. He intended them to be.
Welcome! I’m kind of lined up with you on modeling preferences, but tanks do have a “way cool” factor. I’ll get one every now and then. I try not to over think it too much.
Not an armor modeler, but as a fellow ship modeler, here’s a few comments.
I really like the upgrade track sets. Some tank models come with decent tracks, some don’t. You’ve got the modeling patience to put together an individual link set, and the results are really nice.
I like models with a lot of detail parts. Again, patience is a virtue.
I’m a WWI & WWII plane fan followed by sailing ships as you can see by my avatar. The info in the posts above is all some of the best you’re going to get. The members here are very knowledgeable and ready to help you with any questions/problems that you might have. Check out the “Armor” sction of these forums and ask your questions there. You’ll get more specific answers there.
To me, armor is more of a feel than technical. Ships, like you noted, are more technical in the straight lines of color, the only thing you can really do to enhance is some rusting, chipping and maybe oil canning if you’re brave enough.
All that was previously said is right on. One thing I have learned in armor is color variation and layering is key. Do not be afraid to use pastels, oils and washes as well as acrylics, enamels and lacquers. All of these will give different results and increase your builds look 10-fold. Armor, like planes and sci fi require different techniques, but like Bish said, it’s all modeling and basically the same.
The other’s have given “Sound Advice” , so I wont repeat my 2 cent’s here.
But, I WILL recommend getting a “Pin Vice” . Drilling hole’s in stuff is something you never “thought” you would need to do … and then …“Suddenly” … your doing it all the time !
( since your a ship builder, I’m probably “preaching to the choir” on this one.)
Hello and welcome to the forums. When I first started armor about two years ago I discovered the YouTube channel Andy’s Hobby Headquarters. He runs a hobby store in AZ and primarily makes videos about building tanks with an emphasis on painting. I found his videos to be quite helpful when I was first starting.