Can you make a wash with artist Pastels?

Tools, Techniques, and Reference Materials Techniques
1

I am just wondering if it is possible to make a wash with artist pastels by mixing the pigment with some form of liquid. I dont know this is just a thought. Let me know.

2

I wouldn’t use it on planes but to get some grime on armor, I’ve actually done it. looks pretty good too! You can use water or acrylic thinner like Testor’s universal acrylic thinner. Try it out!

3

awesome, thank you boba fett. I was planning on using it on an armor build.

4

I make and use pastel washes all the time. They are great for planes, tanks… whatever. And used for anything from simply accenting panel line to heavy duty dirt and grime. They don’t have the problem that and acrylic or solvent based wash has of compatibility. It can be used on anything. The key is you have to use chalk pastels not the oil ones. I use a mortar and pestle, about $10 at a kitchen gadget place, to grind the pastels to a fine powder. Mix with water and a few drop of dish washing liquid. The soap breaks the surface tension of the water to allow it to flow and not just bead up.

here is some basic info about washes on my site. Not 100% complete but you will get the idea.

All the models below have pastels washes on them. The aircraft almost exclusively.

http://wingnutmodels.com/Washes.html

5

There are two kinds of artist’s pastels, oil and chalk. Oil pastels are like a soft crayon. Chalk pastels are like a firm colored chalk.

Oil pastels will not grind or mix well with a solvent. They might have modeling applications as coloring for a drybrush, or to apply a bit of highlight coloring which will be blended into a substrate.

Chalk pastels have a more broad modeling utility. They can be ground and applied either dry or wet. Pastel pencils can be used to draw weathering in place. Rust-colored pastl pencils work great for adding rust streaks on ships.

You generally need to apply some sort of sealant to chalk pastels to keep them in place when the model gets handled

6

What do you use to seal the pastels ? I have used them dry on tires and for exhaust stains but when I try to seal them poof they are gone I have been trying an AB at very low preassures down to 8 psi. Brushing did not work for me either.

7

Pastels are one of those things you just can’t seal in with a clear coat. The pastels either blow off or the clear coat makes the pastels dissapear (some sort of reaction, but not sure in a way that I can explain it.) Either way, just remember to apply the pastels after the clear coat. Then just try to limit the handling of your build, or you’ll end up re-applying the pastels every so often. Hope this helps.[:)]

8

I was thinking that was the case, its what I ended up doing.

Thanks mg.mikael