hi guys. perhaps you’ve seen my dio in the dio forum (perhaps not). however, i have a humvee that is painted in the 3-tone nato colors and would like to give it a good sandy dusting (from being in the desert). i want to currently stay away from pastels (though i will use them so input there would be equally helpful), and would prefer to go with a wash. i’d like a good enamel paint and wash consistancy ratio please if u guys have them. i dont want to mess this up so any and all help would be most appreciated! im looking for something more like whats in my pic here…and as always thanks guys!!
I think I would dust it with an airbrush, but that’s just a feeling, I never tried that on such paint job. Then maybe a wash on top of that? Running a brush soaked in thinner on freshly sprayed paint gives very interesting results for me (in my case humbrol paints and humrol airbrush thinner). Just a first shot…
first I’d like to show You what effects I get with my method, so You can see if it’s the effect You want to get:
Of course You will be dusting Your model a bit heavier. The procedure would look like this:
Base color(s) with shading and some wash
Using an airbrush capable of covering large areas spray sand color (for example Humbrol 121) from a considerable distance (0,3 m or more). The paint has to be thinner than normal, so it isn’t completely dry when it hits the surface. Vary the angles at which You spray, so You don’t get “shadows”.
As You go, the paint is getting “thicker”, because the thinner evaporates. This allows You to come closer with the airbrush and do the areas around the wheels, close to the ground etc. where the dust layer is thicker.
You can repeat 2-3 several times if You spray thin coats, it’s optional for varying the intensity of the effect. The thing You could do to create streaks is take a thin brush, dip it in some thinner (for humbrols You can take even turpentine or lighter fuel) and “paint” vertical lines on freshly sprayed dust layer. If You later spray another dust coat on top of that then You can get the effect of “it rained last month”[:)]
I hope I’m not getting “the master of the obvious” here and maybe what I wrote will help somebody. I wish You good modelling, 'till next time
thanks pawel…looks like i will have to spend some time with many different techniques to get this how i like it…seeing as its my first time…i just dont want to screw it up!! suppose if that happens i can “repaint” it!! [#dots]
Just don’t sweat it - keep a good distance between the airbrush and the model, and the effect is very gradual, so You have a good control of it. Good luck!
Creating dust effects is fun, and can be done by a variety (or combination) of techniques.
I agree that spraying a light dusting mist around certain areas (for instance the wheels & fenders) is a good place to start. It will give you a color base to work over.
Moving on, Tamiya Buff, thinned with water, can be made to a wash. Apply to the surfaces and allow it to collect around the surface details. When dry, this can be a very effective to show collected build-up.
At this stage I generally move onto using artists oils. I use MIG Prod. 502 Abteilung colors of Buff, Snow White, German Ochre, and Light Mud to varying degress to further accentuate the dusty surfaces.
Over this, as a final step (I know that you are trying to avoid using ‘pastels’…but…) I use MIG Prod. pigments. The colors will depend upon the enviorment of your vehicle. To apply, I generally apply my pigments wet having been disolved in thinner. This is a process of slowly building layers and expanding the coverage. Allow each layer to dry, then reapply as desired. I am always mindful to vary the color mix of the pigments as well for added interest. Finally, expecially in a dusty enviorment, I will lightly apply pigment dry using a soft brush over the previous coverage.
It is a number of steps, but the results are worth the effort in my opinion.
