Hey Guys I am getting closer on finishing my first build. Need some input on my progress in the weathering so far. Any ideas or suggestions? I am thinking about using some pastels on the tracks and bogies.
Jeff
hey bushi!
your tank really shines. did this receive paint or was it built and not painted? And the drivers hatches are upside down. You applied your wash in all the wrong places, it should be heaviest on the bottom hull of the tank (running gear, etc.) not the other way around. Doog always says, “think were the mud [and such] would go on the real vehicle,” er sumthin’ like that. Don’t worry we’re all guilty of it, some more than others (cough cough, ME, cough cough)
anyway…ENOUGH criticisms. This kit is a joy to build, i just finished one recently, and love this line of kits. My first tank model was also a 1/48 sherman, but was tamiya’s M4A1. Your has come out much better (my tracks were backwards some places, and forwards others… and i glued the decals on… and some how got the gun mantle upside down…) I’m really impressed by how well you got the decals to settle. They looked painted on at first glance, bravo! When you apply pastels, brush them heavily on the lowest portions of your sherman, then gently work your way up to part of the sides. That should give you the effect you’re looking for.
Excellent work! I hope to see more tanks from you in the future!!
ps. this is how my tank came out, hope it inspires, if not… well then i’ve done something terribly wrong!
Bushi, what kind of paints did you use for that wash, enamels, acrylics? It looks ok, but the color is just too dusty. I reccomend an artist’s oil Burnt Umber Wash, it helps bring out the detail and makes the armored vehicle look it was out in the field. Nevertheless, for your first build and wash it sure as heck came out better then mine.[:D]
Bushi,
What kind of ratio did you use for your washes in terms of paint to thinner? Generally you want more thinner and less paint (something like 90% thinner/10% paint) for a wash as the idea is to not have it too heavy and to accentuate the underlying paint. I ask only because some of the sections appear to have a much heavier application (the turret side for example) vs. others. Bravo to you for diving right in and trying this kind of technique, it takes some practice and getting used to but you’ve already started down the path! [tup]
Bushi - couple hints from another newbie with TWO tanks under my belt 
1- antenas last! I forgot how many times I broke mine… last time was the final pics, never even found the antennae…
- Try washes/weathering on a small corner first; I actually used the BOTTOM of the tank as my practice “pallate”. No one ever looks there!
If you used acrylic sludge wash on top of Future on top of enamel basecoat, you can use Windex to remove any part of the wash you dont like.
Good luck and kudos to you for going all the way! [#toast]
Guys thanks for the comments and suggestions. [:D]
Tacobuff I built then airbrushed in OD, then brushed with Future. I also used the Future to apply the decals. After the decals dried, I airbrushed with a light coat of Future again. This explains the shine. I let dry 24 hour then started to weather. It is a Tamiya 1/48 Sherman early prduction. Thw minor construction problem I attrribute to the instructions.[:D] Your tank look fantastic good job on it.
mg.mikael, wbill76, JMart I used acrylics. I tried to replicate the look from a couple pictures in the sherman at war. I thinned the paint pretty thin. Some I think to thin. It is not a even as I would like. I am not really sure what brush to use. I started at the top and working my way down. I plan to add in some detail layering I hope in areas where you would see oil or gas stains, I am thinking about using pastels on the bogies and tracks. For the grime I thought if I could make a paste out of finely gorund coffee and apply for a stain on the trans cover.
I will have to check my dads old oil paint for the burnt umber.
Thanks again guys
Jeff