I rarely use pastels to weather my tanks (i prefer oil washes[;)]) but I am going a little different route on my Panzer III L. Now I do use pastels on my tracks…you can see here from the rear on a model i have posted before…
But unlike the Stug, I am going for a more artistic view of this Panzer III which is painted in Afika Corp Sangelb. I would like to use pastels to simulate dust. I would assume that tans and cremes would come into play, but what other colors are needed? Has anyone used pastels to similuate sand dusting? I am almost done with this model, and Shermanfreak has been harrassing me on MSN to get the pics up. So any help would be much appreciated.
Dark Browns will work very well, I use those in corners and in tight areas. Also on the lower side of angled plates and storage boxes. A light cream or off white (or even white) along edges will give a light reflection line. Dark grey around exhaust and areas of carbonizing or a dark blue used very sparingly will add depth and tone to these areas. Yellow will help with tonal depth on brown. Brown with tonal depth on yellow(like the dark yellow used on German armor).
The key is to be patient. Allow it to build up and slowly. It will take a few applications but it will work and once it starts you will begin to see the build up of color or tone on the surface.
I have an orange and a reddish brown pastel for adding a hint of rust oxidation on metal surfaces. first I lay down the reddish brown, then the orange then soem yellow. Combined they look like a rust powder. Not plainly evident as if you just painted the rust on but on thing like where water may have dripped down from tow hooks or rivets. On springs or around wheel areas that aren’t scoured by sand. Its a tonal value that tricks the eye. Your brain assimilates it as color. Sort of like laying a yellow dot next to a blue dot. From a distance or brain reads green.
Now I’ll harass you from the forum Moses … are you done yet ! huh huh well … are you?
Greys are also good for dust simulation Rob … pick up a package of earth tone pastels. They run through about 10 or 12 shades from black to red and everything in between.
Thanks Mike and Rob, knew you guys would come to the rescue. I have the earth tone pastel pack, and will give it a go ASAP. I have already done local washes to all nuts and bolts as well as recesses. I am really concerned with trying the pastel route with the dusting of the vehicle to simiulate a slight coating of dust, rather then say, spraying the vehicle in Tamiya Buff. Can’t wait to get it going, and I hope to have the puppy done by Friday, I hope[:p]