Hi folks, I’m an American living in Germany. When it comes to my hobby, it’s kind of a third world nation, so I’m a little behind on some techniques. I’ve just started using pastels to weather some of my models. I got them looking like I wanted them to, but I had to drive 30 miles (!!) to another town to find a store with pastel fixative. I got back and followed the directions only to discover that the pastels practically disappeared into the paint. I really ladled on a second coat of pastel and reapplied more fixative. This time, it started looking close to what I wanted. Is this normal? I thought fixative wasn’t suppose to effect the appearance. [?]
I’m not sure what the ‘fixative’ is and haven’t heard of it. There’s some other more experienced armor guys here that might know. I do know that when I apply a regular clear coat (ie. gloss or flat), the pastel effect get’s weaker. Two alternatives that I know of:
- over-weather the model and hope it turns out like you want after its coated.
- don’t coat it. (guys I know just leave it uncoated, however handling must be kept to a minimum…)
M.
I agree with Mkish on the second method mentioned…dust 'em up and keep your hands off !
Mkish:
Fixative is like a very light clear coat used by artists that use pastels, pencil, charcoal, etc. to “glue” the medium to the paper so they can work on it without smearing it. Your second method would probably be best for cased models as dusting would wreck the pastel coat.
I’ve also used the pastel+thinner tenique. You ground up your pastels very fine, then mix them with airbrush thinner such as modelmaster. this is applied just like a wash and then after it’s dry it can be removed with from areas with a cloth soaked in thinner. Of course work in a well ventelated place and also don’t forget to clear coat your model so the thinner doesn’t craze the paint. I use Krylon matt clear ackrilic spray. good luck BIll
There are so many ways for doing this, all I can say is that you have to continue to experiment with it however what I found that really works well, polly s weathering paint plus pastels, add a light coat of dirt or mud then dust with pastels add light coat of dull coat then repeat the process using only pastels.
I agree…experimentation is the best way to get it right. Just don’t practice on your model. I prefer to apply the pastels and put them in a case, but if you want to coat them, then I suggest that you apply them heavily and then put a flat overcoat on.
The most common method is to apply them a little heavier then normal, then spray, then apply again if needed.
This saves over-applying, then sealing the model to find out you over applied and worrying about fingerprints and such if someone touches your model covered in pastel chalk.
And I’m sorry to say that the fixative was not required. It’s designed specifically for artists, and for modelers a clear coat will work the same. I mean, an artist could spray a coat of Polly S Flat Clear on their picture and it would work fine.