Pastels over Flat or Gloss?

Tools, Techniques, and Reference Materials Techniques
1

Hi All, I think I know the answer already - over flat right?

Just wondering what you normally put pastels over.

Any thoughts?

If over flat, will they be affected by a final gloss coat?

Thanks

2

I put pigments over either Vallejo or W&N matt varnishes. Any final coat - matt or gloss - will reduce the effect of pigments. It’s just how light behaves.

3

I find its best to put the pastels on at the very end, and then avoid handling as much as possible. I have not tried them on a gloss finish, so can’t give a comparison.

4

Thanks for the tip Chris-k. I’ll keep that in mind.

Bish - i agree, but was just curious as to how you would use pastels if you wanted a gloss finish.

I guess, however, thinking about it, no vehicle that’s covered with dirt would be looking very glossy though.

5

Pigments won’t stick to a glossy surface unless you apply them with, say, Elmer’s glue.

If you want to make clean areas of a model look a little bit glossy after applying pigments, rub those areas with a piece of paper towel. That’ll make them look satin or semi-glossy depending on how much you rub.

6

As far as military models go, probably not. Though didn’t some US aircraft used in the Pacific have a gloss finish, they might get some dirt on them.

But if you were doing cars with a gloss finish, they could get dirt over them.

7

Flat (ACE) brand non -spar varnish works very well w/ pastels because of its drying time is longer than the traditional flat base products .The pastels work into the varnish to give you stunning results.Verlinding in Europe uses this method w/ their version of flat varnish.Seal it w/the same varnish.

8

Also thin the varnish w/mineral spirits like you would by using regular flat products.

9

Regular enamel gloss 1st.Then decals .2nd the sludge wash.Then the flat varnish for the pastels.Final sealing is optional.

10

Give drying time between coats.It will look like the real thing.I won best aircraft at manny shows using this method.You can also polish lightly the flat varnish to a semi-Matt effect.Polish when dried.Optional.The flat varnish gets rid of decal film-silvering that most models get when using regular products.

11

I only apply pigments over flat coat,they adhere better,also no overcoat on them.

12

Good