I have never tried the subtle weathering and panel-line accentation that I see so often on this forum. It looks fantastic. Can anyone share their secrets? I usually have a fairly pristine-looking aircraft when I’m done and it just doesn’t look right. So I do the same thing every time: I use a little silver or aluminum paint to make the paint appear chipped. Sometimes I overdo it, other times I don’t really put in enough. But I am consistent with one thing: it never looks good to me. Any suggestions? They would be greatly appreciated.
Bob,
You’ve opened a serious can of worms…the mysterious art of subtle weathering…it’s sometimes difficult to decide WHEN to stop…and it’s so very easy to go overboard, completely ruining the effect.
I’ve found that very mild darkening of the panel lines, and a very (very) mild lightening of the panels between the panel lines gives, in my opinion, the most visually pleasing effect - much better than a pristine paint job, and much better than an “over the top” dirty airframe.
My 1/48th Dora is pictured below…
She’s not really very dirty - nor is she spotless…a happy medium, I believe.
Now Gloria, below, is a little dirtier. She got a slightly heavier wash, and starker lightening of the panels inbetween the panel lines.
In both cases, the hardest thing was knowing when to STOP…that’s often the hardest part.
Over all, I find it best to use techniques that make the smallest changes - a very light panel line wash, a very mild lightening of the panels in between…I mean, you can always add more…but if you go too far, sometimes it’s too late.
Both panel lines and panel centres (and especially the exhausts) were done a teeny bit at a time…I looked at it…decided to add a little more…looked at it again…and decided to either stop there or add just a little more…
I tend to use oils for washes, and I airbrush lightened and heavily thinned versions of the color coat for the panel centres…and the exhausts are actually airbrushed using black, very dark grey, tan and a little white (generally in that order)…again, teeeeny bits of paint are applied during each pass…it took almost as long to spray the exhausts as it did to paint to model.
I always subscribe to the maxim 'Less is More" when applying weathering. Seems to work just fine.
Best thing is to experiment - find out what works best and always try to push the envelope.
Good luck!
In my own experience, I found that no matter how many things I read, books I look at, pictures I view, etc…, the only thing that you can do to learn subtle weathering is to try it a few times and realize “Oops… that’s not subtle.” [;)]
I always tend to keep adding and adding saying “It’s not enough” and miss the point where it’s just right, and look at it and say “Oops… too far.”
I’ve seen some folks post pics that they say is their 2nd or 3rd model and it’s just a thing of beauty. Others who are on their 15th one and say “I ain’t happy with it.”
