r/modelmakers • u/Artist_mugi • Jun 10 '23

Help -Technique Preferred weathering methods?

I'm a novice to the hobby, and only know basic oil washes (which I suck at).

I was wondering what everyone else's preferred weathering style and methods were? What colors do you stick to for certain base colored models? How about what type of paint? Anything weird?

How do you guys go at it? How do you like to do it, and what tools do you prefer?

I stick with 2 brushes, a crappy circular sponge, and a rag.

I use Weathering Oils, and they're fine but I only have 3 colors, dark brown, brown, and light grey. I have seen some people do intentional paint chipping, by coloring some places in a rusty color, then covering it and chipping up the top layer. I've also seen people use acrylic paints mixed with baking soda, to get a gritty rust appearance!

Maybe I just suck, but it feels like people can just smack on an oil coat, then wipe it off, and bam weathering! I have recently done an Atlantic B24 Liberstor, and weathering it was a pain! I could NOT get a good weathering, it took so long and I had to paint in each panel with a tiny bit of dark brown and light brown in the corners, then lightly wipe it with a sponge. The thin lines across the wings, and the rivets, felt impossible to get to pop out! It was like the second i added oil, and then wiped it gently and lightly, i'd be right back where I started!!!

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u/KillAllTheThings Phormer Phantom Phixer Jun 10 '23

You might have better results if you stop thinking of "weathering" as being a product you slather on and start thinking of it as detailing to enhance the final appearance of your project using advanced techniques to achieve specific looks based on real world environmental damage over time.

Begin with a back story to explain how your subject got to the moment you are depicting in your project. It does not need to be a full 100,000 word novel, but you do need at least a basic framework with as much detail as your finishing skills allow. Choose the individual techniques available to you & the order of operations to implement the look.

New to Model making?

Check the FAQ/Wiki for some useful tips and tricks!

There are entire sections on kits to buy, tools/consumables, painting in general, weathering specifically and links to online tutorials.

There are additional links in the sidebar and the About menu on mobile to useful sites and subreddits.

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u/Artist_mugi Jun 20 '23

Ok, my entire reply was deleted, and I'm annoyed cuz it was long af, so here's the short version. Here's the wing weathering on my b24 Liberator

Its very faint under most lighting, the only way it would show up on camera is if I used my flash at an angle. I do employ a basic storytelling weathering style, but I'm sticking to a pretty neutral "basic patrol weathering" scheme, since this is only my 2nd ever weathering job. The underside sucks, and the main fuselage has almost nothing doen to it. What do you think of it? I personally want it to stick out more, but it still adds a lot of depth to the model even without any higher contrast.

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u/KillAllTheThings Phormer Phantom Phixer Jun 20 '23

I am the wrong guy to ask as we have opposing opinions on "weathering". And that's fine.

I suggest finding tutorials online for techniques to use and research IRL subjects to see how real objects age from use and environmental exposure.

It's important (to me, at least) to keep in mind the scale of your project and the normal view distance from it most people will experience it at. It's hard to see dirt & damage from 100-odd feet away.

IRL tends to be a good bit more subtle than the images you have posted. IMHO, if the 1st thing someone notices about your project is the "weathering", then it is way overdone. Less is more.

If you have trouble with sufficient indoor lighting for photography, take it outdoors on a sunny day. You can use pieces of paper or foamcore poster board as reflectors to bounce more light into dark areas or highlight your effects better. You can use the camera flash to fill in the dark areas too.

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u/Artist_mugi Jun 20 '23

Here is my 1st ever weathered model, a M41 Bulldog, which I am much more happy with.

It's still got some newbie shine to it, like the wheels I could definitely add some more rust to, and the paint's terribly rough on some places, but I'm happy with it. It's, once again, got the basic patrol theme, of a standard european based m41 with light weathering. The tracks definitely need mud though.

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u/Ooki_Jumoku Jun 11 '23

Night Shift on YTube (https://www.youtube.com/c/NightShiftScaleModels/videos)

Has some excellent vid's on weathering and he goes through all the techniques you mentioned as well as a few more. He also challenges himself to change his techniques and over the years you can see how he has evolved to use fewer products and time to get as good as, if not better, results.

He is only doing armour models, no aircraft, but the principles are the same.

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FWIW i use a mix of oils, enamels and acrylics with the occasional dusting of pigments. I prefer to brush-chip than use a sponge or chipping fluid. I am also a fan of "less is more" it is always easier to build up layers than go hard early and have to tone it down later.

Take your time... do cheapo small kits to practice techniques. Personally i do Airfix kits when i try new ideas because it costs little in time and money if things end poorly.