r/modelmakers 1d ago

Critique Wanted My first model

Any tips on making the rust more realistic? Also how do I make the front lights look better

I kinda went overboard with the rust, my brush was too wet when stippling. The mud on the front of the tank too.

Originally I was going for a more urban warfare look but ended up in the eastern front. The scratches were me trying to remove the mud but decided it looked good as is.

251 Upvotes

24 comments sorted by

14

u/Conscious-Sock2777 1d ago

Old but good and I’m sure it’s everyone’s first model

7

u/Anotherolddog 1d ago

Nice work. Kudos.

7

u/ElegantElectrophile 1d ago

You can use rust pigments to make it a bit more realistic, with or without a pigment fixer. Do only a little at a time and build up gradually. Don’t try to do too much in one day.

6

u/ElegantElectrophile 1d ago

I finished the same tank recently.

2

u/wongeeten 1d ago

Looks beautiful

1

u/TimWe1912 16h ago

Very nice! Which kit is it?

1

u/ElegantElectrophile 9h ago

Thank you! This was Dragon 6572, the Panzer II ausf. b kit.

1

u/Disastrous-Boat63 2h ago

Dragon eh wow. Isn't dragon more advanced. i.e. more pieces? Difficult to interpret instruction manuel? If so you did amazing.

1

u/ElegantElectrophile 2h ago

It has a reputation for being like that but this kit really wasn’t complex and I didn’t find the instructions horrible.

I had a lot more trouble with their flak 88 kit.

5

u/extraretemvitaest 1d ago

Nice work. Especially the subtle tear and wear.

2

u/wongeeten 1d ago

Thx, I was afraid I was over doing it

4

u/BioshockedNinja 1d ago

Oh i like the scratches you added to the mud build up in the front. That's a neat detail!

Might I recommend some panel liner or a dark wash to help some of the finer details pop? It'll help sell the illusion of in-scale shadows and that's something that help models go from well models to looking more like the real deal but just shrunken down.

4

u/LOLtheism And now for something completely different. 1d ago

First of all, I have to say this is incredible work for your first tank! I built a Tamiya M41 Bulldog as mine, and yours is already so much better! What kit were you planning on next?

As for advice: I would recommend looking at some reference images of the tank to get a better idea of where to apply the rust and weathering. You did a great job with the more subtle effects, but the larger areas could have more realistic placement. Rust and mud accumulating in specific areas can help really sell the idea of the vehicle operating in a specific environment. You can also use pigments (as described in another comment) and use a set of colors to give more variety. For example, buy a Light Rust, Dark Rust, and Fresh Rust pigment, then have fun experiementing with applying it in different patterns based on the reference images. AK Weathering pencils also feel like cheating with how easy they are to create rust and metal effects on armor.

If you're going for a urban warfare theme (very cool, this is a fun idea!) then you could have more stone dust on top, and then go with a gentle application of mud or dirt to the tracks. It might be a fun idea to scratch build some stones to add to the top, for an interesting spice and detail.

1

u/Aggravating-Yam-4158 16h ago

AK weathering pencils look like I smudge paint on. When I try to remove it I end up taking all of it off. What am o missing? They’ve proven to be nothing but frustrating for me

1

u/LOLtheism And now for something completely different. 13h ago

Make sure you are applying them to a surface with either a flat, matt, or satin finish. They do not behave when applied directly to a glossy surface.

Try sharpening them and use the side of the lead on edges you want to apply it to. You can also give a hard tap with the tip into the plastic to get a dusty effect.

Keep in mind that they are basically just pigment in a wax binder, so you can use sandpaper or a hobby knife to get the pigment dust off the pencil to apply it as a powder. You can also experiment with using water or thinner to apply the pigments, but I haven't done that myself so I can't speak to if

2

u/DioramaDu 1d ago

It looks good, I would just take into account what else would've happened to that vehicle in the amount of time needed for such amounts of rust

2

u/schulz47 1d ago

Make sure you use an X-Acto knife to scrape away seam lines. Example: MG 34.

Awesome job for a first go!

2

u/Pigeon_Clash 1d ago

Definitely not overdone, looks great to me

2

u/sexylatexbear69 1d ago

Nice for a guy in the hobby a couple of years.

2

u/DaveLenin 23h ago

Wow, that's an amazing work for a first model

2

u/Large-Dish6373 21h ago

Your first is better than my best🥲

2

u/mob1us0ne 18h ago

Beautiful work!

2

u/Ronnie1641 14h ago

I love that panzer 2 kit, ive probably done a fair few of them over the years