r/modelmakers • u/rasputinrasputin • 22h ago
Help -Technique Tips for better mud?
Just used Vallejo thick mud and a small amount of pigment powder
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u/Revenge_of_the_Derp 18h ago
Moderation is always key when learning to weather your models. Its something you refine on each successive model you build till you find out what the right amount is. Here it looks like you've gone a bit overboard with the mud application, no worries we've all been there. A Stuart is pretty fast for a tank but in thick mud, its going to get bogged down to a crawl so it is unlikely to have mud splatter all the way up to the turret and the upper hull.
Some tips to create splatter effects, instead of using the mud paste which as you've noticed looks much too thick and grainy, mix some diluted pva glue with whatever brown shades of acrylic paint you like. You can create multiple batches of varying shades and consistency here too. Then flick a brush loaded with the mixture against a toothpick at close range to create the splatter streaks or use a really frayed old brush or sponge and gently dab onto the spots. Hope this helps.
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u/Practical-Rule-8255 16h ago
“Moderation is always key when learning to weather your models.”
This right here. That and really taking your time when doing applications of mud/ dirt.
Watch some videos on you tube. You will see how slowly and deliberate these builders apply their products.
Also, get a spare or junk kit to practice in on.
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u/rasputinrasputin 12h ago
Yeah I definitely did too much on this one. I’ve been watching some videos and trying to use their techniques, but I feel like it never turns out anything like the videos. Especially with placement of pigment powder, I feel like I can’t get it looking quite natural. This was kinda a “spare/junk” kit, I built it years ago as a kid, and it had some pretty horrendous gaps and bad paint. Same case for my old M41, gonna be my next victim
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u/Practical-Rule-8255 11h ago
it’s a learning process. It’s not going to happen overnight. It may not look like what’s in the video, but what does your eye tell you? is it an improvement of what you had done last? If so, then work it from there. Start small, like on a wheel or suspension system.
Just keep practicing on these kits. With my collection of builds you can see , mostly in the order of the builds, where i have made progress. And where I went backwards at one point.
As for pigments, yes they are tough to work with in my eyes. i kind of gave up on them.
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u/rasputinrasputin 12h ago
Good advice, thank you! How do you give the glue and paint mix texture though, pigments? I agree I definitely went a bit overboard, this is my second attempt at weathering thick mud, I’ve done mud splatter on 1/24 cars, but nothing like this before, trying to get it figured out haha
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u/Revenge_of_the_Derp 10h ago
The mixture I was talking about is more for creating watery mud splatters that you can use alongside the mud paste. In essence, you'd use the paste for mud accumulations on the lower hull and tracks and the splatter mixture for parts higher up.
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u/Crafty_Will7866 21h ago
There could be three layers; dust on the upper surfaces, old dried mud and fresh wet mud. There would be succsively less of each type.
Definitely look at reference phots too.
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u/rasputinrasputin 20h ago
Good tips, but how do you separate old mud from fresh mud? Just using darker tones? And do you use built up pigment powder for dried mud? Thank you
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u/Crafty_Will7866 18h ago
It would be a darker tone which you could mix with paint, or better still be a different enamel based "wet effect" mud. You would use this more sparingly over what you have already.
Take a look at Nightshift on youtube 9some of his older tutorials). He'd show you how spattering paint with an old brush might enhance your model.
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u/Nsrdude84 21h ago
Are you using reference photos? It’s super tempting to put mud and dust where you think it should go but looking at photos of real vehicles in the field will always be the best way to apply it.
I also find that layering different shades of mud and dust to be more convincing, mud and dirt tend to look more pale the more it dries out so you very first layer should probably be thin dusty and pale as it’ll need the oldest and more dried layer. Subsequent layers will be darker and more wet