Good afternoon,
Recently, I have started to build my structures and I have painted one of them. I am not satisfied with the results. It looks too fake ! I heard that it is possible to easily wheter the structures with painting techniques called “Wash” and “dry-brushing”. Any idea where I could find a simple and good description of these techniques for my structures ?
Thanks.
Patrick
Montreal QC
fine scale modelors web site has good references for this type of painting.
Thanks ! Do you have the web site address ?
Patrick.
Hello, Patrick!
Well, first off, you should paint your structures before final assembly. That is, the walls should be painted seperatly from the windows, etc. Use a good FLAT paint too. When putting the structure together, use a good LIQUID type solvent. Never use those so-called “model glues” in the squeeze-tube. After putting the pre-painted structure together with the liquid solvent, some minor paint touch-up MIGHT be needed, depending on how careful you are with the solvent. When the structure is together and painted, get some Testors “dull-coat” and lightly coat the whole thing. After this is dry, take some artists chalk ( go to a good arts store, and get a box of earth-tone chalks). A box of these chalks are all you need to weather anything! Well, getting back to the project, take a sharp knife and scrape the color chalks you want to use onto a piece of paper. (you want to create a colored powder). Then, with a clean, dry paintbrush, bruhese shades onto the structure where you think they would belong. Go kind of heavy, because the next step will diminihe effect a bit. Once everything looks right, give it a light spray of “dull-coat”. After this dries, see what you have. As I said, the “dull-coat” will weaken the effect. If you want more effect, no problem. Just repeat the steps until you are happy with the results. I use this technique on both structures, and rolling stock, and am always pleased with the results.
Also, if you are dealing with a “brick” structure, don’t forget to add “mortar” lines. This can be done by painting the walls gray, then quickly wiping off the gray paint before it sets. This will leave just a bit of gray in the recessed mortar lines in the brick. (do this before following the weathering steps above).
Good luck, hope I helped ya’
Todd C.
Thank you very much Todd !
Patrick.
the address is www.finescale.com It is published by the same company as Model Railroader so it is a quality site/magazine
No problem, just trying to pass along what I have learned over the years. I hope you can find good results with this info.
Todd C.
You’ll find a wealth of info in a book titled ‘Building City Scenery For Your Model Railroad’. The book is published by Kalmbach Publishing and authored by John Pryke. (You’ll probalbly find a link somewhere in this website.)As the title indicates, the main topic is urban scenery and Mr. Pryke has generously shared many of his techniques. Here’s a couple formulas for a light and dark “wash” to highlight mortar lines and weather surfaces of brick walls:
Light mortar wash (for application over red or brown brick):
1 part Poly Scale Concrete or Aged Concrete
9 parts alcohol
7 parts water
2-3 drops of detergent
First paint the wall with Floquil enamel and let it dry thoroughly. Boxcar Red or Tuscan works well for red brick, or use Roof Brown for brown brick. Lay a wall section flat and apply the wash and let it dry undisturbed. The detergent will help the wash flow into the mortar lines and carry most of the pigment there. The alcohol will dry quickly, leaving a light coat of color on the surface to “age” the bricks. (Use a water-based paint for the wa***o avoid damage to the solvent-based main color).
Dark mortar wash (for application over light color brick):
1 part india ink
60 parts alcohol
2-3 drops of detergent
Paint the base color in Floquil enamel as stated above. Use Earth or Foundation for beige brick. Allow to dry thoroughly, then apply the wash as described above.
I highly recommend Mr. Pryke’s book. It’s easy to find this book on my bookshelf…it’s the one with the most tattered cover and most worn pages!