OK, I have scanned the forum and found lots of info on thinning Ceramcoat for airbrush use, but using similar thinning porportions and materials (mostly windshield washer fluid and/or Isopropal alcohol), have NOT been please with using this paint as a brush on wash (coverage spotty - it seems to pool and not cover even remotely evenly, which I would expect with standard ‘Not Wetter’ water, but with alcohol?). Googling brought up some suggestions, but they all seem about the same as above (plus some suggest distilled water, and some a Liquidex thinner).
I have seem some weathering examples on these forums over the years, looked good, but for whatever reason I can’t get the knack… suggestions please? Thanks
I think most people use India ink for their washes and not craft paint. Might try 50/50 water/alcohol for a thinner. I can see why straight alcohol wouldn’t work well. Mix the water/alcohol together first before adding to the paint.
I have used Creamcote ‘Trail Tan’ for my limestone/sandstone rockwork. I put a couple of drops in a small container and add water until I have a very thin ‘wash’. I use either a soft brush or some timesdip the rock casting in the ‘wash’ as I paint them. I use a very, very thinned down was of India Ink that I spray on the planted rocks so it will fill the crevices. I follow that up with a spray of plain water to wash out some of the India Ink(you just need the shadows) I have found that some of the ‘lamp black’ acrylic colors(Apple Barrel) work just as good for the black washes.
Jim Bernier
Hmm, this sounds like what I had in mind - do you use just plain tap water, or distilled water? I’m not really using the craft paints for black washes at this time, more like (in one case) a grey wash over silver metallic (for one example), or a tan wash over yellow etc.
BTW, ‘Trail Tan’ came up in a Google search as a good ‘Aged Concrete’ color - what’s your opinion on that?
Thanks
Apple Barrel “Sandstone” is a good aged concrete color.
You say your trying to do a wash over silver. That’s a tough one. Silver is usually glossy and won’t take a wash well. Washes work better on a dull finish. Spraying the silver with dulcote turns it a crappy dull grey color. Don’t have an answer for you, just pointing out why your having trouble with silver.
I use a variety of Ceramcoat colors for weathering washes. To weather a mostly Freight Car Red boxcar fleet, my standard arsenal consists of Black, Semi-Opaque Burnt Umber, Brown Velvet, Cinnamon and Quaker Grey.
I mix my paints on a high-tech palette consisting of an upside down jar lid with some distilled water puddled on one side and spots of paint at various points around the edges. I mix small quantities in the middle with the paint brush as I go along.
The only reason I use distilled water instead of tap water is because I keep a jug of it next to my workbench for when I apply decals.
Loathar nailed it, above. The key to getting good results when applying washes is to apply them to a dull surface.
If you can’t get a liquid wash to look right, try weathering with powders.