135
Bringing Out the Details


 
O.K. It's dry right? I told you the barrier had another property. Your wash got to some places you didn't want it? Dip a q-tip into the thinner for the wash. This would be paint thinner for an enamel-based wash, or whatever thinner you use if you like acrylics for an acrylic based wash. You want thinner on the q-tip but dab it on a paper towel or tissue to soak up the excess-you don't want a saturated q-tip, it should have thinner on it but be almost dry. Use the q-tip to clean up your wash. Be careful, even with the barrier; over rubbing with the q-tip will clean the wash and the paint underneath. By this time you should have a nice looking wash in your cockpit or wheel wells, maybe the bomb bay, depending on your kit. No?

What went wrong? Too much wash? Cleaning up the wash removed the paint underneath in spite of the barrier? If you do try this and for some reason something goes wrong leave me a comment and we'll figure it out.

For you armor nuts try this method on your tank. After you paint the final colors give it a barrier and apply and clean up the wash as described above.

About the Author

About Mike Taylor (modelguy2)
FROM: OHIO, UNITED STATES


Comments

Ah, so that how you do it, eh? I guess I underestimated the importance of clear coats in washes. I tried one on my M60A2.... lets just say no one other than my parents will ever see that model again. Now, if someone'll make an article about figure painting I'd have most of the basics covered! YodaMan Go Red Wings!!!
APR 25, 2002 - 08:56 PM
Interesting Article I will have to try it out. Thanks DAGGER: A weapon with a short pointed Blade "THE CUTTING EDGE"
APR 25, 2002 - 09:21 PM
O.K., you wanted to discuss the article right? A very nice article modelguy2, aka, Mike Taylor. Written in an easy-going style that is quite enjoyable. I am constantly having that battle though. Enamels vs. acrylics. I like the colour availablity in the enamels (humbrol for example). But I prefer the ease and speed of the acrylics ( when I finally get the time to sit down and model, I really have to take advantage of that time). As to washes, I used pretty much the same technique as your article discribes, sans the Q-tip. I would have another brush that was immediately handy and 'dry wipe' off any extra residue with it. I finally discovered (after much deliberation) oil washes. I have never really 'gone back'. The richness of the oil pigments only adds to the colour variation as a whole, and the 'working time' of the oils allows a degree of control that is just simply not present in either enamels or acrylics. Your mention of using the washes to create shadowing, especially in illustrating the 'correct' way in which a shadow would fall (away from windows) is a small, but very important point. The eye will subconciously pick up little things like that that are wrong. Good call Mike. A well written article, difinitely prize material. Tread.
APR 25, 2002 - 10:03 PM
That is a good article. Well done Mike. I wish that article was available about 3 or 4 months ago!
APR 25, 2002 - 10:48 PM
I updated this story with part 2 so that it would meet the contest's 1000 word requirement. Airbrushing is covered in part 2. Jim
APR 27, 2002 - 07:04 AM
Very well written article Mike! A couple new ideas for me. And all those models. :-)
APR 27, 2002 - 07:32 AM
Mike, a well written, well spoken, and excellent instruction of how to use these 2 techniques, that are a must do for creating a realistic & accurate finish on any model. These techniques are what makes the difference between a great model or having one with a toy like appearance - like I said, they are a "must do". Also great models ! They show your talent & skill & are proof of what results one can achieve by your article. I Agree - Definitely a prize winning article ! GREAT JOB MIKE ! - ralph
MAY 18, 2002 - 03:50 PM
Yoda - Get over to my house, and I'll help you out first hand. What do like painting with Enamels or acrylics ? - I have an excellent article I can email you on painting faces with acrylics by Lynn Kessler. But I myself like oils & enamels. - ralph
MAY 18, 2002 - 03:56 PM
Good article covering the basics.Myself I use oils for all my washes as wellas drybrushing. I should add that it's on top of acrylic base coat, mainly for their longer work time and richness of color. Would love to see a comprehencive article on 1/35 figure painting
JUN 23, 2004 - 10:38 AM
Great article, looking forward to the next one.
JUN 23, 2004 - 02:29 PM