Fantastic. I didn't realise how much work could go in to this single element of armour modelling. Gives me a new level of appreciation for this branch of the hobby.
I tend to treat every sub-section of a model kit as if it is a seperate model. Whilst there needs to be a common colour and weathering theme so every piece comes together harmoniously, I put as much effort into tracks as I might stowage, or the turret, or figures.... ooooops, am I saying too much .......
A great tutorial Stewart! I found it very informative, and your explanation of techniques you used was very good. I always have trouble with getting the right look and level of weathering required on my metal and vinyl tracks. I am getting better at this important aspect of weathering, but still have a ways to go. I like the idea of mixing various types of pigment together to achieve a realistic colour, and will certainly take this onboard, and try to emulate your fantastic results shown here. Thanks for the great advice mate, and cheers for now.
Thanks again for your positive feedback Gary. As I mentioned in the video I am a self proclaimed track snob. I love metal tracks for various reasons and will use them in almost all my builds. Having said that, this technique is perfect for plastic and vinyl tracks too. With vinyl you just need to be careful in how far you flex the tracks because over doing it might make the pigments pop off the surface. Nothings is perfect :)
Thanks Stewart, if you were using plastic tracks would the graphite pencil work for highlighting cleats rather than painting? I have ground down pencil into sanpaper previously and used it almost in a dry brushing manner to highlight and weather crew weapons, just wondering if it would achieve a similar result over all of the pigment work? Unfortunately metal tracks are simply not in my modelling budget right now.
The answer here really depends on what level of accuracy you are trying to achieve. I think the easiest method that also produces the best results on plastic tracks is to use silver paint over the cleats (applied with a brush where you almost dry brush the paint on) then use a graphite pencil to gently rub over the edges of the cleats. You would need to be gentle with the pencil so you don't rub away the paint. This method allows you to get a very realistic look. If you dry brush over the tracks some graphite powder, then some of it will stick to the tracks in the crevices and lower sections and will discolour the track surface. Thank you.... a really good question that many modellers might have been wanting to know the answer to. Cheers
Fantastic. I didn't realise how much work could go in to this single element of armour modelling. Gives me a new level of appreciation for this branch of the hobby.
I tend to treat every sub-section of a model kit as if it is a seperate model. Whilst there needs to be a common colour and weathering theme so every piece comes together harmoniously, I put as much effort into tracks as I might stowage, or the turret, or figures.... ooooops, am I saying too much .......
A great tutorial Stewart! I found it very informative, and your explanation of techniques you used was very good. I always have trouble with getting the right look and level of weathering required on my metal and vinyl tracks. I am getting better at this important aspect of weathering, but still have a ways to go. I like the idea of mixing various types of pigment together to achieve a realistic colour, and will certainly take this onboard, and try to emulate your fantastic results shown here. Thanks for the great advice mate, and cheers for now.
Thanks again for your positive feedback Gary. As I mentioned in the video I am a self proclaimed track snob. I love metal tracks for various reasons and will use them in almost all my builds. Having said that, this technique is perfect for plastic and vinyl tracks too. With vinyl you just need to be careful in how far you flex the tracks because over doing it might make the pigments pop off the surface. Nothings is perfect :)
Thanks Stewart, if you were using plastic tracks would the graphite pencil work for highlighting cleats rather than painting? I have ground down pencil into sanpaper previously and used it almost in a dry brushing manner to highlight and weather crew weapons, just wondering if it would achieve a similar result over all of the pigment work? Unfortunately metal tracks are simply not in my modelling budget right now.
The answer here really depends on what level of accuracy you are trying to achieve. I think the easiest method that also produces the best results on plastic tracks is to use silver paint over the cleats (applied with a brush where you almost dry brush the paint on) then use a graphite pencil to gently rub over the edges of the cleats. You would need to be gentle with the pencil so you don't rub away the paint.
This method allows you to get a very realistic look. If you dry brush over the tracks some graphite powder, then some of it will stick to the tracks in the crevices and lower sections and will discolour the track surface.
Thank you.... a really good question that many modellers might have been wanting to know the answer to. Cheers