Painting Tanks?

[ac4155]

Hi Guys,

 

So how do you go about painting Tanks or Drop pods and what stages do you go throught?

 

I've undercoateds some Rhinos, and painted the first few layers on them, but what is the next steps I should be taking? Is it next just weathering/ drybrushing them?

 

Thanks,

AC

[Warbringer]

I like to cheat depending on the level of detail and use army painter sprays to get the base colour down :cuss Also using spray cans and masking tape i can do the internals in black and the externals in red or blue depending on what i want to do ;)

[AnvilofFenris]

I find drybrushing can be a quick, effective way to pick out all of those sharp edges and angles. Also, make sure you apply any markings to the vehicles before you weather. A good source if you can get hold of it is the Citadel How to Paint Tanks book, has a few nice tips for adding realism in your weathering without having to go the route of weathering powders.

[ShinyRhino]

I paint all my tanks in layers: primer, shade color, midtone, topcoat. Once that's done, I hit the hard egdes with a highlight and move on to metallics and other colors.

[Subtle Discord]

For me it's something like:

 

- Built the kit.

- Customize the kit.

- Customize it some more.

- Prime the kit.

- Base coat the kit with the main colour.

- Base coat any major secondary colours. (usually quick and messy)

- Add several wash layers for depth and shadowing. (colours will vary depending on the scheme)

- Clean up the (messy) work so far with the main colour.

- Add wash layers to the main colour. (optional, depending on the colour)

- Clean up any major flaws.

- Pick out smaller details like rivets, lenses, lights, etc.

- Wash and/or blend smaller details to add depth.

- Add highlighting wherever it makes sense. (can be edge highlights, blending, or a combination)

- Add paint chipping effect. (optional, depending on how you want to add this effect, and if you want to add it at all)

- Add weathering, dust, mud, dirt, etc.

- One final touch-up of any mistakes.

- Spray varnish to protect and lock in all that hard work.

 

And on a personal note; I would avoid drybrushing like the plague. Unless you're drybrushing dirt, gravel, fur, (or a very short list of other 'textured' surfaces) it will look like drybrushing and detract from the model. In my opinion, drybrushing is a (bad) crutch to avoid learning a more challenging technique. Do yourself a favor, and learn the challenging technique. It's worth the effort and will help you paint everything better.

[Grizzly_bear]

I airbrush now, so much more rewarding and easier to get a good definition in blended layers etc. saying that all my infantry is hand painted its only tanks I airbrush. God send

 

Rob