Weathering Tanks using powders and other effects

[VulkansDynasty]

Hello! If you are reading this then clearly you saw something in the title you liked, which is pretty self explanitory. I was asked by my fellow Comrades over in the Astra Militarum forum to do a tutorial on how I weather my tanks, and since I'm working on one now I figured I'd make that tutorial as requested by them.

 

So without further Ado....weathering a tank

 

Step 1: Basecoating, color blocking, decals

 

 

 

 

 

For this step I started with a grey undercoat, painted over it in Rakarth Flesh since that's the base color of my Guard, and blocked out all the color stripes and whatnot that I wanted on the tank. Do any decals or freehand at this stage as well. It's the last clean look you'll get.

 

Step 2: Quick style Chipping

 

When doing a showcase model I'll do different methods for this, however for a tabletop model, or in this case just another guard tank of a hundred, I do it a quicker method. 

 

First off get a sponge or other porous material. I use the backer in the old GW blisterpacks (a thin sponge) cause I have a million of them, however any spongey packing material will work, or you can use the foam from an eggcrate style matress cover or the foam most people use to make carrying cases for armies these days. As long as it's a small porous material it works. 

 

Note: Do not overload the sponge with paint, and do not press too hard, either will result in messing up. if you overload the sponge you end up with very 3D dots of paint all over, and it's silly looking. If you press to hard when dabbing you will deposit too much paint and you may as well just paint the tank silver.

 

Dabbing with your base coat color first, go lightly (!!!) over the colored areas and decals. Take care to focus more along the edges where the paint would chip and come off. Next up using the same type of sponge and some metallic or grey paint (whatever the base material of your tank is, in this case I used Leadbelcher), dab away lightly at the sides, around the flat areas of armour and such. On the edges of your tank, generally focused where there's a sharp point is where you press harder and add more paint. Eventually you'll get to a point you like and you're done!

 

Should look about like this:

 

 

 

Step 3 Weathering powders:

 

Note: If you don't have these, get something like them, they are great. If you can't find some powders make your own, crushed colored pencils (art quality) or artists charcoal also crushed up works just as well. I love the FW powders and the Tamiya ones myself.

 

For this particular tank I used the following powders first mixed up about 70% mud 30% Rust:

 

 

Then Using a very small brush:

 

 

Go through and push some of the powder into the recessed areas around where things would be dirty from driving about, or general wear and tear. You can just rub any mistakes or excess off with your fingers or a damp cloth if you screw up or over color something.

 

Next up taking a soft flat brush:

 

 

Go to town along the bottom of your tracks and the bottom areas of your tank, note that raised areas for the most part will be cleaner than recesses:

 

 

Next up using JUST the rust color, and the same flat brush, try to imagine where water would pool or run along your tank, that's where you want your rust effects to be more pronounced, then press down and drag creating a streak of rust. Be sure to grab just a tiny bit of powder (a few grains really does it all) and work your way around your tank. Rivets, corners, edges from the TOP DOWN. make it realistic. 

 

At this point My tank looks like this:

 

 

note where I streaked the rust, added more over the dirt areas, and just tried to give it some realism.

 

After you get it where you like, Seal it up with some matte varnish (VERY IMPORTANT) and it's a forever deal. Then just go through and paint up the last details. I do the metallics, guns, banners and such at this point. Remember to go back in with some mud only color and hit the tracks, and then be sure your rust goes over any details you painted that would have been rusted over. 

 

Feel free to ask questions and I'll do what I can to make pics to show, or to demonstrate. Or I'll answer them as I can.

 

Enjoy,

GKTerminator

 

[WarriorFish]

Excellent tutorial! Could I ask for embellishment on the sponging bit if possible? I've never managed to get it right, from how much paint to put on and where, to how best to apply it. If it's not too much trouble more detail and pictures on that would be brilliant!

[VulkansDynasty]

Sorry to take so long to Post a reply Warriorfish, had a busy weekend and got to play a game. However here's an answer and pics that hopefully answer your question.

 

Here's the sponge I use, but anything sufficiently small and porus could work, or even a very stiff stippling brush.

 

 

after loading the sponge with some paint you want to dab it on your pallet or paint surface until you get the middle effect:

 

 

note that the bottom was the first dab, the top was the second, and the middle is what I wanted for my weathering. Since I treat things like decals, the stripes on my tanks, and any other freehanded details as "painted on" I weather them in two layers, the first is with the color of the armor itself, the second is the metallic, like this:

 

Step 1:

 

 

Step 2:

 

 

Dab across the whole surface to taste, then focus on any sharp edges, going over it multiple times. DO NOT drag your sponge, just lightly dab over and over allowing the paint to build up along the edge to give it the effect you want. After that refer to the previous post and add in rust, dirt, soot, ect...

 

Please ask away if anything is unclear.

 

 

 

[WarriorFish]

That's brilliant, thanks :tu: