Painting tanks - shade, drybrush, both?

[Rogue]

Hello

 

Apologies for dropping into the PCA like this, but I figure you guys are the ones to ask.

 

I'm currently painting up a Leman Russ for my Cult army. The cultists' armour is painted like this:

Administratum grey base, Agrax shade, Admin grey layer, Ulthuan grey highlights 

 

So far, so simple. But how do I best replicate that on a tank, where I don't think that layering will work as well on the big flat areas?

 

At the moment, the tank is based in admin grey. Option one is to shade next, drybrush admin grey, then highlight in Ulthuan - pretty much following the existing plan, but with drybrushing rather than layering. Option two is to drybrush in Ulthuan first, then shade, then either drybrush in Ulthuan again, highlight in Ulthuan, or both - which is more in line with how I've painted my killteam scenery, with the first drybrush before the shade.

 

I only have the one tank, and not a lot to practice on, so if anyone can offer any advice, I'd appreciate it.

 

Thanks  

[infyrana]

My rather quick fire strictly sub-amateur approach would be to highlight into the centre of the large flat surfaces as you might with an airbrush.  To add to this you could add highlights in the downward stroke to replicate sunlight and upward strokes on the undersides of the armour with the darker colours to represent shade.  Either way - best of luck!

[MegaVolt87]

Only thing I would drybrush on a tank is dirt and battle damage. Everything else can be edged highlighted, pin washed/ washed etc. I think drybrushing is a bit of a trap, done well can look great, done poorly looks terrible. Even with an average skill with using other methods, will always look better than drybrushing for highlighting purposes. 

[Rik Lightstar]

A subtle highlight towards the centre of each panel.

 

Edge highlight the top edges of the panels with something less subtle.

 

Give it a coat of gloss varnish.

 

Pin-wash all the panel lines.

 

That should give you a pretty quick and effective result.

 

Rik

[Rogue]

Thanks chaps.

[SickSix]

Look up 'how to paint a leman russ' on YouTube from Emperors Crusade. I am following his formula.