Hi Guys and Gals,


I'm in the middle of painting and weathering my Tamiya Matilda, and have hit something of a brick wall. I'm pleased with the dusty grimy look I got from my washes and filters, but overall things seem bland and "samey".

I also hate how the rust on the spare tracks turned out, and would love to hear some alternatives. Ditto for the linen wrapped exhaust elements.

I know I still need to paint the tools, bedrolls, and add some small details, but in terms of finishing, what can I do to bring this to the next level?

I'd play with some pigments around the track area and call it good. That is simply beautiful as it is.

Edit; Don't forget the coax!

Looks pretty good as it is TBH. However, I'd add some heavier weathering around the mud chustes on the sides. A lot of dust/dirt etc will accumulate in these areas as it is shaken from the tracks.

Gary

I don't think I would call this bland, I would call it subtle. As you say, you still need to paint the tools and bedrolls, etc. A few details like these will make the whole paint job pop

it's desert 'tilda so dust her
pigments or pastels

Wear and tear where the crew gets in and out of the hatches, where they get off and on the vehicle, grease stains at the grease fittings and any fuel stains at the refueling points.

The tank looks great as is. As was mentioned, some more dust in the track shoots and perhaps a blue colored tarp of some sort and maybe some buckets and a Jerry can with a big white W for water on it.
I'd call this baby a wrap. Nice work, my man.
Ironmike

Unless fresh, such stains rapidly attract dust in the desert so would not remain like that for long. I agree with others who say that more dust would help - to me at least, the dark wash treatment always looks a bit out of place on desert vehicles.

The only thing that stands out to me is the cupola area. I'm not advocating a dark wash, but perhaps something in brown ochre to make the hatch hinges and other cupola details more pronounced without going as dark as panels around the tracks.

Still, it's a beautiful job!

Gary

What he said!

Just a hint of wear from crew activity and she'll be perfect.

Looks good to me. I always go by "less is usually better than more." What you might want to do is to sit it aside for a couple of days and not think about it. When you come back to it you'll have a fresher perspective and may change your mind about doing more. Remember too that we are our own worst critic. Good luck.

I agree with all the above comments.

My 2 cents worth:

#1 The tank looks very well dusted from all the desert use. (Kudos) You have the different colors of camo blending together wonderfully but as to the spare tracks - they look brand new, rusty yes, but they look "just installed". Try brushing on some lite tan or even white pastel chalk and they will blend into the affect you have achieved everywhere else of the vehicle.

#2 How about a pin wash of medium brown around all those turret bolt heads and the main hatch details? Then soften the affect of the wash with a bit more tan pastel so the wash doesn't jump out at you too much?

#3 I totally agree with all the comments listed above about stains collecting dust around grease fitting and fuel filler caps.

#4 How about a few grease/oil stains running down from the upper track return rollers, out through those side maintenance cut-outs and then down the lower sides of the track support structure?