Hi Guys,
Just finished this Tamiya Italian Carro Armato M13/40. This is a 2008 release from them and included a small set of PE, aluminum barrel, 3 figures and 3 types of marking, including an set of Australian marking for those down under folks. I have a few first here for me like using PE parts, Italian nationality, multi piece tracks, normal Tamiya 1piece rubber tracks are not included, and I used 1 of Tamiya Weathering Kits for the first time. I found it to be a little difficult to apply the sand color to the treads.


The camo is from a spray can with the green color being applied last.


Still working on improving my figures. This guy is a vast improvement over what I was doing last month.


I may place it in a North Africa dio setting getting ready to move out but that will have to wait until I can get around better. I will add more weathering then to coincide with the terrain that it will be set in. Just like to get some constructive criticism as I am always looking to improve. Thanks for looking

Hi Sal,

Thanks for showing your work, and congrats on finishing something (something I've failed to achieve in about 2 years )

Okay, some constructive critique... IMO the beastie could do with some tonal variation, not as in filters and such, but the basics, like pin washes in the panel lines and around the rivets and bolts. You could also pick out the details using a highlighting colour (it's not en vogue but dry-brushing also works ).

Personally I've not used the Tamiya weathering kit, but from what I've heard it's not great. If you want to add dust and dirt and don't have pigments, you can also crush some dry pastels and apply them with a regular brush.

HTH

Rudi

Hi Rudi,
Thanks of the suggestions. Now that I look at it again it does look a little sterile If I can get it down to the workbench I try some of your idea on it this afternoon. (recovering from ankle surgery and the stairs are a bit tricky
The Tamiya weathering kit was a birthday gift figures I would try it out. It seams to work better on small individual items like figures. Thanks again,
Sal

Lots of good firsts in this one. You did a lot in one build.
Watch the small things. Things like the seam on his right hand (fingers), no color on his boots, inconsistant color on the tow cable. All these are quickly and easily touched up. What I do is get a build in a state of what I think is done. Then I take a series of photos from as many angles and I can. Then I take a close look at them for things like this. Sometimes when you're physically working on a kit, you don't see what you do in a photo. The lighting is different, the angle on the bench is different. You've looked at it so much you overlook certain things that you would see in a photo. Then I go back and touch these things up.

Tip on the eyes - I will paint the eye. Then while the paint is still wet I will go in with a straight pin and wipe some of the non-oval overpaint to make a consistant shape. I don't try to be perfect with the brush. I get close, then scrape away the extra. Be careful not to push too hard and scrape the plastic. Just use the sharp point to get in close.

Keep up the good work and start your next one.

Hi Guys,
Thanks for the helpful hints. I took some of the suggestion today and attempted to get rid of the sterile look. Got rid of the seam that was on the right hand, touched up the wooden handle of the tools, and attempted to even out the color of the tow cable. Hear are todays results

Think I might have overdid the dry brush a little


Scott you had me questioning myself about the boots. I checked they are low waters and they are painted just can't see it in that photo. The eyes method you mentioned I will try on another figure.
Well guys thanks for the helpful comments and thanks for looking.