After almost a year break I decided to finish one of my "off the shelf" projects- Polish Leopard 2A4.
This is the current stage of this model:







I've already applied several layers of filters and first steps of dusting. But frankly speaking I'm very unhappy with the result. The model looks unnatural. My first impression was to remove all paint and start from the beginning. Finally I decided to post this topic and ask for your suggestion.

Thanks in advance,

Michal

Hello Michal,

What makes you say that it looks "unnatural"? I like your camouflage, paint fading and the netting. I especially like the way you raised the portion of the side skirt and weathered the inside. Based upon your photographs, I don't think you should strip it down at all. My advice is to finish it (add the tracks and weather them). I firmly believe that we are our own worse critics. Again, finish it...maybe add it to a base and maybe a crew figure or two and re-post the pictures. I think you'll be happy with your efforts once it's completed. If not, use it as a learning tool and try again.

Best regards,

John Zaranek
Buffalo, New York, USA

Hi Michal,
I can´t see why you consider to do the paintjob again. The cam scheme is excellent airbrush work. Also the dust. So, what makes it look unnatural to you? From my point the vehicle is too clean on the upper surfaces, especially the turret top. Imagine, if a tank goes cross country, the dust sprays all over it, if there is mud and water, the water sprays all over the vehicle when driving fast. Even if the vehicle was complete dirty at a time and then was carefully washed, the colours never again looks that fresh again as when painted in works. It is not a gloss finish like on cars which looks clean after washing. A tank´s colour from my point is a little rough in surface and therefore it won´t be clean at any time. A tanker washes his vehicle from mud, that´s all. So, the colours do look too fresh on the top surfaces on my opinion. Also, the crew enters the vehicle with muddy shoes and walks around on the surfaces. That brings dirt on these surfaces too. After some days on exercise, there are lots of muddy footprints on the vehicle. You have to maintain the vehicle, the engine deck, etc. when on exercise. 4 crew members do lots of foot prints!

So, keep it as it is and work a little more on that beautiful base colour. But-just my opinion. Go for some pictures of really dusty Leos, no models, but the real thing. I am sure you will find lots within www. And remember, dust/mud water not only sprays over a tank, it splashes if you go cross country fast! Heavier on the bow and front, smaller sprinkles if it goes further back (turret etc.)

Andreas

John, Andreas,

Thanks for the kind words. I really appreciate your comments and suggestions. From my point of view: after such a long break in building models- there is so many things I need to recover and learn once again.
I will try to add more pigments and pastels. I have several photos of Leos during exercises- so I will use them as a reference.

Thanks again,

Michal

Don't mind me asking, but how do you do camo netting like that? Would love to learn from you!

Hi,
To do that the same way as me you need 3 things: the cheapest leaf tea from local supermarket, wallpaper glue and medical gauze.
First soak the gazue in glue and put it on your model. Than apply tea leaves.

Michal

I wouldn't start over Michal, it looks good. I think once you get the tracks on and weathered things will look better to you. I always build with this phrase in mind..."Finished is better than perfect". Use it as a learning tool for the next one. Looking forward to seeing more... "Q"