Really nice appearance. The tracks seem to have noticeably more sag to them in your more recent pictures. Did I miss something or are my eyes playing tricks on me?

Thank you sir!

Alex, thank you for the kind words. I glued the tracks down a few steps ago.

Cheers,
Dustin

Wash applied to turret. Few more steps left.

I took some pictures... Perhaps in better lighting? I got a little carried away with trying new camera angles.
















Cheers
Dustin

I like the picture that looks like its from the commander cupola point of view.

Nice weathering so far. Good rust color for the exhaust. You might think about adding some texture to the exhaust next time. There are several methods but I usually use the old Testors liquid glue stipple brush technique. You may have done it but it is not evident in the pictures as far as I can tell.

Thank you Armorsmith. I did not add texture to this exhaust, but I do plan to add some pigments to it.. Which may add some texture, correct? If not, maybe I can paint them again, and while the paint is wet, dab some pigments on top of the wet paint?

That will work. Another option would be to make a slurry of pigments and just apply that.

Great idea. I'll do that, but do I do that after the clear matte coat or before?

Also, do I make that using pigment fixer, white spirits or water?

I would do it after as pigments adhere better to a matt surface. Never used the pigment fixer but you could use either water or white spirit. Once dry you can brush off and excess and work it a bit or even go back and add more. Play around with it to get the look that you like.

Ok sounds good. Thank you.

Streaking done.

Dry brushed the tracks. I really think this made them stand out and look the part.

I'm calling this done aside from a matte coat and pigments.

I should have been more mindful of the track connect and put it on the bottom.

Thoughts overall?






Cheers,
Dustin

Well done!

Thank you very much Armorsmith! As always, your advice and kind words are so very much appreciated.

You think the dry brushing is ok?

I think you did a fine job on the contact points on the tracks. The amount of shine will vary with the environment. For example tracks that have been run on a hard surface even for a short time will be very shiny, whereas those that have been run on dirt would not be as bright but still have a noticeable sheen.

Ok great. I was a bit nervous to do it, but I've been telling myself to try something new on each kit. I also want to give it an overall "dusting" what's your thoughts? Yes or no?

I plan to stay away from doing any mud this time.

Dust would be appropriate. Two options here, light or dark earth/dirt colored pigments or use the airbrush. If you use the airbrush the paint should be thinned and applied in very light coats so the effect builds up gradually. You don't want to go to heavy. Practice on some scrap to get the feel for it. I actually use both, applying pigments to the lower hull and running gear and using the airbrush to give the effect on the upper hull. On the upper hull I usually use a more buff color to simulate dust more than dirt and also usually give the entire upper hull and the turret a light dusting in addition to the areas just above the road wheels where it would be naturally heavier. Again less is usually better than more, hence the thin coats and gradual build up. With the pigments if you don't like the effect you can just use a damp cloth or Q-tip to wipe it away. If you use a Q-tip make sure you get off all the lint and fuzz it sometimes leaves behind.

I planned to use buff for the light dusting. I guess I'll give the pigments a try as well.

Cheers,
Dustin

Dustin,
I think it looks awesome! The weathering and highlighting are done very well.

Gaz

Well done that man!!.Just proves with some good ol fashioned modelling and painting then a great job can be done from classic golden oldies!!.
Great job from Richard

looks like you live in the boonies, nice front yard. looks peaceful where your at. No big city crappy air. Good job on the panther.

Gary - Thank you very much. I've been trying a few new things on this and I'm please with it so far.

Richard - Thank you sir! I'm honesty very surprised how this has turned out. Like many other have said, and I didn't understand until now. Sometimes it's not the kit that matters, it's the work put into it. I'm a firm believer in that now.

David - Thank you! Yes we live in the country. We have 3 acres and its mostly big trees, which keeps the nasty weather off of our home and allows us to be outside when you would dare go out at other places. It's really nice, but sometimes we will step out to feel the weather before we go somewhere, and it'll be very nice (we think) and we will wear shorts and t-shirts and when we get where we are going its freezing and the wind is blowing 30 mph.

Cheers,
Dustin

A bit of mud on the lower hull. I believe this came out WAY better then how i did it on the Pz. IV

It's getting lighter as I type this because its drying up.
Thoughts?




Cheers,
Dustin

You do know if you keep this up, people will start giving you trophies.... My only critique would be to dry brush some steal on the track. The second would be to spray some clear semi flat/ flat on the hull. Everything else borders on the perfect.