Hi all,
I know this a place for the in-progress pics. Even if I state that my Abrams is over, I still need your feedback about the way I tried to use pigments for a first time.
To be honest, I'm not fully content with it but anyway I had to try it and should try again before mastering this technique.







more pics when you'll click on the banner. TIA for your comments

olivier

I have only one problem and it's not with your model. As I recall you used the Echelon decals? Does the barrel art say "Sinister Minister" or "Sinister Monster"?

I believe it should be Sinister Monster. I am not completely sure so you be the judge:



I think you're mising the EPLRS antenna as well.

It is great. The color looks very good. The color variation (a lighter color on the CID panels) and highlights are really great. I still think you could even out the MCD screen. Also, I think you should paint the smoke grenade caps the light greenish white color that is usually seen in USMC M1A1s. EDIT - they can be seen in the image above.

Jeff

Overall, this looks pretty good. I like the shading along the skirt panels, nice and subtle but effective. The weathering on the tread pads is very good.
Ok, some observations:
Add a wash to the wheels to pop out the details.
Also a wash would give more empahsis to access hatches, e.g., the ones on the rear deck in the third picture.
In the first picture, it looks like there's some slvering on the name decal.
The headlight silver over shot the lens. on both lights. You might want to either lay a small amount of black wash in the crevass to hide this or use a pin to scrape away the excess.

I really don't see the silvering on the name decal. Looking at the image, I think it is an illusion. Follow the "line of light" along the barrel (due to light reflecting off the curve), the "silvering" runs exacting along the light.

Jeff

Jeff,
The black he has painted on the smoke poppers are the dust covers.

USNavy2534,
The pale green you are seeing on the smoke launchers are actually the smoke grenades loaded in the launchers. The black, as Epi pointed out, are the rubber FOD covers that are put on when the launchers are empty to keep dirt and water out. The launchers in the kit used above have the covers molded on them.

Thanks you all for these inputs.
I'll try to answer the few questions or remarks.

First the name appears to be Sinister MINISTER and not monster as I thought first from the pics I got. But looking closer at the Archer Fine Transfers and Echelon decals, minister is obvious.

The EPLRS antenna is missing for just one reason : I didn't notice it Anyhow, I don't exactly know how to figure it but should try to do it.

In the first picture, it looks like there's some slvering on the name decal.
The headlight silver over shot the lens. on both lights. You might want to either lay a small amount of black wash in the crevass to hide this or use a pin to scrape away the excess.

No silvering for real. It's just due to the light conditions when I shot the pics.
You got it right for the headlights. I'll fix this too.

I still think you could even out the MCD screen
I forgot this one. I scrapped this one. I tried a new trick but I totally went off when painting. The "mirror" is simulated by food aluminum foil. I painted over it a mix of Tamiya Clear Orange and Green paints. As they're too liquid they slipped on the surface and didn't cover it as I expected. Another one to fix, not that hard though.

As far as the smoke grenades are concerned, I think I'll let them with their rubber covers.
Thanks you again for the constructive comments.
olivier