I was browsing for photos of the 1/16 T-34s (I'm planning to build one), and came across the tanxheaven website...
There are some photos which really amazed me, and raised the question: how on earth did they do that??



The rust on the fuel tank


The rust and patches on the exhaust pipes


Again, the rust and discolorations on the containers, and the discolorations on the wall... the runny patches...


the downward patches on the transmission... (those really blow my mind...) the subtle discolorations on everywhere...

If you have any ideas how do do these things, it would be greatly appreciated.

My Guesses...

Rust on fuel tank, pigments mixed with alcohol or other carrier... Same for exhaust though possibly followed by drybrushing...

Runny patches (streaks) very tiny amounts of oil paint applied onto a surface already wet with thinners and then wipped with a clean brush until desired effect.
On the transmission they could be the same or possibly carefully airbrushed with a very thin paint.

Discolourations on the containers look like they could be dry pigments.

Just my guesses... only thing in those pictures I have done before half assed successfully is the streaks.

Have a read of this article by one of the masters.... http://www.militarymodelling.com/features/feature22/index.html

Martyn

That shading on the transmission is by using dry pastels or weathering pigments. You just brush them on over a flat coat. The results can be extremely subtle if you take your time.

For not so subtle rust I use a wash of red ochre oilpaint, applied at spots where rust would be found. A thin application gives a very faint result, whilst flooding an area gives a deep rusted effect.
Like so:

This works best for 'wet' rust.

Using pigments or pastels dry also works if you want to create 'dry' rust.

Cheers
Henk