Adam Wilder (ANPW) demonstrates how to use matte, satin, and gloss varnishes to add contrast and variation to scale model finishes.



Varnish Weathering Techniques

If you have comments or questions please post them here.

Thanks!

How was the rust effect achieved on the track cover plates? Looks really nice and realistic.

Thanks Adam for a really informative article with excellent photos.

You also build a mean KV-1!

Cheers,
Jim

Hello Konstantin and Jim
Thanks a lot for your postings.

The rust on the fenders was achieved using different shades of red-brown acrylics. More of the green base coat was then randomly sprayed over the red-brown. Finally more rust tones were added to the red-brown and green using thinned mixtures of Humbrol enamels, oils and pigments. It was fairly easy. I hope this photo helps you.

Thanks
ANPW

Adam,
I'm still abit confused. Did you undercoat with olive green before applying different shades of red acrylic? Also, did you let each layer of acrylic shade dry before going onto the next one? How diluted was the acrylic paint? Thanks alot for the answers!

You know, I've been using that technique on the under-chassis of car and truck models for some time and it never occured to me to try it on my armor kits!
Thanks for sharing!!!

It really is a great feature - too often we get sidetracked by using this layer or other without considering the use of varnish as a weathering medium - Thanks Adam!

Interesting indeed. I will definitely have to think and consider this type of thing more often.

This is a very intriging article. I love how the different textures/finishes give depth to the overall presentation of the model, and that knocked out KV 1 is inspiring. Very well done, Adam, and thanks for sharing.

Hello again guys and thanks for your time.

Konstantin, sorry about the confusion. Let me try to be clearer. First I airbrushed a coat of red-brown acrylic paints onto the fenders and let them dry. I think they were Tamiya paints. Then I airbrushed some more light rust colored acrylic paints randomly over the fenders and let them dry.

Then I airbrushed some random areas of green acrylic paints over some of the rust (on the fenders) and let that coat dry as well. Finally I blended everything using a mix of rust colored oils, pigments and Humbrol enamels over the acrylics. I thinned and further blended the enamels, oils and pigments with thinner.

Does this help you a bit more? Please let me know otherwise and thanks again.

Plasticat, Jim, Scott and of cource Armorama, thanks again for your support.

Sincerely
ANPW

Sorry Jim
I did not see you down here.
Thanks for the posting. I am glad that you like it.

Sincerely
ANPW

Yep. It's clear as "Absolute" now Can't wait till I try some of these techniques on my new build. Thanks for sharing Adam!

one h*ll of a model there, I'm sooo full of envy

And most of all, the bricks with hole!! you make'm urself?
It's brilliant, didn't know they had them back then.

Greetz Pit

Adam
Congratulations on a well executed piece. The interplay of the rust against the green really did a lot for the whole scene. There is so much going on!
The idea of using various glossiness is interesting. i have not personally tried it in this manner but definitely warrants an attempt methinks. Great article.

CK

Awesome work - the reason I love this hobby.

Charlie