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I have finished the painting of my GD UK youngbloods entry, it is a BA assault seargeant, but am wondering whether to weather it? also any other details that I could add.
I only have a terrible camera, but can post a pic if anyone wants

I think in a painting competition any extra details just add to the chances of winning. It shows what skills you have. And I have always liked my models gritty makes them look like veterans rather than off the line.

what kind of damage/weathering would you do then? and how?

It is a premier painting contest, I cannot think of a good reason why not to add battle damage.

yes but what kind? as in those painted on scratches of a dark colour then lighter highlights, physical holes and scratches, or mud?

Pictures!

Yes, we need some pics!

It all depends what you're trying to / want to portray. Slight scratches, a few bulletholes, dust, mud, or everything.

If it's for a painting competition you likely don't want to drill the figure up with a heap of bulletholes and scratches, then dip him in mud from head to toe.

How about a gentle touch of everything, just to show off your skill in all of it. Mud on the base/feet, scratches on knees and elbows, a few spread out bulletholes on legs, chest and shoulders, peeling paint and rust on a few choice areas like the weapons, then finally a bit of settled dust on his backpack or other equipment.

The possibilities are endless, what do you want to portray, what are you good at and want to show off, what can you easily pull off, what are you afraid of even trying... etc.

riverhawks32 wrote:It is a premier painting contest, I cannot think of a good reason why not to add battle damage.

Not being particularly skilled at it is a very good reason, I'd say. Weathering is an opportunity to show off another skill set, but it's far from a requirement. If you don't know what to do, that may be an indication that you should reconsider including any. It'd be a shame to hurt your chances by covering a beautiful paintjob with mediocre scratches. Of course, you have a better handle on your own skill set than any of us, so just give it a little thought. Pics will help, if you want more specific advice than that.

oadie wrote:

riverhawks32 wrote:It is a premier painting contest, I cannot think of a good reason why not to add battle damage.

Not being particularly skilled at it is a very good reason, I'd say. Weathering is an opportunity to show off another skill set, but it's far from a requirement. If you don't know what to do, that may be an indication that you should reconsider including any. It'd be a shame to hurt your chances by covering a beautiful paintjob with mediocre scratches. Of course, you have a better handle on your own skill set than any of us, so just give it a little thought. Pics will help, if you want more specific advice than that.

Pictures definitely...and perhaps a sample of weathering on another model?

oadie wrote:

riverhawks32 wrote:It is a premier painting contest, I cannot think of a good reason why not to add battle damage.

Not being particularly skilled at it is a very good reason, I'd say. Weathering is an opportunity to show off another skill set, but it's far from a requirement. If you don't know what to do, that may be an indication that you should reconsider including any. It'd be a shame to hurt your chances by covering a beautiful paintjob with mediocre scratches. Of course, you have a better handle on your own skill set than any of us, so just give it a little thought. Pics will help, if you want more specific advice than that.

This. There is a very definite tendency when first doing it to over-weather and over-damage. The results are not usually pretty, and are best left off.

here are some pics, pretty bad quality though, but may give you an idea...

You do need to take better photos, but from what I can see you need to do some distinct shading and highlighting before doing detailed weathering/damage.

It is too...simple. There are like 4 colors on it from the looks of the picture. Judges really love edge highlighting (from experience in that category). But yeah, Howard said it.

Yes, you can't see edge highlighting, but it really is there. Does anyone have any ideas on how I can improve image quality?

Rather than holding the miniature in your hand put it on the table. A tripod helps beyond that. If your camera has a macro setting use that, reading up on your minimum focus distance helps as well. Most cheap digital cameras have a minimum focus distance of about 10cm (4") in macro mode, your manual should have the information (or you can look it up online). Lighting is also important, so either take pictures in daylight or build a lighting box.