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Hey there,

I'm looking for a way to make my models look like they've got mud or dirt on them, as though they've freshly risen out of a swamp. I've seen some "weathering powders" but I have no experience using them. Does anyone have any experience with something like this?

gryphon sypia wash

ernshmagl wrote:gryphon sypia wash

Sorry, I should have been more clear.

I want to replicate the actual texture and look of opaque dirt and mud.

Ostrakon wrote:Hey there,

I'm looking for a way to make my models look like they've got mud or dirt on them, as though they've freshly risen out of a swamp. I've seen some "weathering powders" but I have no experience using them. Does anyone have any experience with something like this?

Despite the cost, since you're starting out...
I will suggest FW's powders. Not only are they easy to use, but you get a pretty hefty mix of what people will commonly use for weathering in the weathering 'packs'.

Here is a fairly good place to look for basic techniques, and if you can grab Modeling Masterclass it's a fairly well done bit.

Obligatory Forge World plug aside, it's a "learn as you go" process. Some things will work well for you but not for others and vice versa. It's best to learn by doing, and grabbing a few cheap 1/72 or 1/48 scale armor kits and practicing on them. Photo references are a good place to work from as well, as are things like Osprey's Finishing & Airbrushing Scale Models, etc.

Kanluwen wrote:

Ostrakon wrote:Hey there,

I'm looking for a way to make my models look like they've got mud or dirt on them, as though they've freshly risen out of a swamp. I've seen some "weathering powders" but I have no experience using them. Does anyone have any experience with something like this?

Despite the cost, since you're starting out...
I will suggest FW's powders. Not only are they easy to use, but you get a pretty hefty mix of what people will commonly use for weathering in the weathering 'packs'.

Here is a fairly good place to look for basic techniques, and if you can grab Modeling Masterclass it's a fairly well done bit.

Obligatory Forge World plug aside, it's a "learn as you go" process. Some things will work well for you but not for others and vice versa. It's best to learn by doing, and grabbing a few cheap 1/72 or 1/48 scale armor kits and practicing on them. Photo references are a good place to work from as well, as are things like Osprey's Finishing & Airbrushing Scale Models, etc.

So, what, it's just powder on, matte finish?

It seems like the consistency is kind of... cakey? That would actually help me achieve the look I'm going for (specks of dirt clinging to the limbs of models and whatnot)

I compiled a few techniques for working with weathering powders:

http://ik-painter.blogspot.com/2011/10/tools-of-trade-vi-weathering-powders.html

Maybe there is something there to help you.

Cheers,


IK-Painter

you could try weathering sticks, i thing tamiya make them. Theyre basically an oil pastel that replicates the texture of mud, snow, dirt or whatever other ones they sell.

I have pictures of my tanks dirtied I mix salt or flock into the paint i use for mud. http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/326377.page

You could glue some fine sand to the edges of the armour or even in between, when its painted it should have a very crusty look to it, but I think the weathering powders are better way to go if you have that bit of money to spend

Just read yesterday you can mix the powders (or ground pastels) with pva for a subtle mud look or with polyfilla+ glue+ acrylic medium combo for more texture, deserves some experimentation I think. Sand works ok but tends to look a bit too coarse for mud.

Ostrakon wrote:
So, what, it's just powder on, matte finish?

It seems like the consistency is kind of... cakey? That would actually help me achieve the look I'm going for (specks of dirt clinging to the limbs of models and whatnot)

If you're doing standard infantry--it's going to look a bit much and just sloppy for the most part if you do the bigger chunks. What you'd do though is apply the powders after you've glossed+matte finished the model. You then use something else (I use hair spray) to affix the powders into place so they retain their luster while also staying in place.

To give an example:
Before:
After:
This was airbrushed and barely painted(the metalwork of the bunker it's in and some minor details was about the extent of things being brush-painted) and then given minor washes, while powders were used to add the real 'depth'.

I heard something about mixing fine sand with your paint and that using gloss varnish over the top... or something.

maybe this helps:

http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/365868.page