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I was wondering if anyone knew of any techniques to paint models to make them look like they're fighting in rain?

The base of my first firewarrior is very muddy and wet thanks to filler and gloss varnish, but I can't think of any way to make the model itself look as though it's fighting in the rain. Any help would be appreciated.

I don't have actual experience painting rain scenes, but I think puddles on the base would go a long way, paint the figure rather clean, drips of metal stain down the side of vehicles. I would not gloss varnish the models, as that requires polishing, rain itself doesn't polish the armor, unless its a heavy sustained rainstorm.

Based on my experience, you need to make your model as darker as possible, as when it rains usually there isn't a lot of light (for that you can just put a basecoat, a wash and no highlights), and then adding some drippling mud to the armor of your model, especially on the feet... some very very diluited 'ardcoat is not bat too

Look at the material the model is meant to represent, something smooth like metal could get a gloss or satin varnish, perhaps gloss on horizontal surfaces and satin on more vertical for where is wet and wetter.

More cloth like fabrics get darker if they absorb water but don't get shiny so a matt finish is more suited - perhaps a brown glaze over parts meant to be wet - are the models meant to be soaked or are only upper surfaces wet for example?

easy way is to grab some cheaper models (historical ones are good for this) and practice, but first next time it rains have a look out of the window, how different does the car look? bricks? pavement? plants? look at your clothes, then go outside, how different do they get? how does the water pool, get your better half to take a few photos - when they stop laughing, or get them to model for you.

Hint don't suggest a white T shirt or you may have trouble holding and seeing models for a while, learnt that one the hard way.

'wet look' is actually a lot more involved that in first appears, tried it a few times and have gone back to a flat matt finish, but getting it to work means changing colours and how light/dark shading is applied as well as the gloss level finish which is likely to need mixing satin and gloss to get various shades

Mig & AK Interactive both offer enamel-based Wet Effects fluids designed exactly for this purpose. You will, however, need to research working with oils to make it work (which isn't difficult). They can be applied directly to acrylic paint, but varnishing over the top will ruin the look.

if you really want to push the boat out, i use dry glue crust painted in BFTBG to create blood splatter from wounds, weapons etc. you could do that sans the blood effect.

 Nodri wrote:
Mig & AK Interactive both offer enamel-based Wet Effects fluids designed exactly for this purpose. You will, however, need to research working with oils to make it work (which isn't difficult). *snip*

Just to be clear, that's an "oil based enamel", not an "oil". They behave quite differently

So if the model had very little contrast, maybe some visible streaks on any metal pieces?

Maybe you could grab an old brush, water down the paint so it's very watery (something of the same colour you are painting but a darker colour) then flick the brush? Get the watered down paint to flick and bead like rain on the model...that's the first thing I'd try

If you were to use gloss acrylic varnish and make the raindrops and streaks, you can make some "splashes" by dipping the point of a pin in the varnush and allowing it to dry, then removing the pin. Practice on other items first, or make and dry your splashes separately and use further varnish to adhere them to the model

It's fiddly, but fun once finished.