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Man, I have GOT to be more vigilant with my mold lines. Let me know what you think!

Great paint work. You're right about the mold lines though. First thing my eyes were drawn to.

Even if I'm halfway through painting and I notice them, I'll stop and take them off now.

I noticed the mould lines too, particularly on the barrel and exhausts. The paint job is really effective and to a high standard. To improve I'd suggest more highlights and maybe some OSL on the searchlight to make it pop? My only other critique is the Cadia decal, which looks like it has a little air bubble trapped underneath. Good job thought

Pretty much the same critique as the others, also have you got a water trap for your airbrush? The camo looks a little splattered in places. Either water in the airbrush or a non constant air supply. Apart from those things though it looks great, especially the commissar!

These are all very fair criticisms, thanks for taking the time to respond guys. I've never been good with mould lines, for some reason I can never see the damn things until I start throwing paint on the models. Or I'll THINK I've gotten rid of a mould line but the paint goes on and I realize there was a little more work to be done.

Mr Sighs wrote:I noticed the mould lines too, particularly on the barrel and exhausts. The paint job is really effective and to a high standard. To improve I'd suggest more highlights and maybe some OSL on the searchlight to make it pop? My only other critique is the Cadia decal, which looks like it has a little air bubble trapped underneath. Good job thought

The Cadia decal didn't come out nearly as clean as I think it should have. I used Micro Sol on it too, not sure what happened there. I've never tried my hand at OSL, perhaps I should give it a go. A searchlight would be a great place for it too.

LazzurusMan wrote:Pretty much the same critique as the others, also have you got a water trap for your airbrush? The camo looks a little splattered in places. Either water in the airbrush or a non constant air supply. Apart from those things though it looks great, especially the commissar!

Actually a buddy of mine does all of the airbrushing, I haven't gotten around to buying one for myself. The 'splatter' effect you're referring to MIGHT be the stipling I did with some leftover Battlefoam I had. I wanted to add just a little bit of brown to represent mud splatters, dusting, and other light weathering.

That must be it, The green looks good, so the splattered look is probably the mud, and in that case it looks good, but maybe should have been done with a lighter or darker shade to differentiate?

I hadn't considered how close the shades were, but you're totally right they're a little too close. I'll use a darker shade on the next one.

I like it!

If I may, I'd recommend using the gloss - decal - gloss formula as it is usually quite apparent when decals don't lay down flat. The "cadia" on the turret is the most noticeable.

I think you did an excellent job. I may give the model a fast wash just to add a little depth.

For those mold lines on the barrel, i would brown stuff it, sand it smooth, and add kill rings like the ww2 gemans. Just mask off your wonderful camo around it so dont have to repaint it.

here is an example of the kill rings on a marder

Millicant wrote:I like it!

If I may, I'd recommend using the gloss - decal - gloss formula as it is usually quite apparent when decals don't lay down flat. The "cadia" on the turret is the most noticeable.

Oh, is that how you're supposed to do it??? My understanding was paint the model, apply the decal, THEN gloss varnish, then dull cote. If I've been doing it wrong, that may explain my results with the decal.

Twoshoesvans wrote:I think you did an excellent job. I may give the model a fast wash just to add a little depth.

For those mold lines on the barrel, i would brown stuff it, sand it smooth, and add kill rings like the ww2 gemans. Just mask off your wonderful camo around it so dont have to repaint it.

here is an example of the kill rings on a marder

I was actually thinking of throwing on some painted gauze onto the turret to make it look like camo netting which would do a great job covering up the mould lines on the barrel, but the kill rings are a great idea considering my camo is late war German WWII tank camo to begin with. Thanks for the tip!

 creeping-deth87 wrote:

Millicant wrote:I like it!

If I may, I'd recommend using the gloss - decal - gloss formula as it is usually quite apparent when decals don't lay down flat. The "cadia" on the turret is the most noticeable.

Oh, is that how you're supposed to do it??? My understanding was paint the model, apply the decal, THEN gloss varnish, then dull cote. If I've been doing it wrong, that may explain my results with the decal.

Hehe yes it helps a great deal! Gloss coat, then the decal. I typically apply a decal softener too - they help it really lay flat and smooth, then another gloss coat over the top. Makes the decals really invisible! Good luck!

Alright, I'll try that method for the next Russ (you can never have enough). Thank you for the tip!

Very nice tanks, great job! Mold lines can be annoying sometimes. I know when I got into the hobby this was the first hobby Ive done anything like this so I didnt pay attention to the lines. Then once I realized it I ended up stripping, removing the mold lines and repainting 2 russes lol.

I would also suggest painting the lenses around the cupola on the turret. Also maybe give the russ some weathering with mud around the tracks and some chipped armor around the edges.

Solid paint job. Basic but with big bulky IG tanks basic is good. If you could drybrush the rivets and the edge of a few of the armor plates that would really help the model pop.

Shouldn't the Commissar have a sword?