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I recently stumbled across the idea of using a piece of foam/spongy material to add random patterned battle damage/wear and tear to my models. As soon as I read about it I just HAD to give it a try on a model. The first model I used it on was my test piece for my recently decided upon Sons of Medusa, which you can see at the bottom of this post for a full example of how this technique looks.

Step One is to paint your model up to normal standard with your base colors, I have used Space Wolves colors here since I've got a bunch of the Wolves laying about not doing anything!

Step Two starts by finding an appropriate spongy material. For this tutorial I used a small chunk of blister pack foam:



Once you've located an appropriate material, rip off a ragged piece like I have above and dip an end into a darker colored paint. For this tutorial I mixed 50/50 Shadow Grey/Chaos Black. Apply the color to the model where damage would normally take place. Don't worry about being too liberal, you can always clean it all back up with the base color to get just the right amount of damage.

Step Three is as simple as highlighting the bottom edges of the damaged areas to add a slight bit of depth to the 2D surface. Here I've used Space Wolves Grey.

You can really go nuts with this technique in both color variation as well as amount of damage you apply. The randomness of the ragged sponge pieces help add realism compared to hand painting it on. I plan on using this on many many more projects in the future. It's just to simple!




What have you used to get realistic battle damage on projects? Feel free to share your ideas and experiences!

awesome!!! thx for link

Thanks man! Now I want to shoot myself
When I think about the work I´ve put into battledamage and the endless hours to make it look like real damage and than have a look at your technique I well, see ya in heaven mate.

Wow! That came out awesome!

Nice Post! Thanks!

Nice post... it's not at all a new idea (ask any armor modeler) but you're stumbling upon it proves that great minds think alike!

That's looking rather nice. I'll have to try it out.

Great post GD, and some excellent supporting pics as always. Thanks for sharing!

I've also found blister foam works great for rust spots on metal as well. Almost identical technique, just using browns and oranges over metals.

Thanks Grey Death! Awesome tip!

Hey all, I'm glad you guys dig the tip! I am trying to remember to post them each week here as well as on my site, but the last two weeks have been a bit hectic ^_-...

If anyone has ideas for quick ideas they'd like to see done, feel free to PM me here! It's a weekly series and ideas will run short soon enough if I don't get additional input!

It is a nice tip. I used a similar process to do camouflage patterns back when marines used camouflage.

Nice photos as well.

Wow! this looks great and its relatively simple that I think I maybe able to do this?

Is this a good method to also add mud splashes on vehicles and bikes? Or do people use a different method?

This would work for mud and grime as well. Sponge chunks are great tools for applying small semi-random marks to a surface instead of individually applying each dot with a brush.

I really appreciate the tip. I'd never have thought of that. I love collecting new tricks.

I use a similar technique for large areas of rust, the sponge gives a nice random result as well as adding texture if you add a second layer.

hoply crap thats retartedly simple. and it looks like its really got some holes in it. great idear

Well done!

hmm *looks at landraider* mmmm *looks at sponge and paints* I declare a state of win

how would you do it for black armour for templars or raven guard?

having issues trying to find the right colours..

Rust colors are good for black. I've used a deep brown rather effectively before, and I've seen others use the same for these types of forces.

Sweet, gotta try this out.

Hell yah my salamanders are about to gain some experience!!1

I did a bit more on how to paint your battle damage on with a bunch more info on my methods. You can find the article here.

I'll eventually get around to posting it here on Dakka >.>...

I can never get it perfect, but I still love this technique!

Painfully simple and effective, excellent stuff.

How would this quick and dirty technique work for spess marheens that are predominately silver/iron?

Murray wrote:how would you do it for black armour for templars or raven guard?

having issues trying to find the right colours..

+1! I want my RG damage!

I also use this method on my marines, it looks so good.

ooo nice! orky vehicle dings here we come.

Yay!! Ive been looking for something like this for ages!

Very nice