My friend Mathieu noticed in the last photos that I had forgotten to pigment or filter the hull by the skirts -- and so the German emblem was too clean and shiny. This made me realize that I had also failed to weather the inside of the skirts.
That, in turn, made me realize that I had forgotten to gloss the mud, add water to the skirts, melted snow to parts of the hull, water in some of the recesses of the engine where snow would have melted, and a few other little details like that.
At this point I feel pretty good about the model but chances are good I'll find something small to change, finish, or clean-up, but this is otherwise a completed project.
I think Warlord Games did an incredible job with this kit. At 1/56 scale the detail is crisp, the casts were clean, and I had very little to do beyond glue the model together before I could get started.
And now here's a composite shot of the layout showing some of the details on the base -- and then some high resolution individual shots of the tank.
While I admire the skill that it takes to add that much weathering and make it look correct. I have to wonder why many military and wargame modelers are driven to make their vehicles look like they have sat idle outside for years? The rustbucket look is one that I see on Tank Overhaul from vehicles that have been in the elements for decades. Surely maintenance is better on vehicles actually being used.
ReplyDeleteThis is even sillier on vehicles from SciFi settings where it's quite possible that the vehicle is made of stuff that doesn't rust and have coverings that aren't paint (ie Holo field projectors).
I think what might surprise you is how quickly military vehicles weather and degrade -- and how poorly paint is applied even on modern vehicles. I'll dig up some resource photos and post them to the blog.
ReplyDeleteFor WW2 vehicles where tanks were made of forged steel, primed red, and rolled off the lot the results were fairly dramatic in harsh climates. With winter vehicles you had whitewash added a mop in the field and it wasn't pretty.
But don't worry, I'll be posting some comparatively clean vehicles in the near future as well. Subtle weathering is also fun.
Looking dirty, I like it.
ReplyDeleteThanks - I was definitely going for the long winter campaign. I think there's a bit too much rust on the skirts... but I can live with it.
ReplyDeleteAmazing stuff, Justin. Something must also be said about your photography, which is top-notch. What kind of set-up do you have?
ReplyDeleteFunny you should ask - I'm actually using a crappy camera and a piece of paper. You can see my thumb in the top photo :)
ReplyDeleteThis camera actually makes things look MUCH more flat so I'll be upgrading ASAP.
Thanks for the kind words - and I'm glad you like the piece!
Great stuff man, you really have weathering down pat, and must agree with the above comments about your photography, top notch! I would like to post a link to your work on my Blogger's Best series.
ReplyDeleteMany thanks - on all counts!
ReplyDelete