The first two tanks for my SS Panzerkompanie are done, and I'm pumped!
While there are things I'll doubtlessly notice later, there's no question that this work is head and shoulders above anything I've done 15mm scale-wise in vehicles. After the oil washes and pin washes from last night were left to dry, I did the following tonight to finish these puppies up:
1) Applied MIG Pigments P028 Europe Dust liberally to the tracks and lower hull area
2) Mixed an approximate 1:1 ratio of mineral spirits and Daler-Rowney Soluble Matte Varnish (pictured below), and applied to both models with an airbrush
3) Repeated the #2 graphite treatment to the tracks and other sharp edged areas on the models that paint would naturally get worn
I can't say enough how much I like this matte varnish I tried. It came recommended from ForgeWorld's Imperial Armour Model Masterclass Volume 1. It yields an utterly matte finish, and I have no doubt this bottle will last me a LONG time. I think I've bought my last spray can of matte varnish! (Knock on Wood he he he). If you try it, I promise you won't be disappointed with the results. I bought mine at Art Friend, located @ The Gardens.
Thanks for following along with me and my Sturmtigers. Up next, I'll chronicle the painting of a whopping TEN Panzer IVH tanks. I have high expections. In the meantime, here's some more up close photos of the finished Sturmtigers...
Man, time to go look for that matt varnish... Anyways, nice painting man, 3 colour camo is really hard to pull off especially soft edged camo...
ReplyDeleteAwesome looking tank. That matt varnish is looking very nice. Bottle looks huge!
ReplyDeletedude, that's your best looking tank to date! congrats. So how do you apply that varnish?
ReplyDelete@Alvin- Many thanks. Soft edged camo is actually a piece of cake to do, if you're using an airbrush. If you're using paintbrushes, you're absolutely right. Soft edge camo that way requires stippling and a lot of patience for a good effect.
ReplyDelete@Ivan- Yeah, that glass bottle will last me at least a year unless it's prone to drying out somehow. I believe it cost less then 1 can of Testors or Tamiya matte varnish.
@Azlan- Many thanks dude- I'm thrilled with how they both came out. Applying the varnish was actually real simple. After thoroughly stirring/shaking the contents of the varnish bottle, I put a little bit in a mixing cup. I then put a roughly equal volume of odorless spirits (available cheap @ Ace or other hardware shops) in there and mixed them up with a cocktail stick. The consistency I was looking for was something around whole milk. I then just sprayed a thin, even coat over the whole tank and PRESTO!- matte finish :)
Nicely done bro....
ReplyDeleteWhen I come back, I am gonna buy a magnifying glass and work on my Indians....maybe that will help. I am not going to invest in an airbrush till I really understand it. But from what I have seen, starting from Khairul's Eldar fleet till now, I think airbrushing really rocks.
@Doc- When you get let's chat about airbrush stuff. I'm happy to share what Nick, Khairul, Soo Jinn, and books have shown me. I'm no expert, but I know how to use one and take care of it. I love it, and when you get one and start using it, you'll wonder how you did without it!
ReplyDeleteCan't wait to get a game against your Punjabis dude!