Weathering. (1 Viewer)

[Spudee]

Love my FL ACW reb' figures and at present am gradually building up to complete the 55th North Carolina Infantry Gettysburg colllection; just beautiful figures. In my 'old' military diorama days, I would 'weather' my models using various dry-brush techniques to acheive a more realistic appearance. No way would I attempt these with the FL figures but I would like to see them less bright and new looking. In other words, looking like soldiers in the field would have looked back in the US summer of 1863.

I seem to recall reading somewhere on the general forum here at Treefrog a suggestion that the figures be rolled in dirt to achieve a similar effect on pre-painted figures. Any opinions or advice on this?

 

[mikemiller1955]

I seem to recall reading somewhere on the general forum here at Treefrog a suggestion that the figures be rolled in dirt to achieve a similar effect on pre-painted figures. Any opinions or advice on this?

I couldn't do that with my figures...I don't recommend it!

 

[joesgis]

I definitely would not roll any figures in the dirt, no matter who the maker is.

Joe

 

[Mitch]

No I would not recommend rubbing them in dirt. That may have been a wind up. I would if you wish and are able to either weather them with paints or, one of my friends usues Mig powder pigments straight from the bottle and applies the colour he wants to the figures. You can get everything from sand colours to dry muds from around the world. They are good for toning the figures but, also if you get sick of the look are easy to brush away. just don't use water as the powders will begin to colour!!
Mitch

 

[MapleLeaf]

Spudee that was in the joke section
that's a NO NO my freind

 

[Spudee]

No I would not recommend rubbing them in dirt. That may have been a wind up. I would if you wish and are able to either weather them with paints or, one of my friends usues Mig powder pigments straight from the bottle and applies the colour he wants to the figures. You can get everything from sand colours to dry muds from around the world. They are good for toning the figures but, also if you get sick of the look are easy to brush away. just don't use water as the powders will begin to colour!!
Mitch

Mitch, that sounds like a great idea and as you say, you can just brush the pigment off if you want to. Thanks for that.

 

[Spudee]

Mitch, have just placed an order with Mig for their basic pigament set which includes a number of shades of earth. Should work a treat. Thanks again.

 

[theBaron]

Spudee, I'm joining this too late to save you some geld, but you can get the same effect with artist's chalks. That's all that Mig's pigments are, basically, with some binders and anti-caking agents added. His pigments are very popular, and I'm saying not to use them. But I got myself a set of artist's chalks in earth tones, for $10, and that set will last me the rest of my life. To apply them, i just use a Nr. 11 or a Nr. 2 blade to scrape some of the chalk into a jar or into a well on my palette, and then apply the powder to the model with a brush. You can mix the basic colors to get the tone you want (from dried mud dust, to fresh mud/earth stains, which would be darker). I even grind up white blackboard chalk, to get some white powder.

As I said, not trying to discourage you from using commercially-prepared pigment powders. I'm just Dutchy, as we say around here, and if I can find a method that works as well but saves money, I prefer it.

Prost!
Brad

 

[Firebat]

Love my FL ACW reb' figures and at present am gradually building up to complete the 55th North Carolina Infantry Gettysburg colllection; just beautiful figures. In my 'old' military diorama days, I would 'weather' my models using various dry-brush techniques to acheive a more realistic appearance. No way would I attempt these with the FL figures but I would like to see them less bright and new looking. In other words, looking like soldiers in the field would have looked back in the US summer of 1863.

I seem to recall reading somewhere on the general forum here at Treefrog a suggestion that the figures be rolled in dirt to achieve a similar effect on pre-painted figures. Any opinions or advice on this?

I am the one who said that. Most of the collectors are of the belief that this stuff is actually worth something. Except for old K&C stuff which does not interest me, I see little return in recent products. It is all how you look at things. I am a modeler not a collector. The only thing I am interested in is realism not value. If you are a collector type don't touch your stuff. If you realize like I do that there is little to no value in this stuff then weather the heck out of them.

I was joking a bit when I said roll them in the dirt, but I found that as I continued to lay figures around while building dioramas, yes sometimes in dirt piles they started to dull a bit. It was a natural and somewhat effective process. But actually Mitch gave the correct answer as far as using AK products and chalks to dust the figures..Also If you don't use something to fix the pigments you can clean the figures off.

I am always way outside the box with my thinking, but if you check our website you will see the result of that thinking, if that is what you are into. My slant on this hobby is growing and growing outside of this venue, here the thinking is more traditional. We get hundreds of e mails on weathering, scale, detailing, modifying from many who are now coming to this hobby, because they see the posibilities that have not been realized yet. Alex

The Stug is weathered and I coated the figure with a 50 / 50 mix of white glue and water to dull it and then added some chalks.....

A little closer shot of the figures.....This is how I like my stuff down and dirty

 

[Mitch]

Spudee...

My pleasure and look forward to some pics of the weathering.
Mitch

Mitch, have just placed an order with Mig for their basic pigament set which includes a number of shades of earth. Should work a treat. Thanks again.

 

[Spudee]

Spudee, I'm joining this too late to save you some geld, but you can get the same effect with artist's chalks. That's all that Mig's pigments are, basically, with some binders and anti-caking agents added. His pigments are very popular, and I'm saying not to use them. But I got myself a set of artist's chalks in earth tones, for $10, and that set will last me the rest of my life. To apply them, i just use a Nr. 11 or a Nr. 2 blade to scrape some of the chalk into a jar or into a well on my palette, and then apply the powder to the model with a brush. You can mix the basic colors to get the tone you want (from dried mud dust, to fresh mud/earth stains, which would be darker). I even grind up white blackboard chalk, to get some white powder.

As I said, not trying to discourage you from using commercially-prepared pigment powders. I'm just Dutchy, as we say around here, and if I can find a method that works as well but saves money, I prefer it.

Prost!
Brad

Bugger!! That would have saved me some dosh. In fact back in the dark recesses of my previous modelling mind, I do recall someone suggesting chalks as a good weathering dust. I shall just have to bite the bullet and go with the Mig pigaments.

 

[Spudee]

I am the one who said that. Most of the collectors are of the belief that this stuff is actually worth something. Except for old K&C stuff which does not interest me, I see little return in recent products. It is all how you look at things. I am a modeler not a collector. The only thing I am interested in is realism not value. If you are a collector type don't touch your stuff. If you realize like I do that there is little to no value in this stuff then weather the heck out of them.

I was joking a bit when I said roll them in the dirt, but I found that as I continued to lay figures around while building dioramas, yes sometimes in dirt piles they started to dull a bit. It was a natural and somewhat effective process. But actually Mitch gave the correct answer as far as using AK products and chalks to dust the figures..Also If you don't use something to fix the pigments you can clean the figures off.

I am always way outside the box with my thinking, but if you check our website you will see the result of that thinking, if that is what you are into. My slant on this hobby is growing and growing outside of this venue, here the thinking is more traditional. We get hundreds of e mails on weathering, scale, detailing, modifying from many who are now coming to this hobby, because they see the posibilities that have not been realized yet. Alex

The Stug is weathered and I coated the figure with a 50 / 50 mix of white glue and water to dull it and then added some chalks.....

A little closer shot of the figures.....This is how I like my stuff down and dirty

So, it was you Firebat who put my thinking down in the dirt. But as you say, it seems to have worked for you. But I do like what you have done with the Stug, it looks 100% realistic. When I finally assemble my 55th NC Infantry assault line, I just want to dull the bright finish of the figures a little and I guess the Mig pigaments will achieve this. Thanks for the help, much appreciated.

 

[Firebat]

So, it was you Firebat who put my thinking down in the dirt. But as you say, it seems to have worked for you. But I do like what you have done with the Stug, it looks 100% realistic. When I finally assemble my 55th NC Infantry assault line, I just want to dull the bright finish of the figures a little and I guess the Mig pigaments will achieve this. Thanks for the help, much appreciated.

Enjoy.....You will Love your ACW guys with a little grit on them.


As always ....Down in the trenches

Alex

 

[Firebat]

So, it was you Firebat who put my thinking down in the dirt. But as you say, it seems to have worked for you. But I do like what you have done with the Stug, it looks 100% realistic. When I finally assemble my 55th NC Infantry assault line, I just want to dull the bright finish of the figures a little and I guess the Mig pigaments will achieve this. Thanks for the help, much appreciated.

Enjoy your ACW guys with a little grit on them

As always.......Down in the dirt :wink2:

Alex