Little help, please: First weathering attempt

[MVW]

I hope you gents won't mind a beginner-level query, but ...

Layout construction recently reached a point that allows me to do some rudimentary ops
https://www.therailwire.net/forum/index.php?topic=34780.30
so I thought it was time to broaden my horizons a bit. You see, I've never had the guts to dirty up a perfectly good piece of rolling stock.

I don't own (and have never used) an air brush, and I'd prefer not to spend money on one at this point. So this is a low-tech, low-skill attempt. Any suggestions on how to improve would be most welcome.

Here's my first try, along with an untouched model for comparison.





I blended dabs of three acrylic paints to get a wash whose color seemed appropriate. I diluted that with water, then dabbed the wash onto the roof of the car and dragged it down the sides. I cleaned my brush, then used it to dab water onto the roof and the top of the sides, letting it trickle down where it may, diluting the wash further.

After it dried, I added a bit of weathering powder. I recently picked up two colors from AIM, their sooty black and medium rust. I was a bit heavy handed with the black (a better brush may help). The naked eye doesn't appreciate the rust, but it seems to show up better in photos.

I suspect I went overboard on the roof. But I am modeling the mid-'50s, with some steam still on the rails, so there'd be a lot of soot in the air.



This would be a relatively new car, so I went light on the rust. Overall, I probably overdid this one a little bit. But am I wrong in thinking this isn't a bad start?

I think I'll dilute the wash a bit more on the next try. Other suggestions?

Jim

[ednadolski]

First, this looks pretty good to me for a first try.  some suggestions:

- Try dampening a brush with maybe some micro-sol and see if some of those watermarks will come up.  Since they are acrylics, however, that may have a limited effect.   Remember, you want any streaking to be as vertical as you can make it.

- A spray of Dullcote (or Model Master Lusterless) from the rattle can may help tone down the effect of the powders and make things a bit more uniform.  (Personally, I prefer to limit the amount of powders that I use on my models... I find it pretty difficult to make them look like anything other than, well, applied powders).

- Get a copy of Tom Mann's weathering book, as well as a back copy of the 2004 issue of NSR mag with the weathering article by Rich Yourstone.  I have found these to be invaluable resources for both technique and inspiration.

Ed

[MVW]

Thanks, Ed. I was hoping to do something with the streaking, and I was already thinking the Dullcote would tone things down a bit.

I've read the PDF of Tom's tips, and was also thinking about the book. Is there plenty in there for those of us without air brushes?

I wasn't aware of the Yourstone article. Will definitely track that down.

Thank you!

Jim

[BruceStikkers]

I am not sure if you are done or not, but the wheels, couplers and trucks need some work. I weather without an airbrush and use rail brown, tie brown and rust mostly. I put dabs of paint on a piece of cardboard or plastic and use more rust for newer cars and more tie and rail brown for older  cars. I use a microbrush for this because I can do finer work with them. The nice thing about using several colors and mixing them each time is you get variations on each car so no two look alike. You are off to a good start and using photos and generally copying them is a useful tool to get the right amount of weathering on each car based on its age.

Bruce Stikkers
St. Joseph, IL

[MVW]

Thanks for the encouragement and tips, Bruce. No, I'm not done with this thing, and I'm intending to do something with the trucks and couplers. I wasn't sure about trying to use powders, or paint as you suggest. Paint will get the first try.

Thank you!

Jim

[tehachapifan]

I'm actually diggin' the roof work. Aside from the collection of extra rust chalk on the near end, I wouldn't change much up there at all. Is it heavy weathering? Yes....but it appears like it occurred naturally to me, which is the key (the eye can really pick up on unnatural looking weathering and aging). Like someone else mentioned, one key to good looking on vertical surfaces is very straight and vertical rust streaks (if you're going to do streaks, that is). This is where the eye will really pick up on anything that was done somewhat carelessly or sloppily. It is easy to fall into thinking that random and care-free streaks are good but gravity don't lie! Finding the right balance between too light and too heavy can also be challenging. Usually best to start light and go heavier if desired. That said, I like what I see on the sides so far.

[chicken45]

I think you need to clean up your wash a bit. There are spots that look like obvious water spots, specifically around the grab irons, the bottom of the door, and the grab irons. Oh, and the ladder too. Those ladder rungs don't go in to the car side IRL like they do on the model. There shouldn't be wash settled on that "shelf."
Work from prototype photos.

I really like using water based oil paints because of the long working time. You can come back a day later and touch it up.
Also buy Tom Mann's book. Changed my life. Also, buy an airbrush (sorry). I waited to weather my cars until I had an airbrush.
It's tough and I feel for you. It's a big chunk of change.

If I were to do this car, I would airbrush a light rust over the car just to fade it a bit and tone it down. Then I'd hit it with different color washes for depth. I use powders sparingly. I like to mix mediums. I know Tom isn't a fan, but I did manage to get him to say my roof streaking wasn't horrible when I used powders on them (I didn't have the airbrush skill for that just yet).


Overall, a solid start. It's about layering, and taking paint away rather than applying it.

[MVW]

Thanks for the input, guys. Points taken.

Josh, I'm glad you chimed in. I've been digging your "adventures in weathering" thread (or whatever it's called). I was bummed when I referred back to it yesterday and your early photos were missing. Your thread helped move me toward giving this a try (even though I'm not nearly as motivated in this endeavor as you are).

I don't think an air brush is in my immediate future. (Maybe in 1-2 years.) I'm encouraged enough with this attempt that I'll probably keep experimenting with washes for a while.

I'm setting the bar pretty low here. I'm shooting for "good enough." But I'd like to stay well north of, "That sucks!" 

Jim

[chicken45]

Thanks for the input, guys. Points taken.

Josh, I'm glad you chimed in. I've been digging your "adventures in weathering" thread (or whatever it's called). I was bummed when I referred back to it yesterday and your early photos were missing. Your thread helped move me toward giving this a try (even though I'm not nearly as motivated in this endeavor as you are).

I don't think an air brush is in my immediate future. (Maybe in 1-2 years.) I'm encouraged enough with this attempt that I'll probably keep experimenting with washes for a while.

I'm setting the bar pretty low here. I'm shooting for "good enough." But I'd like to stay well north of, "That sucks!" 

Jim

Yeah sorry about the images. I am going to fix them.
The problem is I'm lazy. It's easy to upload quick shots from my phone to Facebook. I used Facebook direct image URL links.  I guess they are temporary. The good news is that I made an article out of my gondola adventure so I can send that to you.

[chicken45]

Also, I'm glad my thread motivated someone. I hoped to take the mystery out of it.

And seriously, Tom's book, man.

[chicken45]

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/110698915/Surkosky_Gondola_Weathering.doc


Come and get it, kids!

[MVW]

Downloaded. Thanks, Josh.

Jim

[MVW]

Second attempt. Pretty much the same technique, but a lot more care.

(New one on the left.)



Jim

[wazzou]

Your streaking is still a little diagonal instead of vertical. 
Be sure your brush stroke on streaking is straight from top to bottom.

[MVW]

Absolutely. Thanks, Bryan.

Funny though. That was one of the things I was concentrating on.   

Jim