Figures Wash

[ElCapitan]

Bit of advice needed...

I've almost finished painting up a few figures and need to apply some sort of wash - could anyone recommend how to do that, what to use etc? Also can I use the same wash for the whole figure, or a different wash for each base colour on the figure?

[Twokidsnosleep]

They are looking really good
What type of base primer and paint have you used here??
That will help determine the clear

[ElCapitan]

Ultimate primer and vallejo acrylics.

[Twokidsnosleep]

Ultimate primer and vallejo acrylics.

SO you can seal those paints for weathering with numerous compatible gloss clears
Some like the Aqua gloss as it is "rock solid". There are many others like Windsor and Newton for example...just do gloss and not flat as the latter will hold your weathering stain like crazy!!! Look for a clear that is easy to get and inexpensive for you. I am a Future guy, but that is me as it is easy to get and works for me.
The big message is protect your underlying paint layers so you can wipe off the weathering if you screw it up or temper it down.
Rules of thumb:
If your figure is acrylic painted, use oils or clays to weather
If you oil paint the figure then don't oil weather, use acrylics like Tamiya's panel liners or clays like Ultimate to weather


Weathering is all over the place...oils, clays, inks etc etc
With a good acrylic clear you can do all of these on anything really
The Ultimate washes are good and safe bets and can be painted into different areas of a figure or entirely doused and then wiped back. Pretty much idiot proof
I make a dark india ink stain with oil paints as the base...I have the recipe at home and will put it up when I get done with work.
AK and ammo make good stains as well. Basically choose your poison.

You can overall wash the entire figure or do separate areas.
I hope I am helping.


This guy got a light india ink oil stain for highlights, he is oil based paint sealed with Future


This one is all acrylic and had just a touch of Tamiya panel liners to highlight clothing folds more than weather
I also did a bit of Future on his leather belts and booths to give a bit more shine...Aqua gloss could be used too.
The metal hub of the prop has AK dark oil stain in it with a Future layer underneath.

[ElCapitan]

Thanks Scott, for your in-depth answer. I'm sure it'll help more than just me!

[Twokidsnosleep]

Thanks Scott, for your in-depth answer. I'm sure it'll help more than just me!

Hope I am not too confusing
Work with stuff you have or can get easily
Don't buy some weird exotic hard to get product
Sorry to waffle on about this, there are many ways to weather a cat. I hope others chime in with their experiences/ methods