Love of Sand in Me Pants

Post by **Coen** » Thu Sep 24, 2015 12:09 pm

Lego wrote:Nice one Michael.

Love the sign on the back. The little pieces of extra really make it shine.

Wait till you see the scratch built pop machine and garbage dumpster I'm going to try hahaha. I may lose my mind trying that one.

Post by **Coen** » Thu Sep 24, 2015 12:25 pm

plasmahal wrote:Fantastic looking armour there.

Have you got to explain the chipping technique please?

I didn't notice you using a chipping product so how did you do it?

Cheers.

Toby.

I use a piece of packing foam ripped into a small jagged rectangle and stuck in a pair of squeezers. I use Vallejo model colour's germ cam black brown 70822 for the colour. I'll dab the sponge in the paint then take some off on a piece of paper towel, then I'll lightly dab it and turn it over all the high wear edges of the vehicle. I'll add a few chips and scrapes to the panel centres as well.
I use burnt sienna for the rust colour. A dab on a chip then I drag a thinner dampened brush over the dot to create the streaks.

Post by **Coen** » Thu Sep 24, 2015 12:39 pm

wookiee76 wrote:So, basically identical to what i used on the m2a3 then, at least now i know it's down to me, not the products I'm using.

I've been practicing with this stuff for over a year now bud, so I've got lots of experience using it. With lots of patience and practice things will certainly improve for you, I have no doubt at all.
I had no idea what I was doing with clay washes when I first used them (I mad my own for ages), in fact it was so bad that I stopped using them all together for a while.
With the high quality and extremely tiny pigment size (that I could never achieve) of these new washes you can do so many cool an natural effects. It didn't take long to rekindle my interest in them. With a lot of time and experimentation I discovered all sorts of cool effects that can be done, and now I rely heavily on them for my weathering.

Post by **plasmahal** » Thu Sep 24, 2015 1:07 pm

Coen wrote:
plasmahal wrote:Fantastic looking armour there.

Have you got to explain the chipping technique please?

I didn't notice you using a chipping product so how did you do it?

Cheers.

Toby.
I use a piece of packing foam ripped into a small jagged rectangle and stuck in a pair of squeezers. I use Vallejo model colour's germ cam black brown 70822 for the colour. I'll dab the sponge in the paint then take some off on a piece of paper towel, then I'll lightly dab it and turn it over all the high wear edges of the vehicle. I'll add a few chips and scrapes to the panel centres as well.
I use burnt sienna for the rust colour. A dab on a chip then I drag a thinner dampened brush over the dot to create the streaks.

Thanks Coen, I used that technique on my Star wars trade federation tank. I'm just contemplating what technique to use on my Tamiya M51 super sherman build.

Post by **Coen** » Thu Sep 24, 2015 1:40 pm

It's a similar series of colours so you could use the same method. You could add a second layer to the chips with a lightened version of your base colour first, then put the chips inside. So chip once with a lighter version of the base coat, then go back over all of those chips with the dark brown colour.
It gives a nice multi-toned appearance for an older tank.
I've used the method many times and I've always liked the look. An M-51 would look really cool with a multi-layered chipping.

**Felis Barcinonensis YouTube Channel** · Post by **felisbarcinonensis** » Thu Sep 24, 2015 2:29 pm

Beautiful work Michael! That's the real thing

You can feel the heat of the desert... the damn sand in those shorts is killing me

Post by **Nige201980** » Thu Sep 24, 2015 5:28 pm

Mike she is beautiful brilliant weathering wow.

Post by **ladip63** » Thu Sep 24, 2015 8:48 pm

Fantastic Mike!!! I'm not familiar with tanks , but could you please tell me on the front part of the turret what the green square "This side off" is.
Looks great!!! Love the weathering.

Thanks

Post by **rwsmith14** » Thu Sep 24, 2015 8:56 pm

Outstanding !!!

Post by **gaz45** » Thu Sep 24, 2015 10:40 pm

As always mate stunning awesome work

Post by **Coen** » Fri Sep 25, 2015 12:10 am

Thanks fellas.

ladip63 wrote: Fantastic Mike!!! I'm not familiar with tanks , but could you please tell me on the front part of the turret what the green square "This side off" is.
Looks great!!! Love the weathering.

Thanks

I'm not all that familiar with modern armour either bud, but I think that's part of the thermal friend or foe identification system. The weird looking panels with the vent structure on them on the sides of the turret are part of the same system.
They're called CIP I believe.

Post by **mincemeat** » Fri Sep 25, 2015 2:44 am

Beautiful work as always!

Post by **Coen** » Fri Sep 25, 2015 10:04 am

Thanks Mince

Now for the next bits... some locals in thier base colours.

Post by **Nige201980** » Sat Sep 26, 2015 11:15 am

Those guys look so real mate great work.

YouTube · Post by **ManCupboardModels** » Sun Sep 27, 2015 1:45 am

Simply awesome! The attention to detail really makes it come alive!

Brilliant

Post by **Coen** » Sun Sep 27, 2015 3:40 am

Thanks

Over the last few days I've been busy doing a lot of family things. Now that the horrid summer months are over, the family finally crawls out from under the rock and we go outside and enjoy the world. Household chores, family weekend trips, etcetera.
Stuff we won't do during the summer.
We aren't hot sticky weather people, so fall and spring are our fun times, that means less time in the cave.

Watching my daughter chase crows through a corn maze while wearing a tutu and making scarecrow noises was worth it.

Still, I managed to get most of the figures painted and most of the accessories painted. Also base painted and washed the buildings as well as the dio base.
So not completely idol.

All the figures (except some of the Bradely crew) and accessories...

Then painting of the buildings.
Not much to look at really.

Primer...

Base colour...

Local colour...

A few details painted...

Glass test fitted...

Gloss coat with Aqua gloss then a Ultimate dark dirt wash. (One of the older marks as it was a more brownish colour than the newer ones. Waste not, want not )

Then some Ultimate light dirt ...

Stynlrez black primer for the base...

Then a few coats of light sand colours, earth colour's, some greens near the building bases, and greys for the highlights...

Next I'll probably work on finishing the buildings then work on blending them into the dio. After that the figs and accessories will get added. I may build a few more bits and pieces to add more local colour to the scene.
The I'll paint the m2 and add that.

Post by **HIghAltitudeScale** » Sun Sep 27, 2015 4:13 am

Love the work Mike, as always, and am happy for you getting family time. Your daughter looks so happy !

Bret

Post by **ladip63** » Sun Sep 27, 2015 5:05 am

This is looking great Mike.

She looks so happy running through the corn fields. Wonder if it is to late to join this SIG, but I don't know if I'll be moving in October and be able to finish.

**Felis Barcinonensis YouTube Channel** · Post by **felisbarcinonensis** » Sun Sep 27, 2015 8:00 am

Your daughter is really happy there! Nothing like Fall!Looking extra good Michael! Love the details in those figures

Clay based weathering is a plus in this kind of sandy environment, it doesn't have the oily residue that comes along with chicken tit enamel for purple surfaces after sunset in a cold morning.
Will we ever see you again in a tutu!?

Post by **Filmman586** » Sun Sep 27, 2015 11:52 am

Love the pic of your Daughter Michael! Precious!

Post by **rodrant** » Sun Sep 27, 2015 4:14 pm

First Like a lot the picture of your daughter running freely in the corn field , makes me wish to have her age again and to be free to do this kind of stuff , no worries , also enjoy your family time , as it is the best thing that we carry from life !

About your build , some comments on you mentioning always that really do not paint well the figures ,well wish that I was such a bad figure painter as you ...these are just great !

Now about the diorama layout , it is just great ! AS always you making the buildings from scratch adds a lot of value in the finish ...still I didn't try to do some scratch build , maybe one day with such nice examples , we start to think how much fun should be !

Then the tank is just awesome ! the paint and weathering are just superb buddy !

Think you did it again ...a very nice build/diorama on the way !

Happy modelling and enjoy your family time !

Post by **Coen** » Sun Sep 27, 2015 4:23 pm

Very kind words Antonio.

Thank you

Post by **Coen** » Mon Sep 28, 2015 5:06 am

With the base colours on I can start working with the diorama as a whole. I can add the glass to the windows and then glue the buildings to the base, then start with the layering of age and weathering to the diorama.
In this case that would be dust dust and more dust.

Glueing...

Ultimate Light dirt added to all the sandy areas and Ultimate dark dirt (an older version, more brown than the newest version of dark dirt) is added to the asphalt surface.

I wiped off some of the dark dirt with a piece of moist paper towel to expose the high points of the asphalt.

Then I added a layer of a light sand layer of pigments to the sides of the roads and around the buildings.

Next a layer of sand coloured pigments are added to the road surface and rubbed off with a stiff household trim paintbrush
I also added a bit of green pigments to some spots of the buildings to simulate some algae.

Then I added all of the accessories that I've made so far...

Next is to paint the Bradley then make up some more bits and pieces to add to the dio for local colour features.

Post by **wookiee76** » Mon Sep 28, 2015 6:23 am

Just getting cooler every time you post mike, awesome work fella.

Post by **ladip63** » Mon Sep 28, 2015 6:33 am

That is looking great Mike!!

Post by **Thijs** » Mon Sep 28, 2015 1:38 pm

Looks really excellent thusfar!

**Felis Barcinonensis YouTube Channel** · Post by **felisbarcinonensis** » Mon Sep 28, 2015 1:58 pm

It's becoming a very-very cooool dio!

Post by **Coen** » Mon Sep 28, 2015 2:16 pm

I just ordered these to flesh out the scene a bit more...

Website · Post by **Gav0909** » Mon Sep 28, 2015 2:40 pm

Just caught up with this. Its looking great so far Mike. I like the small additions to the diorama, I find its these details that make or break a diorama.

The Abrams looks top notch mate, if the Bradley comes out as well this will be an awesome piece. Very nice!

Post by **ThomasBrown** » Mon Sep 28, 2015 4:33 pm

Good stuff Michael!!

Post by **Nige201980** » Wed Sep 30, 2015 8:27 pm

Mike this is scary good buddy so real I've never been to afghan only done Kosovo but it's so realistic it's as if I'm there mate.
Really can't wait to see it finished.

Post by **Coen** » Thu Oct 01, 2015 11:12 am

Thanks fellas,

All of the work the last few days has been on painting and decalling the M2.
What an epic adventure that was.
It took forever to paint it because of all the nooks and crannies and all the sub assemblies.
I don't think that I'll be looking to build another one of these for a bit.
The build was cool, but the painting was actual work. I've got it up to the weathering stage now and that's more fun for me.
So things will increase in pace now, I almost shelved it a couple of times.

Decals!!!
Lots of decals!!!!

All glosses with Aqua gloss and read for Ultimate dark dirt.

Post by **Aliktren** » Thu Oct 01, 2015 11:16 am

gee willikers thats good, lol, loving that interior, amazing and inspirational as always!!!

now I'll go back to fumbling around in the dark

Post by **InvalidUsername** » Thu Oct 01, 2015 11:27 am

Impressive build so far!

Thu Oct 01, 2015 11:37 am

Awesome paintwork buddy.

Post by **wookiee76** » Thu Oct 01, 2015 2:18 pm

Painting interiors, the armour equivalent of a cockpit. Very nice mike.

Post by **Coen** » Thu Oct 01, 2015 3:38 pm

Thanks guys, I'm just glad that bit is finished.
I can move on to the more fun bits. I've always enjoyed weathering.

Took the wash off this morning and I'm just about to flat coat it now.

Post by **Nige201980** » Thu Oct 01, 2015 4:04 pm

Brill work mate love the interior.

Post by **LTmodelmaking** » Thu Oct 01, 2015 4:43 pm

Don't know if this has been pointed out but the tracks on the Abrams are on the wrong way. They're inside out. Too late to change them now.

Post by **justharry** » Thu Oct 01, 2015 5:57 pm

Your M1 was nice but the M2 i like even better both look GREAT!

Post by **Coen** » Fri Oct 02, 2015 12:10 am

This afternoon I spent cleaning more of the dark dirt wash off adding a coat of Testors Dullcote to seal it all in, and adding some Ultimate light dirt to the interior spaces.

Dullcote on...

Light dirt...

All the bits installed...

Then the hull is buttoned up. It wouldn't sit properly if left unglued so I glued the hull shut but the hatches are all workable.

All that's left now is some pigments, rust and streaks. Then I can go back to working on the diorama.

Post by **MikeyKb** » Fri Oct 02, 2015 12:20 am

un-freaking believable, Mike.
Your skill and attention to detail is second to none.
When I grow up (

), I only dream to have 1/2 the skill as you.

Bravo.
Where's the popcorn, I'm hunkering down for the rest of this build!

Post by **ladip63** » Fri Oct 02, 2015 1:19 am

OH my word...just AWESOME!!!!!

I hope I will master painting like that.
Standing by for the finish dio..

Post by **TheTroyster** » Fri Oct 02, 2015 3:03 am

Very nice here. So good in fact, that on one of your pics, I thought it was a photo of the real, life size vehicle.

Post by **MarkVerploeg** » Fri Oct 02, 2015 9:42 am

That is one cool Bradley
Now i really regret not buying one

Post by **gaz45** » Fri Oct 02, 2015 10:56 am

As always awesome work there mate

Post by **Coen** » Fri Oct 02, 2015 10:11 pm

Thanks fellas.

So...

I'm calling the Bradley done now. All that was left to do on it was the pigments (which I added Ultimate light dirt and bit of sand mixed in) then a few rusty spots and some grease, which I added with oils.

I also added the stowage and the crew that I had on hand. I have some more figures on order to flesh out the diorama, but I may just call it quits for a while on the dio. It's not doing it for me now and I've lost a lot of mojo for it after seeing a recent piece that someone did on Facebook. It's very similar to mine, enough so that I really don't want to finish mine as it is, unless I make either significant changes or improvements.
Neither may happen before the gb ends.

Either way... Here are some shots of the finished Bradley and the diorama as it stands now.
When the figures arrive I will build and paint them, but it remains to be seen if I complete the diorama with them or build something different at Some later date.

**Felis Barcinonensis YouTube Channel** · Post by **felisbarcinonensis** » Fri Oct 02, 2015 10:33 pm

WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Post by **TheTroyster** » Fri Oct 02, 2015 11:40 pm

Who gives a Brad Pitt about facebook - its just a spy platform created by the CIA. Besides, I don't see anything on this form close to your build - this is so good you could turn it into a book titled: How to Build Scale Model Awesomeness!

Post by **Lego** » Fri Oct 02, 2015 11:52 pm

Another fine model Michael, I just love the interior pics. Very realistic in the last batch of photos I actually thought the empty interior photo was real.