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Fig 4. (L to R): Pigment fixer from AK and spray can pastel fixer, artists hard and soft pastels, modelling pigments from Mig. AK, Bragdon, Pan Pastels (tower) and Wilder.
Washes & Filters
We’ll cover how to make up your own filters and washes in Section 2 but, should you wish, both AK and MIG AMMO provide a range of washes and thinners. While there are a couple of items specifically aimed at the model train market most are named for military application but it’s simply a case of looking at the colour of the wash / filter as to what will work for you. While most pre- mixed washes are emamel-based Flory Models produced a range of clay-based acrylic washes that I’ve also have good results with over a Tamiya clearcoat
Fig 5: Left: acrylic clay wash from Flory Models and enamel washes from MIG and AK. Right: Chipping Fluid acrylic medium (see below)
Other Weathering Effects
In addition to the items covered above the last 5 years or so have seen an explosion in the range of products designed specifically for particular weathering effects mainly by either AK or Mig AMMO. Of those I’ve tried the most useful have been chipping fluids, an acrylic medium that once sprayed on can be re-animated with water to break up the paint layer underneath it. Also effective are ‘Fuel Stains’ and ‘Grease and Oil’ effects washes that, to my eye, reproduce the shiny brown / black appearance that thinned gloss black paint. Streaking Grime and Rust Streaking pre-made brews are a time saver in that they dry relatively quickly but the same effect can be produced using the oils if you already have them in your weathering kit. One other item worth mentioning out there includes mud deposits which can be flicked off a brush to add mud splatter along, say, from wheels onto the end walls of covered hoppers (this takes a bit of practice!!)
Bits and Bobs
While this might be straying into egg-sucking lessons for Granny there are a few other odd items that I find invaluable.
Cotton buds – large ones from Johnson & Johnson (cheap supermarket ones tend to disintegrate immediately) and a selection of pointy ones from Tamiya
Latex gloves – Keep your hands clean and prevent fingerprints on models. Buy in bulk off eBay.
Scrap card – as a pallet for oils or for creating hand held masks
Masking fluid / tape – for windows or creating clean ‘patched’ areas. Humbrol Maskol works as well as any for a fluid. Tamiya tape is excellent and readily available
Paint stirrer – something with a wide, flat blade. Coffee stirrers run the risk of shedding fibres into jars which could block an airbrush. A wide bladed flat screwdriver would do the job but Tamiya paint stirrers are pretty cheap
Brush cleaner – I like Deluxe Materials Brush Magic cleaner for giving my brushes a real deep clean. It’s expensive but if rationed to use every 5th clean then it will extend the life of your brushes over and above soap and water / turps
Where to buy
These days you are lucky if you live in easy reach of an old fashioned ‘Aladdin’s Cave’ type of model shop be it railway and /or plastic modelling. If this is you (it is for me) then a number of show traders (Hobby Holidays leaps to mind) or on-line are probably your best options. Your local art store can help out with brushes, artists oils, paint retarders and sponge paint applicators. The Hobbycraft chain can also meet the requirements of the art shop but also stocks Tamiya paint, masking tape and stirrers plus Humbrol enamels and masking fluid. For some reason Pan Pastel pigments and deer foot brushes are hard to find in the UK but I used Amazon to source them from the US and at a reasonable price.
An internet search for Mig AMMO or AK Interactive products will bring up any number of fine, reputable stockists (or you can go direct to each manufacturer). My personal choices for UK based stockists are:
• Modelling Tools (https://www.modellingtools.co.uk/ ) who have had a trade stand at Warley in the past;
• Creative Models (http://www.creativemodels.co.uk ); and
• HM Hobbies (http://www.hmhobbies.co.uk/ ).
So, with the theory out of the way next time we get our hands (and models) dirty.....
sharing know-how
18 ROUNDHOUSE - December 2018