My tips for drybrushing for beginners

Tips for detailing kits (again aimed at beginners)

Links to other great modelling sites

In this section I will attempt too explain the basics of dry-brushing for beginners. The techniques explained here work brilliantly on a small scale model or figure as it is enough to fool the eye (and the brain) into believing there is true feathered highlights on areas that are exposed to light. At the end I will also explain a quick wash to deepen recessed areas, although I still believe that this is over done on most models and is sometimes unnecessary. Sorry, but until finances improve I cannot show any images of my own works as I have no access to a digital camera or a scanner. Anyone willing to help??!!!

To start with ensure the the base paint and overall colour is completed and dry. Usually on a good coat of paint this will take 12-24hrs depending on paint and weather (eg humidity).

When this is dry, I find the best thing to do is mix the base colour with a fair amount of white so that the paint has turned an almost grey white (but not quite).

Now, get your brush, preferably a size 1 or 0, and get some paint on it. On a sheet of old newspaper, rub the paint off the brush as if your were roughly painting it. When almost no more paint comes off the brush, start lightly painting the areas you wish to highlight. This might include the legs, arms, body and helmet. Basically anywhere you have previously painted in the base colour.

You should notice that some areas appear lighter than others, hopefully areas that are raised will look like they are being viewed in the sun. Don't worry if it doesn't look right, practise will refine how you apply the paint and how to fix it.

To make the recesses look "recessed!", get some extremely thin black paint, almost as if it were thinner (or water) itself. With the brush, place it into the recessed areas and lines on the model to darken these areas. The thinner/water will dry, and leave behind the paint creating a "shadow" look.

If the wash appears to heavy, just go through the highlight stages again to even out the look. Again practice will enable you to get this right over time.

My small tips for detailing.

Here I will try to briefly explain some some small tips to detail kits that I have learned over time. Again this is mostly for beginners, but more experienced users may find something here,you never know. If anyone has further tips, please feel free to send an email.

WARNING: In the following tips are some techniques that may be toxic (eg plastic and thinner fumes). Please use a well ventilated area when doing this and if necessary with adult supervision. In no way do I accept any responsibility for any illness or injuries caused by using these tips.

To make antennas for all types of kits, use a piece of old sprue and heat over a flame until you can stretch it easily. When you have the required length, cut the piece and paint in the appropriate colour. Glue to your kit in an appropriate position. To make sure it sticks well, cut at a point towards the sprue where there will be a larger surface area for the antenna to stick.

On 1/35 scale kits, bullet holes can be easily made by heating a pin gently, and then pushing the heated pin into the place you want the bullet hole to be. For more realism paint a small area a rust primer colour, and weather with some silver, black and overall body colour. Get the effect right and it will look magic.

To be honest, without actually making a kit at this time, I can't remember any more! Please send some and I'll add to this page....

Some links to some great modelling sites..

Here you will find some links to some great modelling sites on the web. If any don't work, please let me know here.

Military Miniatures Magazine	This is a great link to the Military Miniatures Magazine Page which has some great tips and photos.
Model Gallery	This is a link to a gallery page. It has some great pictures of German armour and there are also some good pictures of more obscure allied armour.
Atlas Model Railroad Company Inc.	Atlas model railways. A great site for checking out information on scale model railroads.
Dustball Express	Need I say, but model trains are another big thing for me. Here is a great site showing how to make an N-scale train set to put under your bed. Though, you may want to have a fairly high bed before trying this one!

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