WEATHER FORCAST.....COMMENTARY

[MrT]

I have noticed, while looking through some of the very good model magazines, of late a growing trend to doing extreme weathering to models. These days there are a numerous weathering products being released by many companies producing almost any effect the modeler wishes to do which takes out most of the trial and error and paint mixing. Almost as numerous are the techniques for applying these new products. I believe weathering is an essential part of the modeling process and adds depth to the model and a realism that gives life to it; however I also believe that realism should be rooted in the real life world we are striving to model. I have to admit these severely neglected models do have a certain draw to them and even I have attempted some of the same methods in my modeling, but most of us know we would have been busted back to buck private for letting things get that bad. I have read comments by veteran WW II German Panzer troopers which read “No rust…No rust” “Not allowed”. A certain amount of wear and tear can be expected on vehicles and aircraft operating in the elements and certain environments tend to increase this effect, but I hesitate to model so many of these effects the model is over shadowed by the weathering process. How much weathering is too much? Well that’s up to the individual modeler to decide and whichever way he or she falls on the issue does not make them a bad modeler. The danger I think is to let the latest trend or fad cloud our judgment on what makes a great model or a great model builder.

Terry

Comments welcome.

 

[moon puppy]

Could it be showcasing these chipping and weathering techniques more so than being "accurate" with the weathering?

I got pictures of my dad's D8 bulldozer with nearly 40 years of exposed weathering that didn't have the extent of weathering. Even had mildew growing in the corners. BUT, do we compensate chipping for scale?

 

[AndyFettes]

I totally agree Bob, but would add that some are showcasing Chipping and Weathering products as we continually see certain products displayed in the WIP pictures.

Saying that though there was a famous quote that tanks are like children and that they attract dirt which of course is very true

I get a little uhoh when I see and very very chipped and scratched up vehicle.

On the other side of the coin,...

In the 80s/90s I dont know if anyone remembers Tony Greenland`s ( a personal model hero of mine )superb Panzer articles in Military modelling
he had his critics then who stated that his tanks werent dirty enough

Suffice to say that you cant please all of the people all of the time !


Maybe all this is one of those stages that model makers go through to evolve just like the dry brush technique that dosent seem to be that popular anymore ( it is however quite popular on my work bench I must say )

Very interesting topic Terry and I hope we get more replies on this subject

 

[Brokeneagle]

well i had to chime in on this one as this is really is in 'my part of town'

I must say that I agree with Mr T, but over weathering can have it's place in sci-fi, fantasy, junk yarders and wrecks - especially if they are burnt out.
I really love weathering, as most of you who know my models would fully realise, but Mr T is right on the money about the current trends. There is a healthy experimentation going on that is producing a real renaissance in our hobby across all subject matters but we need to be careful not to let it become a trend in everything, as I worry that the expectation (meme) for the general modeller will require this overdone finish to achieve satisfaction or even a result in their local competition. It should remain as only another technique that is applied to the subject according to the character of the setting and time as with any other effect (such as dry-brushing, fading, shadowing etc).
In most cases moderation is the key except where the subject warrants an effect to be overdone on purpose.

I think I probably just stated what had already been said so hear hear, I say. :facepalm

Andy,
i loved Tony's stuff too as his rich colors were very eye catching but still realistic due to his fine technique and skill set. He hardly ever weathered his vehicles but I don't remember ever seeing any of them in a dio, so it never bothered me as they did not have a setting - they always came across to me as purely display.

Ian.

 

[MrT]

Fellas thanks for commenting. My object was not to decry weathering as a modeling practice, but as Ian pointed out should any particular modeling process determine what is a great model in compition or any other forum. Should we think that a given model is not be quite complete because it doesn't have every bell and whistle on the market. We all strive to recreate a moment in time with our modeling, but why do we think less of the factory fresh tank as opposed to the one with mud up the fendors. Like my wife has said many times "The damn thing was new sometime". The question is do we let our objectivity become clouded by the newest wash or pigment product to hit the market or one particular style of modeling.

B)

 

[Bagge]

Great subject Terry!
I feel it to that it is so much products out now and everyone must show of the most weathered tank/airplane.
I went far on my S.w.s and 88, but that was planned, it's a little "what if" build, i wanted that beaten up look where the crew had no time for fixing up the paintjob.
And drybrushing is also one of my favourite weathering methods, old school but it works
I understand the younger modellers now, they have all these products that didn't exist when i started building, and they wanna use them (sometimes to much...).
One more thing i noticed on shows is the level of detailing of faces on small figures, some looks like clowns to me and many modellers make so much shadows and highlights that the figure looks unrealistic
That was my 2 cents

 

[Cheyenne]

To me it's all a moot point ............. I have hundreds of ref pics of both extremely chipped and weathered tanks/vehicles and clean tanks/vehicles .

So who's to say who's right and who's wrong ............ no one can , it's all in one's own likes and dislikes .

Remember , we were not there so we don't know the story behind every ref pic we see , clean or chipped and dirty .
Basically ya either take it or leave it .
There is nothing wrong with stating your comments on an extremely chipped weathered vehicle , as long as you say it's not your cup of tea .

However those comments should not be made from a pulpit that it never happened .

Live , love , beer , model on ................

 

[MrT]

I don't believe anyone here has said that any method that is in use is bad or even un-wanted. Nobody has said that it is not possible for a model to be accurate if it is heavly weathered because offcourse they could be. What I am considering is weather or not we as a modeling community are being enfluenced, by the modeling media, supply companies, and the many published master modelers, to think a great model is one that looks beat to hell. When I look though eight or nine issues of a model mag printed in the UK and almost every build is weathered this way it just make me wonder. :hmmm

 

[Bagge]

I like when i see something different, many builds now all look the same.

 

[SA Dave]

Personaly I like to have my models reflect reality. Having been in the military I understand these vehicles were the guys home. They looked after them but dust and mud is a reality even in exersises. So is rust and scratches - especialy in active military vehicles and I try to reflect that in my models.

That said I do believe a lot of models to be overdone. Well used homes YES. Pigsties NO
(And to those modelers that model deserted and burnt out vehicles Awesome work guys :drinks )

Just my 2 cents worth

 

[MrT]

I like when i see something different, many builds now all look the same.

Oh I think all this new stuff is wonderful and it really looks cool, but when we go to contest or the forum should everything else be pushed aside to make way for the new style, do-dad, or coal soot grime pigment wash that came out yesterday. :pp

 

[Cheyenne]

That's what I mean Terry , yes we are being influenced , the multiple mags you see with the " new " weathering fad , too much or too little soon becomes gospel to a lot of modelers .
I remember a long , long time ago the Greenland method was the only accepted way to go .
Heavily weathered vehicles were a no - no .
Then heavily weathered vehicles were the norm , this will swing back and forth as long as we model and yes it's influenced by products and modeling mags .

 

[reconron]

Extreme weathered models do have there charm in my humble opinion,others may not like it,but I ALSO like the Tony Greenland approach.

Here is something I really like and what would look fine on a model [also notice the 'weathered' clothes on the guy standing on the right side];

Now look at a model done by Tony Greenland,the weathering is kept to a mimimum,but looks superb.

It's all just a matter of opinion...do or don't, if you are happy the way you do your models,..good for you..But there is nothing wrong with experimenting,you might find techniques that you are happy with.

Greetings,Ron.

 

[moon puppy]

Washing off the white wash, that would be neat to see.

 

[reconron]

Washing off the white wash, that would be neat to see.

Instant diorama idea,right?

 

[MrT]

Extreme weathered models do have there charm in my humble opinion,others may not like it,but I ALSO like the Tony Greenland approach.

Here is something I really like and what would look fine on a model [also notice the 'weathered' clothes on the guy standing on the right side];

Now look at a model done by Tony Greenland,the weathering is kept to a mimimum,but looks superb.

It's all just a matter of opinion...do or don't, if you are happy the way you do your models,..good for you..But there is nothing wrong with experimenting,you might find techniques that you are happy with.

Greetings,Ron.

I agree with you totally Ron! However I think as a modeling community when judging a good model we shouldn't be swept off our feet by the newest style and exclude work that does not fit that style weather conscientiously or subconscientiosly.

 

[reconron]

I agree with you totally Ron! However I think as a modeling community when judging a good model we shouldn't be swept off our feet by the newest style and exclude work that does not fit that style weather conscientiously or subconscientiosly.

And I totally agree that you agree with me,my dear Terry!

But seriously,you are right.I also do very much enjoy builds that don't have these new techniques used on them...nothing wrong with that,for sure! :drinks

Greetings,Ron.

 

[Sherman 18]

Eye of the beholder. New becomes old, old becomes new. New fads will always be popular in anything.

 

[Sharkmouth]

Personaly I like to have my models reflect reality.

Agreed. I don't look for eye candy. It is one of the reasons I don't go to modeling shows. I prefer to see someone try to replicate, even simulate, details such as welds, bolts, and weathering (mud, dust, grime). The scratches and chips that are making these models look like neglected museum pieces doesn't interest me but I do appreciate the effort it took to replicate it.

Regards,

 

[TomN]

Washing off the white wash, that would be neat to see.

Instant diorama idea,right?

Yep, saved it to my dio ideas folder.

There's so much going on there, would make a great model.

Thanks Ron!

Tom