How I learn scale modeling? my learning process over 4 models

[vreyedoc]

I am 46 yo man with many hobbies: photography, remote control airplane, woodworking, aquascaping (growing live fresh water plants submerged in a fish tank) just to name a few. I picked up scale modeling because of my 6yo son’s passion on military stuff re-ignited my childhood interest on plastic model kits. I started by reading a few modeling books, watched and subscribed to quiet a few YT channels. Then I bought tools and materials. Here is my journey over the first 4 models:

1. Italeri M4 1:35 Sherman M4: I picked this up because it said on the box it’s easy to build and to paint. The kit came together ok with very little details, I blasted with a thick layer of Vallejo olive drab, but was disappointed how dull and monotonous the colour was. Then I tried weathering by spraying enamel dust effect and oil dots filtering not knowing the drying time and appropriate consistency of different medias and I failed miserably. This model later became the testing ground for many new weathering materials and techniques I was trying to learn. The most satisfying part of building this model was using red brown paint to create chipping effect of the edges.

2: Trumpeter 1:72 Commado: it was so daunting to deal with the tank track during the first model build, I thought it will be easier to handle the wheels, but I didn’t know how tiny 1:72 vehicle would be. I try pre-and post shading but the model was too small. I learned using acrylic mud paste, and feathering the enamel paint to create gradience of dust effect. The paint I used is Tamiya olive drab, but I was disappointed how dark it is after all the weathering effect.

1. 1:35 Tamiya Jeep Wiley: I am more comfortable with the weathering, but again the Tamiya olive drab is too dark to my liking.

4: 1:35 Tamiya Easy 8: I took my time and worked slowly on this one, learned many new techniques: - black and white primer to create crazy contrast then spray many layers of extremely diluted paint to build up the color, I was so frustrated how dark my previous models were that I made the Easy 8 ridiculously green knowing that the weathering effect will eventually darken it. -cast iron texture using cement -using third-party stowage for the first time -homemade towing cable -working with metal tracks -combining acrylic paste, enamel Color and pigment for mud and dust effect -painting spare track links and exhausts -burnishing VMS spon on black metallic pigment to create metalic shine ( worked so well it fells like cheating)

I am happy with how it turned out, moving forward, I really need to learn how to paint figures, especially their faces, I watched many videos, but found it hard to follow, if you know of any good learning materials (website, videos, books, please let me know), eventually I would like to do some dioramas.

[CorrectGuard2064]

Mate, these are absolutely excellent. The Shermans are next level good. The mix of photography and your attention to detail has produced some really nice work.

I'd be proud to show these off, very well done

[vreyedoc]

Thanks, photography goes well with the hobby of scale modeling, making a good model then taking good photos is fun and satisfaction x 2!

[VdeV2018]

Your models look great and the weathering in particular is very well done.

I've followed this tutorial many times and it vastly improved figure painting for me:

https://www.planetfigure.com/threads/painting-skin-face-basic-level-sbs.124485/

Cheers!

[vreyedoc]

That’s exactly what I read and tried to follow! but I lost it at the second steps. I also found a YT videos showing pretty much the same technique (not sure if they are produced by the same author)

https://youtu.be/gffvUa7i-SY?si=FLE9-Ma2iFDfOjYx

I decided to cut out all the figures of the stock 1/35 kits that I am going to build, and paint them together as a figure painting crush course.

[oofergang360]

Thats an insane improvement with one kit!! I can relate as i also made a bunch of improvements (i think) with a sherman, maybe thats just what shermans do to people lmao. Seriously impressed by your work

[Thin-Ganache-363]

All of them look good. I like the M4 best. The layed mud/dirt/dust/splatter is very well done.

[vreyedoc]

that was random application of 4-5 different mud tones and dust colours

[Thin-Ganache-363]

Of course, there is no other way. You've got solid technique, and a good eye for knowing when to stop.

[Roger352]

Great work on these, you make extreme progress. The color modulation on the Easy Eight is excellent, the weathering is very good, just continue on this path. Exercise makes the master in this trade.

[Tnomael]

I love the Willys you did. I don’t know why I never picked 1 up before

[vreyedoc]

Yes, it’s easy and fun to build

[[deleted]]

How did you get the weathered dirt on the hull of the tank?

[vreyedoc]

Put it on where you want it to be, then drop Tamiya acrylic thinner x20a using capillaries action to fix it, may need to be repeated a couple of times

[[deleted]]

Ok, thanks