Recommended weathering books or guides for new builder?

[TK1]

Hi,

Nearing completion of my first 1/350 ship, and initially I thought I wouldn't weather them when done. This was based on having built wooden ships which hardly, if ever, get weathered, and reading a couple of perhaps old-school views that display ship models shouldn't be weathered (i.e. should look like builder's or museum models). I can see that being true in some cases - particularly a large museum model where weathering would detract from it's looks - as I seem to be leaning towards dreadnoughts and early/pre-WWII ships/subs, they lend themselves to being weathered to be look right.

So, whilst there's some great examples and tips here, I'd be interested in any recommendations on books (particularly) or even online guides/videos that show weathering techniques for ships in particular. Otherwise, general weathering guides I can adapt. Interested in all techniques on weathering and realism - I can dry-brush and do basic washes, but that's it (and from 20+ years ago when I built tanks - before the world of pre-shading with airbrushes and any knowledge of pastels, powders, etc that are available now).

Thanks in advance. I am planning to build a cheapish WWII destroyer I picked up as a test-bed for weathering so I don't wreck anything I've spent 3 months building, so willing to try anything out!

[marijn van gils]

Weathering is all too often seen as "making your model look dirty". Because of this, ship modelers are often very reluctant to weather their models, as many ships didn't look very dirty at all.

But we shouldn't forget weathering also serves another purpose: making a model look more three-dimensional and in-scale. Making it look more realistic in other words (without it necessarily looking more dirty). This aspect of painting is also part of weathering, but I feel the name doesn't fit very well here. It is mostly accomplished by adding shadows and highlights, and subtly changing the colors.
I agree that ship models only should be 'dirtied' according to how they were in reality (from pristine to extremely dirty, depending on subject and time). But I think every ship model, expect the most technical builders model, can benefit from the part of 'weathering' that enhances the 3D-look of the model.

So very good that you want to explore the painting side of the hobby further!

As for books, I unfortunately don't know too many. Fran Romero has been doing some good effort to introduce some weathering techniques in ship modeling. This DVD should be helpful: http://ak-interactive.com/v2/?product=w ... rman-ships
It basically is a step-by-step of the painting of this model: http://www.modelshipgallery.com/gallery ... /index.htm
Don't worry if you feel these effects are too much; you can also apply them in a more restrained way. Or you can choose to use some effects, but not others.

This book also has some helpful weathering tips: http://ak-interactive.com/v2/?product=m ... ares-class
And my own book is not focussed on weathering, but does explain a couple of techniques: http://ak-interactive.com/v2/?product=m ... nal-battle

But the best advice I can give you: also check out the literature for armor modeling. They have much more experience with weathering, and turned it into a fine art over the last 15 years. They often use the effects in a much more heavy way, but many of these techniques can equally effectively be used on ship models by simply keeping it a bit more subtle. Or not, if you want a heavily weathered ship!
Check out anything by Mario Eens, MiG Jimenez, Adam Wilder, �

Cheers,

Marijn

[merriman]

viewtopic.php?f=4&t=44446

[TK1]

Thanks Marijn, the books and DVD are what I was after - I hadn't heard of these, and the DVD looks perfect. Will look at getting the books too, as it is (as you say) the overall painting process including light or realistic weathering to bring out details that I'm after - making it look realistic and 3D, without having to cover it in rust. Like the topic Merriman posted, finding pictures isn't hard but it's the techniques to get the subtle effects I'm after. Good tip on armour modeling sources too.

Your Lexicon in the book looks amazing! I'll get that too as there's always more building and other techniques apart from painting to learn.