Pz.IV Ausf.H – Part 5: Filter & Wash

By miniarmour on June 10, 2013 • ( 2 Comments )

Before I move on to the next step in this build, I wanted to add few ideas about the look of this vehicles and the effect from the chipping stage.

Though I have attempted to make the chipping extensive, but as fine as possible, I still feel that the overall effect is quite heavy – only to be used on the vehicle subjected to long service life and a lot of wear. When compared to reference sources – such as the one I posted in one of my older posts here, I feel the effect is simply bit overdone. The use of this technique should be carefully controlled, otherwise the outcome can easily become unrealistic.

With the chipping mostly done I have proceeded to blend the overall look of the tank as I have indicated in the previous post. For this I have again used the AK’s wash solution for modern desert vehicles, which I have used on my M1A1 and with quite a success. This solution serves both as a wash and a filter, but the application method must be such that it can actually achieve both purposes.

I used the same method of application – simply brush the solution unthinned on the surface with a paintbrush and then remove the excess with another brush moistened with a thinner (I have used AK’s odourless thinner). The level of moisture of this second brush will determine how much of the effect will be lifted off – the dryer the brush, the more of the wash will be soaked by it and removed. Once dry, the effect of the wash will be weaker than right after the application, so I have repeated the application twice to get the desired look.

After the wash has dried, I have touched up few places with a heavier pinwash using the oil paints – Black and Burnt Umber. This was done to accentuate the surface details such as welding around the turret edges or sunken screw heads on the turret roof and front hull glacis. I feel that the pigment particles in artist’s oil paints (such as Winsor & Newton that I use) are finer and the application of pinwashes based on such oil paints is bit easier and can be done in more controlled manner. But this may be just a matter of habit.

Side walls of the vehicle (behind the wheels) will require some more attention as the effect is little too light for now. Further colour variation will be added using the colour modulation technique with oil paints (see Mike Rinaldi’s book for details).