Painting Tanks

[Talion]

I've got an M1A2 28mm Tank to paint.

However I've never painted a tank before, and I'm not quite sure where to start.

Should I:

1. I start with a darker colour and highlight up via drybrushing and wetblending

2. Start with primary colour and use washes to darken it, and highlight

I don't want it to look to flat, even though in real life they generally do.

Cheers

 

[Sukigod]

In all reality, an airbrush would be your best bet. Vehicles, especially something like the M1 series tanks, are all wide open flat spaces which are very difficult to pull off with brushes. If you must use brushes, multiple applications of very thin wet blending would be the route I would take.

Another option is to use spray cans (if you don't have an airbrush) and use selective masking of individual flat areas.

Good luck!

 

[Talion]

I have got an airbrush, but not to experienced with it.

I can prime but that's about the extent of my skill.

 

[freakinacage]

do what you want, ie what you would feel most comforatable with. personally i think i would airbrush the base coat. light zenithal highlight, then shade. then weather

 

[freakinacage]

ok you had replied too quick. now is the time to practice with the airbrush

 

[Ghudra]

Definitely a good time to practice with the airbrush! Even though you might not get exactly the result you are looking for, it's amazing how much you can learn from just one model.

You may want to check out Armorama & the Mig forums for some tank painting basics.

 

[airhead]

I generally airbrush away from the light, toward the dark. But I think with a tank I'd make the exception.

prime
dark base coat, being sure to get into the cracks.
medium color coat from the sides, never pointed up.
lighter color (highlight/sun fade) color from the top - almost vertical.

go back and pick out details, then grime, rust, weather.