Hi Dave
Apologies for the late reply.
That’s magnificent. I’m getting splinters just looking at it.
Lance Mindheim is an advocate of India ink diluted In Isopropyl, but on plastic based models.
It works a treat on wood as you’ve shown. Incidentally, I only used wood as I had bits of it lying around at the time (I’m tight!) preferring to use plastic, therefore I had to go with paint based weathering to match as the rest of the build will in the main be built of plasticard.
However, therein lies the problem: I’m a little cautious about exploiting the natural wood grain in the smaller scales; it looks great as you’ve shown, Dave, but in 4mill it can start to look out of scale - something which for me creates a dilemma as the eye expects to see it.
If you look back to my previous couple of posts, you can see that I attempted to convey scale grain by rubbing the base colour and highlights, which in reality - especially under the chipped top coat - will be barely discernible, but still I was quite pleased with the grain effect, although I’m probably kidding myself. Hence, I’ve gone back to a dark beige mix, highlighted with a mix of silver grey and silver dry brushed on, again barely discernible although I might retouch it. As I mentioned, Dave, I find that weathered wood sheen slightly elusive - too flat or too shiny - which I think might just be the Holy Grail for we modellers.
Another scale issue for me involved the chipped test piece shown above. Again, this looks great in the very large scales but one has to exercise an air of caution in my scale, although the smaller chippings that call for greater control should pass muster.
Interesting that you use Copydex, Dave. I believe that Chuck Doan uses Gum Arabic for the purpose with some great results like yourself.
I’m glad you liked the columns, Dave, as they again were the source of some angst in the scale stakes. I wanted the same patina for the rusty metal as per the drainpipes in my station building build a couple of years back:
However, I think the rust looks a little too lumpy.
I used a slightly different technique this time which wasn’t as proud of the surface to keep a more scale look, but if I’m honest, I prefer the ones on the station building. Hey ho! I’m never happy. Think I might go back to it for the rest of the build, after all, it’s only a train Set!
Sorry to go on, Dave, but thank you for your interest and kind compliment, as well as taking time to share your excellent method with me.
Regards,
Jonte
PS Luv the highlights on the chassis and metal work.