Paint finishing
Hi Andy,
I use Revells Acrylic paint because the pigments are very good (covers very well) its thinned with water,and I believe you get a better finish than oil based varnish.
Ive used I Revells Field Grey ,and darkened it very slightly.
Not sure which number it is now because ive run out.
Also i dont leave the paint looking new,I usually apply a wash that makes the subject look aged.
After the final coat is properly dry I take a dab of the base colour and darken it by adding a tiny dab of black.
Then I add a redish brown,again a dab,and water the whole lot down to nearly water consistency.
The trick is to get a pigment just right so that it wont cover the base coat but will run into the nooks and crannys,and give the effect of a light coat of general grime.
I often use this on static models to enhance the surface detail.
You just need a large modeling brush and apply all over,wet the whole thing,and let it dry.
You can get the idea of the correct shades if you look on the side of a model kit,as it gives you the paints required.
Its worth noting that i often use cheap artists Acrylics too,and try diffrent effects.
Paint is a personal thing,I wouldnt be too concerned about exactness, some would suggest that a certain shade is the 'correct' shade.
Different factorys,produced slightly diffrent shades and the human element of applying the paint would also affect the final shade.So its open to some 'artistic licence'.
Hope this helps.
18pounder