So much for my update in the Christmas holidays!
I'm going to start with a model i finished for the IPMS Edinburgh December competition.
Dragon's Panther G 1/35 scale. I had started this model some time ago and it was sitting half built so i decided i would now finish it and get it ready for the club meeting. As it had been started and with my enthusiasm to finish, there aren't many pictures of the build. I built it straight out the box and only added Fruil metal tracks to enhance it. Here is painting described by photographs and captions. The base is formed from a thick cardboard core from my work. I cut this at an angle and filled it in with house insulation foam sheeting. This product is great as it can be cut and sawn without too much mess unlike polystyrene. Once fitted into the cardboard, i cut and formed it to shape and added a layer of polyfiller. I undercoated the base in a grey primer from an aerosol can and then used my preferred texture paint to hide any blemishes and add texture at the same time. Paint was added to the polyfiller layer before the last of my teddy bear fur stash was glued on and painted. I finished the base with the same pigments i had used on the tank to blend it in.

Black undercoat applied by aerosol can.

New paint set from AK Interactive.

I started by painting the wheels. Undercoated in black and sprayed with a dark yellow from the AK set. A brown wash followed.

Chipping was applied to all the wheels, this was quite a task! I began with dabbing a lighter yellow colour to the wheels by the use of a sponge and further enhancements by brush. The centres of the scratches and chips were painted in a black, brown colour leaving just a hint of the lighter colour around its edges.

A selection of wheels.

Hull and body sprayed in a 3 tone camo scheme, again using the AK paint set.

Ambush spots applied. I was a bit sceptical about this stage and at one  point considered respraying it.

Mud application applied to hull. i used 5 or 6 different pigment colours and tapped them on from a brush. i added thinner for washes by MIG and moved some around whilst wet making sure the colours didn't mix to much thus ensuring different colours and tones to the dirt effect.

Close up of pigment texture.

Wheels added. The rubber tyres have been painted with different dark greys and black and a worn metal effect added to the rims where they would rub on the tracks.

Sprocket teeth worn with metallic paint and a pencil.

The same treatment to the rear idlers. Note the steel wheel at the rear of the chassis.

The start of the base.

Nearly there.

Chipping added to the tank. The same principle as the wheels.

Tracks on and detail painting complete.

Foam added and formed to shape.

Crew figure from Alpine miniatures added to the cupola. These figure really are good. Super detail and a joy to paint. I added the wires to the head set.

Side view. You can see the chipping, rain marks and dirt applied all over the armour plates.

Finished!

It's been a while since i wrote anything but i haven't been idle. Some new posts over the Christmas holidays to kick start the new year.
In the meantime, Merry christmas everyone.

This Saturday, i'll will be attending the Glasgow Modelfest with IPMS Edinburgh. It's being held at 

Bellahouston sports centre, Glasgow. 

Now according to Google maps, the address is given as 31 Bellahouston Dr, Glasgow, Lanarkshire G52 1HH. Directions from Edinburgh says, exit from M8 at junction 24. I hope to see you all there, come along and say hello. It's a great show, open from 10am until 4pm.

If your on Facebook, join our local club. Search IPMS Edinburgh and send a request!

DON'T TOUCH THE MODELS!

Here is the finished M20. Very pleased with this one as i did this, start to finish in two and a half weeks. A personal best i think. Sorry i've missed a few of the last stages out but i was on a deadline to finish for IPMS Edinburgh competition (see link to the club blog for photos of all the entries)
Weathered with washes and filters. pigments mixed with plaster and resin for the mud effects then once dry i added some pigments over the plaster mixture using different colours to add tones and a more realistic finish. Stowage items are form the spares box. Italeri, Tamiya, Legend and Blast models items all helped to bring the model to life. I paid particular attention to the painting of these items to enhance the model and i am delighted with the outcome and will spend more time from now on with the smaller items of a model as i now see the benefits of extra painting time. I used some ship rigging line for the ropes and tie downs. It comes white but i stained it in cold tea to give a hemp look to it.

Stowage with the home made tarpaulin and German water can with added souvenir  helmet.

rear deck items added and lashed down.

M20 update.

I have now sprayed on the highlights and a few lowlights. In my haste to get this finished i forgot to photograph it at this stage. However i have photographed it half way through a dark wash to see the difference it makes to the model. I used Mig dark brown wash straight from the bottle as i had let the highlights/modulated colours become very light, in fact i thought i had over done it. The dark wash was perfect and the results speak for themselves. When the wash had dried, i dampened a brush with thinners for washes and made downward strokes on the panels to simulate rain and dirt streaks.
Wheels have received a coat of NATO black and then had a diluted wash of Tamiya buff added in several coats to give a dusty look to the tyre walls before adding pigments. The interior mask has also been removed. Detail painting is next and painting of the stowage items as well. More soon!

First diluted buff wash added.

adding the wash colour.

You can clearly see the effect the wash is having on the colours.

Left is the olive drab and right with the wash added.

Wash added.

rear view with wash done.

Looking good now the mask has been removed.