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This is my entry to the Sheffield Irregulars monthly competition for April 2009.  The challenge this month was weathering, so I pulled a random blister out of the lead mountain - in this case a Shard something-or-other (I forget what) from the Vor game, now long defunct.  He's a large-sized model on a 50mm bases.


I'm fairly pleased with the way he turned out.  I think I could have gone a bit stronger with the weathering effects, but to be honest, I just ran out of time.  I shall definately have to find some way of crowbaring him into a game somewhere!

Most of this stuff was done with washes, as I didn't want this thing to feel just like it was made of metal, but some strange alien armour.  I used the Coat d'Arms super wash range for most of the weathering - black and brown and a little purple for small leaks, which aren't really visible. red and red/black mix for the blood.  Green for the verdigis and several thinned layers of Mid Brown for the mud on his legs and feet.

Your C&C are most welcome!

Looks good Dave. I usually recommend the Tamiya Weathering Materials (http://www.internethobbies.com/tawema.html). Just always apply them last (even after dullcote or anything else you are sealing with).

A cool effect that I have used is to put a down a wash then add sprinkle some salt on it.  I wish I had some pictures of it!

awesome, you just keep improving :clap2: :clap2: :clap2:

You have the effect you were after. Nice Alien metal.

Skards are tough buggers in the rules IIRC

To me it looks almost like the armour is made of rocks of metal ore hacked from the earth and shaped. I don't know if "rock armour" was the look you were after but if not, by happy accident, it looks very cool  :icon_thumleft:

Thanks chaps :)

@CH: I've never really looked into weathing materials.  Do they stay in place, then, even applied over varnishing?  Most of my miniatures end up seeing game time, so I don't want to use anything that is just going to rub off.

@Killshot: Does that cause the salt to disolve, and then dry out to form a crust?

@Caerban:  I wasn't really sure where I was headed, I just went with a gut feeling about the colours I used, but you're right, it does look pretty nice :D

@Bungle: I keep meaning to dig out the rules to look him up, but keep getting distracted with other toy soldiers!

Quote from: Keeper on April 27, 2009, 11:33:44 AM
@CH: I've never really looked into weathing materials.  Do they stay in place, then, even applied over varnishing?  Most of my miniatures end up seeing game time, so I don't want to use anything that is just going to rub off.

If you are going to game with them then don't do it. The rubbing can mess it up. It does stay on well for miniatures that are painted for display or terrain pieces.

Quote from: Keeper on April 27, 2009, 11:33:44 AM

@Killshot: Does that cause the salt to disolve, and then dry out to form a crust?

it sort of soaks up some of the wash, then brushes off when dry to reveal a mottled effect.

I have done it with Rust on buildings.

Paint the bits of the building rust coloured, finish it.

sprinkle with salt, and brush it around into shape.

then spray paint the building or vehicle colour. When the paint is dry brush off the salt, where it has been on thick it will leave the pre painted rust, where there are just a few spots it may leave rust showing through or the surface paint may bubble up as if rust is breaking through the surface from underneath.

the edges show nice and ragged due to the granular nature of the rust.

Right - I get it now :)  I've seen a similar technique online using marmite as the mask.  I think I might actually try using salt, though!!