"I can't paint tanks - 1/56 scale" Topic

Really struggling to paint tanks and vehicles in 1/56, i'm pretty new to this scale.

In some respects they should be really easy to paint, painting 1/76 scale they came out ok with just a base colour (+ camo pattern on panzers)then a dry brush with an off white, no fussing over details.

I'm brush painting as i'm not painting large quantities. I dont know if i'm trying too hard or if im being lazy. For example i start off trying to carefully paint the tracks a base colour and get bored as its so fiddely trying to get in between the wheels. I dont know if it just take loads of patience or if theres a quicker way like applying a few quick washes then slapping on some mud/flock mix.

Likewise i start off trying to pick out every line and detail and crevise with a pin wash of ink with a very fine brush, and it becoming laborious. Is this wrong should a pin wash be a bit more casual?

I really love the work from Troop of Shewe, in particular the way Neil creates highlights of colour in the centre of each panel. Also like the scratch effects he gets, but then he is airbrushing and awesomely talented.

So, how much effort should it take to get good results on 1/56 scale vehicles, done with a broad brush in a couple of hours tops, or does it need much much more work, accuracy and patience?

Everyone has their own ways. I will just tell ya what works for me… I don't airbrush all of mine are handpainted and that being said, you still can get a good paint job. I start with the base colors. Slop on some blackwash, which is black paint watered down or cheat like me and use Games Workshops Badab Black. Let the wash dry. Next, take your base color and mix some white in it and paint the panels leaving the darker colors on the edges. Should be able to do a decent job in a couple of hours. Anyways, Painting is practice if you don't like it you can always strip it…

My plugged nickle…
Brian

Here's one article from the TMP Workbench: TMP link

And Troop of Shewe is working on this one for TMP: TMP link

That tutorial does make it look nice and easy.

What i'm struggling with is going from painting 28mm figures, focusing on really fine detail, 3 layers of shading on minute layers of cloth, collars and webbing, organisation patches etc.

Then on to a tank which is much bigger prospect. I start by trying to focus in on it with the precision and detail of a small figure but its just too much.

I feel your pain. I just finished highlighting the individual rivets on three 28mm Mark IV tanks, and I'm bloody glad it's finally done. I tried just drybrushing the damn things but was unhappy with the results. Multiple washes, drybrushing, more washes and then the painstaking chore of picking out highlights by hand is the way I went in the end.

Editor

The last comment in that Troop of Shew project was in 2007, any idea when this will hit the site?

I've just learned that the model is painted up, awaiting weathering. So I hope to see an article sometime soon.