Tonight marks the first time I’ve applied paint to a model since September 11th. >.> Didn’t realize it had been that long, but the move definitely killed my ability to do this. Add to that the heavy conversion I’ve been working on, and it’s been weird to finally get a chance to put colour on models again!
I was worried about the Malifaux models because they are so much smaller than any of the Warhammer models that I usually work with. Base coat is going pretty well so far though. I asked Miranda what colour I should do their pants, and I really could have predicted that she’d have said red.
So Mephiston Red to start the pants off. Mithril Steel for all of the metal – the Metal Gamin are nice and simple in that regard. Some Rhinox Brown for the dirt.
I want to figure out how to make the railroad ties be a light brown, but burnt and tar-like. The rails might go to silver as well…could be to much silver though.
3 Comments
Duke
October 7, 2013 at 12:00 pmI’m not sure how detailed you want to get, but….
Rails are rarely all silver, unless you’re looking at someone’s model railroad. Typically, only the tops of the rails are even partly silver, and that depends on how heavily they’re used. On a heavily used line, the tops would be mostly silver, with rust and tarnish spreading from the outside-in as usage drops. This is because the wheels are slightly sloped towards the inside, with a flang on the indie edge. The points of contact of the wheels on the rails will wear accordingly. The sides will be rusty.
Take a look at the Skytrain next time your at a station. Waterfront would be a good placem especially if you ride a train past the end to where it changes direction. The switches and sidings will be far more rusted than the mainline.
If these guys are walking along the mainline (which has its own dangers), then silver works fine. Otherwise, take a look at some model railroad articels for how to weather the track!
Craig Fleming
October 7, 2013 at 12:08 pmThis is excellent stuff, thanks!
I definitely need to do some sort of weathering on the line to keep it from looking to shiny…but at the same time, these guys are working to build fresh rail lines, so some argument could be made that their tracks are the shiniest and freshest.
I’ll put some more paint on them and see how I feel about colouring. Rust could be a nice colour to add to the base, or I could just do a heavier wash on the bottom of the track than the top, to show usage on top.
Duke
October 7, 2013 at 12:13 pmBefore rails are laid, they sit in piles in depots and along the right of way, waiting to be laid and spiked (giggety). You do not get much more unused than that. Unless they’re fresh out of the foundry, they’ll be rusty.
All that said, it’s your railroad (-building models), so you’re welcome to do whatever you think looks best!