Hi, I’ve seen several videos where people highlight raised details using a brush and a slightly lighter version of the base color. I marked a few areas in red, but I’m unsure whether this will actually look good when I try it. What’s your opinion on this technique?
4 Likes
Like most weathering techniques, it can be done artistically, or realistically. The trend toward artistic tends to look garish in many cases. I try to use restraint when weathering.
Dry-brushed highlights with a lighter color work well if the indicate reflected surfaces, like bolt heads (not every bolt head is in direct sunlight) or the edges of things like fender supports. Even this attempt of mine back in the 90’s is a tad overdone in my opinion:
But do notice there is not huge outline of black wash around the fender rib or the bolts - a favorite among many, and awful looking to boot.
10 Likes
I use a white Prismacolor colored pencil for very fine highlighting. The white does not make the highlighting “white”, but just a lighter shade of the original color. I keep the lead very sharp to highlight select points. It’s more precise than a brush is for larger areas.
5 Likes
Try it out on the underside of the model. There will be areas with detail there that nobody will ever see, so they’re handy for trying things like this with the colours you intend to use on the upper side, without ruining anything if you overdo it or mess it up in some other way.
Nearly all my AFV models look something like this on the underside, many of them a lot more so 
5 Likes
I agree with Bravo; in recent years panel shading and highlighting has gotten to the point of my calling them “painted ladies” or “houers” (whores) so I suggest to walk lightly down this path.
2 Likes
I also agree with all the above advice too. With your particular model I’m not at all sure it’s even necessary although I can see why you’re asking, maybe it looks a tad dull. But that may well be the most realistic appearance. I think we’re talking about dry-brushing, painting edges with a lighter tone of the same colour to increase contrast and define elements better. It’s so easily overdone, I’ve lost count of the number of times I’ve done it, only to remix a tone 50% darker over it because it was way too light. As Jakko suggests, experiment first on somewhere that’ll never be seen.
3 Likes
I consider highlighting an important part of the painting process but there are many ways to do it, there are many possible results, and there are many ways to mess up. Like all effects painting techniques, it is an artistic process that must be learned through practice.
4 Likes
I rarely dry brush any more, I weather using a combination of black and brown inks very diluted and dust with my own mix using the same pot of water throughout the process and go over the edges with a graphite pencil. I like the result
7 Likes
I think at least highlighting the bolts, handles etc. small details will give the model some 3D look, but very subtly.
3 Likes