Hello everyone,
I’m new to this type of weathering, but to me it looks like it would be easier to weather your models and figures.
So, with this in mind, can anyone please explain to me in a very explainable way (pros and cons) why I should purchase now another batch of weathering products?
I’ve been using MIG products for some time now and I’m starting to get bored with all that it involves. A fellow modeler suggested that I tryout the weathering pencils, but since I have invested so much into my previous products, I’m a little gun shy.
So any and all information will be of great help!
Thank you.
Do a search on here it’s been talked about. I have a set that didn’t seem to work. I saw at a club meeting I got a set to work. When it works it can be useful but over priced for you get in my opinion.
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Hi Chris,
A search under “AK Weathering Pencils” produces several discussions on the topic.
https://forums.kitmaker.net/t/ak-interactives-weathering-pencils-buy-or-not-to-buy/17342/27
It works if the painted surface is rough and matt. It doesn’t work if the painted surface is smooth and glossy. The contrast can be extremely subtle that it’s hard to notice…and it’s drawing in color instead of painting it, meaning they’re thin pencils lines, not paint or pigments in broad strokes. Remember, you’re buying pencils and pencils work best on rough texture (like paper) and not on every surface.
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I’ve never found the weathering pencil idea of much use except to try a white weathering pencil to do this type of winter chalk camo like on this Pz IV.
Not saying they aren’t useful but I haven’t found much use for the pencils. Basically, I will only purchase one if I have a specific idea for a project.
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Don’t rely on them for your only weathering technique. Just another variation. You can find the 5/6 packs on Amazon pretty reasonable, I only nbought the three sets that felt would be most useful. You can use them dry or wet and blend/apply. I also have a Prisma color set that works about the same and any hobby craft store should have them. Nice? Yes, in my opinion but not the end all be all, sometimes I use them sometimes I don’t but like pigments and pastels I’d save them for your final step. I don’t think they are a ripoff but just another decent technique. I do like to use them edge wear or shadows on panels w a sharp edge or to soften an area where my pin wash could stand to be toned down.
Sir,
Thank you for the advice. When you said that you got the 5/6 set from Amazon, what did you mean when you said, 5/6 set? Is that the number 5 and 6 sets? Please explain.
Sorry for not quite understanding.
Thank you.
Sorry was enjoying my pizza and typing one handed, I meant sets w either 5 or 6 pencils, don’t remember the count. I got metallics, rust effects and dirt and grim sets I believe. I lucked across of pastels Prismacolor colored pencils at Hobby Lobby that for military models had a nice range of colors, it didn’t have your rainbow of colors so I grabbed them and use them all as needed. Sorry for the 5/6 confusion, if you see the fullest online you’ll notice it’s an odd number of pencils (for some strange reason). I wouldn’t invest in that, just try a pack or two that look like they are pertaining to the kits you like to do. Here’s the sets I got
And cause my daughter has tons of colored pencils I hijacked some assorted colors, just never know.
As I said here in the US you can find Hobby Lobby with a sale that makes it hard not to drop a few bucks to try the, out. For comparison here’s a generic pencil on the left and an AKnon the right.
And here’s a example of each on scrap styrene, good solid stroke, then rubbed with a dry finger. Not super scientific but think the results show similar results.
Hope you find that somewhat useful. I got all 3 sets for less than $10 to $12 w Amazon Prime so what the heck.
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People who modify dolls and make coloring book paintings achieve some really beautiful results using watercolor pencils. They are on my short list of items and techniques to try, especially for figures. As others have mentioned, they work best on a surface with some tooth (roughness). According to the experts I have watched, not all colored pencils will do. Only watercolor pencils produce the desired blending effect.
On the other hand, I have read quite a few articles and posts by people who dismiss colored pencils as worthless. The most common complaint involves frequent tip breakage.
Unfortunately, I could not find 0.3mm watercolor mechanical pencil leads. Colored mechanical pencil leads exist but, based on reviews, I have no confidence in the composition.
I use them quite often and with very satisfying result. Got the whole big set.
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I recently was gifted the set for my birthday, so far the vivid colors have been useful, as well as the brown and dirt/dust colors. I’m sure I could find a way to use the rust colors to my advantage, I just haven’t really tried them yet. I haven’t liked using the pencils for chipping, it seems a tad unrealistic to me, maybe I’m just not using them properly. @basco, how would you recommend using the chipping color pencil?
All in all, it just comes down to personal preference, whether or not you want to blend it with enamels or with water. You do need to seal each layer of pencils that you blend so that any other effects with the pencils doesn’t mess up your previous work. I think a combination of the pencils and other products would achieve the best results.
Thanks for the information all of you have contributed to this post.
I have 1 more question, maybe a stupid one but what the heck.
Do these pencils ever dry out and become brittle?
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There’s no such thing as a stupid question, that is a good one as well. I don’t have the answer to that, I have had them since last October and they’re still fine
I can not answer your last question, so far, 1 year old, they did not dry out.
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I have only bought about a half-dozen of them, from open stock and not a set. I have things like black, rubber, rust. and several shades of bare metal. I only use them for highlighting edges and worn surfaces like track guide teeth, steel roadwheels, tire surfaces, and rubber track pads.
KL
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