Ready for the diorama!

My friends, the Valentine is finished, and I would almost say that fun times are ahead because the next step is the muddy diorama, but I would lie this time - the painting and weathering was SO. MUCH. FUN. 

As I mentioned a few times, the tracks were worrisome because they're plastic click-together functioning tracks, and these are extremely fragile (especially when the enamel thinner softens the pins) but it was just about a different approach. Instead of slapping large amounts of enamel effects and then blending them with enamel thinner, I resorted to speckling and stippling. 

First, they were heavily speckled with the three main effects I used on the tank, starting from the lightest and finishing with Fresh Mud. Then, the glossy mud paint was stippled in larger amounts, covering most of the surface, as the tracks have to look almost completely wet. I used AK Natural Steel acrylic paint for the polished areas, which was another way to treat them more "gently". Rubbing with a graphite stick could easily break the links apart. I was also worried they'd start falling apart once I start attaching them to the model, but none of that happened. The suspension is still nicely workable, so it should be easy to articulate it slightly when it comes to diorama time. 

Finishing touches consisted mostly of small details - adding the antenna, painting some smoke residue on the exhaust with black pigments, adding stains of oil and grease with Sepia from 502 Abt., and finally, polishing the worn edges with graphite. Oh, and of course, gluing the tanker in place, but first I added some grease to his uniform as well. Again, with very diluted oils, almost a completely dry brush, and stippling, no blending. 

Alright, tomorrow I'll start editing the video so I can get to the groundwork ASAP. It'll be another long one with full painting and weathering :)