Recently, Jeff Herne at ModelersWarehouse.com sent me some samples of the new weathering pigments he is producing, with the too-cool sounding name of Warpigs Weathering Pigments. Figuring a treadhead might make better use of them than I could, I asked Michael Faulkner (Jagdtiger1944 on the AgapeModels.com forums) to give them a try and share his thoughts with us.
I used a new line of weathering pigments called Warpigs. They are from a new company, ModelersWarehouse.com, with a wide range of colors in their weathering pigments line. They also have pre-made washed for those who do not like making their own washes. (Look for a future review on those! ~Ed.) They are very fine powders and come in a twist top container. This was the first time I have used actual weathering pigments. I usually use ground up pastels, but could not get the pastels grounded as fine as these pigments are.
| Product: | Warpigs weathering pigments |
| Manufacturer: | ModelersWarehouse.com |
| Colors: | Natural Umber, Burnt Sienna |
| Price: | $6.50 each (discounts available for larger purchases) |
| Notes: | Very easy to work with. Have seen no disadvantages to using these pigments. |
The Kit
The kit I used these powders on was the Tamiya King Tiger Ardennes front. I painted the kit with Tamiya acrylics and finished it with oil washes. After the washes were completed, I sealed the model with Testors Dull Coat.
Use of the Pigments
After the model was sealed and dried, the first thing I did was use the Warpigs Burnt Sienna pigment on the exhaust. I had previously painted the exhaust in a rust color, and dry brushed it with a dark brown color. I then dry brushed it with black. I used a makeup applicator to rub some Burnt Sienna on the exhaust to show some newer dark rust that would have just formed from sitting overnight in a wet area.
Next I used the Warpigs Natural Umber to replicate mud on the tracks and mud guards from going over muddy ground. I was thinking ahead to how I want to display the kit. I planned on doing a fairly new King Tiger in late fall just before the first heavy snow. So it would have traveled across ground that would have been going through some freezing and thawing, but creating mud like in the spring time.
What I did was get a small container- an empty butter dish- and using the spoon end of a Tamiya paint stirrer, I added three scoops of pigments in the dish. Then I used and eye dropper to carefully add small drops of tap water at a time, stirring with a small brush until I had the consistency I was looking for. Not much water or pigments are needed, as a little goes a long way.
Then using the brush, I just painted in un-even patterns where I wanted the mud to go. After letting it dry for a couple of hours, I used a moistened q-tip and simply wiped away where I put too much mud.
Conclusions
Warpis pigments are very user friendly and the results are spectacular. The possibilities are endless for use of this product. Other ways too use would be to place some on a flat surface, then add a small drop of turpentine and the pigments will be fixed in place. This could be used to replicate built up dried dirt or mud. Also, the black could be applied with a make up applicator and rubbed on to replicate soot or exhaust on airplanes. Colors can be mixed and also colors can be altered with artist oils.
Bio
My name is Michael Faulkner and I go by Jagdtiger1944. I live in the Tampa Bay area of sunny Florida with my beautiful wife and daughter. I have been modeling seriously for the past 2 years and I mostly model armor. Beyond modeling, my family is very active in our church where I am a deacon, and I work for a custom home designer creating working drawings for high-end custom beach houses.
