What to pick up:
For the beginner, I would recommend picking up a set of pastel chalks. The set I use is made by Grumbacher, set # 00/C, they call it an introductory set. Virtually every color is represented and all the colors mix well. Although I bought this set at least 6 years ago, I still see them on the shelves at Ben Franklin and other art supply places. I'd also pick up some brushes, maybe a half dozen or so, round tipped ones with 1/4" to 1/2" of bristle length, some with stiff bristles and some with soft. Don't spend a pile of cash on them either; if you're spending more than 15 - 20 bucks on brushes, you're spending too much.
If you have an airbrush, use the clear coat of your choice. If you don't have one yet, consider buying a good one. Until then, a rattle can of Testors Dullcoat will do for now.
Chalk Weathering.
With chalks and brushes in hand, find some plain, white pieces of paper, take a brush, load it with some chalk and brush across the paper in a random fashion. Try a few different brushes and a few different colors, blend some of the colors together. Act like a kid and make a mess!! Take notice of how the different brushes distribute the chalk - how the softer ones will spread color in a lighter, almost cloud-like fashion and the stiffer ones will yield darker, more distinct markings.
Find a junk loco or freight car body, give one side a quick shot of Dullcoat. When the Dullcoat side is dry, spread some chalk on both sides using the same brush. You'll notice that the coated side holds more chalk that the uncoated side. Dullcoat leaves a rough surface, that's why it's called DULL coat. Any and all weathering will readily adhere to a flat, dull surface, so it's wise to always shoot a clear, flat overcoat to any surface you intend to weather. Wash your junker under some running water, let dry and shoot the other side with Dullcoat.
Break out some of your "research" (photos, etc.) and try to duplicate some of the weathering that you see. Notice the different patterns left by dust and grime on the sides of different cars. Try some of the different ochre and sienna tones, mixed with a little gray. Seal it with a shot of Dullcoat.
(GASP!) So, where did the chalk go??
Don't get discouraged!! You have just discovered what laquer will do to chalk dust. While some of the overall color still exists, most of the "brightness" has disappeared. This can be offset be adding more white chalk to the colors that you're using.
Continue applying more chalk, hit a set of trucks with some rust colored tones, get some brownish color on the ends, maybe some gray/black dust on the roof to simmulate diesel exhaust, sealing each layer with a shot of Dullcoat. If, for any reason, you're not satisfied with a particular layer that you just applied, wash it off under running water, let dry and try it again. Obviously, this only works before sealing it with Dullcoat.
To simmulate faded paint, say, maybe faded BN green, try using some light green chalk with some white mixed in, maybe just a touch of aqua here and there.
A light coat of dust colors, with some gray and white added, brushed over rivets and other body details will make them stand out. I've weathered some white intermodal trailers with nothing more than a light dusting on the rivets and doors and a little exhaust staining and the results were fantastic.
It's also possible to produce the occasional rust or dirt streaks by dipping your brush into some water, blotting it onto a paper towel and lightly "pulling" some chalk dust down the side of a model. With further experimentation, you'll find other unique effects as well.
Back to the Weathering page.....