Parker's rule of painting railway engines says that plain black chuffers lack character. It's only when they show a bit of dirt that the engine comes alive. Arty types would probably go on about pure black not being a natural colour or that to see an engine that small, we'd be separated from it by some distance and this would impart all the colours a bluey tinge thanks to atmospheric stuff.
Personally, I don't care why, all I know is that weathered locos look better than clean ones. Especially if they are black.
My usual methods applied for the P - airbrush fired up, a coat of Humbrol earth colour and a bit of rust under the footplate, Railmatch underframe (in leiu of track colour, come on Humbrol, get a move on with it) dirt all over and then some dark grey and black over the top bits where the soot lands. A bit of weathering powder (the ones you get free with a Hornby mag subscription) on the footplate and smokebox door to add texture and finish with a little gunmetal dry-brushed on the handrails and step treads.
Clean the wheels, glaze the windows with Krystal Klear, add a crew from the people box, coal with real Welsh steam stuff and the job is done.
1 comment:
What a transformation from the previous picture Phil. It really gives it character. Amazing. I've never tried weathering, too frightened I'd ruin the loco.
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