Dusted effect/Weathing powders

[Durandal]

One thing that I love seeing on minis is that dusted look, and I'm curious to know what is the best way to achieve this? I've assumed that weathering powders are a good way to go, but I'm not sure how best to apply them.

 

[Einion]

One thing that I love seeing on minis is that dusted look, and I'm curious to know what is the best way to achieve this?

There's no best way, as with most things it's mostly a matter of individual preference and specific circumstances.

There's no absolute need for a powder of some kind for many dust effects you'd need on a mini, the right appearance can be created quite easily using nothing more sophisticated than your paint. Just like with other weathering effects if you replicate the correct colouring that'll do most of the work telling the viewer what it is - it doesn't have to be dust, any more than it has to be mud or oil or blood.

Generally it's just a matter of using a paint of the right colour and applying it thinly; alternatively you can mix it into the base colour you're working on, surprisingly this can achieve nearly exactly the same result.

I've assumed that weathering powders are a good way to go, but I'm not sure how best to apply them.

If you haven't bought already:
http://www.coolminiornot.com/forums/showthread.php?47792-Looking-for-info-on-starting-with-Pigments
http://www.coolminiornot.com/forums/showthread.php?49019-Pigments-you-might-recommend
http://www.coolminiornot.com/forums/showthread.php?48555-Weathering-Pigments

Einion

 

[Durandal]

I'll definitely be experimenting with some pastels (especially after seeing that Mountain King video). I guess that the biggest thing that I need to focus on is that stippled/dotted look on the furthest edges of the "dusted/weathered" surface.