Whether to weather...?

[sublimebrushwork]

Hi all.
Thought I'd start a little discussion. Haven't done so before and, as a bit of a newbie, I hope I'm doing it right...
Gosh, I do try to sound polite...
Anyhow. I have been perusing the Space Marine competition quite a bit recently, as I have a vested interest, and I have noticed something which I'm sure others have noticed before me, and that is that weathering techniques are getting much better, more realistic and much more prevelent. This is, as far as I'm concerned, a good thing. I like minis to look realistic (having worked at GW through the 'MAKE EVERYTHING BRIGHTER!!!' years especially) and this is what I want to discuss.
Is is always right to weather minis to such a great extent?
For instance, if yoyu are trying to achieve that realistic, battle-worn effect on an Imperial Guardsman or suchlike, who may spend months in the field, without much in the way of support, then it's fine to make him look as battered as possible. Similarly an Ork is always gonna look tatty, as that is the nature of the beast-they are scavengers and makers-do. But what about Marines? Sure, they see the worst of the combat and are just as likely as any other to get dirty and scratched, etc. but the whole point of Marines is thier uniform is their life, their soul. They are going to do everything they can to keep their equipment and armour as perfect as possible between battles. Sure, they won't be able to buff out every dent, scratch or bullethole, and they might not want to wipe that bloodsplatter off (the blood of my brother...) but they sure aren't gonna let layers of rust and grime build up.
So maybe this is something we need to think about when we apply the idea of 'realism' to the weathering on a figure-not to just make it as knackered as possible but to take a moment to think about what we are painting and the story we are trying to tell...
Discuss.:rotfl:

 

[Dragonsreach]

I tend to think of the weathering this way:-
You're in the field 24/7, keeping the weapons working to 100% efficiency should be your primary goal.
Maintenance of your Armour's workings next.
Keeping yourself working Third.
Looking Fabulous is a bonus, unless of course you're Louie Spence.

Bullets, Bombs and Blades are gonna scratch Armour, Campaigns (according to the fluff) take Months and or Years so fighting ain't gonna stop while you get a new paintjob.

 

[sublimebrushwork]

Fair enough. But I have seen so many that seem a bit OTT. And what about fantasy figures? Would you put excessive weathering on a High Elf, for instance? Or how about a figure like The Sanguinor or a Daemon-a creature of pure magic...?

 

[MrPickles]

Hi all.
Thought I'd start a little discussion. Haven't done so before and, as a bit of a newbie, I hope I'm doing it right...
Gosh, I do try to sound polite...
Anyhow. I have been perusing the Space Marine competition quite a bit recently, as I have a vested interest, and I have noticed something which I'm sure others have noticed before me, and that is that weathering techniques are getting much better, more realistic and much more prevelent. This is, as far as I'm concerned, a good thing. I like minis to look realistic (having worked at GW through the 'MAKE EVERYTHING BRIGHTER!!!' years especially) and this is what I want to discuss.
Is is always right to weather minis to such a great extent?
For instance, if yoyu are trying to achieve that realistic, battle-worn effect on an Imperial Guardsman or suchlike, who may spend months in the field, without much in the way of support, then it's fine to make him look as battered as possible. Similarly an Ork is always gonna look tatty, as that is the nature of the beast-they are scavengers and makers-do. But what about Marines? Sure, they see the worst of the combat and are just as likely as any other to get dirty and scratched, etc. but the whole point of Marines is thier uniform is their life, their soul. They are going to do everything they can to keep their equipment and armour as perfect as possible between battles. Sure, they won't be able to buff out every dent, scratch or bullethole, and they might not want to wipe that bloodsplatter off (the blood of my brother...) but they sure aren't gonna let layers of rust and grime build up.
So maybe this is something we need to think about when we apply the idea of 'realism' to the weathering on a figure-not to just make it as knackered as possible but to take a moment to think about what we are painting and the story we are trying to tell...
Discuss.:rotfl:

i dont think we can really talk about realism in a game where you can destroy a tank with a thunder hammer - realism went out the window a long time ago. For me the hobby is about making things look as good as possible, not as realistic as possible. too much "mud" and random blotches thrown around looks terrible IMO. that said a bit of well done weathering can look great

 

[MrPickles]

http://www.coolminiornot.com/263347?browseid=689787

^this is the perfect ammount. it's not overdone.

 

[Sir Wulf]

The answer to a question like this will almost always be "your mileage may vary". Personal taste and judgment are the primary factors determining how much soot, grime, and dust is appropriate for a figure.

 

[Dragonsreach]

Fair enough. But I have seen so many that seem a bit OTT.
And what about fantasy figures? Orcs are a classic Fantasy Figure to get down and grimey with. To me the only thing on an Orc that would be anywhere near clean would be the weapon, as I see them licking the blood off.

Would you put excessive weathering on a High Elf, for instance? Well High Elves are a bit lightweight for heavy weathering, but I see nothing wrong with small weathering, battle marks, gore splatters. Because unless they've got the magical equivalent of "Scotchguard" mucks gonna stick.

Or how about a figure like The Sanguinor or a Daemon-a creature of pure magic...?
OK two good questions;
Looking at The Sanguinor, you could think of the armour as either Gold laquer or a Gold Leaf equivalent in which case damage would reveal the underlying base colour of the armour. Of course if the armour were solid gold he wouldn't be running around in it for long, and certainly not flying.
Deamon's well being creatures of the warp it's not like armour, Ok Muck I see as no problem, but knocking a chunk off a Deamon should show the interior as being of the Warp. So it could be Blood for Khorne, Pus for Nurgle, Brilliant Flare of Magic for Tzeentch and I haven't a clue for the "Benders" {Slaanesh}

................

 

[me_in_japan]

I suppose it really all comes down to your individual goals when painting the mini. If you're aiming for as-accurate-as-possible then it's time to do your homework on space marines/orks/crons/whatever. For what it's worth, I'd say (fluff-wise) a space marine's armour would be a looooot cleaner than an ork, or even an eldar, because as has been noted, they actually see their armour as an extension of their soul. They also tend to drop in and out for quick strikes, and do not get involved in long protracted battles. The first thing they do when they get back from a mission is start polishing (or have a minion do it. The armour gets shinied, anyway.) They clean the armour before they clean themselves.

If you're not so fussed about being fluffy, weathering comes down to the tone of the piece you're making. If you're going for Brother Sergeant Gritty Jawjutticus, forty-seventh week trapped behind ork enemy lines, then yeah, get in there with chips, scratches and oils. (I'd avoid rust on a marine, though. They dont wear metal armour, anyway.) If you're doing Brother Sergeant Shiny Magnifico, Hero of the Blood Angels, then get on with schmoove blends and pingy highlights.

 

[freakinacage]

Depends on the mini. If you have a new guardsman straight out in his first battle, a couple of dings in his armour and some dust/mud on his feet. If he's been in the fight longer, dirty him up appropriately. Bear in mind they will be fighting in different environments. Some of which will be more corrosive etc

 

[Chris S]

Hello

I have thought about this on occasions, realism and fantasy, you mix the two then add a large
measure of imagination.

Even though I like some of the rust and weathering effects that people achieve on their
minis I often wonder if some of the weapons/equipment would function in that state.

Should we wonder if it would work, it IS fantasy after all.

I was looking at the Skaven plague furnace the other week and soon realised that
in reality it would not work. I brought this up on the Warhammer forum and
the replies I got were basicaly along the lines of IT IS FANTASY.

Just to finish, some fantasy/science fiction is set in the future, would they still be using
metals that rust and corrode anyway, see I am mixing reality with fantasy, we do it all
the time.