Pastel chalk sticks

[mikec55]

Fellows,

I was rooting through my supply shelf & ran across some pastel chalk sticks that I bought a while back. I remember reading somewhere that these chalk sticks are good for drybrushing on the shoes, coattails, etc of figures to 'tie them into the base'. Unfortunately, I can't remember where I read this & I'm not real sure how to use them. I know you need to shave yourself a little pile of dust but then do you use a drybrush technique to apply it? Does a little go a long way? Do you need to prep the figure before or after to make it stick? Is the effect these create better than drybrushing with paint or just a different approach? Thanks in advance for the advice.

Mike

 

[pkess]

I just scrape them with a #11 xacto blade. I apply after the figure is completed and attached to the base. I just dust the powder on with a dry brush. I don't use any kind of fixative.
Sometimes I will literally scrub the powder into the paint to simulate dirt or fading. It works pretty well for worn knees and elbows.

 

[Anders Heintz]

The way to apply pastels is to mix it with paint thinner. This will help the pastells to bond with the figure and you can build up some really nice textures with it. After the thinner dries out, you can alter the way the pastells look, or take them off with no problems if you arent happy with the result.

 

[KeithP]

Is there any substantial difference between the pastel sticks and the MIG pigments?

I have seen a couple pcs with the MIG pigments and it motivates me to give them a try.

OTH, if there isn't much difference betw the the two....

Keith

 

[mikec55]

Hey to Keith,

What are MIG pigments?

 

[KeithP]

Mike-

These look like pastel chalks that I have heard other fig modelers use for dust and sand. They are moe expensive than art supply store sticks.

As I said, I have seen some pretty dramatic effects using MIG pigments and wonder if it is more technique than material

Here, hopefully, is the link...

http://www.migproductions.com/pseries.htm

 

[Automata]

As far as I can tell, the pigments being marketed to modellers are good old paint pigment that you can buy at any good art supply store. In fact, I believe pastel sticks are the same pigments with a "binder" to keep them in a solid stick. If you are using small amounts to weather figures, the most economical choice would probably be the sticks. If you are using large amounts, I'd go with the art store pigments.

HTH

Barry