Adding Washes & Blending Oil Paints - Char B1 bis (Trumpeter 1/72)

Some models are literally made for applying washes and this Char B1 might be one of the best examples. It has rich surface full of panel lines, bolts and rivets, and a simple dark wash can drastically change how this model looks. A few carefully blended oil paints and fake shadows are just the icing on the cake.
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Disclaimer: I am not paid to promote any products shown in this video. I simply use what I have as long as it works for me.
Music: No Copyright Music from KZbin Audio Library

[@NightShiftScaleModels]

It's crazy how a simple wash and a few blended oil dots can change the entire model, right?

[@JonBius]

Yep - it's like painting minis - a good shade coat over the base and "pop"! You've just about got a model.

[@NightShiftScaleModels]

Exactly Jon, you nailed it. That sudden "pop" when you get a completely different/new model!

[@SmallSoldier]

Washes are one of the most important part of weathering imo.

[@NightShiftScaleModels]

And the most important is... chipping! I chip everything! If I ever painted a figure I would chip it too lol

[@jargobordine7254]

For sure! The paint chips on the tracks are so annoying though... have you ever considered using a 3D printer to design scale tracks for models such as these?

[@MX5Fanatic]

Your videos are one of the things I look forward to on Fridays.

[@NightShiftScaleModels]

Aww I'm so glad to hear that!!!

[@timothyperrigoue3997]

Totally appreciating your sense of humour. I know you said in one of you Videos that you create tiny rivet heads with aluminum foil...I really need that technique for scratch-building steampunk contraptions. Thanks!

[@JonBius]

Fantastic explanation and demonstration of the process - awesome stuff!

[@NightShiftScaleModels]

Thanks a lot Jon!

[@connerparis5452]

You are a very relatable person. unlike other model KZbinrs that put modelers down by spending years on one model and charging for guides on how to do simple stuff

[@dpeterso77]

I shared your video on Reddit because, first I think these videos are great and entertaining, but also I think you might be able to tap into a large base of modelers that would love your tips and techniques. Kudos on the great work.

[@NightShiftScaleModels]

WOW thank you!!!! And it clearly helped! I just woke up and whoa so many new subs! Thank you Thank you Thank you! :)

[@JeiBeeBee]

Great quickie video. 👍

[@Straswa]

Excellent work, I really like your detailed explanation and entertaining style.

[@ModelerEric]

Sent here by a modeling friend - great presentations. Easy to watch, and listen to.

[@Megamix472]

Fantastic! Great tutorial, thanks

[@tomf1934]

Well go ahead and DO IT !! I love it :) Cool vid'

[@NightShiftScaleModels]

Thanks :)

[@atc15q]

Great video mate! Found your channel yesterday, so I had to watch all of your videos! I love how you explain everything and make it entertaining at the same time. Looking forward to your future videos. Keep them coming!

[@NightShiftScaleModels]

Thanks a lot mate! I'm doing my best to make enough videos so I can keep posting every week.

[@voodoonights1671]

Very useful and very well presented technique and instructional guide. :-)

[@adrianaustralia9135]

Fantastic intro and excellent tutorial!

[@NightShiftScaleModels]

Thanks mate!!

[@gnomeski8217]

bravo! odličan video

[@quantumplastic]

Great job!

[@pedroalbicastrense353]

simple , super instructive methods i gonna try to make the same now . let's see , but thanks for the vidéo very cool

[@NightShiftScaleModels]

Glad you like it!

[@dexterdog62]

I’ve subscribed to your channel and am looking forward to learning from your videos.

[@nkartakis]

Came from Reddit. Fantastic video.

[@NightShiftScaleModels]

Woohoo! Thanks and welcome!

[@rangerstl07]

Tip for vinyl tracks: Hit them with alcohol or enamel thinner to get rid of the oily residue. I'm not sure if this is mold release agent or just the plasticizers from the vinyl. Then prime with enamel. The paint sticks better, not WELL, just better.

[@antonioportugal5987]

Capísimo. Saludos desde Bolivia.

[@rafalix]

1000th subsriber 💪🏻

[@NightShiftScaleModels]

What a great day to be alive ❤️❤️❤️

[@rastislavhasicek4604]

Martin, I wanted to avoid it...but I am going to buy this model. Hate you! :-D Great top-notch easy-to-follow video as always.

[@NightShiftScaleModels]

DO IT! JUST DO IT!!!

[@rastislavhasicek4604]

@@NightShiftScaleModels :D

[@ReedHeisleyShellaby]

Great video! There's an interesting parallel with video games. We create "fake shadows" by creating an "ambient occlusion" map that creates shadows based on how close a surface is to another surface.

[@NightShiftScaleModels]

Thanks, and that's so interesting! Does ambient occlusion have just one source, or does every object has its own source of light?

[@ReedHeisleyShellaby]

@@NightShiftScaleModels the shadows produced by AO are more calculated by how close a surface is to another surface. It attempts to mimic the fact that deeper crevices generally receive less light, since nearby object are blocking (occluding) it. It can be done well to increase important details that might be washed out, similar to what you're doing. It can also be done poorly and with a heavy hand, leading to shadows that look way too dark for the environment they are in. Here's a video that explains the goals and history of the technology. A good example of AO done well is about a minute into the clip. Notice, however, the Corinthian columns in the intro. It looks like the game designers went crazy with the black wash! kzbin.info/www/bejne/aqnEn3dqqp6ffpI

[@NightShiftScaleModels]

@@ReedHeisleyShellaby Yeah I noticed that, they look like painted with a permanent marker, but honestly I just noticed because you pointed it out :D I don't understand this type of stuff too much. The reason why I asked is because in modelling it's possible to use multiple sources of light for several parts of the model to create unnatural, but strong contrast that gets toned down later. Also, and this is just because I wanna look like I actually know at least something lol, is this all what the new RTX cards are so good at?

[@phoenixpan9656]

Question uncle: when I try to repeat the shadowing at 5:48, my paint just gets removed...may I ask: 1. The thickness of the paint? 2. Should the brush be dry or wet? Thank you! Update: I tried with different combinations, the closest one I got is using very thick old paint and a completely dry brush

[@uro_0111]

Congratulations. It really looks awesome. What coat base colour have you applied ?

[@GorFrag]

french toast!

[@gabrielbarile73]

Like a boss

[@NightShiftScaleModels]

Thanks mate!

[@crilin1975crilin]

Amazing Video!!! For blend oil color the brush is dry?

[@justaboi9091]

Hi, Greetings from Indonesia. Thanks for the video. I'm just starting to paint my mecha model kit and have so much inspiration from your videos. I have one question, though. Can this technique applied on the Soviet Green Distressing Tutorial?

[@impguardwarhamer]

if you use an acrylic wash, could you use paint thinner to clean it up?

[@kevinwofford4648]

Night Shift. I enjoy your builds and have started to use your techniques. Question. Do you put a coat of satin over your models before you wash or weather?

[@rafale89140]

I started watching your videos a few days ago (thanks KZbin algorithm), and I must say, I'm enjoying your content a whole lot! I'd like to ask where it is possible to get Wilders weathering oils in Europe, I see people using them all over the internet, but I can't find them here. Any clues?

[@NightShiftScaleModels]

That's the million dollar question. I think some UK stores have Wilder stuff, but not sure about oils. I've got them directly from Adam when he was launching them.

[@hiertothathrone3024]

When you put the oil paints, what do you mix it with? Water? Thinner?

[@-jk-2580]

Is it necessary to put yet another varnish layer after weathering?

[@UlfAhlborg]

Just found your channel, I love your work man. Do you generally gloss or matte coat your subject prior to oil rendering?

[@NightShiftScaleModels]

Thanks mate and welcome! Yes, I varnish my models right after I'm done with the basic paintjob. I discuss that in the previous video of this series, where I seal everything with a coat of Tamiya Clear.

[@elizabethmcheffey8699]

Thumbs on the metal gear

[@NightShiftScaleModels]

Fun fact: I didn't know that sound was from Metal Gear, I only knew it as "alert sound effect" :)

[@peetju63]

Hi Nightshift, the cleanup starting at 2:05 is with/without some thinner in your brush / drybrush?

[@vivekshrinivasan6996]

Hey wanted to ask - did you apply a coat of varnish before you started the wash? Keen to know.

[@leonardopaintball]

Do you use a dry brush to clean the washing?

[@erice.9514]

Hey Uncle Night Shift, I am very new to Oil weathering and think I screwed up totally, I left a model exposed to Light in my Living room and now the color totally changed. It is much lighter now and the pigments dried up to look like crap. I tought varnish would seal it away but I guess I did wrong. Do you have a Tip for that? I adore your work and try to replicate it here and there

[@christianpearse6901]

When you say 'clean up the wash' are you just doing that with pain the same colour as the hull? Or with the enamel cleaner?

[@geekyrocket9714]

Oh the bane of rubber band tracks }:D I try to avoid at all costs! Pin washes really breath life into a scale model, almost as rewarding as watching your millions of chips take shape on the Sharotank. Now when you begin adding the brown oils as a precusor to the earth and mud weathering, do you wait a day or two and let the oil from the "filter" stage dry completely? Excellent stuff as always. Cheers!

[@NightShiftScaleModels]

Thanks mate! Yes it's always best to give oils or enamels at least a day to dry, especially in those early stages when the model is glossy and smooth. The more matt it becomes later in the weathering stages, the less time enamels and oils need. I'll explain it in one of my newer videos.

[@EdLeake]

Love the videos. Great skill on display here. 👍 I didn't even model, but you got me interested and because this is your fault - I have questions! When I tried the oil dot pairs method, the next pair of dots kind of merge entirely and I lose the effect. I don't get colour differences, just all mixed together. Q1) Should I be doing my first pair of oil dots and letting them dry for a day or so? I'm a bit confused with drying times in general. Q2) And also how much thinner do I need on my brush for this method? Do I towel-off excess and just have it damp? Thanks in advance (if you can be arsed to answer)! 🥺

[@NightShiftScaleModels]

Soooo I got you into modelling? 😱 Well my guess is that you have way too much thinner on your brush. That’s usually why the dots merge into a total mess. Try checking out my Type 5 Chi-Ri oil dot and wash video, maybe you’ll get a few more ideas there. You can always blend the oils, wait a few minutes and add more. Just don’t use too much thinner.

[@EdLeake]

@@NightShiftScaleModels thanks for the swift reply, I will go check it out (and use less thinner on my brush).

[@richardorta8960]

The rubber track Ever think of brushing it, using a cheap brush, with super glue. The glue would hold the paint, the glue will stick to the rubber.

[@Superfrogggg]

How much time does it take to build a model like this?

[@eurovisionspot3491]

Nice tutorial .. I have a question.. After to use olive drab and ochre together you say that you use in pairs the rest of oil ¿what do you mean with that?. Thank you

[@NightShiftScaleModels]

It's just that if you, for example, want to blend 6 different oil paints on a model, I choose to apply 2, blend them, then another 2, blend, etc.

[@eurovisionspot3491]

Ah ok... I use a oil palette with five or six oil color (olive drab, gray, white, dark brown, ochre, earth) but use more than two colours at the same time and blend them.. Sometimes in some places concrete a few of red..

[@davidknights2727]

Do another 72nd scale kit. Arty maybe

[@NightShiftScaleModels]

Another small scale is coming up right after the Type 5 is finished!

[@conflicthorizon]

Night Shift. I know this is an old video. But what chemical are you using to remove the wash?

[@vernebeck8108]

Do you have thinner on brush when blending oil paints

[@NightShiftScaleModels]

I do when blending oil dots. When blending thise dark stains and fake shadows, then I use a dry brush.

[@chuchoquiroz3770]

Martin, i lije yours videos, in fact, i'm gonna apply some of yours tips, question, could be posible to add subtitles (spanish) so others that dont understand your language could follos it...??

[@NightShiftScaleModels]

Well, my language is Slovak, so nobody would understand if I spoke it :) If there's anyone willing to add subtitles to my videos, I'll be more than happy of course!

[@haiichuu]

Should the paint be given a clear coat before I start with stuff shown in this video? If yes, I am assuming gloss coat?

[@NightShiftScaleModels]

Exactly, it was documented in the previous video, where I applied the base coat and varnish.

[@haiichuu]

@@NightShiftScaleModels I see!! Fortunately your videos came up in my Recommended. I will be going through them all now :) I am on break from university and my modelling skills need a refresh. Thanks again 👍

[@richardhobbs2170]

Are you using white spirit to clean up the excess dark wash?

[@NightShiftScaleModels]

Exactly!

[@richardhobbs2170]

Nice, I'll have to try this. Your videos are great. Fun and informative 👍

[@NightShiftScaleModels]

Thank you, more incoming :)

[@Cypher791]

Hey how have you been? 🙂.... “oh... iv just been living normal, real, life for once..” ☝️😏....

[@vivekshrinivasan6996]

Hey wanted to ask - did you apply a coat of varnish before you started the wash? Keen to know.