Commission: Another another dirty rat…

You've seen a fair few here now - the third in recent weeks (with several before that too), a second Sutton Locomotive Works model arrived for a bit of a makeover...

In this instance the 'dolled up' 296 was to be given a more work weary appearance. My customer had completed the exhaust modification, but I needed to touch this in BR blue before weathering could begin. The usual approach then followed, a wash on the chassis of 98/33 - then working on the roof, the same mix, removed largely with a flat brush. Once dry, on to the sides - and finally some detail weathering on the noses, especially that cab seam. 

The airbrush mix of 133/245/27004 then softened the wash, dirtied the roof and lower body sides, I noticed on the prototype the road dirt seem to collect behind the inner wheel sets, especially where the boiler tank was removed. Soot was added in 33 around the exhaust and the finishing touches were added with dry brushed 53 on the steps and doors and black Posca paint pen on the buffer heads.

The result should blend nicely with the other models I've completed for him, as I use the same palette, and yet whilst we've followed the same steps, I've worked from different reference material. This isn't a generic weathering, it is based upon observation with an artistic flourish. If you'd like me to work on your own model, then weathering can often be fitted around my larger commission builds so lead-times can be shorter than you might expect. Until next time, more soon...

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