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I really like your stuff, but I can't afford to let myself be envious. I'm in the midst of overhauling and weathering my N-scale fleet, and because of the number of cars (about 300) and my lack of time, I needed to come up with a technique which produces similar "stage makeup" effects quickly & easily. I have done a few cars based on a specific photograph, and yes the results are rather satisfying, knowing that the streaks are in the right places and all. But for routine use, I do more conventional weathering, although I don't know if anyone else is using the system I've come up with. <br /> <br />I use chalks, especially NuPastels and conte-crayons, which I scrape with the back edge of my X-Acto into little piles of color, then apply this with a soft brush. So far, not so different, I know. Then, with an overall layer of dirt and grime applied (no specific details yet), I rapidly apply a thin wash of black acrylic right over the chalk. As it dries, the chalk gets pulled into the same crevices that it would on the real thing, and the black wash makes the details pop. As this wash is drying, I can dip a dry brush back into the rust-colored chalks and then flick a tiny amount onto the moist surface, where it will adhere, creating my random rust spots. And, once the entire thing is dry, I can then add another helping of chalk if I want to create other unique effects; the finish now has tooth, thanks to the chalk-wash. But usually, I just stop after it dries, because the overall effect is so good! It's extremely simple, and gives a great first-approximation, to which featuers like graffiti and fuel spills and major rust might be added later for a special model. <br /> <br />Still, though, I am learning, and seeing your examples has taught me one thing: my red-brown for rust is just not dark enough. You've got the color nailed on yours, though in some of your proto-photos the rust spots look even darker, almost black. I'll have to go back and retouch a few of mine now...
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