A tutorial explaining how to create a realistic, weathered rust effect. This guide details the techniques needed to add corrosion and decay to the weapons and armour of your miniatures, perfect for undead armies
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I saw some posts with tutorials and various painting techniques, so I decided I also share my experiences. I would like to describe two ways of making rust effects I use.
Please note some of the colours have since been updated, old = new:
Brush: Standard brush
First, paint the blade/spear tip/whatever with boltgun metal. Then apply heavy wash with Flesh wash. Next, apply medium wash with Black ink. Finally, highlight the edges with boltgun metal, or possibly with Chainmail or Mithril silver.
Finished result on spear tips
Brush: Stippling brush + Standard brush
First again, apply boltgun metal. Now apply soft wash with black ink. Then use stippling technique to apply Bestial brown or 50/50 mix of Schorched brown and Snakebite leather. Simply take stippling brush (or similar brush - I use old small drybrush which has similar shape now), dip it in color and instead of wiping the color from the brush like with drybrush technique, just 'stab' onto paper, till it leaves only few dots as a trace. Then use the same procedure to apply the paint. After you finish, use the same technique to apply Blazing orange. Next apply medium to soft wash with black ink. Finally highlight chosen edges with Boltgun metal.
Finished result on sword
You don't really need original stippling brush. I use old GW Small drybrush with a bit of dried color
I saw some posts with tutorials and various painting techniques, so I decided I also share my experiences. I would like to describe two ways of making rust effects I use.
Please note some of the colours have since been updated, old = new:
- Boltgun metal = Leadbelcher
- Flesh wash = Reikland Fleshshade (closest)
- Black ink = Nuln Oil
- Bestial brown = Mournfang Brown
- Scorched brown = Rhinox Hide
- Snakebite leather = Balor Brown
- Blazing orange = Troll Slayer Orange
Wash technique
Colors: Boltgun metal, Flesh wash, Black inkBrush: Standard brush
First, paint the blade/spear tip/whatever with boltgun metal. Then apply heavy wash with Flesh wash. Next, apply medium wash with Black ink. Finally, highlight the edges with boltgun metal, or possibly with Chainmail or Mithril silver.
Finished result on spear tips
Stippling technique
Colors: Boltgun metal, Bestial brown (or Scorched brown and snakebite leather), Blazing orange, Black inkBrush: Stippling brush + Standard brush
First again, apply boltgun metal. Now apply soft wash with black ink. Then use stippling technique to apply Bestial brown or 50/50 mix of Schorched brown and Snakebite leather. Simply take stippling brush (or similar brush - I use old small drybrush which has similar shape now), dip it in color and instead of wiping the color from the brush like with drybrush technique, just 'stab' onto paper, till it leaves only few dots as a trace. Then use the same procedure to apply the paint. After you finish, use the same technique to apply Blazing orange. Next apply medium to soft wash with black ink. Finally highlight chosen edges with Boltgun metal.
Finished result on sword
You don't really need original stippling brush. I use old GW Small drybrush with a bit of dried color