Tanktober is here!

Well, it just happens to be October 1st, and it just happens that I have painted a tank. So Tanktober it is!

The tank in question partway painted, a Rubicon Panzer IV.

I was really surprised on how easy it was to get this one painted. I think the good details helped a lot. If you are interested you can read my full review of this kit here where I compare it with Warlord Games' Panzer IV kit. Basically, in the picture above all I have done is sprayed it Desert Yellow (with an Army Painter rattle can), washed it all over with my Future/Devlan Mud mix, painted the tracks and other metal parts gunmetal and the rubber tires dark grey. While nowhere near finished in my eyes it does look the part and could be used on the gaming table without anyone lifting an eyebrow.

Panel highlighting, chipping and decals done, time for pigments

I dipped a small piece of blister foam in the same dark grey I had used for the tires and after wiping off most of the paint I dabbed it onto all the edges of tank to create a chipping effect. To finish it off I highlighted all flat areas with Coat d'Arms Light Sand, mainly to cover up where the wash had pooled or where I overdid the chipping. I used decals from the sheet provided, but decided to go light on the markings and only use turret number on the back of the turret bin, and a DAK palm and German cross on each side of the hull. The exhaust got a coat of Coat d'Arms Rust and then it was time for pigments.

You can see the effect the pigments have on the decals. Also, on my painting table...

And the other side...

And the back.

The main effect of pigments is to make the tank appear dusty and tie the various colours and decals together, I used two tones of rust pigments from Forgeworld on the exhaust to vary the tone, and tried to replicate the colour being burnt off by the heat. I googled "rusty exhausts" to get inspiration. Just before taking these photos I realised I hadn't painted any of the wood parts like the shovel and tool handles. A quick coat of Khemri brown and Bob was my uncle.

I hope you like my little Panzer. I might add some stowage later since it looks a bit bare without it.