How to make, use, and fix weathering powder

In this quick DIY tips and tricks video, I'll show you how to make your own weathering pigment powder for scale models and wargaming, and also some of the most effective methods of fixing them so they don't rub off while you play!

Here are some useful links for stuff we use. Amazon gives us a few pennies if you buy using these, at no extra cost to you!

#paintingwarhammer #poorhammer #weatheringpowder

[TriptonStudios]

Note don’t buy oil pastels, they won’t work. It has to be chalk pastel, I’ve been using chalk pastel on models for many years

[Nallenbot]

"what's the most ominous thing you heard today?"
"release the pigment"

[airshipcity]

Tip from the BJD/doll custom community - it'll help tons if you apply a coat of matte varnish both before and after you apply the pastel powder! Obviously the result may vary based on what material you're working with, but generally, this is common practise for a lot of other custom hobbies where chalk pastel powders are used as a pretty meaty part of the process. Failing that, though, charcoal fixatives should definitely be a failsafe, since keeping fine powder in place is pretty much their entire job. Generally, I think soft/chalk pastels are significantly underused in the model/miniature community outside of commercial weathering powders, so I hope this video might have inspired more people to actually try it out - it's amazing for getting a lot of effects and gradients that are just that much harder to get with paint alone. Especially for terrain, vehicles, and even larger armor pieces or other larger surfaces on models!

[NevolmonGaming]

you can also scrape the pastel with the backend of a knife into a bowl for really fine powder. you can even do it with pencil lead for a metallic weathering powder that looks like soot or burnt metal.

[Robzilla]

Thank you not only for the video, but, more importantly the ideas you just started like a runaway chain reaction. I can see these being useful in a number of ways and at the simple cost of a pastel....mind blown.

[Wrmhandler]

I was literally searching up how to weather my farsight models with desert bases earlier today, then you make this video. Stop reading my search history!

[erice.]

Also a way of fixing it described by Vallejo flyer in their "Rust" set. Wash your model (also a transparent medium works) and brush or strew your pigment over the still wet surface. I tested it myself and came up with some pretty heavy flaked Rust by simply scatter some of the pigment by knocking on the brush over the surface. after it dried I was suprised how solid it stuck to the vallejo sepia wash. I am really new to such stuff and was pretty happy

[Hengebobs]

I'd recommend spraying with a charcoal/pastel fixative *then* using the varnesh. Less likely to smear/run that way, and definitely permanent. You could just use the spray fixative, but it's unlikely to hold up well over time with playing on it.

[BaijoGosum]

Thanks! I have been thinking about getting into the weathering powders. Your timing is great!

[maledrakh]

your dread-inducing horrorfilm music score clashes tonally with your cheerful narration and otherwise wholesome content. I kept tensing up in preparation for the inevitable jumpscare.

[jewellguitars]

This use of pastels has saved me much money and are equal or better than the real thing! Thank you very much! Now, I need to know colors for tank tracks, exhausts etc.

[savardmike]

I use a steel wire mesh strainer, the kind you would use in the kitchen, to make my pigments.
get a bowl underneath and rub your pastel on it. The smaller your mesh, the finer your powder will be.

[timvetsich]

i used air drying clay and crushed it up to make a really cool martian rubble
love your videos mate!

[timeandtide]

I found some good pastels in 'The Works' today, earthy tones and a full spectrum for £3 a box, trying to make a copper blue patina on a skull dice tower with them.

[BeubeuReturns]

Awesome idea, I just started using weathering powders few weeks ago on my Imperial Fists and it really add a realistic feel to the armors with almost no effort. I varnished them with army painter matte varnish, on the model it's ok to lose a bit of intensity, but I used different orange and ochre powders on a mud base as a little experiment. I was very pleased with the result, it turned a bit like a mars or desert thing and went outside to spray it, I let it dry and when I came back it was just a brown mud base again.. I was so pissed, thinking I done something wrong, but with you tests it looks like it's not the best usage for that varnish..

[chrism.]

The part about fixing the pigments was really helpful. Thanks for that. I wonder how it will look if you fix them with hairspray first and then with a varnish.

[sergiolp]

This channel is the diy heroe of my YouTube account, love you!

[AnneAndersonFoxiepaws]

Chalk pastels are great. A good way of reducing pastel to fine powder is to use a wire mesh screen and rub it through. Heres a tip, if you want the dusty look leave off the final seal but you can build the intensity of chalk pastel by sealing between coats with a matt sealant (Lots of people use MrSuperClear but its expensive so I use a Rustoleum sealant. Like I said, you can use hairspray in the final layer to give that powdery look if thats what youre going for. Oh while I am here, coffee powder makes a great additive to washes if you cant get inks, and coriander, finely ground and mixed with pva makes brilliant moss (Dried coffee grounds can also be used as soil...to keep the culinary theme going lol!)

[batman]

This is the best video ever. I've heard about this method but didn't bloody know if you add it to the model before or after. I will be using Hairspray and maybe Varnish later. You learn so much from seeing.

Thanks!!!

[JoshmanJoyce]

Such a clever idea! Looking forward to your next video!