Washes with Oil Paints

By Anthony Karl Erdelji

Washing with oils is a great way to give your tanks and other vehicles a well-worn look. Oils take longer to dry than acrylics or enamels allowing you to wipe off more of the wash, leaving it only where you want it.

For your materials, go to your art or craft store and pick up some Black, Brunt Sienna, and Raw Umber oil tubes. I use Winsor & Newton oils that cost  less that $5.00 each and will last years. You also want to get some turpentine or better still, an odorless turpentine substitute like Turpenoid, a large brush and some disposable cups for mixing.

After you apply your base color of paint, paint your highlights. Spray the model with a flat coat and let it dry 48 hours before starting with the wash. The proportions of the three-color mix is up to your own tastes. The Black is for darkening, Raw Umber for dirt and oil stains and the Burnt Sienna for rust. Mix the three colors together with some turpentine. You want the mixture thin, like an acrylic wash. The amount of turpentine also changes how effective the wash will be. Add more for a lighter effect, or less for a really filthy model.

Apply the wash with a large brush to one area at a time. Take a clean, soft, lint-free cloth, (An old pillow case or bed sheet works well), and going from top to bottom wipe off the wash while it is still wet. Keep wiping until you are satisfied with the look, then go on to the next area. You can get different effects depending on the direction you are wiping. For flying vehicles, try wiping from front to back for a wind blown look.

The oil wash works great on vehicle such as tanks, but it also has different uses. I use the same oil wash on almost all of my Undead army for a "just up from the grave" filthy look. The zombie was basecoated, highlighted, and then oil washed. Notice how the wash shades all of the colors on the model.

If you spill some or are unhappy with an area, you can clean it with a cloth dampened with Turpenoid. When you are done, set the model aside for 24 hours, then spray it again with flat coat. When the flat coat dries you can touch up any areas that need it or reapply the final stage of highlights if they were darkened too much for your liking.