Ultimate Pigments – how to use them

with Geoff Coughlin

Available direct from Ultimate Modelling Products

Target project:

Italeri P-40 E/K Kittyhawk 1:48 scale

Here’s a look at my finished model where I have used Ultimate Sand pigment to weather the tyres…

The Ultimate Pigments range

Pigments are used by modellers for a multitude of weathering tasks, from creating dust, earth and mud effects through to staining and general wear and tear. Generally I use pastels for this process and as new ranges of pigments have appeared, including this one from Ultimate, we now have even more choice of ‘powder’ to create the effects we are looking for.

Artist’s pigments are basically finely-ground dirt, chemically leached from a variety of clay and oxide compounds. Because of the nature of artist’s pigments, they lend themselves perfectly to weathering scale models. Pigments can simulate a wide variety of naturally-occurring environmental effects.

The Ultimate range is varied…

How to use the Ultimate Pigments…

Pigments are applied straight from their container using a dry brush – 2 in fact – one to apply the pigment and the second, or even third, to blend the pigment to get the final look you are after.

As with pastels you can’t and don’t really need to seal in the effects you create, that’s just not how they are designed to work. If you try and apply any spray varnish or other coat over the top of your pigments or pastels they will disappear! Just be careful in storing and handling your model after application of the pigments and you’ll be fine – that’s what I’ve done for years and my models still retain their effects after handling many times when I have displayed them at various model shows and contests.

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VIDEO DEMO

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Useful tools to use when applying pigments:
• medium sized round brush to apply your pigments
• a medium to broad flat brush or brushes to blend in the pigments to create the effects you are looking for
• try different types of brush to experiment to get a wide range of effects.

The great thing is it’s relatively easy to apply these pigments (or pastels) and if you make a mistake like applying too much or you just don’t like the effects, rub off with a damp cotton wool bud or soft wet tissue and you can start again – be sure the surface if fully dry first.

I think that these Ultimate Pigments are good and have multiple uses across all modelling interests and so we’ve added links for this ‘how-to’ entry to each of the relevant areas in your SMN Techniques Bank.

Good luck…
Geoff C.