How to create "scratch effect" ?

[corematrix]

So my armor is getting close to being finished.
Next step weathering with a layer of black acrylic

Then I want to get some scratches effect on it and I'm really not sure how to do this.

1. How do I do it?
2. Should i do it before or after the main weathering?

 

[SgtSaint]

Hey - I just replied to your Reddit post.

Glad you posted here since there's so much more we can do here like links and photos.

Check youtube for tutorials on "chipping effect", "weathering armor" and so on. There's a bunch.

But mostly it comes down to 2 common techniques:
Plan the scratching in advance and use "chipping" effects. You paint silver first, mask that with masking fluid/liquid latex. Do the rest of your painting. Then peel the masking fluid to create true layered chips.

The other is called "dry brushing" and like the name implies, you take a little silver on a brush, wipe off most of it so its nearly dry, then lightly brush the high edges to simulate a scratch. It doesn't require as much pre-planning and can be thought about near last. But it doesn't have the dimensionality of real layered chipping and edges of paint that flaked off. People will also use silver sharpie or silver paint markers to do something similar instead of a brush.

My suggestion is devour all the YouTubes you can from armor cosplayers and model diarama builders, as well as the countless build threads and tutorials here on the 405th site.

Oh - and welcome to the 405th!

 

[corematrix]

Thanks dude. This is for my 15 year old son's armor.
My armour has just started on the 3D printer

 

[zekybomb]

First of all, great job on the post processing!

if you take the silver base coat + liquid latex route another step you can take is to use a nail file to give *real* scratches to the print, rub it around the edges of where you put the latex and it will add additional "battle damage" to the spot.
I am almost always to lazy to use rubber so I do the dry brushing 90% of the time.

Lastly to make your prints look real try to think about where on the body the armor is and how it would be scratched, like a life story for the armor, it ensures you don't have silver scratches perpendicular to deep grooves in the armor that would have no way of being there!

 

[corematrix]

Hopfully you can see below that i've completed the dry brushing.
Personally i think it looks amazing. as it's my first armour attempt. We did a dark "wash" before with some acrylic paint the the dry brushing.

Me and the boy are propper happy.

 

[ReclaimerODST]

Extremely nice results, hard to believe it’s your first foray into armor making! If I could make a small recommendation based just on my own preferences (and I’m also a complete noob) I enjoy adding a good amount of dry brushing and scratch details on the more central areas as well. I’ve had success dabbing the brush straight onto the piece for a sort of stippled effect, and well as doing some curves and quick “slaps” to give the impression of scrapes. Either way, this suit looks fantastic. I’d love to see an update once it’s all rigged up!

 

[corematrix]

 

[ReclaimerODST]

Unreal, looks amazing! I love all of the strapping detail

 

[failingsway]

Hopfully you can see below that i've completed the dry brushing.
Personally i think it looks amazing. as it's my first armour attempt. We did a dark "wash" before with some acrylic paint the the dry brushing.

Me and the boy are propper happy.

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View attachment 370620

Wow it's looking great! You really have a knack for the distressed look. Does your son love it??

 

[corematrix]

Yeah he loves it so much. We cannot wait for him to wear it for his school costume day

 

[failingsway]

Yay! That's godo to hear. It's so exciting for kids when their parents share in the love of cosplay. My parents weren't into it but my hubs and I are with our kids and we've done so many things as a family. They love it. I can't wait until their older and can help with the builds.

You must get photos!!!

 

[RabbitActual]

Yay! That's godo to hear. It's so exciting for kids when their parents share in the love of cosplay. My parents weren't into it but my hubs and I are with our kids and we've done so many things as a family. They love it. I can't wait until their older and can help with the builds.

You must get photos!!!

It's funny you say that, my mom is actually the reason I got into cosplay. She was dressing up before I was, albeit for historical stuff. She made a great many of both my, and my sister's costumes when we were growing up. Back then they were just for halloween or ren fest, but she her help was invaluable with both my mandalorian and my ODST. I'm so thankful to be able to share such an interesting and exciting hobby with her.

This kit is amazing, and the weathing turned out great. I just know that is one happy teen. I reckon he'll cherish this for years to come.