Hi Alexander
This is a Sherman V completed some time back on which I used Mig pigments to simulate thick gathered mud. If this effect is what you're after I can let you know how I did this.
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You first need to think where the mud gathers and how dry it will be. I applied my mud in 3 shades - light for the dry mud then a mid tone then the dark wet mud.
1. Mix the light tone first as this will be the first layer. Mix a Mig dust colour pigment, some plaster (for bulk) and some Mig acrylic medium. Remember the plaster will lighten the colour considerably so you'll have to balance this with darker pigment. You need it to have the mixture the consistency of... well, mud! just thin enough so you can roughly paint it on with an old brush.
NB. This process destroys brushes - use an old one!
Paint it liberally where you think the mud will gather then let this dry (remember this stuff dries considerably lighter than when applied.
This is now your base dry mud layer.
2. Now the mid tone. Mix exactly as before but this time using darker pigments - if it's a European setting I try to aim for a mid tone that equates to Mig Pigments European dust.
Apply as before but inside the edge of the dry mud (the mud will be progressively dryer toward the edges). Make the daubs and dabs random and keep in mind where you think the mud should settle.
3. The final wet mud layer is the darkest of all and represents the damp or wet mud. This will be the inner most layer. Apply this and your mud build up should be getting there.
4. You can refine this by applying the pigments dry on top to blend tones in a little. Just try not to obliterate the layers you have.
5. This is a fun bit. Take your dark mix and water it down a little (so its really sloppy) dip a brush into it and blow air through the brush so the spatters hit the tank. Keep the brush close to the tank or it will end up everywhere. If you don't have an airbrush then I guess the same effect could be gained by dipping a toothbrush into it and drawing your thumb over the bristles.
Things to note: White spirit will help pigments flow into corners and crevices to simulate a build up of dust in these places. The acrylic medium is a permanent way of fixing these pigments. For really wet mud add some gloss varnish or our old friend Johnson's Clear.
It does take a bit of practice and quite a bit of nerve to apply this to a vehicle you've spent some time applying subtle paint finishes to, but, as with everything, practice does help.
Hope this helps
Cheers
Paul
