How to Weather Figures

Make any figure look weathered using a few simple techniques.

Artists create figures that look old and weathered. Weathered figures look good as decorations in a home or garden, and many people like weathered-looking items in their home. Simple painting techniques make any object look old and weathered even when a figure is new. Anyone is capable of making any object look weathered. There are no special skills involved, but creating this look takes a bit of time for drying between layers.

Things You'll Need

• Newspaper
• Paintbrush
• Containers for mixing paint
• Assorted acrylic paints
• Large container for water
• Sponge
• Clear spray paint

Instructions

Weathering White Figures

1. Put newspaper on a flat surface, and put the figure on top of it. Weathering a figure gets messy, so cover any exposed surfaces. Place a container of water on the flat surface beside the figure.

2. Paint the figure white with acrylic paint, and let it dry thoroughly. Give it two coats if the paint is thin. This gives you a solid base coat.

3. Add a small amount of yellow ochre to the paint. It gives the paint a slightly yellowish-brown color. As white ages, it gets a brown or yellow color.

4. Dip a soft sponge into the paint, and rub it quickly over the figure. Immediately, put the sponge into a container of water, and rinse it. Squeeze out the excess water and wipe down the statue. Leave some of the yellowish-brown color on the statue, especially in any grooves or rough areas. Rinse the sponge out thoroughly, so the paint doesn't harden in the sponge. Let the figure dry completely.

5. Add a little bit of black and dark green to the paint mixture. Dip the sponge into the paint mixture, and dab it into rough areas or areas with grooves. Rinse the sponge, and wipe off the excess paint. This paint gives the look of crusted mud and mold on the figure. Look at the figure, and see if any other areas need the greenish-gray paint. Add paint where it needs it. Let it dry.

6. Spray three layers of clear spray paint on the figure. Let the paint dry completely between layers. Display the figure indoors or outside. If it is displayed outside, put a new coat of clear spray paint on it every year.

Weathering Figures With Colors

1. Put newspaper on a flat surface, and put the figure on top of it. Weathering a figure gets messy, so cover any exposed surfaces. Place a container of water on the flat surface beside the figure.

2. Paint the figure your desired colors using acrylic paint. This gives the figure a base coat. Paint additional layers of paint if it is thin. Let it dry thoroughly. Mix enough of each color, so you have leftover paint in each color.

3. Divide each color of leftover paint into two containers. Add a bit of light gray paint to one, and add a bit of dark brown to the other.

4. Rub a small amount of the brownish colors into any crevices and rough areas on the figure with the sponge. Rinse out the sponge, and wipe off any excess paint. Let it dry.

5. Dip the sponge into the light grayish colors, and add it where pieces stick out. Things like edges of jackets, knees or shoes need to look worn. Let it dry thoroughly. Press the color on the areas, so the sponge leaves a rough-looking texture.

6. Mix some brown and gray paint together, and dab it anywhere you want the piece looking dirty. When this color dries, it looks like splashed-on dirt. Concentrate on adding it around the base of the figure, and into any deep crevices or rough areas.

7. Let it dry thoroughly, and spray on a thin layer of spray paint. Let it dry, and repeat the process until you have three coats of clear spray paint.

References

• Missing-Lynx: Weathering Uniforms