Unsure what glazing is about

[1sfga]

I have a couple of dino kits and a dragon that I've heard people refer to glazing to get the scales and detail areas really pop out. The detail that are in the scales of my kits are amazing and I want them to really be a big part of the paint scheme. I would appreciate any help.
Thanks,
Bobby D

[Joseph Osborn]

A glaze is like a thick, translucent wash and it can definitely make those scales pop.

Here're before and after shots of a glaze I put on a Halcyon Alien:




The glaze is glossy, so it deepens the colors on the figure rather dramatically. You can knock back the shine with a matte coat.

[jasonjaconetti]

I glaze all my dinos and dragons. A glaze is made with equal parts paint and glaze gel (I got mine at Michaels). I make sure my kit is sealed really well. Then I make up the glaze (usually black and burnt umber, but charcoal and other greys can be used) and apply it in sections. I apply the glaze and then give it a minute before I wipe it off with a damp clean cloth/ paper towel. Kind of the same idea as washes, but this is much thicker.
Hope that helped.

[FilmMkr]

[lugnut]

Marc, cool! Great thread guys, thanks.

[Otto69]

Glazing is like washing but with thicker. media. You paint it on heavy then use a clean paper towel to remove the excess on the high points. Usually you seal the existing paint with a clear lacquer coat before glazing with acylics. Floetrol paint additive is good for glazing if you don't haxe a particular glaing medium handy.

[Crazy Joe]

Can't really add anymore to this thread, all of these guys are right on with this. A product recommendation, however - I like Golden's because it's SLOW drying -

[JJCap1]

Can't really add anymore to this thread, all of these guys are right on with this. A product recommendation, however - I like Golden's because it's SLOW drying -

Very important! Listen to the man!

[1sfga]

Thanks everyone for all the examples. One more question do I glaze first and then drydrush or paint and then glaze.

[Crazy Joe]

Glaze first. Then dry-brush and airbrush TRANSPARENTS...

[ignatz]

I recall years ago the garage kit community was fairly excited about glazing. It was a Wasco paint that was the primary product of everyone's attention. "Polytranspar"? I think was the name. It was all the rage for a while and then the excitement died down. Probably not to be overused, but a good technique in the arsenal of basic finishing techniques.

[resindoc]

I loved polytranspars. Great colors, airbrushed like a dream. Only problem with them is they tended to bleed thru, so any attempt at covering them was just about impossible.

[RickDTM]

I've transitioned from glazing to something similiar, only w/out the need for the medium. I'll airbrush my chosen between-scale color on the piece, let it set for a minute or two, then wipe the scales w/ a paper towel moistened w/ my alcohol water mix, leaving the scale color in the crevices. I don't have to wait for the glazing medium to dry before moving onto the painting and I get the same result.

Demo'd this at JFest last year, and will be doing so again on the MS Gillman bust this year as well.