Scratch Build a Newsstand: Part 5
In this, the second article of my version of a newsstand we do all the necessary work to finish it off. We will add paint, dry brush on highlights, and weather it. Lastly we will detail it.
Painting
Like with the construction of the newsstand, I kept the painting simple as well. To begin with I brushed on some Olive Drab, choose whatever brand you prefer to use but I used Tamiya XF-62. Don’t forget to paint the inside as well. Again I used the same color of paint I used on the outside, to change things up you could have a different color interior.
Highlights
After the olive drab base coat has had sufficient time to dry, I attack with a simple yet effective technique, dry brushing on highlights. Without highlights the olive is very flat, dark and lifeless. All you need to do is dip your brush in white paint, then wipe most of it off on a paper towel. For my brush I use an old one that I have cut the bristles to a stump. Next you run the brush back and forth across a corner or detail that you want to be more visible. It will take a few tries to get the feel for it and you will have a few happy accidents and apply too much paint every so often. What ever you do, don’t get frustrated by making mistakes, it is okay and most of the time know one notices but yourself.
If the highlights look too strong for your liking, the next step will help to blend it in and look natural.
Adding highlights.
Highlights on the back.
Weathering
My favorite weathering weapon is the India Ink/Alcohol wash, if you are unfamiliar with it visit our article all about it.
You can go about this in many different ways, I chose to liberally brush on the ink wash and let it sit. After a few seconds I rub it in with my brush. This will remove your paint if you do it too much so use restraint, and again it is something you will need to acquire the feel of. I like this technique because it makes the paint look older and it blends your highlights very well.
Ink wash rubbed in.
Details
The added details on my newsstand are the very same ones made available for you in part 3 of this series. I began by cutting out the magazines and then glued them down in two horizontal rows on the inside back wall. Next I added some more magazines to the multiple areas on the front. First I added some going vertical on the front ends. Then with a tiny dab of glue in the upper left corner, I hung a few magazines across the opening. Lastly I added a few more magazines to the counter area.
Crate
In many reference photos that I used for my newsstand I had noticed that there was quite often a bench or a few crates that newspapers rested on. I decided a crate would be kind of fun to build and so I went down that road. I cut two solid ends from some .010x.080″ strip and six slats from .010x.030″. I glued two of the slats to a side of one end, let it set up for a bit and then added the other end to the slats. I glued on the remaining slats to the opposing end and then the top (or bottom depending how you look at it. Also I allowed some of the slats to not be perfectly straight so the crate looks like it has a little history.
I painted it a light grey and then weathered it to match the rest of the newsstand. After it dried I cut out some newspapers and then folded them in half. I glued each newspaper shut and then made a few stacks on the crate. I also added a few signs to the out side of the stand as well.
Awning
I went back and forth about adding an awning to my stand, but I obviously decided to add one. The one I made is a solid dark green, with NEWSSTAND printed on it. I cut it out to a size that felt about right to me. Then I cut a two supports from some scrap .015″ wire that I had on hand. I glued the assembly into place with a little CA. I then dabbed on a little india ink wash for some subtle weathering.
The finished newsstand
Conclusion
This has been a fun dual build and we hope you enjoyed it as much as we enjoyed creating it. It was dragged out a little longer than expected but as saying goes “good things come to those who wait”. We will try to do another dual build in the not to distant future again. If you have a suggestion for a smaller project such as the newsstand that you would like to see us build please let us know.
Thank you for reading.
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