Plamo.de - Plastikmodellbau

Are pastels necessary or is using a wash enough to shade? Should I go with a lighter color than my wash with the pastels?
These questions may already be answered on the forum but I don't understand the language. Weinen
If I know quite a bit of French do you think it would be easy for me to learn the language?
I already told Lhasarus this, but my Tamiya topcoat has been doing a lot of weird things to my base color. I still haven't completely abandoned gundam markers as I don't have the money to go out and buy bottles of paint for all the colors I need. I use the marker thinner to remove mistakes, but I think the topcoat reactivates the hardened thinner and smears off some more gundam marker. Also, when I spray too much topcoat on I think it mixes with the base color and reveals primer since it is clear. Do you have these kinds of problems? Also, my wash usually looks pretty good but when I use it on white there are all kinds of weird "coffee stains". Is it a matter of switching to a lighter colour wash?

Exactly. If you want to prevent the pastel chalk from smearing and fingerprints/streaks, you need to seal those parts.

Does the clear coat help protect the chalk/pastel?

Good work, mate! You've been quite busy building plastic model kits these days. Keep up the good work. Regarding the pastel thing. Regular pastel chalk from an arts craft store or stationery shop should do the trick. Just make sure you don't buy oil pastels (although these can be used for smudge/smut and oil washings). Abrade a bit of the chalk on sanding paper and use a soft brush for applying. It's a bit like dusting off a tender object. Maybe you should ask your girlfriend how she applies a decent make up. I don't have example shots for this at the moment. Try to Google for either Tamiya weathering kits or Volks Dollfie make up. IMPORTANT!!! Don't forget to apply a clear coat afterwards.