Panzer III tank model showing the black-and-white version on the left and the gray primer on the right

Black-and-white humorous cartoon of lost military officers discussing a map, with speech bubbles

Have we been here before? Not sure... I'm telling you, it's her general... Where's north? We should "think" about the soup! The British can rest easy... I'm telling you! 1/35-scale Dragon model kit of the German Panzer III Ausf.J tank, No. 523 The goal here is to create a diorama in... black and white! Or sepia. Like an old vintage photo. We could just paint the whole thing in color and then edit it in software. But doing it directly opens up some interesting possibilities for the painting process...

The kit used here is the Panzer III from Dragon, which is beautifully detailed and comes with photo-etched parts. It will be converted into an Ausf. M, which is more visually appealing...

Gray Panzer III tank chassis with wheels and individual track links shown in the assembly instructions First challenge: the undercarriage. The tracks are delivered track segment by track segment. You have to sand them all down one by one, then start gluing them, beginning with the front drive sprockets...

Panzer III model running gear with drive sprocket, idler wheels, and gray track links There are no particular difficulties, other than the fact that it requires patience.... Be sure to create the weightless effect between the rollers. Checking the photos before gluing will help you avoid misalignment...

Gray Panzer III chassis with tracks and wheels, as shown in the assembly instructions Assembly of the undercarriages is complete...

Scale model of a Panzer III chassis with a detailed interior and tracks rendered in grayscale Since I wanted to leave all the tank hatches open, and the interior was empty—and I refused to buy a resin kit to furnish the interior...

Panzer III model hull without a turret, showing the painted interior and gray tracks ...the transmission and the various components are made from plastic card and parts from the surplus box. Only the floor comes from a piece of photo-etched sheet...

Model of a Panzer III chassis without a turret, showing the interior painted gray Painting the entire unit and installing the front plate...

Assembled model of a Panzer III tank displayed on its instruction sheet, with a gray chassis and separate turret Install the side skirts with the photo-etched air filters provided. The mounting points for the front armor plate have been improved to ensure a perfect fit...

Assembling the interior of the turret. Once again, we turn to the documentation for the details missing from the kit...

A gray Panzer III tank model being assembled before painting, using black-and-white photography The nearly completed vehicle, with its high-velocity L/50 gun, the armor characteristic of the Ausf. M, and various added accessories...

Panzer III tank model, side view; currently being painted gray with brass photo-etched details Note: Two gun variants are available, the side hatches on the hull can be opened, translucent periscopes, and exquisite attention to detail...

Note: 2 gun versions available, side body flaps that open, translucent episcopes, fine details...

Painting

Humbrol and Tamiya paint cans arranged in a gradient of grays for the black-and-white technique

Base: Humbrol H33 + HB3 (ocean gray/medium gray)—since HB3 is no longer produced, a gray 32 should work just fine...

Then we spray it with Gunze H21 ivory acrylic paint...

Panzer III tank model primed in gray, three-quarter front view After it dries, spray on some hairspray...

After drying, we spray it with hairspray... Panzer III tank model painted in black-and-white technical gray gradients Then proceed as you would for the Catalina tutorial Gently to remove the paint...

Model of a Panzer III tank painted in grayscale, left-side profile view Side view...

Side view...

Decals

Panzer III tank model painted in black and white on a light-colored background Applying the decals. We use various shades of gray based on the original colors to accentuate the contrast; this is because color photos, once converted to black and white, reveal a range of grays—some lighter, some darker—that correspond to the pigmentation of the original colors...

Panzer III tank model painted in black and white with patina and wash on the turret and tracks In the meantime, install a luggage rack and paint the swastika on the flag (let's not forget that we're working in black and white!)

A wash made with Windsor & Newton dark gray oil was applied over the entire piece to further enhance the contrasts and details...

Panzer III tank model painted in grayscale using the black-and-white technique

Adding a new dusting cloth...

Panzer III tank model painted in shades of gray using the black-and-white technique The tank is finished being painted...

The Setting

Panzer III tank model being assembled with accessories on a white base Before painting the model, a test assembly was conducted on a piece of plywood using various accessories.

We apply white acrylic paint to the surface to seal the wood...

Scale model barrels and accessories in grayscale on a painted base, black-and-white technique The accessories are painted using the same process as the vehicle... Base...

Miniature barrels painted black and white, lined up on an aged base ... And the finishing touches...

The figurines

THE FIGURINES

Master Box Set of Rommel and German Tank Crew Figures on a Panzer, Afrika Korps MASTER BOX has created a line of figurines, all of which are very original and relatively well-carved across the various sets...

Soldier figurines painted in shades of gray using the black-and-white technique The figures I added came from my surplus box. Rommel, who was a little too skinny, was made a bit stockier with a more appropriate torso...

Black-and-white painted tank crew figures displayed on a model base We always start by painting the skin. Winsor & Newton oil paint...

Four soldier figurines painted in shades of gray using the black-and-white technique The clothing is painted with Humbrol oil paints using dry-brushing techniques and washes for the finishing touches...

Black-and-white painted German crew figures sitting on a Panzer III tank The gradient effects also apply to the figures because the color transitions to black and white...

The Setting

White drywall with a textured relief pattern on a black background Applying tile adhesive after marking the edges with masking tape...

Add the different types of sand and pebbles, then make tracks from caterpillars and footsteps...

Sandy diorama base with tracks, cans, crates, and miniature accessories before painting The result...

To finish, use a household spray bottle to apply a highly diluted wood glue solution mixed with a few drops of Mir dish soap to seal everything in place...

All that's left to do is paint the whole thing using the same method once everything is completely dry...

I80 Panzer III tank in gray camouflage with black and white shading and highlights Glue the figures and accessories to the tank using Super Glue; use quick-drying wood glue for the scenery...