Constructing the Cressida Rose Part 2 - All Decks on hand...

First task after assembling the various pieces was to sort out the decks.  I undercoated the bottom of the pieces in matt black car primer, and the top and sides in white car primer (the bottoms will never be visible in the finished model).

Undercoated

Stage one was to paint the metallic areas given that the drybrushing would probably be a bit messy.  The mooring bollards were undercoated in chocolate brown and drybrushed brass (both Miniature Paints), the grilles undercoated in matt black and drybrushed in Chainmail (again Miniature Paints).

Metallic areas painted

Once the metal areas had dried I then painted the wooden decks in a dilute Leather Brown, leaving the hull and side areas in white.

The decks painted in almost a wash of Leather Brown

Next stage was to ink the decks.  One coat in Chocolate Brown ink, another (once the first had dried) in Chestnut Brown ink (again, both Miniature Paints).

The decks inked.

Once the ink had dried I highlighted all the white paintwork in matt white acrylic.  The final job was to varnish the pieces.  I always use heavy duty polyurethane yacht varnish for my models to give them a suitable 'toy soldier' finish.  The wood areas were varnished with an older varnish that through contact with the air over at least a couple of years has developed quite a brown stain.  The metal grilles and white paintwork was done in clear gloss varnish.
 

The finished decks

Overall they came out pretty well I think, the repair jobs on the resin will be hidden by the deck buildings.  Next up, the deck buildings themselves and the paddle wheel and funnel...