Above: a client commission to produce a Pacer in West Yorkshire (WYPTE) Metro Train livery, involving a complete strip-down, priming, undercoating, painting, varnishing, applying transfers, more varnishing, and final assembly before weathering and a final coat of sealant.
Below: my own British Railways WD leading, coupled to a client's WD in repatriated post-WW2 condition; both locomotives were sound fitted with a Howes decoder in my workshop, which involved re-engineering the tender on these earlier models to take a decoder.
Below: my own British Railways WD leading, coupled to a client's WD in repatriated post-WW2 condition; both locomotives were sound fitted with a Howes decoder in my workshop, which involved re-engineering the tender on these earlier models to take a decoder.
I work very carefully and methodically, over 90% of my finished work is by hand using brushes, this means that I am not the quickest to complete models, with thousands of tiny considered brushstrokes going into the work; but the time spent reaps rewards as one of my major clients knows and appreciates, and is never disappointed when his models arrive back with him, from the moment when he commissioned his first work:
"I sent my E4 to Graeme direct from the supplier for weathering and trusted his judgement. When I received my Loco back along with a few wagons I was blown away with the level of detail and realism he has captured. I cannot wait for the return of my 20 odd wagons and already getting my next commission ready to send. Worth every penny. Bernard."
Arranging to have a locomotive weathered.
Please read all of the information on this page as it is designed to help you:
If you would like to commission me to weather a locomotive for you, or are considering having a locomotive weathered, then you may find the following information useful and helpful. You may also contact me if you wish to discuss any potential points in the process before ordering. You will find details on how to get in touch with me on my Contact me page, which can also be accessed by clicking on the menu bars top left. I would suggest sending an email in the first instance, with some detail of the work you wish undertaken.
If you would like to commission me to weather a locomotive for you, or are considering having a locomotive weathered, then you may find the following information useful and helpful. You may also contact me if you wish to discuss any potential points in the process before ordering. You will find details on how to get in touch with me on my Contact me page, which can also be accessed by clicking on the menu bars top left. I would suggest sending an email in the first instance, with some detail of the work you wish undertaken.
Weathering is Art. The process is not hurried, it cannot be hurried if the desired result is to be obtained; proper drying times between stages are essential, and therefore the more weathering required the longer this will take in overall time to complete. Patience is an essential ingredient of the weathering process. Therefore, even a small locomotive may spend some days in the studio undergoing its various stages in the weathering process. Essentially there is the spraying stage, and how many coats are required, and then there is the hand finishing stage until I am satisfied with the model; this means that I will only be satisfied with the model, when I think that you will be satisfied with the model. The majority of my work is with brushes and hand finishing which is time consuming but gives excellent results.
In achieving satisfaction any photographic images, particularly colour photographic images, that you can supply to delineate the type and level of finish that you desire, will be gratefully received; in the case of treasured original photographs, if accurate copies are not available to send, originals will be returned to you when the commission is complete.
I am a professional artist, this is not a hobby or something that I do in my spare time; in fact I have very little spare time, and am engaged in the activities of my profession every working day, except perhaps Sunday, when I do try to observe some rest and the nature of Sunday.
Therefore my prices reflect my skill and knowledge, and take into account my time, just like any other job or profession, whilst at the same time trying to be competitive in the marketplace.
Single items, and small packaging:
My price also reflects Packaging & Posting of the completed locomotive back to you using a swift secure Royal Mail Special Delivery, tracked, and signed for service. This is insured, and usually Next Day before 13.00 hrs (1 p.m.) delivery to you, provided you don't live in the U.K. Highlands and Islands, or a location that makes Next Day delivery impossible because of reasons geographic, in which case alternative arrangements will have to be made and agreed before I accept the commission.
Items sent in bulk, or in large packaging:
In respect of large numbers of items being sent in bulk, or large items, for work to be carried out and returned to you upon completion of work, it has come to light that some packaging is too large for Royal Mail postal services, and therefore I reserve the right to identify another carrier that can offer a fully insured, with tracking service, to return items to you under these circumstances; you will be advised of the service selected and the tracking number will be forwarded to you after dispatch. Delivery times may take longer to complete.
In achieving satisfaction any photographic images, particularly colour photographic images, that you can supply to delineate the type and level of finish that you desire, will be gratefully received; in the case of treasured original photographs, if accurate copies are not available to send, originals will be returned to you when the commission is complete.
I am a professional artist, this is not a hobby or something that I do in my spare time; in fact I have very little spare time, and am engaged in the activities of my profession every working day, except perhaps Sunday, when I do try to observe some rest and the nature of Sunday.
Therefore my prices reflect my skill and knowledge, and take into account my time, just like any other job or profession, whilst at the same time trying to be competitive in the marketplace.
Single items, and small packaging:
My price also reflects Packaging & Posting of the completed locomotive back to you using a swift secure Royal Mail Special Delivery, tracked, and signed for service. This is insured, and usually Next Day before 13.00 hrs (1 p.m.) delivery to you, provided you don't live in the U.K. Highlands and Islands, or a location that makes Next Day delivery impossible because of reasons geographic, in which case alternative arrangements will have to be made and agreed before I accept the commission.
Items sent in bulk, or in large packaging:
In respect of large numbers of items being sent in bulk, or large items, for work to be carried out and returned to you upon completion of work, it has come to light that some packaging is too large for Royal Mail postal services, and therefore I reserve the right to identify another carrier that can offer a fully insured, with tracking service, to return items to you under these circumstances; you will be advised of the service selected and the tracking number will be forwarded to you after dispatch. Delivery times may take longer to complete.
Pricing
Pricing has undergone a reorganization to reflect more fully the time I spend working upon models; this is in response to the increased complexity and nature of the work I am being asked to consider. My earlier 'set menu' type of pricing proved no longer adequate to give accurate quotes to clients; therefore, following professional advice, my pricing reflects my labour more accurately, and I am now in a better position to be able to respond to enquiries. Clients often email detailed lists of the work they wish carried out, and in many respects this appears to be the way forward, allowing me to build a quote around each client's individual needs. Therefore, if you have work that you may wish to commission, please forward your requirements to me by email, and I will provide a quote/proposal for the work.
Pricing has undergone a reorganization to reflect more fully the time I spend working upon models; this is in response to the increased complexity and nature of the work I am being asked to consider. My earlier 'set menu' type of pricing proved no longer adequate to give accurate quotes to clients; therefore, following professional advice, my pricing reflects my labour more accurately, and I am now in a better position to be able to respond to enquiries. Clients often email detailed lists of the work they wish carried out, and in many respects this appears to be the way forward, allowing me to build a quote around each client's individual needs. Therefore, if you have work that you may wish to commission, please forward your requirements to me by email, and I will provide a quote/proposal for the work.
Fees & Payment
All fees have to be paid at the time of commission, and cleared before work commences.
I will send to you an invoice when I am ready to start your commissioned work; please pay the invoice so that work may commence.
My preference is to settle financial matters first, this leaves me clear to concentrate on producing the finest work that I can on your model.
Rest assured that nothing is shipped from my studio until I am completely satisfied with it; quality takes precedence over time.
When you send an item to me:
You pay for your own Packing & Postage when sending the model to me for weathering.
I recommend that you use a fully tracked, signed for and insured delivery service,
like Royal Mail Special Delivery next day by 1 pm; or a Courier service like UPS fully tracked next day delivery.
I am not responsible for items lost in transit before they reach me.
I prefer to be given the tracking number upon dispatch so that I can see for myself online where the parcel is,
and therefore I know when to be at the front door to sign for the delivery.
This procedure hinders me least with my studio time.
Careful and secure packaging is an essential.
You need to pack to prevent the model from moving about inside the enclosure.
As for the enclosure, use multiple protective layers and bubble-wrap.
Use an outer skin suitable to take the stick-on Postage labels.
This contributes greatly to the model surviving its journey.
All fees have to be paid at the time of commission, and cleared before work commences.
I will send to you an invoice when I am ready to start your commissioned work; please pay the invoice so that work may commence.
My preference is to settle financial matters first, this leaves me clear to concentrate on producing the finest work that I can on your model.
Rest assured that nothing is shipped from my studio until I am completely satisfied with it; quality takes precedence over time.
When you send an item to me:
You pay for your own Packing & Postage when sending the model to me for weathering.
I recommend that you use a fully tracked, signed for and insured delivery service,
like Royal Mail Special Delivery next day by 1 pm; or a Courier service like UPS fully tracked next day delivery.
I am not responsible for items lost in transit before they reach me.
I prefer to be given the tracking number upon dispatch so that I can see for myself online where the parcel is,
and therefore I know when to be at the front door to sign for the delivery.
This procedure hinders me least with my studio time.
Careful and secure packaging is an essential.
You need to pack to prevent the model from moving about inside the enclosure.
As for the enclosure, use multiple protective layers and bubble-wrap.
Use an outer skin suitable to take the stick-on Postage labels.
This contributes greatly to the model surviving its journey.
To meet the requirements of running a business I have to operate within a structure of terms and conditions made available to you.
You may download and read a copy of my Terms and Conditions by clicking on the link here: Terms and Conditions
You may download and read a copy of my Terms and Conditions by clicking on the link here: Terms and Conditions