How to Paint an Abandoned Car in Oil

Nolan explains the reasons for his color choices based on an understanding of how the paint has faded over the years.

Nolan breaks the painting down to manageable sections.  He points out particular areas that will need special mixes of color such as on the windscreen which has dust, reflections, and other variations in color.  He shares his personal formulas for creating a faded color and for mixing a rust color.

Nolan mixes the basic color in a faded hue, then adds other colors to create highlights and shadowed areas.

In painting the door, Nolan shows the steps necessary to simulate the layering of colors that create the lettering and detailing on the door. He shares techniques of applying paint to create the blotched effects of fading.  He also shows how to paint the chrome and dark metal pieces.

Nolan uses an interesting technique to create the lettering and shows how to achieve a weathered look on the letters.

The side panel presents more challenges as the paint is badly faded.  Nolan shows which colors to use and at what intensity to create the various shades of fading, rusting, and corroding.

The hood poses the greatest challenge in that the paint is badly peeling.  Nolan demonstrates the proper brush strokes, contouring, and contrasts to simulate the look of peeling.

This is what the final abandoned truck looks like: