Studies in Camouflage -German Armor

Not every experiment goes according to plan...  I have been sorting through all my unfinished and unwanted projects this summer.  This has resulted in a very eclectic mix of figures crossing the painting table.  I found these two 1/72 plastic models assembled and base coated in mustard yellow in one of my boxes.  Rather than dig out the airbrush, I though I would try a different camouflage technique I read about earlier in the year.  I used a small scrap of spunge to apply a smattering of primer red and dark green in a dapple pattern.  The idea was to paint these guys up to accompany the 20mm Panzergrenadiers I did last year for chain of command.

I tried to add some rust affect to the track pieces, but came away dissatisfied with my results.  The usual problem with handpainted camo schemes is that they lack the "feathering" you get from real spray on stripes.  I found the same problem here,  the hard edges make the pattern look muddled and cartoonish.

I tried a similar technique on the Hanomag.

I really want to work on improving my weathering skills.  I decided to go to the local model shop (Hodgen's still exist here in Moscow, Idaho), but lamented to discover that even they were purging everything that was not GW or Tamiya paints.  There were no weathering pigments available, nor anyone left in the store who understood the concept.  I did manage to pick up six cans of Army Painter primer on clearance for $5 each, so it was a total bust.

That said, dear readers, do any of you have some suggestions for a good source for weathering pigments?   I want something that will help display some real muddy conditions.  I spent enough time at the washracks at Fort Knox to know that real armored vehicles get dirty.