Black primer with tonal variations

[cib2265]

Im trying out a new technique that I picked up at Matt Doogs website here: http://doogsmodels.com/2014/07/03/techn ... ck-basing/

Basically, instead of using a grey primer and then preshading every panel line with black/dark paint, you prime the entire aircraft with black.

Then, depending on how nuts you want to go with your basecoats, trying for fading (essentially painting the base coat lightened with white or mottling in a lighter color) and/or tonal variation with different colours.

In this case I used AK Interactives black primer on my 1/48 RAF Mustang III ( the one on the left - I also primed my Tiger 1 turret and Hobby Boss Ta-152C-1):



Then, I sprayed a random pattern of mottles, wiggly lines and spots with a very thin base coat (Medium Sea Grey XF83) about 70/30 at low pressure (about 20 psi) out of my H&S Evolution:



One of the panels (centerleft) I filled in a bit more, ie covered most but not all of the black, and sprayed 90degrees to the other panels to represent a newish replacement panel. Looks ok at the end, hard to pick up in the photo.

HEre are the wings:





I also sprayed streaks in direction of airflow and occasional mottles of XF23 Light Blue and XF25 Light Sea Grey - although probably a bit too subtle - across most of the panels, but concentrated on the flaps for different color tonality.

Instead of changing color cups I just whipped out my New Iwata and took the crowncap off - does a beautiful job of thin, clean lines (I prefer the trigger on the Neo to the H&S btw)

Then I went back to the base coat and did light, wider sprays (but this time avoiding panel lines to keep the preshading) to blend in the different tones and what not;

Heres the result:







I took Doogs advice and stopped when I thought - "just one more pass" - as this effect will merge with other weathering like pin and sludge washes (or even some enamel filters).

All in all it took just under 2 hours - and a lot of fun trying new things!

Next up is the topside two-tone camo paint. This will be a bit harder, but I think I'll go freehand without masking - its not a complex pattern - and use two airbrushes at once to save hassle. Or not. And I might try some more variation in color for the streaking/mottling.

[peppie]

Looks top

I have seen somebody doing this with a tank.
He also primed it black, filled in each panel up to the edge with some sandcolour and then used a lighter version off the same colour to fill in these panels again, starting in the center off the panels and working towards the edge.
Got a nice result to.

Thanks for sharing.

[cib2265]

Thanks peppie!

I'll be doing some big color modulation techniques on my Tiger I that I've primed in black (and olive drab) next - see if it really is worth the hassle.

Same with this technique - it may be more hassle than worth, maybe at bigger scales it makes more sense (I intend to concentrate on 1/32 for single engine stuff eventually)