Painting/Finishing question....

[bobford100]

Hi all,

Ok, this my first post since joining and leaving an intro, and I hope this is the correct section.

Right, to my question.
I am currently finishing the cockpit area on a C-130 Hercules, my first attempt at a 'proper' scale finish, and I'm not too happy with how it's turning out.
The building part is fine, however the paint job is awful.
I have an airbrush, that I am still learning to drive, and laying on a single colour is not too difficult, it's the weathering/detailing that looks rubbish.
I have never had an artistic personality or skillset, (I am an electronic engineer by profession), and not at all arty, and I can see the result of this in my work so far.

So, do you need to be artistic to be able to create a great finish? I mean,the painting, weathering, and generally making the model look real, does this need an inherent ability, or does it eventually come with practice?

Cheers
Bob

[Stokesy44]

Hi all,

Ok, this my first post since joining and leaving an intro, and I hope this is the correct section.

Right, to my question.
I am currently finishing the cockpit area on a C-130 Hercules, my first attempt at a 'proper' scale finish, and I'm not too happy with how it's turning out.
The building part is fine, however the paint job is awful.
I have an airbrush, that I am still learning to drive, and laying on a single colour is not too difficult, it's the weathering/detailing that looks rubbish.
I have never had an artistic personality or skillset, (I am an electronic engineer by profession), and not at all arty, and I can see the result of this in my work so far.

So, do you need to be artistic to be able to create a great finish? I mean,the painting, weathering, and generally making the model look real, does this need an inherent ability, or does it eventually come with practice?

Cheers
Bob

Welcome to the forum Bob.

As far as I'm aware re personality and skillset, all you need is a love for the subject you're building and a willingness to learn. Steady hands and an ability to concentrate are helpful too

Keep the faith mate. It takes practice, product knowledge and the learning of new techniques. There are tons of video tutorials on painting and weathering on YouTube

There are also how to videos right here on ISM. Check the link below for the right section.

viewforum.php?f=193

Be patient and don't be afraid to make mistakes, Rome wasn't built in a day.

[bobford100]

Hi mate,

Many thanks for the reply, and thank you for the welcome.
I guess I need to be more patient and be prepared for the occasional disappointment!

I'll go through the tutorials as you have mentioned.

Cheers
Bob

[Kevthemodeller]

Like Stokesy says it takes lots and lots of lovely practice.

Airbrushing can certainly be considered a 'black art' at times, just when you think you've got it sussed it bites you. All it takes is a change of paint type from a colour to a varnish or from one manufacturer to another and you're right back at the beginning. I've had more than a few issues with mine to the point where I've felt like jacking it all in.

My tips would be don't try too hard, don't expect to get a perfect finish and you're modelling for you not others. Tutorials are very good but they don't show you everything and they don't show you all the cock ups!

Above all take you time and enjoy the journey.

[Jens]

Hi Bob, here are my views on the subject.

It takes time to become a really good modeller. There's a long list of things you have to fail so you can tick them off
The biggest difference between a beginner modeller and a seasoned veteran is the ability to recover from a failure - because you can be sure it happens to them too, but perhaps not as often...?

When you start modelling you have to get through a number of kits before things are falling into the right places and they are going to be of variable quality, but they are amongst the most important kits you'll ever do because it's they who'll teach you what works and what doesn't!
I don't think it's unusual to have to build 10 kits before you start being pleased with your work but I've seen some people do a fantastic first builds but they are seldom heavily weathered. My first kit looked like it was painted with a hammer and the chipped paint had been chipped by a giant!?!
I was lucky to get some constructive criticism on my first couple of kits so I knew what was wrong and what to rethink and do again so I soon had something I was proud to show!

Do you have to be an artist? No. A lot of what we do is more engineering than artistry if you ask me - but it helps to have a tiny bit of artistic flair in the paint department but it's not crucial. Airbrushing is more technical than artistry if you ask me. You have to control the air pressure, how much thinner in the paint, how much paint to spray and at what distance. That's more technical if you ask me.
Airbrushing is something that's quick to learn if you practise, and with practise you either grab a "learner" kit where you just practise painting and not worry what you're doing. I mostly use pet bottles or plastic containers to do this whenever I try a new paint. I've got a couple "trainer" kits for testing various techniques but I mostly test weathering techniques on them.

Creating plausible weathering is the hardest thing to do because it is tricky to make something look realistic, especially if it's really worn, dirty or broken. I collect a LOT of reference photos before I start the paint and weathering process so I have something to guide me. I also try to do something new or different with ever kit I build to improve as a modeller. Sometimes it doesn't pan out and you have to remove it and start again - but that's how you learn.

Get some books. There are loads of modelling books out there. Some are ok but some are great! They will both go through certain techniques step by step and they will give you loads of inspiration and ideas, but I have to practise a lot before I'm happy with doing it in a controlled fashion, especially the more tricky and complex weathering techniques.
UK has some of the best book stores in the world if you ask me so you've got plenty to choose from!
I'm mainly an armour modeller and Panzerwrecks is my go to place for books but if aviation is your thing there are plenty there too. It can help you as a beginner, give you experience and inspiration as a seasoned modeller and even help the expert modeller!

All of this boils down to having fun and doing something that you enjoy! Although my first models looked terrible I thoroughly enjoyed building and painting them so I won despite them looking bad!
Today I'm a better modeller and I take as long time as I need to get every detail right. I might not be as fast as a pro but by taking my time I can still make things I'm proud of and that looks (-ish) like the reference photos I was aiming for!

So grab some plastic bottles or containers and just practise until it feels natural with the airbrush. Watch some youtube on the subject.
And most importantly - don't forget to have fun!!!