Supertom Posted March 24, 2004 Share Posted March 24, 2004 Hey all, Got me my Tamiya Beaufighter VI Nightfighter all ready for weathering. For the black I mixed a 50:50 black/brown mix, as well as some NATO Black and a few patches of black mixed with white, gray and regular black to give it a patchy look. Now what do I do? Since the entire plane is black (but not really), what do you think I should use for panel line weathering (I know I know, not completely realistic, but I feel that coloring the panel lines will give a little more depth to the subject especially since it's black), using artist oils? Right now I have: 50:50 black/brown oil paints -or- Payne's Gray, which is a very dark gray with a bluish tint. Or do you suggest something else entirely? I'd like something to give it a little more character, but at the same time do it in such a way to fool the eye into saying, "hey, that looks realisitic," rather than, "those panel lines look artistic." Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Thommo Posted March 24, 2004 Share Posted March 24, 2004 Good question!!! I just had the same issue with the black undersurface/sides of my 1/144 Lancaster. In the end, I did not weather the panel lines at all, just sprayed some areas a lighter shade of black to make it look worn. Some options might include runnning a lead pencil in the lines, drybrushing them (if they are raised like on my Lanc), running a lighter wash down them??? Thommo Quote Link to post Share on other sites
MickeyThickey Posted March 24, 2004 Share Posted March 24, 2004 Airbrush model an off-black, a scale black, something that LOOKS black, but isn't. Wash panel lines with straight black. They'll be darker than the model's surface, but not by much, so the effect will be pleasingly subtle. If the model is painted 50:50 black and brown, I'd go at least 70:30 for the wash, maybe even as much as 90:10 - just enough to slightly tint the black, and take the edge off. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Guest kevjon Posted March 24, 2004 Share Posted March 24, 2004 I've always used brown to highlight the panel lines on black aircraft and think it looks effective without standing out too much. I use a shade of brown slightly lighter than Tamiya XF-10 brown. Might be worth a try ! Kevin Quote Link to post Share on other sites
109g6 Posted March 24, 2004 Share Posted March 24, 2004 also you could buy the "gray scale" chalk pastels. i've done this with my corsair (black) for the exhaust. it worked very well jeff oh forgot, the gray scale is white to black with all of the colors in between. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Jamie Cheslo Posted March 25, 2004 Share Posted March 25, 2004 All excellent suggestions. Don't forget that dirt shows up in lighter colours on black. Just take a look at any black car that has not been washed for a while.... So personally, I think a combination of the patchy coloured panels, with some lighter gray (gray-scale pastels) in the panel lines would probably look quite realistic, in my opinion. Good luck! Jamie Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Neil Posted March 25, 2004 Share Posted March 25, 2004 Airbrush model an off-black, a scale black, something that LOOKS black, but isn't. Wash panel lines with straight black. They'll be darker than the model's surface, but not by much, so the effect will be pleasingly subtle. Agree with you Mike. Paint it an off black (very dark grey) then weather the panel lines with straight black. Have a look at the pic, the underside is very dark grey (compare with the true black of the nose cone) and you will see what I mean. Neil. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Jamie Cheslo Posted March 26, 2004 Share Posted March 26, 2004 Wow, Neil, that looks fantastic. It is really difficult to get a realistic looking weathered effect on a black bird. Great technique. jamie Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.