I am just starting out. Working 1st on 1/72 early WW2 german aircraft. I used to be fine art seascape painter in oils. Getting educated slowly and starting with an older Do 217 K-1 Testors kit.
Live in the wine country north of SF and work from home fortunately. Hoping I can learn some more here. YT has, of course, been incredibly helpful so far. Cheers! Denny
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Welcome aboard! Your oil painting skills will come in handy for sure. Maybe try a figure or a bust.
Parents used to live about 7 miles south of Ukiah on the Russian river. Beautiful up that way.
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Welcome, It’s great to have someone with a fine art background joining the modeling world — your experience with color, detail, and patience as a seascape painter will serve you incredibly well in aircraft modeling.
Starting with a 1/72 Do 217 K-1 is a bold and classic choice — Testors kits can be a bit challenging due to their age and fit issues, but they’re great learning platforms. And working from home in such a beautiful part of the country sounds like the perfect environment to enjoy and grow in this hobby.
YouTube is a fantastic resource, no doubt, but this forum has something YT can’t always provide: real-time experience and shared problem-solving from builders of all skill levels. Don’t hesitate to ask questions — whether it’s about airbrush techniques, weathering, decals, or display options.
If you ever want advice on transitioning your painting skills into weathering or panel shading, feel free to reach out to me. Happy building and cheers from the bench!
Welcome to the FSM forum and to scale modeling Denny. If you’re going to o stick with the 1/72 scale aircraft might I suggest Tamiya’s 1/72 range. They’re known as “Shake & Make” kits.
Welcome to FSM,I loved visiting the Bay area,Napa,and Sonoma.
Your experience with oils could help you with some weathering techniques
WELCOME!! You live in a beautiful area. You’ve come to an excellent community.
Thank you for the welcomes. Very much appreciated.
I am relearning some painting stuff and acrylics are new to me. Airbrush is new to me too!
Taping off tiny canopies and fine detail with paint are the big challenges for me right now.
My Dad grew up on the Russian River. Back in the 30s, 40s and early 50s they called them River Rats!
I think my best lessons from my painting days are being willing to make some mistakes, knowing when to stop and solve a problem before continuing and patience.
So far so good and I am having more fun than expected. That’s one where I need more work! Or more acceptance! Probably less work!
Blessings - Denny
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@sendin52
WOW….VERY IMPRESSIVE….thanks for sharing! Now go make some awesome fine scale models.
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Welcome along to the forum!
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Welcome to FSM Forums. You’ll enjoy the challenge of a new medium, but your eye for colors will give you a step up. You will also get to learn a new and mysterious language (i.e. CA, PE, after market,3D modeling, black basing, etc.), the list is nearly endless—have fun!
Welcom to this great forum!
Wow, amazing paintings, Denny. Welcome to FSM. There are masking sets for canopies. I hear + and - comments about these.
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Thank you. I found a YT vid on that using thin strips of Tamiya tape and masking fluid and I think that will work OK for me because my control of the blade without damaging that clear plastic isn’t very good. I can skin a pig, but that’s a very different skill!
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Welcome @sendin52!
I’m also from a similar area. I’m in the South Bay right between SJC and Moffett! I look forward to seeing more of your stuff!
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I could not get the hang of right hand index finger control of paint so I ordered Iwata-Medea NEO TRN 2 Trigger Airbrush and got a smaller nozzle to go with. Going slow. Still foreign territory. That’s OK. FSM great place to snoop and learn.
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@sendin52
You can get good at the double action trigger with the index finger. I found it difficult at first but I got really good. Just LOTS of practice. And with water based paints your mistakes can clean up nicely and start over.
Alcohol as a cleaner will be your friend.
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That was quick! Big fan of the Iwata-Medea NEO TRN 2 Trigger Airbrush now.
caveat - identifying and purchasing parts to change from 0.5mm nozzle and needle to 0.35mm nozzle and needle in this Iwata-Medea NEO TRN 2 Trigger Airbrush was a tortuous process and finally was able to get some thorough help from Midwest Airbrush Supply. Here are the PNs N0751, N0803, N1403 and N1353
Well a few days after my last post in Aug I got really sick. Liver cancer. Fortunately I am finally getting a treatment that is building confidence. One of my goals is to get my steady hand to return, but I think I will need to be patient. Your prayers are appreciated. Have a great Xmas and New Year.
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I’m sorry to hear about your illness. Of course I’ll be praying for your health to return! I love your paintings that you shared and can’t wait to see how your DO-217 turns out.
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