Hey guys, Started on a set of Dragon figs today and THIS time I’m going to try painting highlights on them. You guys always amaze me with this technique!!! Question is how do you highlight over a camo pattern without covering it up or do you cover it up? Any input appreciated. [:D]
i will usually highlight all the colors in the camo pattern. may be a little tedious (sp?) but that’s what has to be done in my opinion. also depends on what your highlighting buddy. in other words it depends on the colors in the camo. [:D]
One thing I learned from Camo was to use a drybrushing of yellow. This seems to work, at least for me, on tans, greens, and browns. Although I paint w/ acrylics, I like to drybrush w/ enamels. They don’t dry as fast and are easier to clean up/ wipe off if I put on a little too much.
Thanks for the speedy answer CJ. I will be highlighting over WW2 Marine Corps camo…So darken or lighten each spot of camo…gotcha! Thanks again![:D]
not necessarily stern0 in this case, because its ww2 pacific marine camo, its very similiar to u.s. woodland, and personally i would do just as scott predicted i would…dry brush it with yellow!!! just dont overdo it as you dont want to turn it yellow but rather “bleach it” and blend it as well as highlight it!! make sense? [:D]
Good points MC!! I use acrylics with oil washes…The dry brushing is more what I thought, making the highlight paint translucant so you can see the camo…am I understanding?[:D]
CJ, see above post…Thanks again…Is the yellow universal or for this camo maybe a little tanner?
nope not tanner…yellow is universal. i use a “lemon” yellow but it doesnt matter. since it is a primary color of green (yellow & blue) (even though you will have brown spots) it will look great. [;)] at least im assuming its the light green then dark green and brown spots?
I just use plain flat yellow … but I think that one a little more pale would work better. I sometimes have a hard time getting a little crazy with the yellow.
Drybrushing … here’s the rub. DBing is a technique of highlighting in which you take a regular size brush and “lube” it up with paint. Then take the brush and “paint” a paper-towel until almost nothing is left on the brush, then gently brush the figure/ part’s high-points … leaving a little bit of the paint. Don’t worry about if you don’t see it at first. From my experience, the first time that you THINK you see the highlight, STOP! Once you get to the point where you KNOW you see it, its almost too far.
Check out my Think180 SEAL … I think that I went a little too far on the DBing on the backside … just to give you an example of “how not to”.
Roger that on the yellow CJ! Still debating the scheme, There is the green and brown spot and the tan and brown spot…I may even mix it up! Thanks![:D]
o.k. well, ya my thoughts on it. good luck! [:D]
MC, Thanks for the tips…I was going to ask you and CJ if you had examples, (not that I have not seen your work) will check out the Seal closer. Another thing is darkening for shadow…or do you just lighten?? Have I made this way more complex than it really is???[:D]
Many thanks CJ!!![#toast]
nope not at all complex…and yes, darken for shadow. as far as an example, look at my figures on my dio, look at their vests and packs. its subtle but there! and…anytime!
CJ…definatly be taking a closer look…Again you guys do great work, well worth using for reference…
thanks stern0. and again…anytime, just hollar (sp?)!!
On USMC “Beach camo”, I like the look I get from drybrushing it with light gray…
[:D]Thanks for the reply Col. I will have to try the grey…I have not started any painting yet and I suppose I will try a few highlight colors…My mind set has been on lighter color like yellow and white, and maybe even a tanner color…curious to see the light grey.