What is the correct method to pre-shade aircraft panels? What colors do you use and what is the order to proceed in? Appreciate any help.
I use black for preshading, on both upper and lower sufaces. Basically, I airbrush most of the panel lines. I freehand it, meaning I don’t tape off the lines. I just eyeball it and follow the line as straight as I can.
The tricky part is the overlying coats. You must mist those on gradually, otherwise you can easily apply too much paint and your preshading will disappear.
I’ll add this disclaimer: A lot of people don’t care for preshading, saying it is unrealistic. Personally, I use it and think, if well done, it’s a very useful technique. Unfortunately, I still haven’t perfected it myself![;)]
Hope this helps,
Mark
Mark described the accepted method very well. Personally, I am not a fan of the technique. If you want a heavily weathered effect with a lot less hassle, I think post-shading is much more effective & easier in the long run. Just my [2c].
Regards, Rick
i’m with rick on this one, but personal preference is key here. i’ve tried both methods and prefer post shading. personally, i feel that i have more control of the look i’m trying to achieve with post shading. when i did preshade, i would paint my bird light grey, then do the panel lines in a charcoal grey and then paint my colors. good luck. later.
What’s post shading? How do you guys do this?
Post shading is usually done after painting the model, I use pastels to shade around panel lines to give a nice worn or faded effect using lighter shades of the colour![:)] you can also use your airbrush for post shading using diluted paints and spraying them on the model very lightly.
Kaimuki,
Here is an example of preshading. The panel lines were shot with a dark gray acryllic, then sealed with dull cote. The base coat (acryllic)was then shot between the panel lines. The finished base coat was then lightly dusted with “buff”, to tone down and blend the effects.The regulator was at about 8 lbs. for both applications. This was my first try at pre-shading, and I really like doing it. I’m going to continue with this technique on future builds that warrant this look. Although I am not an expert, it seems to me that the key to success is to regulate your airflow and paint feed so as to get close to the work surface, so you don’t obliterate the preshade.
Steve
Post shading is my personal preferance.
With this method you take your base colour and lighten, or darken it a fraction.
With careful application, you can acheive a very realistic effect, bringing life to an otherwise plain looking panel.
I have found that pre shading can lead to the tortoise shell effect, at least thats how it looks to me on my models.
For some reason it’s one of the things that eludes me in modelling.
Thanks everyone for the advice.
Hi, at the moment I am trying to use both the methods.It gives a great cromatic variety.
Giulio