ReNewbie question

I’m finishing my first kit after many years of not building, and have started on my second, a 1/72 P40N.

I’ve seen so many finished kits that have “highlights” or accents- not sure the proper term- on them. Things like the gaps between the wing and ailerons/flaps have a dark accent to them, panel lines stand out- I just really like the way it looks.

I’ve read tips on several other posts that talk about this, but most assume airbrushing or use some techniques and terms I’m not familiar with.

Can anyone point me to a simple primer for acheiving this effect- without an airbrush? (I’m still saving up for that.) Any help will be greatly appreciated.

(I actually tried to make some belts for the seat from masking tape- they didn’t turn out to bad for a first attempt. I would call them realistic looking- but I figured they weren’t bad for a first try.)

Go to the article section of the FSM homepage and click on painting and weathering. The painting section has an article on drybrushing (highlighting effect) and panel line washes and accents (dark lines around flaps,etc.). It’s very simple and very effective. Good luck…

the Febuary issue of FineScale Magazine comes with an extra booklet which deals with how to do weathering, washes, and detail. i think you’ll find this very useful.

also try swanny’s page at:

www.swannysmodels.com