Painting Pilots

[arun 0]

I'm about to embark on painting my "Albert" pilot for the Magnatilla refurb.

 

Any recommendations of paints to use and what to fuel proof them with? Also any tips on making it "look right" without using 100 different colours (which most of the guides on Internet seem to mandate) would be gratefully received!

 

I've got acrylics handy, but have a feeling Humbrol enamels or maybe even artists oils might be better.

[Bravedan 106]

This depends on whether you want it (him?) to be totally convincing close up on the ground or when seen in the air.

 

You have to be pretty good to make a figure look realistic close up, and include details that are not only invisible from flight distance but also merge to sully the distant viewing appearance somewhat. A more "cartoon" approach usually IMO looks better at plane viewing distances, especially when the plane isn't "true scale" either!

 

Watch an artist do a figure and unless they are Picasso they don't use lots of colours in the raw, but they do choose their limited palette carefully and then use their palette board a lot for mixing and blending what they do have.

 

Me, well, I'm no artist that's for sure, and neither do I feel the time involved is justified, but then I feel the same about detailed panels, seats and all other items that can never be seen in the air.

 

I did put a pilot back into Pete's Wacoalike Aeromaster Bipe, and I will be putting a pilot into the Barnstormer. Both are a simple ready painted "bust" which you can find from Pete's Pilots or a significantly cheaper source further east.

 

http://stores.ebay.co.uk/Petes-Pilots

 

Specifically, this one:-

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/RC-plane-Pilo ... 3a6adad1dc

 

Which in my deluded opinion looks quite OK in an open cockpit once planted..........

 

Here is where mine actually came from:-

 

http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/stor ... 6_1_6.html

 

He had further to travel, but along with other items didn't charge me expenses!!

 

I console myself that the huge amount of time I saved is better spent thrashing the model to within an inch of its life.

 

[Trevor 25]

I use artists acrylics to get more realistic colours but they do not stand up to fuel too well. A coat of varnish helps. Humbrol would stand up to the elements better but flesh colours are difficult to get

 

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Edited February 10, 2013 by Guest

[Peter 0]

I am lucky mymy eldest daughter is aprofessional make up artist so I usually give her the job.however a few tips I have leafned is making shadows near the nose and eyes kee

P the skintones light and put a white dot inthe pupil of the eye surprising what adiffernce it makes.

Also I use old leather glkves as a jacket again gives that air of realism,

So stick a moustache on early aircraft again aids realism

Peter

[Peter 0]

Just read my post Dyslexia and dementia haven't struck yet, I sent it via my new tablet (samsung) and just realised my fingers are good at hitting the wrong keys

Pete

[arun 0]

Good news! I think one of the artists who works with me *might* with a bit more persuasion be willing to paint the pilot for me One of the many advantages of working at a games company!

 

However, they also pointed me at this site which looks excellent if you ever need acrylics or Humbrol enamels in the full range at cheap prices and free delivery.

 

http://www.artifolk.co.uk/index.htm

 

Also, from a technical standpoint they recommended liquid/fluid acrylics as against the "normal" ones as these don't show brush strokes which can be a problem in figure painting in their experience. The 'Golden' range is apparently good:

 

http://www.goldenpaints.com/products/co ... /index.php

[Trevor 25]

Those are some good tips and links

 

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[Peter 0]

Back to this subject excellent site and download on Aces of Iron.inc

best info on painting these little peopleI have come across

Pete

[Peter 0]

Did anyone lookupand download from the Aces of iron .inc website.

Be interested in feedbacks

Pete

[arun 0]

I had a read Peter, it looks great - but also very involved. I might take some of the basic ideas for the pilot I still new to paint.