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Counter-Shading While Painting

Posted: Wed Nov 28, 2012 12:03 pm
by Folkwulfe
Can't remember exactly who was asking before about painting and counter-shading, but I thought this little demo might be of use. I an currently building a 1/6th scale Pak 38 anti-tank gun from DML. I just started the counter shading and thought I'd share the technique and pictures that I use.

The grey color is not a primer, but the actual plastic color used to manufacture this model. I thought the color would be fine, so no primer has been applied. I want the Pak 38 to look "field used" when done. These guns were not clean even when they had been cleaned....so the dirtier the better. What I have started doing is counter-shading using flat black. As I get to the actual color stages you will see what effect this flat black is going to have in the final appearance. It looks messy...and it is on purpose. Dark in all the recessed areas and heavy coated. Don't worry, the final colors will make it look more "presentable" later. Right now, it is just important to get all those areas you want appear darker well coated.
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Re: Counter-Shading While Painting

Posted: Wed Nov 28, 2012 1:54 pm
by flyboy_fx
Good job! I will prime the whole model with flat black then fill in the middle areas. That works too!

Keep us posted.

Re: Counter-Shading While Painting

Posted: Thu Nov 29, 2012 1:59 pm
by Folkwulfe
First (light) color shots are going on. I ran out of mixed paint and time, so this is still a WIP.
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Re: Counter-Shading While Painting

Posted: Fri Nov 30, 2012 1:33 am
by kduck
I've been watching your build on OSW and it looks very good. I've been out of the plastic modeling scene for several years now. I've heard of counter shading before but I'm not very familiar with it. I'm guessing that you put your final colors down in very thin coats to let the shading show through? Also I'm wondering how this technique would work with smaller items like fuel cans, ammo cans, weapons etc.

BTW for anyone interested here's the link for the build at OSW:

http://www.onesixthwarriors.com/forum/s ... build.html

Re: Counter-Shading While Painting

Posted: Fri Nov 30, 2012 7:24 am
by Folkwulfe
Simply put.....countershading to me adds depth. The biggest problem I have when working on any miniature is making it look real. Because of the narrow field of view (depth) for smaller scales, the more you have to "fool the eye" into believing they are seeing more than just a miniature. For very small items, you can use washes and pastels. But for larger surfaces and intricate items, nothing beats countershading when it's done right. Does that help any?

Re: Counter-Shading While Painting

Posted: Fri Nov 30, 2012 2:44 pm
by kduck
Sure thing. I didn't think it would work to well on smaller items. There just isn't enough surface area for it to be effective.

Re: Counter-Shading While Painting

Posted: Wed Dec 05, 2012 11:19 am
by Folkwulfe
....getting closer.....
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Re: Counter-Shading While Painting

Posted: Tue Dec 11, 2012 10:44 am
by Folkwulfe
The counter shading is really starting to pop out now,
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Re: Counter-Shading While Painting

Posted: Wed Jan 02, 2013 11:14 am
by Folkwulfe
Counter-shading final.....this is what you get with a little time and effort.
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Again...this is 1/6th scale, but the effects work just as good on 1/18th. i hope these pictures are helpful.

Re: Counter-Shading While Painting

Posted: Wed Jan 02, 2013 12:20 pm
by The_Helicopter_Pilot
That looks absolutely amazing, folkwulfe, great work, and I'm sure this will be real helpful here soon, thanks for sharing!

Re: Counter-Shading While Painting

Posted: Thu Jan 03, 2013 10:50 am
by flyboy_fx
Looks wonderful!

Re: Counter-Shading While Painting

Posted: Sun Jan 06, 2013 7:39 am
by Ara
You did a fantastic job with your model and explanation.