Counter-Shading While Painting
Counter-Shading While Painting
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.
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.
US Army MP Corps combat veteran Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm
-
- Officer - Brigadier General
- Posts: 4336
- Joined: Thu Nov 20, 2008 12:42 pm
- Location: North Carolina,USA
Re: Counter-Shading While Painting
Good job! I will prime the whole model with flat black then fill in the middle areas. That works too!
Keep us posted.
Keep us posted.
"Ever tried. Ever failed. No matter. Try Again. Fail again. Fail better."
--Samuel Beckett
--Samuel Beckett
Re: Counter-Shading While Painting
First (light) color shots are going on. I ran out of mixed paint and time, so this is still a WIP.
US Army MP Corps combat veteran Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm
-
- Officer - 1st Lieutenant
- Posts: 508
- Joined: Mon Feb 11, 2008 9:08 pm
- Location: Locust Grove, GA
Re: Counter-Shading While Painting
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
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
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?
US Army MP Corps combat veteran Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm
-
- Officer - 1st Lieutenant
- Posts: 508
- Joined: Mon Feb 11, 2008 9:08 pm
- Location: Locust Grove, GA
Re: Counter-Shading While Painting
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
....getting closer.....
US Army MP Corps combat veteran Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm
Re: Counter-Shading While Painting
The counter shading is really starting to pop out now,
US Army MP Corps combat veteran Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm
Re: Counter-Shading While Painting
Counter-shading final.....this is what you get with a little time and effort.
Again...this is 1/6th scale, but the effects work just as good on 1/18th. i hope these pictures are helpful.
Again...this is 1/6th scale, but the effects work just as good on 1/18th. i hope these pictures are helpful.
US Army MP Corps combat veteran Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm
-
- Officer - Major
- Posts: 974
- Joined: Sat Sep 01, 2012 3:27 am
- Location: Cordell, Oklahoma
- Contact:
Re: Counter-Shading While Painting
That looks absolutely amazing, folkwulfe, great work, and I'm sure this will be real helpful here soon, thanks for sharing!
A helicopter does not want to fly, it just vibrates so much that the ground rejects it
-
- Officer - Brigadier General
- Posts: 4336
- Joined: Thu Nov 20, 2008 12:42 pm
- Location: North Carolina,USA
Re: Counter-Shading While Painting
Looks wonderful!
"Ever tried. Ever failed. No matter. Try Again. Fail again. Fail better."
--Samuel Beckett
--Samuel Beckett
Re: Counter-Shading While Painting
You did a fantastic job with your model and explanation.
www.TheLiterateShow.com