Post by DavidJohnson on Nov 16, 2007 2:09:11 GMT 1
What are the experiences of other modelers with replicating the look of a prototype color in 1/87?
My practice has been to print photos from the internet for color matching. I try to find more than one example and land somewhere in the middle. I also use autocolorlibrary.com to identify prototype colors by name which sometimes hints at what the color should look like.
When painting mid-1950's cars in pastel colors I have carefully matched my dried paint samples to the printed photos. The problem is that the air brushed models end up looking much lighter than the prototype, even though they still appear to match the photo when the model is set upon the photo. In my current project I want the color of this light green Packard. Compare to the photo below - granted, overexposed and much ligher than the model- but still if I look at the prototype photo then shift my attention to the model, I need to mix a more intense green to get the look I want. The Stude is also a little lighter than intended.
I think I read in a model RR publication that small scale models appear as viewed in the distance, therefore they need to painted in a lighter tint. If this is true for models of the dark side (pun intended, as railroad equipment is often black or dark oxide red), is the oposite true for pastel colors?
I am hoping someone has artistic training or experience to shed light my riddle.
thankyou,
Dave
My practice has been to print photos from the internet for color matching. I try to find more than one example and land somewhere in the middle. I also use autocolorlibrary.com to identify prototype colors by name which sometimes hints at what the color should look like.
When painting mid-1950's cars in pastel colors I have carefully matched my dried paint samples to the printed photos. The problem is that the air brushed models end up looking much lighter than the prototype, even though they still appear to match the photo when the model is set upon the photo. In my current project I want the color of this light green Packard. Compare to the photo below - granted, overexposed and much ligher than the model- but still if I look at the prototype photo then shift my attention to the model, I need to mix a more intense green to get the look I want. The Stude is also a little lighter than intended.
I think I read in a model RR publication that small scale models appear as viewed in the distance, therefore they need to painted in a lighter tint. If this is true for models of the dark side (pun intended, as railroad equipment is often black or dark oxide red), is the oposite true for pastel colors?
I am hoping someone has artistic training or experience to shed light my riddle.
thankyou,
Dave
