SPA Modeler

Superb painting on this beauty of a bird John. Simply Unbelievable results. Definitely taking notes from you on this .....

Thanks guys! Before jumping back onto Red 1, I wanted to report a new product that I just picked up. I saw this on Facebook (dmminiatures, I think) being used as a way to impart random fade effects.


Salt fading is very effective but there are some negatives with this technique. It takes a long time for the water to completely dry out and it is messy, leaving salt crystals all over the work surface. It's also hard to gauge the effect until you actually wipe the salt off and that can make this technique very hit or miss. These templates, in theory, should me much easier and quicker to use.


I did a quick sample on a spare Me262 nacelle. Hmmm... kinda stark but that's more a function of my spraying than the mask.


Removing some of the excess grey paint shows a very workable fade effect. I'll be taking a closer look at these masks in the future.


I've started on the mottle for Red 1. Keeping close eye on my reference photos, I applied diffuse mottle patterns using RLM 82 and 83.



I read that the rudder was assembled and painted independently of the tail plane so I wanted to use a different set of steps to differentiate. I mottled the rudder using RLM 74 and 75 and then oversprayed the rudder with a light coat of RLM 82. I then used RLM 76 and scribbled lines to lighten the rudder. The rudder hinge was highlighted in RLM 83 as evidenced in the reference photos. I also used RLM 74 to overspray what appears to be a "7" on the starboard side. But no such feature on the other side... I'll have to think about this.


The topside camo is essentially finished. I'll probably do some touch-ups and then I'll seal it with a clear coat before moving on to the bottom.

Your mottling effects are to be envied bud. Really like the look of all these gradual effects together.

for all comments above and further!

- Kari

That’s gorgeous.

Now that she is in warpaint, Dora is looking fabulous! And obviously nearing completion too!

Thanks for the comments. The build is definitely on the downhill slope and approaching home!

Mottling is not my favorite thing to do and it takes me a while to work up the nerve to do it. I'm learning a bit more with each build and developing a better sense of brush control when doing mottles. I'm usually shooting super close to the model trying to establish that TIGHT edgeline so it feels weird to pull the brush so far back. Again, the thin paint mixes really help the cause since not much paint is coming out of the brush and that equals more forgiveness.

I've wiped that grey "7" out and replaced it with fresh RLM 76. And put some random fresh RLM 76 patches on the other side to match. After some touch-ups to the rudder, I gave the top colors a gloss coat and masked off the bottom for painting. I got as far as laying down the white but was too tired to upload the photos. So for the next update, you will definitely see the red stripes!

John, I can’t wait to see what you do with those underside colors. They are just so striking!

jkim wrote:Mottling is not my favorite thing to do and it takes me a while to work up the nerve to do it. I'm learning a bit more with each build and developing a better sense of brush control when doing mottles. I'm usually shooting super close to the model trying to establish that TIGHT edgeline so it feels weird to pull the brush so far back. Again, the thin paint mixes really help the cause since not much paint is coming out of the brush and that equals more forgiveness.

That's pretty much the same thing I do with super thin paint and getting in there nice and close with the needle barely open. I usually do all that while wearing a visor through the whole process to make double sure that I can see all I'm doing.