Stupid Paints

[Guest]

So I am at my wits end again. All I'm trying to do is get a model painted with Vallejo Model Air. To look like if it was painted with Humbrol. But it's much darker.

So, screw the conversion charts, what do YOU use?

Example here, http://www.airfix.com/supermarine-spitfire-mkvb-1-48.html#product_image_6

Specifically the second one with 29,30 & 90.

Any one mentions conversion charts and I'll throw my computer out the window

[dave]

[ATTACH]97237.IPB[/ATTACH]


I spent hours looking at these and reading the wisdom of modellers on various sites and plumped for: 71.029 Dark Earth, 71.017 Russian Green, and71.009 Duck Egg Green . The shot above shows the first two I am happy with the green but the brown is a touch too dark I think. Didn't try the Duck egg Green in the end as I went for the scheme with the black and white underside.

[john i am]

I myself don't beat myself up on the exact correct shade I just use what looks about right.I do have all the paint charts for humbrol and model air and cross reference them then I find the closest one in comparison and then darken all make lighter with white or black.My latest build I didn't even look at the reference for the colour I just went with what in my opinion looked about right in this case French Blue [ATTACH]97258.IPB[/ATTACH]

[Guest]

If what you have painted is lighter than the actual colour then by the time you use washes and weather it usually looks pretty much spot on, if the paint is slightly dark then highlight the centers of the camouflage by adding a little white to the original colours, then by the time you have done your washes and weathering it looks right. I don't use paint conversion charts at all if the colour looks close then that is good enough for me.

scott

[Guest]

Any one mentions conversion charts and I'll throw my computer out the window

Conversion charts. Could we have a picture of the computer disappearing please Mike.

Been mentioned before Mike there is no way that you are going to get every colour equal to the colour of another manufacturer Why because they do not match every colour. Nuisance yes but that is a fact.

I always take the colour and test it in an area as large as the area of the model. If you feel it is to dark then add white. Some say yellow but if you do that it is more or less the same as yellow is mostly white. But with yellow you will change the colour. With white you will not as white is not a colour.

For me Vallejo Model Air 48 Grey and Green 16. They are as close as you will get or need to get. But i mix with white to suit me. Used them on the Walrus I have near finished. Very bright to begin with but as Scott has mentioned by the time highlighting and weathering has been applied that toned the colours down.

I suppose in the end it is whether you want to be exact on colours or produce a model which, for me, looks good for the scale and has been in service and not straight out of the factory. Took me a little time to get around that when I first started.

Laurie