Shadows and the day I pulled my hair out....

[gunzblazin]

Hello to everyone,
First post here. I am branching out. I have tried to use an airbrush for the first time and am curious about a few things. I am getting the hang of it ok but am curious as to some color selection.

As you can see from the pic it is a rip through the black with texas flag under (first pic) (second is close after sand and adding shadows) and I am curious how to get the shadows to look as good as possible. Is my color choice too dark? (black) or am I laying it on too heavy. Am waiting to put last clear coats on and can't pull trigger til I feel better about the shadows.I am thinking that when I clear all the shadows and the black edge will lose definition. Any suggestions or comments welcome I have a thick skin. Am I missing highlights? Or what? I have other pics if anyone is curious.
Have been very excited about finding this site fun to read and search. Thanks Scott, nice job.

 

[flamethrower]

It looks mighty good. As far as shadows go, it is up to the painter's eye. I know a lot of guys use darker (non black) colors and lay them in softly with an airbrush. I see nothing wrong with doing it with black. As far as how heavy to lay them on... Also up to you. It kind of depends on how bright the light in your mind is, if you get my drift. If you're imagining a bright sunlight on it then you need to lay them on heavy, but I think I would like them a bit lighter so you can tell where the rip ends and where the shadow starts. Hope this helps. Good luck with the CC.

 

[gunzblazin]

I definitely understand the light in the minds eye analogy. I think that may be what is bugging me about it. Seems too dark. Maybe I will mix the individual colors red, blue, white and add some black to each one and try that way. just to see. (famous last words before catastrophe, right...lol.

 

[trickminis]

Cant give you tips on the shadows, but I love the paintjob! Texas represent!

 

[Jim]

I've been trying to figure out shadows lately myself,Looking at a ton of pics.Seems an over thinned black a little wider than you have it would make it appear like the rips are further off the flag.But,adding some color like you said sounds like a good idea.BTW,Nice job!

 

[Stretch]

I think the shadows are a bit too dark. If you look around, at least here on my desk, shadows on most items appears to slightly darken the area under them. If that's true than the shadows over the white area should really only be a medium to dark grey. The shadows of the blue should be a slightly darker blue,etc... I think you're fine doing all the shadows with black but I'd try thinning it down more so when you spray it on it's not so opaque. That's just my 2¢. Great paint job!

-Stretch

 

[gunzblazin]

Thanks for all the input gents. I have wiped them all down and going to give it another go today. I think I am going to try some ultra thinned black with a touch of white to lighten it a little. Maybe try a bit more seperation so they are not quite so close as well. Will post a pic when get done. keep fingers crossed.

gunz

 

[nyntyproof]

Good work dude...If your just getting the hang of it.....I cant wait to see your work when "Your good at it" /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/bigokay.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/peace.gif

 

[YankeeMike]

I've been over-reducing black basecoat about 5:1 with reducer...it gives a nice, almost see-thru black shadow. I guess my thinking is that if its too light you can go over it again and darken it up a bit. If its already too dark, you're stuck with it. Just my 2 cents worth.