My first attempts

Hylander6 · Post by **Hylander6** » Sat Sep 23, 2006 10:54 am

It has been my experience that there are accually 3 things that will fuzz primer or cause flatcoat to suddenly turn white. Too much heat as has been mentioned, but also to cold, and worse is too Humid. I have had the most trouble with humidity. Hope this helps.

Chris

CountRingworm · Post by **CountRingworm** » Wed Oct 04, 2006 7:05 pm

Finally got them based and flocked, and then took pictures, so here are my first attempts at some german HMG squads.

the photo may illustrate my poor photography skills more than the models themselves. anyway, i also switched from the 1/8" MDF 30mm x 30mm base to a 1/16" 1"x1" balsa wood base, and like it a lot. i really should try the steel bases so i can store them on magnetic paper easier, but i wanted to get something based to see it

i've still got to seal coat these HMGs- i notice the helmets' color tends to "scratch off" if they're bumped too much on my very cluttered desk.

also, you can see the fuzziness of the primer here again. i have since changed to a floquil primer, and the results are MUCH MUCH better, as you may be able to tell in this work in progress picture:

(it's so in progress that the black wash is still wet

)

i'm anxious to get some more infantry done using the floquil primer and see how they turn out.

tstockton · Post by **tstockton** » Wed Oct 04, 2006 8:52 pm

CountRingworm,

Thanks for the pictures of the HMG squads, and for the pictures of the halftracks -- they are coming along nicely! I enjoy seeing the "in-progress" pictures - most of us (myself included) seem to post pictures of the "finished" product, so it's nice to see some of the in-between steps.

I know Ritter has some "step-by-steps" on his web site, which are greatly appreciated. I've done a couple myself... probably shoud do more! Maybe I should just leave my camera out, sitting next to my workbench...

Regards,
Tom

CountRingworm · Post by **CountRingworm** » Wed Oct 04, 2006 8:55 pm

Thanks Tom-

I'm actually using Ritter's technique on those halftracks. I like it so far, although i'm not sure if i'm brave enough to try doing the dots on the ambush pattern yet. I tried it on the leftmost HT in that picture, but they looked to big to me. With the proper encouragement I might try going back and doing it to the others as well.

How does that base ground flock look on those HMGs? I worry that it still might be to coarse. It looks great in person, but blown up with the camera it might be a tad large...

CountRingworm · Post by **CountRingworm** » Thu Nov 02, 2006 10:16 am

A few more vehicles I've finished. These are done with gray floquil primer. no fuzziness this time, but my flash is a bit overpowering- making them look a little washed out and too shiny. i'll get the hang of this at some point. could also be from the "matte" sealer i put on. they looked shinier after that matte coat than before.

My tires might have a bit too much blue in them too- i did a mix of one drop black, one drop blue, and 2 drops of white. they look pretty good (IMO) in person, but a little off up close with the camera.

German Halftrack-

German Command truck

German command car:

[/url]

tstockton · Post by **tstockton** » Thu Nov 02, 2006 8:57 pm

Count Ringworm,

my flash is a bit overpowering- making them look a little washed out and too shiny

I've also struggled with getting the "proper" lighting for my photography. Lately, I've taken to just taking my subjects outside and photographing in natural sunlight.

Cons:

(1) Limits on when one can photograph -- not too early, not too late, not on a rainy day, etc. In other words -- on "Mother Nature's" time, not mine
(2) More difficult to get a "standard" set-up -- variable lighting, background composition, have to watch for neighbor's nosy dog to show up, etc.

Pros:

(1) Lighting looks "real" -- because it is!
(2) Color balance is spot-on -- no washed-out models due to flash, shadows appear real because they are, etc.

I suppose I could spend some money and get a good lighting kit -- my dabbling in photography over the years lets me know it's available. However... well, dangit!, sometimes I'm just cheap! Or rather, since I only have x dollars to spend on my modeling, I'd rather spend all of it on my models, instead of "biting the bullet" and shelling out the $$ on a good lighting kit.

And so it goes...

Regards,
Tom Stockton

Ritter · Post by **Ritter** » Fri Nov 03, 2006 2:13 am

Good work there CountRingworm, the vehicles are starting to really come together.

Some Pic-tips

Turn off the flash.
Flood the subject with light (incandecent makes the subject yellowish - florecent makes it blueish)
Get a tri-pod.

Use the timed shutter release.

Have fun!

TR

Ritter · Post by **Ritter** » Fri Nov 03, 2006 2:15 am

Good work there CountRingworm, the vehicles are starting to really come together.

Some Pic-tips

Turn off the flash.
Flood the subject with light (incandecent makes the subject yellowish - florecent makes it blueish)
Get a tri-pod.

Use the timed shutter release.

Have fun!

TR

Mk 1 · Post by **Mk 1** » Fri Nov 03, 2006 4:18 am

Ritter's advice is always good enough to be worth seeing twice!

My first attempts

Bumpy primer