Getting the Right Color -Good Post- Now here's my take

Perfect way to put it, in my opinion.  Especially that last line.

Tanker,

You are one of the reasons I like this forum so much!

Sir, I salute you!

P.S. Yes, I have two dressed eyes, if they were not dressed, I would be blind as a bat!

Haha, Bruce,,,,I adjusted my glasses on my nose when I read your post.

I really do agree with all the posts that say "build it your way" and "it is your model"

I just don't think they answer a single question for anyone that goes online to look for help with their model. And if we can't do that,,,,,,then why bother with having all these sites?

Rex

what do i do for "the right color?" not much having gone through the anal color period. i don't like black tires on warwheels so i paint them (or wash the rubber ones) with engine gray and a dark wash prior to weathering. same with road wheel rubber. i don't like really rusty tracks unless i am modeling a wreck but don't like them as shiny as they really would be so a dark rust and dark gray wash with a tad of steel highlighting i build a lot of modern stuff so little chipping and rust, mostly dust dirt and mud. looks right. that's about it as long as the colors are close. i can lighten,  darken or change tones with oil washes.

i think i will be taking a class on art perception, and illusion which may add insight into this whole issue.

Tarnship, you too make a good point.  If someone asks a question that has a specific answer, they probably want that specific answer; not some "do what you want" platitude.

You Are so right ! T.B.

I completely concur, although I am a BIG proponent of "scale effect". I honestly believe that it makes the difference between producing a model that looks "real" vs "toy-like"

the doog

I completely concur, although I am a BIG proponent of "scale effect". I honestly believe that it makes the difference between producing a model that looks "real" vs "toy-like"

The only thing I use scale effect on is ship models, at scales of 1:200 or smaller.  I assume we all look at models from a distance of a couple of feet.  That would mean, for a 1:48 aircraft, a scale viewing distance of 100 feet.  Now, scale effect is a definite thing when we view through the atmosphere things in the distance, but the quantification of distance is import.  BTW, the authority on this is Middleton, Vision Through the Atmosphere.

But the effect is minor at close distances.  The degree of effect is exponential with distance. In order to have an effect at distances of a hundred feet or less, you would have to be viewing the scene in pretty heavy fog, which would soften the edges, too.  No one simulates softening of detail on their models.

Now, chalking of paint is something else.  Chalking of paint due to UV bleaching is true at any distance, so lightening or whitening is something I often do to even larger scale models.  But lightening to represent chalking is not scale effect. But chalking should be done primarily on upper surfaces or sky facing surfaces, while scale effect would affect all colors, top, sides, and bottom.

But who is to say what the "correct" scale effect is? Is it the effect that you see if you were standing 200 feet away on a hazy day, or is the effect that you see as if you were standing right next to the real thing? I've seen modelers go crazy trying to get the scale effect just right for a contest, then lose because the effect didn't look right to the judge. Which is why I just build my stuff as if it just rolled off the showroom floor - no weathering, no scale effect. I like accuracy in colors and markings, but scale effect is too subjective for me (or is that "objective"?). And, as was said at the beginning of this thread - build them to suit YOU, and no one else. That way, you're always happy with the outcome.

Devil Dawg has just provided one more piece of support for a personal position I've ranted about several times. I don't believe in model contests.

They are definitely not for everyone.

Hi, Proff:

  Well  I get taken to task sometimes for saying " Build and paint to suit you " Now, that is not a cop out either . There are many out there who glean the information from here and then do exactly that . My last I.P.M.S. show/contest burned me out on competing , believe me ! Now I build to impress clients and myself only . So sometimes I put that in there to assure those reading that you can do both.

Your choice ! and it's still a great Hobby .    T.B.

Colin ;

   That Sir, is not what was intended there . I only added that because I know many who don't compete at all .They just don't want to . They do need re-assurance from those that do, that it is alright to build to one's tastes and skills only . I do build for Museums in many media . Do I do this on my own models? Only when I don't want O.O.B.       T.B.  P.S. Plus ,I do give the answer most always .