Used to add detail that isn't really there.

You can get self adhesive masking, stencils or decals for models instead of time consuming manual masking with tape.

Voila!  It's a pattern of alternating lighter and darker panels.  It gives a model floating in space the illusion of size and complexity, and breaks up big flat areas.  Go with stencils.  I think decals alays look like decals on a starship!

Chris

It's a very impressive and intimidating paint scheme.  I have both 1/350th Enterprise kits and the aztech scheme, for now, is prevening me from starting them.  I'm worried that I'm ruin the kit  with the paint job.

Naw, not that scary.  Get a clean base coat, take your time lining the masks up, and work slowly.  It's just paint!  If you use very thin paint for the second layer, you can overspray anything you fudge up, and try again! 

If you're really nervous, seal the first layer with Future.  Then you could sand down a bit with like 600 or finer grit sandpaper if you get a big paint goober.  The 1/350 kit is a monster though.  Perhaps but a smaller scale kit and get some practice laying down aztec before tackling big E!

Good luck!

Chris

I've been thinking about trying an aztek pattern on something. Not anything as complex as that (awesome) Enterpise image above - something simpler. Maybe that re-popped Leif Ericson / UFO mystery ship.

J,

Only problem with that is the aztec masks are designed for a specific kit, and line up accordingly.  It'd be very difficult to get them to 'fit' another kit. 

For $30.00 you can get the 1/1000 scale NX-01 Enterprise and a set of Aztec Dummy masks for it, and learn how to work with these masks.  If you screw it up, well the worst you're out is $15 for a new mask, and you can overspray or strip the kit!

Chris

Hi Guys

                   Not that I would promote another's Modelers web site! But starshipmodeler.com online store has a lot of Aztec decals for sale.  http://starshipmodeler.com/  Just click on "STARSHIP MODELER STORE"  under "Shop by Sybject"  just look for Star Trek  and then Trek Decals. You should find anything thing your looking for, or just want to look at. 

Killjoy

J,

Only problem with that is the aztec masks are designed for a specific kit, and line up accordingly.  It'd be very difficult to get them to 'fit' another kit. 

For $30.00 you can get the 1/1000 scale NX-01 Enterprise and a set of Aztec Dummy masks for it, and learn how to work with these masks.  If you screw it up, well the worst you're out is $15 for a new mask, and you can overspray or strip the kit!

Chris

Well, yeah. I knew that.

I was thinking about picking up a kit, and then designing and painting my own aztec pattern on it. I've painted digital camouflage before - its sorta like that, only more subtle and symmetrical.

Cosmic J

I've painted digital camouflage before - its sorta like that, only more subtle and symmetrical.

Ooh, I am impressed!  Picture please! 

I think painting aztec is way easier than digi cam.  Digi cam is 3 colors (minimum) with alot of overlap.  Aztec is all about lining the masks up right without damaging them.  Once you do that, just spray!

Did you make your own masks for digi cam?  I would love to try that on a modern subject some time! BTW J, what part of Louisville are you in?

Chris

On an odd note I was looking at a site with photos of the movie Enterprise, sorry I lost the link, wish I still had it and it was claimed the entire model was painted white. The aztec scheme came from the panels being done in matt white, semi-gloss white of different shades of gloss, and gloss white. When photographed she shows up with the panels looking white, greyish white, bluish white, etc but the whole thing they claimed was just white oddly enough.

I don't know if any of the other ships were painted the same way or not.

http://www.olsenart.com/strek.html

This is the article from the guy who painted the Big E for Sar Trek the Motion Picture.  I believe this is what you are referencing.  He describes using pearlescent laquers, and how it's mainly sheens, not real color differences.  In real life, withoug studio lighting and close-up cameras, you'd need to "exagerate" the color difference a bit more!

Chris

Chris,

Thanks for the link! It's not the site I was thinking of but wow what a great story! Funny, guess I was wrong according to this guy. The guy on the other site didn't say anything about pearlescent paint but since this guy actually painted the Big-E it's got to be the real deal.  I'm tempted to pick up some of the pearlescent paint for auto models if I ever get my Enterprise painted. As you said I'd have to play around with it since she won't be under stage lighting and seen by the naked eye.

It is a big dilema among Trek modelers especially.  You're trying to "recreate" something that never actually existed!  Additionally, the color something was painted as a model is not how it appeared on screen.  The 1701-D for next gen was very green in real life, but with the color shift of the camera, appeared neutral gray with a touch of blue.

Ever go to the Star Trek experience?  The red uniforms are actually a god-awful pink shade to make them look pink on screen.  Red tends to shift too brown.

Age old question with sci-fi is, "Do you paint it to look like it did on screen, or like the studio model?"  In the end, choose what looks right for you!

Chris

Killjoy

Cosmic J:

I've painted digital camouflage before - its sorta like that, only more subtle and symmetrical.

 

Ooh, I am impressed!  Picture please! 

Can't do it. I'm sandbagging.

I think painting aztec is way easier than digi cam.  Digi cam is 3 colors (minimum) with alot of overlap.  Aztec is all about lining the masks up right without damaging them.  Once you do that, just spray!

Did you make your own masks for digi cam?  I would love to try that on a modern subject some time!

Yup. I just stuck some Tamiya tape on a mirror, marked it off at regular intervals and then cut it w/ a straight edge and a #11. It's not hard, just super time consuming. I mean like, A lot of time. Lots of paint layers too, that need to be put down very thin.

But if it works and the colors are complimentary, it looks Sa-Weeet.

BTW J, what part of Louisville are you in?

Chris

I don't know. It depends on who's asking, and why?

Killjoy

Age old question with sci-fi is, "Do you paint it to look like it did on screen, or like the studio model?"  In the end, choose what looks right for you!

Chris

Yeah, that's why I like sci-fi, you can paint the model any way you want. Plus, if you do it in "non-standard" colors, it really cheeses off the fanboys. Bonus!

Cosmic J

I don't know. It depends on who's asking, and why?

'Cause I grew up there, went to high school in Bullitt County, and most of my family still lives there.  I am the only one on the West coast.  I always ask when I see/talk too someone from 'back home!'

Chris

I'm in Middletown actually, right off Breckenridge Lane near Hite. Not too far from Scale Reproductions, if you've been in that area recently.

Very hot here lately, and humid as always.

I know exactly where that is.  My Sister lives on Browns Lane!  Small world eh?  Yeah, I don't miss Kentucky in August.  My Dad was just out here for a visit last week.  It was mid to high 70s evry day, blue skies, no humidity!  A 15% day is downright muggy for Washington!

Chris

Cool. I got a good friend lives off Brown's Lane, I'm over there all the time. Small world indeed!

The last few days have been very hot, the hottest of the year, they say. Spent Tuesday helping a friend move - he had a 44 foot Ryder Truck's worth of furniture and boxes - thought I was gonna catch a heat stroke.

I remember playing baseball when I was in HS.  Summer league, double header every Sunday.  I was the catcher.  There were a few times I didn't think I could get through the second game of the day.

Chris