How do you airbrush panels and panel lines?

thanks for the tips alan...i think i'll start with preshading the panel lines on my next bird...no camo...and see what kind of results i get...every example i've seen looks really good so it seems like a technique worth perfecting!

Merideth,

Ive tried the techniques described by Eric. Preshading can work on camo patterns if, like you say, the paint is thinned more than the usual. But here, the colors are applied strictly in accordance with the camo pattern. This means that in SEA camo, for example, you should not spray the tan color over areas supposed to be covered by the greens. The final colors are slowly built up, skirting around the panel lines (and, if youre using a fine nozzle, even around the rivet lines). It takes a longer time and may be difficult when using a medium head, but the results are gratifying.

For "postshading," you may want to try experimenting with mixing the darkened/lightened color with clear paint. That way, the paint consistency is not drastically thinned to the point of ruining already sprayed on paint, but the result will nevertheless be subtle enough. Ive also done this when trying to recreate exhaust fume stains.

Hope this helps.

i just read a weathering "how to" that also suggested drastically thinning the paint for panel lines and just doing a great many coats to build up the color...i'll test that out

You might be able to get away withi the medium head if you thin the paint more than usual and just apply light coats to build up the effect. You can also do normal weathering over that to help cover any mistakes. If you have a scrap model try it on that and see.

Eric

thanks eric that helps to clarify things...my airbrush has a medium head so i may wait for a while until i can afford a fine head before trying this technique

Mer, from what you're describing I think is where after painting a base coat they will "lighten" the color (add white or other light color) and spray the centers of each panel fading toward the panel line but not reaching it. Then mix a dark color with the base color to "darken" the shade and do a fine line along the panel lines. Depending on what size head you're using, a fine head would be best for the panel lines because you don't want to go too far onto the panel itself. The main thing is to just be able to spray a fine line along the panel lines. It should be a subtle effect when done, but I've seen some who do all their shading and weathering with an airbrush.

Some people also "preshade" by spraying black along all the panel lines first and then spray the base coat light enough to let the black show through a little. If you 're doing a camo job this won't work as well because you'll cover the black by the second or third coat of color.

Hope that makes some sense and helps a little.

Eric