1/72 Airfix Bf109E-3 (WiP)

lol thanks, UP lol.

Well continuing on with the figure lessons, I will begin where I left off with the wash phase.

I'll start with an enamel based Black Wash on the insides of the figures arms.

It took several applications to get the shade dark enough to contrast the Blue of the uniform.

I chose my 10/0 brush so I wouldn't overload the area. This way I had more control over how much of the wash settled into the area.

In this final picture you can't see much of a difference. The idea of using a Black Wash in this area was to separate the figures arms from his torso visually.

I chose to use the Brown Wash from the Weathering for Green Vehicles set from Vallejo.

I watered down the wash so it wasn't at full strength. 

You want the wash to separate the shapes. This will help give you a visual for separating the objects later.

You can see how the wash has separated the shapes. Now that I can see the different objects I can paint them all individually as you will see in my next segment.

M. Brindos

 

For instance, we don't tear the model pieces off the sprues and haphazardly fling glue all over them just so we can paint and decal before we have to go to bed anymore lol.

 

Wait..what?!? 

Glad you're covering figures. I'm thinking my next build is an Airfix 1/72 Wildcat. I think they look ungainly on the ground, but pretty cool flying. So it will need a pilot.

Greg

 

 

M. Brindos

When painting with acrylics you should always keep them thin. The consistency of milk is a good analogy for how thin the paint should be. It will take more time to lay your colors down, but the results are just simply better. :)

 

 

Ok, learning already. I get impatient and lay the acryl down too thick, thought I should be able to do it in one coat. Thank you.

I'm noticing I seem to have patience with many things modeling, but not so much with brush painting. We'll be working on that.

 

Patience is tantamount to figure painting. There is far more than just slapping some colors on and giving it an overall dark wash. That's good to start with, but if you want to give your figures some life, which adds overall to the model itself, then you have to get more involved.

For instance, we don't tear the model pieces off the sprues and haphazardly fling glue all over them just so we can paint and decal before we have to go to bed anymore lol.

Its time we all take figures as serious as the rest of the build. Am I wrong? Lol

Greg

Mike, interesting to hear you  wondered about the first 1:48 109 box you opened too. I didn't think anyone else would ever think that too.  

And you don't have to try to continue to be entertaining, it just comes naturally for you.

 

 

M. Brindos

Okay, for you new guys that are paying attention, I've got a small painting lesson for ya.

 

 

I'm not tenured, but not quite new either and I'm definitely paying attention. Extrememly happy you are doing a step by step on the pilot.

I had to kick myself to remember you are blocking a 1:72 figure here. Egads. 

 

Oh yeah, there is nothing easy about 1/72 figures and I really should be showing you guys in 1/48, but the same processes apply, no matter the scale.

ManCityFan

Figure tutorial!!  I will definitely be keeping up on this thread!  Have not tried to do a figure yet, but certainly want to try at some point (soon).

Thanks Mike,

D

 

Stay tuned, D. I'm going to show you all how I handle washes.  :)

M. Brindos

When painting with acrylics you should always keep them thin. The consistency of milk is a good analogy for how thin the paint should be. It will take more time to lay your colors down, but the results are just simply better. :)

Ok, learning already. I get impatient and lay the acryl down too thick, thought I should be able to do it in one coat. Thank you.

I'm noticing I seem to have patience with many things modeling, but not so much with brush painting. We'll be working on that.

UnwaryPaladin

Looks great Mike! How did you get an opaque yellow on his vest? I'm using Model Master acrylic insigna yellow on my pilots and I can never it get it to lay down opaque.

Looking forward to the rest of your build!

 

I layered it on. Instead of one thick, solid coat I lay down three or four thin coats to build up the color without losing the details underneath. Since you're using acrylics this is the method you should be using. Do you have a pallet? It makes brush painting with acrylics easier to do so you can add a drop or two of paint and add a drop of water to thin it down. 

When painting with acrylics you should always keep them thin. The consistency of milk is a good analogy for how thin the paint should be. It will take more time to lay your colors down, but the results are just simply better. :)

Mike, interesting to hear you  wondered about the first 1:48 109 box you opened too. I didn't think anyone else would ever think that too.  

And you don't have to try to continue to be entertaining, it just comes naturally for you.

M. Brindos

Okay, for you new guys that are paying attention, I've got a small painting lesson for ya.

I'm not tenured, but not quite new either and I'm definitely paying attention. Extrememly happy you are doing a step by step on the pilot.

I had to kick myself to remember you are blocking a 1:72 figure here. Egads. 

Bish

 

 

M. Brindos

 

 

Bish

 

 

 

Well, i might well be tempted to get another lol.

O don't worry i have. The complete rear compartment in both fuselages of a 72nd He 111Z is my biggest so far.

 

 

 

 

I wasn't saying you haven't lol. I've seen it. I was just adding to what you said to Keyda lol.

You've got to try one of these new Airfix kits eventually. There is a good reason they are getting such glowing reviews. :)

 

 

 

 

I know, i am just trying to fit one in. So many kits, so little time

 

Tell me about it! Lol!!! I've got a decent stash built up, but time is ALWAYS an issue.

Figure tutorial!!  I will definitely be keeping up on this thread!  Have not tried to do a figure yet, but certainly want to try at some point (soon).

Thanks Mike,

D

Looks great Mike! How did you get an opaque yellow on his vest? I'm using Model Master acrylic insigna yellow on my pilots and I can never it get it to lay down opaque.

Looking forward to the rest of your build!

M. Brindos

 

 

Bish

 

 

 

Well, i might well be tempted to get another lol.

O don't worry i have. The complete rear compartment in both fuselages of a 72nd He 111Z is my biggest so far.

 

 

 

 

I wasn't saying you haven't lol. I've seen it. I was just adding to what you said to Keyda lol.

You've got to try one of these new Airfix kits eventually. There is a good reason they are getting such glowing reviews. :)

 

I know, i am just trying to fit one in. So many kits, so little time

Okay, for you new guys that are paying attention, I've got a small painting lesson for ya.

Here is stage one in painting a pilot figure. This is called "blocking". Blocking is where you paint all of the individual parts in their separate colors. You guys do this all of the time with cockpit parts anyways, so this shouldn't be a foreign idea lol.

At this scale you don't have to get it absolutely perfect, but the closer - the better.

You'll see that I have used the same color for his fur trim and the chute straps and seat harnesses. I will show you how to better define these later, but for now you just need to know they will all have a similar "shade" so the fact that they are all the same doesn't really matter yet. I will refine the colors as I proceed and they will all look separate when I'm done. 

This should always be your first step until you feel more confident in your skills later. Then you can do this is stages where you choose to do the skin tones first, as I sometimes do.

Nice start, sir. Glad to hear I'm not the only near-sighted person. My problem is I wear contacts and am still too vain to wear "Cheaters". I only model when I take my contacts out. I've only done one 1/72....wish I started out with it in the beginning. More selection...less dollars!

Thanks, Joe! 

lawdog114

Wow...I had to go the opposite, more expensive, way up to 1/32. Looks great so far Mike.

 

I don't know if I'll ever do a 1/32 aircraft. Too close to 1/35, and that's for armor! Lol!!

Greg

Mike, I just mentioned on the forum somewhere when my first 1:48 109 arrived, I opened the box and thought the manufacturer boxed a 1:78 (it was so small).

But to actually see one in 1:78, wow.

This will be fun to watch.

 

Lol I did see that. I felt the same way a when I dug into my Revell 109G-10 lol. 

Thanks, Greg. Ill try to keep it entertaining lol.

Bish

 

 

 

Well, i might well be tempted to get another lol.

O don't worry i have. The complete rear compartment in both fuselages of a 72nd He 111Z is my biggest so far.

 

I wasn't saying you haven't lol. I've seen it. I was just adding to what you said to Keyda lol.

You've got to try one of these new Airfix kits eventually. There is a good reason they are getting such glowing reviews. :)

Mike, I just mentioned on the forum somewhere when my first 1:48 109 arrived, I opened the box and thought the manufacturer boxed a 1:78 (it was so small).

But to actually see one in 1:78, wow.

This will be fun to watch.

M. Brindos

 

Bish

 

 

M. Brindos

Toshi it's always good to have you along.  :)

Bish, no problem. I like the new kits a lot. 

Keyda, I am naturally near sighted. It's a no problem area for me lol. 

 

 

 

 

Ye, i hear nothing but good stuff. I have bought a few but still to build one. Its a pity i already have a 109E-3.

Given there is a sembelance of an engine there, do i take it the engine panels can be shown open.

 

 

 

 

that engine is more of a gimmick really. The cowl is on the thick side and the engine is smaller than it should be because of it. I gave it some thought, but I've seen only the YouTubers actually show it off. 

So what if you have another E-3? You can have more than one lol.

PE and resin in 1/72, pah! Try scratch building in Braille! That's a challenge lol!

 

Well, i might well be tempted to get anotehr lol.

O don't worry i have. The complete rear compartment in both fuselages of a 72nd He 111Z is my biggest so far.

Bish

 

 

M. Brindos

Toshi it's always good to have you along.  :)

Bish, no problem. I like the new kits a lot. 

Keyda, I am naturally near sighted. It's a no problem area for me lol. 

 

 

 

 

Ye, i hear nothing but good stuff. I have bought a few but still to build one. Its a pity i already have a 109E-3.

Given there is a sembelance of an engine there, do i take it the engine panels can be shown open.

 

that engine is more of a gimmick really. The cowl is on the thick side and the engine is smaller than it should be because of it. I gave it some thought, but I've seen only the YouTubers actually show it off. 

So what if you have another E-3? You can have more than one lol.

PE and resin in 1/72, pah! Try scratch building in Braille! That's a challenge lol!

Keyda81

 

 

M. Brindos

Toshi it's always good to have you along.  :)

Bish, no problem. I like the new kits a lot. 

Keyda, I am naturally near sighted. It's a no problem area for me lol. 

 

 

 

 

I'm near sighted too, but I still can't see stuff that small!  That and my hand is no where near steady enough to paint things that small.

 

I've always been detail orientated. Doesn't matter what I'm messing with.  just one of those guys, always have been.

plenty of practice seems to be the key.  :)

ManCityFan

 

 

M. Brindos

Toshi it's always good to have you along.  :)

Bish, no problem. I like the new kits a lot. 

Keyda, I am naturally near sighted. It's a no problem area for me lol. 

 

 

 

 

Nice start, Mike. 

I am nearsighted too.  When I wear my optivisor, with both magnification lenses down.

D

 

hahahaha! I've got a lighted magnifier I keep forgetting about. Lol!

Keyda81

 

M. Brindos

Toshi it's always good to have you along.  :)

Bish, no problem. I like the new kits a lot. 

Keyda, I am naturally near sighted. It's a no problem area for me lol. 

 

 

 

 

I'm near sighted too, but I still can't see stuff that small!  That and my hand is no where near steady enough to paint things that small.

 

You wait until PE and resin is added, thats when the real fun begins

M. Brindos

Toshi it's always good to have you along.  :)

Bish, no problem. I like the new kits a lot. 

Keyda, I am naturally near sighted. It's a no problem area for me lol. 

 

Ye, i hear nothing but good stuff. I have bought a few but still to build one. Its a pity i already have a 109E-3.

Given there is a sembelance of an engine there, do i take it the engine panels can be shown open.

M. Brindos

Toshi it's always good to have you along.  :)

Bish, no problem. I like the new kits a lot. 

Keyda, I am naturally near sighted. It's a no problem area for me lol. 

 

I'm near sighted too, but I still can't see stuff that small!  That and my hand is no where near steady enough to paint things that small.

M. Brindos

Toshi it's always good to have you along.  :)

Bish, no problem. I like the new kits a lot. 

Keyda, I am naturally near sighted. It's a no problem area for me lol. 

 

Nice start, Mike. 

I am nearsighted too.  When I wear my optivisor, with both magnification lenses down.

D

Toshi it's always good to have you along.  :)

Bish, no problem. I like the new kits a lot. 

Keyda, I am naturally near sighted. It's a no problem area for me lol. 

Jeez, I had no clue how small that was until the pic with the lighter!  How can you see stuff that small?!

Thanks Mike, i thought it might be.