Having returned to modelling after a break of more years than I care to remember, I an going to try applyiing "scale effect" to my 1/72 aircraft. The general opinion seems to be add about 15% white in this scale, but does this apply to metallic finishes? I am guessing so, as even polished metal will be subject to the greying effect of distance, but of course we're not necessarily portraying reality, but what the brain thinks is reality. Any advice much appreciated.
Scale effect for metallics
- Thread starter Piston Broke
- Start date
Sorry I can’t help as I’ve never seen anyone trying to create a scale effect with a NMF so will be interested to see if anyone has any ideas 
Geoff.
Geoff.
Hi PB.
I remember all this being the rage about thirty years ago, but, like the exaggerated chipping from a decade ago, it fell out of fashion. Never really gone for the scale effect theory (or excessive chopping) myself, too many variables, but if I was going to try it I would do the following. Find a picture taken from the distance I was trying to mimic, taken at the time of day and weather conditions I wanted to copy (this is important, colour changes with weather and time of day) and just copy the colours I see. you will need to learn colour mixing, but that just takes a bit of practice. I really don’t think there is a set value you can use, but if there was it would probably require a grey rather than a white addition as you need to desaturate the base tone rather than just lighten it as that is what atmospheric dust and moisture do to colours. In fact, copying a decent picture to replicate the effect you are after is usually the best way forwards, rather than esoteric theorising.
I am really not trying to be negative here, it’s just my take on it. If you want to go down the scale colour route I will help as much as I am able, and I’m sure the rest of the guys on here would do the same.
I remember all this being the rage about thirty years ago, but, like the exaggerated chipping from a decade ago, it fell out of fashion. Never really gone for the scale effect theory (or excessive chopping) myself, too many variables, but if I was going to try it I would do the following. Find a picture taken from the distance I was trying to mimic, taken at the time of day and weather conditions I wanted to copy (this is important, colour changes with weather and time of day) and just copy the colours I see. you will need to learn colour mixing, but that just takes a bit of practice. I really don’t think there is a set value you can use, but if there was it would probably require a grey rather than a white addition as you need to desaturate the base tone rather than just lighten it as that is what atmospheric dust and moisture do to colours. In fact, copying a decent picture to replicate the effect you are after is usually the best way forwards, rather than esoteric theorising.
I am really not trying to be negative here, it’s just my take on it. If you want to go down the scale colour route I will help as much as I am able, and I’m sure the rest of the guys on here would do the same.
Thanks for that. Being colour blind doesn't help, but I've had a play around today and as I intend to display my models in glass cases, the glass seems to provide as much "scale effect" as I was looking to achieve, so i think I'll stick to straight colours, with a bit of shading and highlighting to achieve the required depth. Interested in anybody else's views however.
Interesting thoughts from Tim. Some colours seem to be more applicable to a "scale effect" approach. Dark greys, browns and greens look better on a model if slightly lighter than in real life. Just a touch is all that is needed. Metallics might look better if a little grey was added, just to dull down the "glittery" look. I do think that on models chrome looks wrong - just too bright. I prefer to go more to a silver.
These are just my thoughts. Once a model is weathered colours change anyway. As Tim says weather and time of day has an effect. Also if a vehicle has been in the field for a while the paint may well be faded compared to how it left the factory. Even factory fresh vehicles had some variation - paint composition changed over time and application varied.
Ok we want to get our models looking "right" but it's all too easy to get hung up on so called "accurate colours".
These are just my thoughts. Once a model is weathered colours change anyway. As Tim says weather and time of day has an effect. Also if a vehicle has been in the field for a while the paint may well be faded compared to how it left the factory. Even factory fresh vehicles had some variation - paint composition changed over time and application varied.
Ok we want to get our models looking "right" but it's all too easy to get hung up on so called "accurate colours".
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