Experiences in Detail Painting Small WSF Models

Hello,

I finally got around to finishing some models I've been working on and wanted to share my experiences and get any feedback or tips. I'm sure others have used these same techniques, and was wondering if there are better ways or best practices out there.

The process I used:

1. Modeled in Blender

"Gothic Destroyer Render":


2. Uploaded the model and had it printed in the WSF

Printed "Gothic Detroyer" Model:


3. Dyed the model with fabric dye. I've found that dyeing a model is faster and gives a more even coat than spray painting. Because the WSF material is absorbent, it sucks in the dye very well. The process I used for dyeing:
A. Mixed 1 heaping tablespoon of RIT Dark Green fabric dye to about a liter of water
B. Bring mixture to a boil
C. Submerge model in mixture for 20-60 seconds and stir gently, making sure the model stays submerged. I used about 40 seconds for these models.
D. Let model dry (5-10 minutes)

"Gothic Transport" after dye:


4. I sprayed the models with a clear matte finish coating (Crafts Etc! Clear Acrylic Matte Coating). Because the WSF material is slightly porus and rough, this gave better control to the later paint coats. I've had/seen problems with "seepage" on uncoated models. A Glass finish also seems to work and make things look smoother.

5. I then gave the models two light drybrushings, first with a medium green, and then with white paint. I used the water-based model paints from Vallejo.

"Gothic Cruiser" after first drybrush:

"Gothic Cruiser" after second drybrush:


6. Lastly, I added detail with various metallics and red. Like many models, putting a precoat of black under the metallics or white/pink under the red helped them stand out.



Thoughts?

Thats a primo paintjob (all of them) Thanks a lot for showing what can be done, I assume you didnt sand the models? (you didnt mention it) they look very smooth. Thanks also for detailing your process so I can use it as a basis to start painting more of my own models .

Nope, no sanding. Just applied the matte base coat, which helped smooth them a little.

Giving them a coat with a 'glossy' sealant coat can make them look a little smoother as well. For the model below I gave it 3 coats of glossy finish, and then used painter's tape (the blue stuff) to mask off parts before giving it a coat of silver spray paint.


I think the glossy finish made it smoother than a similar model on which I used the Matte finish before the silver:

Excellent work.

I suggest next time you're at the hardware store to pick up a can of spray putty. I swear by it when painting SLS. It would be somewhat tedious sanding back on such an intricate model, but it'd be possible to get a reasonably quality surface texture.

I just painted my first batch of starship models. One (large-ish) was in SWF and the others in white detail.


http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u172/AotrsCommander/DSCN0 102.jpg

http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u172/AotrsCommander/DSCN0 103.jpg

http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u172/AotrsCommander/DSCN0 106.jpg

http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u172/AotrsCommander/DSCN0 108-1.jpg

As this was literally my test run, I treated them exactly like I do all my regular models (plastic, white metal and even on occasion a cardboard/cynoacyrilate compound...) I sprayed them black with acrylic spray paint (dirt-cheap £1.75 Hycote car primer from my local corner shop in actual fact...)

Finding this worked fine, I then proceed to paint the models to my usuall standard, using Citadel paints. The result is that they aren't noticably different from my other models:

http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u172/AotrsCommander/DSCN0 082.jpg

The Dreadnought is a little grainy up-close but to some extent that's because it has quite large flat areas (and in any case, kinda fits the theme for the fleet.)

I think the portal bit came out quite nicely; I achieved that by using a couple of shades of blue and some white paint, all very watery, randomly painted them in and basically just let the colours mix naturally.

Interestingly, the 0.3mm detial on the top of the Beta scouts is still visible, even before I actually highlighted it; I wasn't sure it would be deep enough (with my somewhat haphazard painting style!) to show, but it did.