Need help with making proper shading/highlighting

[gamary]

Hi Mangas,

I got your PM but I was away for several days. Concerning the shading, I'm afraid the only "way" is by practising a lot, and then more... Look at as many pictures as you can and try to analyze what you see. Look at my first profiles (SPAD VII/XIII for example): they were badly shaded (and bad in every respect actually).

The only real bit of advice I think I can give you is the following: you should first shade your aircraft and once you're satisfied with the shape, only then do you add the colours. Not everybody does that, but it works for me better that way. With some paint schemes, you can get a bad surprise if you do the colours before the shading...

[Mangas]

Thanks, Gaëtan.
I've started a new project, and I decided to slowly, step by step, follow your path in making a profile (at least until I'll develop my own way):

http://img855.imageshack.us/img855/8510/mig31.jpg


P.S.: your advice about making a gray (plastic-model looking) profile with 3D elements is awesome solution (especially for a beginner)... Truly appreciated!

[gamary]

I'm glad it's useful. It was for me, and I'm still doing it.

[Mangas]

Really don't want to start a new thread, so I'll ask here: is there any tools in PS to make this types of camo spots? I mean apart from making each spot with brush? I'm kinda lazy today... Maybe some filters can do it automatically?

[gamary]

I strongly doubt it. Don't be lazy.

It could be worse, like Italian camouflage patterns in WW2.

[Mangas]

I found a way! And it's so quick to do!



But I'm starting to have serious problems with sodding camo spots:
"Dragon Slayer" -- a tribute to gamary

It's a first time I work with "light" type of paint... So my 3D work needs to be revised...