P1 spot question

[Ruprekt]

I'm in the process of finalizing my P1 bust (1/1) and getting it ready for paint. I've seen plenty of different styles of painting the P1, and on the spots do people paint them by hand or airbrush them? Personally I think the airbrushed spots look more natural with the slightly soft edges, but painting by hand would give you more control. I saw this example online, and it looks like the spots are done by hand and not airbrushed because the edges are so clean. Opinions? Suggestions?

 

[infantrywarrior]

I'm guessing that's airbrushed thru stencil. But it's just a guess.

 

[MikaPred2]

Using a stencil'd series of spots of various sizes is what I recommend.

 

[predator666]

That's 1 of Jimmy's paint ups, cant remember his user name. He used both airbrush and hand painted spots on his paint ups

 

[Ruprekt]

Thanks for that information on the picture. I'm not sure about a stencil on my bust since it's an older Howard's version. There's a pretty good surface texture that might give me trouble. Most likely I'll just do them by hand.

 

[MikaPred2]

Wishing you the absolute best.

 

[Predatoj]

I'm goin to airbrush mine 100% if you look at Steve Wang's paint job on the film you can tell it's all airbrushed. I don't think using stencils look good either. Patience and a steady hand is key.

 

[Ruprekt]

I agree. Although Steve Wang has quite a lot more skill than I do 8) I'm planning on laying out the pattern in pencil first, then airbrushing over it. I'll post pictures if anyone is interested to see how it's going.

 

[TriLaser]

How are your spots coming along? I would say airbrush if you can. You can get it pretty clean with practise mate.

 

[Ruprekt]

My spots are coming along. It's all 100% airbrush. Mostly FW inks and Golden airbrush colors. I can't believe how many go into one of these things! Here's a shot in progress. Still some cleanup to do on the forehead spots and many more spots to go......

 

[TriLaser]

Very nice work my friend. Look forward to it finished. Yeah the spots take the most time for sure. All pays off in the end

 

[Ruprekt]

Thanks! I'll post when it's complete for sure.

 

[TriLaser]

Yeah FW is the way to go. That and I use Calli ink too. Who's p1 head are you doing?

 

[Ruprekt]

It's a resin Howard P1 I converted to an open mouth version.

 

[TriLaser]

Looks pretty cool man. Get them finished pics up soon yeah.

 

[Ruprekt]

Yup!

 

[Predatoj]

I'm going to try liquitex inks, I'll report back on my thread. Hopefully be starting in the next month, just need to get a satisfactory pull done.

 

[Ruprekt]

I have yet to try Liquitex inks. The FW's have to be thinned down to almost nothing to get to flow properly. It'd be nice if there was a media specifically for fine detail using an airbrush.

 

[TriLaser]

I use Fw and calli inks thinned down to a 3:2 ratio with isopropanol and don't have any problems with it. White is different though, never flows properly. Have to thin it down to water consistency for it to work, even then its bitty. Black always shoots best.

 

[Ruprekt]

I'm thinning it down about 70% and it still dries on the needle frequently. Using an Iwata HP-CH as my brush. Beats me why it's working like this but I'm getting through it.....