How to Question: Fading one color to another

Hey guys. I have just finished assembling what I can before painting. It's a 1/48 Zero, that has to be painted green on top, and grey on the bottom. I haven't had to paint anything in 2 colors yet, so I'm not sure how to do it.

It has to lightly fade from one color to the next, over about 1/2 inch.

I have an air brush, so I'll be trying it with that.

Hints, tips?

Thanks - Merc.

Good to know you have an airbrush. One technique that I used to use to paint B-17 bombers and stuff was to angle the direction of the spray towards the color of the paint and work back. I'm assuming that you are painting the bottom part and the fade starts from the front and becomes more solid to the back of the wing. Let's say you've painted the green already on the wing. With the wing upside down now and the front of the wing towards you, aim the airbrush at about 45 degree angle. Starting from the back of the wing to the front. I tend to use left to right strokes or vice versa depending on your preference. Gradually working to the front of the wing and as I do this I am also decreasing the amount of spray coming out, thus producing the fading effect. You need to have a steady hand at this though. If you need additional help, let me know.

So there's really no masking involved, eh? I wasn't sure if there was some sort of Mask to put on to get the effect on the box or not. All my other planes, I just painted silver. This is NOT a plane that I can do that and get away with it. Ah well, it'll be a good learning experience :). I'm also going to try on an old plane first to see how it works.

Thanks Doc :).

Originally posted by MercCougarXR7
So there's really no masking involved, eh? I wasn't sure if there was some sort of Mask to put on to get the effect on the box or not.Not for fades. Masking is for sharp lines.

Practice is best. Experiment with:
a. width of the paint stream
b. angle of application
c. distance from surface

DVS makes a good point in his example. Also, remember to paint the lighter color first. It takes less coats to cover light paint with dark paint, but it takes many coats to cover a dark color with a light paint.

Actually, I'll append that to explain a different kind of masking...

Instead of making a hard line by putting a mask directly on the surface, use a piece of cardboard or cardstock, and hold it about an inch away from the surface. This "soft mask" will block most paint from the covered area, but allow a little overspray, creating the fade effect...

I like the cardboard idea :). I hadn't thought to have a 'floating' mask.

As for paint colors - the kit is moulded in Dark Green, but the paints I am going to use are flat, and even light flats ALWAYS cover dark areas nicely :). Just maybe, I'll have my spray table cleaned up soon, and I can get at it :D!

Fading paint (http://www.scaleautomag.com/sca/features/tips/tip17.html) - describes freehand methods. :D

Man! That site has EVERYTHING on it :) - Thanks Jay!

You're welcome. :D