SPA Modeler

I am wondering, what method do you use to decide on colors? This has nothing to do with any paint standard info,,,,,,,unless you look that up for each model.

Do you keep notes on what you used and liked for ohh, let's say Dark Earth or Aircraft Gray? Or do you choose one each time you need it?

My color system is fairly obvious to most people,,,,,and most say they wouldn't work that hard at it. But, I saved a ton of money by doing it this way. (yesterday's money, and "tomorrow's " )

I cannot say I have a system. Most times I make notes on what colour I use for which part or camouflage on the assembly manual. Useful for a slow and distracted builder as me! When I ome back to a build weeks or months later I usually can check what colours I did use earlier.

But on a new kit I usually check what colour information the assembly manual gives and compare those with an Excel list of all colours I have here. I then decide which brand or type I am going to use.

I have a shallow box that holds my paint jars, and each jar has a blotch of color on the lid for easy identification. I only have a dozen paints.

If I need a different color, I make it.

nah, but seriously...light grey, dark grey, black, white, tan, dark brown, blue, red, yellow, olive drab, dark green, and braunviolet. Any other color can be made by mixing and matching those.

I have a small spiral notebook that I keep info in, especially for figures. For example, At the top of the page I'll write the type, (US WWII). Then under that I'll write the item on the left, (web gear), and to the right what the make, color & FS# is, if it has one, or with Humbrol, the stock number.

I do every different uniform, (US, Brit, German, Russian, etc...), on a separate page so I can keep track. I only record the base color, so this way I know where to start for adjustment.

I also keep a sticky note pad handy, so I can jot down any temporary mixing ratios. Seeing how I can't seem to remember what I did an hour ago, this works for me.

Nowadays I have a pretty good working knowledge of what color goes where on most of my subjects. Thank goodness for the internet (especially IPMS Stockholm for US WWII era aircraft interior colors) and the ability to search for those things where my knowledge falls short. And whenever possible Humbrol is my first choice for paints as a base color. If they do not make that particular shade, I next opt for Model Master, especially since they appear to cover the areas where Humbrol does not cover. Then Tamiya is my next choice in brands. As far as keeping notes- only marks on the instruction sheet call outs- especially where I find errors. Once I start a paint session with an item, I will store the colors used in the kit box until the need for that color is done. On figures I will have the figure on my desk with the base colors needed until that color is no longer needed for that figure or batch of figures. But no, I have no real system aside from what is mostly in my head, or web searches.

I don't have a system but for a little while now I've been thinking about coming up with one. You guys have given me some good ideas.

Doogie wrote:I don't have a system but for a little while now I've been thinking about coming up with one. You guys have given me some good ideas.

Now the madness begins

gibber, flubber, gibber, gerp

Working a paint system doesn't cause insanity,,,,oooo look, a butterfly,,,,,,,woooof!!

RexCag wrote:gibber, flubber, gibber, gerp

Working a paint system doesn't cause insanity,,,,oooo look, a butterfly,,,,,,,woooof!!

I scribble all paint and modifications on the instructions. That way everything is in one place for a build.