C&C display piece

[dark notch]

Hello, I am working on this print of Lion El Johnson and I am liking the colors, but i feel like the models seems off. The highlights don’t seem as sharp as i would like. Any advice or feedback would be appreciated. Thanks!

[dark notch]

Anything?

[fierce zenith]

Sorry I thought I replied this morning.

So in regards to the highlight is it possible it looks bland because they all seem to be the same intensity? You could maybe add in a very bright (off) whiteish color and add it to the very tips. Similar to almost doing a NMM .

Second side note. For your highlights what color do you normally use? I tend to use a pale yellow on most colors and it helps pop and not be as desaturated ( as white tends to do)

[dark notch]

I do not have any off whites, however for the white parts that i did paint say the wings, i mixed a small amount of blue in then applied some contrast paint, then went back in with pure white on the raised parts

[fierce zenith]

Okay that's fine. So we're you mostly using white as the main highlight color?

[dark notch]

I am trying to make the armor black, i base coated black, applied a dark grey edge highlight, then i applied more layers adding in more white as i went

[fierce zenith]

For black I would do a tealish blue color instead of white

[dark notch]

Ah, i was going off the reference art i saw. How would a tealish blue work differently if i may ask?

[dark notch]

Interesting, and how would i change my approach for that?

[fierce zenith]

Those are just edge highlights very thin in white for that black armor

Just gently glaze a teal color near the higher areas. Of course you don't need to go as bright if you want it darker. And just use very bright white on the highest/ smaller areas

https://youtu.be/vsROasPXHhY

[dark notch]

So i am a bit of a color dingus, teal is a blue green right?

[fierce zenith]

This might help for the look you are going for

[fierce zenith]

Yes that is correct

[dark notch]

Ok, i have been working on a scheme for a army in a similar color scheme and it has been a challenge because I normally do not like to edge highlight a lot, but for this model i feel it is needed since it is supposed to be nicer

[fierce zenith]

Makes sense 😊. When you edge highlight are you using the tip or side of the brush?

[dark notch]

I try using the side for larger corners, and the tip for the harder to reach edges

[fierce zenith]

But yeah he basically uses black - slightly thicker navy blue - thinner teal color - even thinner light grey

In the yellowy beige cloth piece if you want it closer to the original photo don't be afraid to use a brown/ dark orangy color for the shadowy areas.

[dark notch]

Ok, cool not sure i have a teal tho, maybe i can mix some by adding some green

[fierce zenith]

Don't be afraid to use a larger contrast range and to include other colors in the shadows / lights to help build that contrast

You definitely can or a baby blue and a Tiny drop of green if it's a darker green works as well 😊

If you prefer a bright blue that's fine as well

I'm going to airbrush so have fun practicing ( if you are painting right now ) and share your progress as you go 😊 I'll check back in a few

[dark notch]

Oh no i am working on a different project tonight lol, but thanks a ton for the feedback, i will definitely test that out and see how i like the difference some time tonight

[fierce zenith]

Oh yeah no rush lol

[dark notch]

I will be honest it looks a bit greener than i was expecting (center chest)

[fierce zenith]

That's okay. But if you prefer to go more blue that's okay . And from on top of that a light grey

I'm working on this right now vut you get the idea of the light teal