Fine Detail Painting
These were two really fine detail painting jobs that I was commissioned to do for a gentleman who builds wooden ship models of superb quality, but disliking the fine detail painting aspect thereof. I really enjoyed this very much and thankfully I have an Optivisor! (Although I must point out the importance of not sitting hunched over for too long! After a non-stop 4-hour stint on the VASA parts, I ended up having to visit the chiropractor. After that, I decided to elevate the work, and paint whilst standing!)
There are parts for two ship models here: the “VASA”, in 1/65th scale, by Latina Artesania; and the “HMS Victory” by Constructo in 1/95th scale - although I would have thought it was the other way around, given how tiny the VSA’s parts were in comparison and the fact that the figures of the ship crews were about the same size!
(I was first tasked with painting the VASA parts, then those of the Victory's, but I will narrate the painting of the Victory parts first.).
Early 2022
Nothing hectic there. The VASA parts were in a class of their own though!
The VASA Parts
The Latina Artesania VASA kit contains 494 cast metal parts, with a substantial number of those being TINY parts that had to be joined to other parts (such as arms to bodies, etc). The biggest challenge I faced during this job, was to identify the individual parts as they were not marked and identifying them took about 2 months (remember that I have a day job). Once I had identified and numbered them, the going was a bit easier because Latina Artesania included very clear painting instructions.
The parts consisted of brass photo etched parts that had hardly any detail, and white-metal moulded parts that had surprisingly good detail. I have not shown all the parts that needed to be painted.
I thought I'd start with these big pieces. They had to be assembled but NOTHING fitted properly! There were also no guiding holes, lines, etc. to line up the parts. I tried my best and eventually, I tacked the pieces together using masking tape on the inside. I then covered the inside with modelling tissue, which I then saturated with cyanoacrylate. I applied a few layers to ensure that it was solid! Thankfully I knew about using acetone for disolving it and thereby ungluing my fingers!
Well, the parts finally arrived and I have been able to complete the job. I enjoyed doing this.
The HMS Victory Parts
I'll start with the "blog" of this one because it has been completed.
This is the second Constructo that I have worked with and let's just say: I am not a fan.
Given the cost of these kits, I expected a better quality as regards crispness of detail.
There were not many parts involved in the painting of this commission.
Because they are of cast metal, I applied a coat of Tamiya metal etch primer. (An expensve product, but well worth every cent!) After applying metal etch primer, I used my airbrush for base coats, and then used very fine paint brushes (00, 000 and 001), Tamiya acrylic paints along with Tamiya acrylic paint retarder to apply the colour.
The second biggest challenge was devising a way to package the parts in such a way as to minimise the risk of breakage and to avoid any damage to the paint jobs. I decided to make a wooden box with removable shelves. I then glued some masking tape to the strips, with the sticky side up, and then I attached the pieces the these strips.
I then applied Metal Etch primer, followed by a grey primer, to each part.
I started with the two sets of parts that had the most parts per their part numbers. I painted each strip in its base colour, then set about picking at the finer details.
Henry Ford would have been proud!
My "production line" worked well and eventually, I had them all painted.
Then I painted the photo etched brass parts, four of which (left below) had virtually no details. Only lines.
I tried to paint colours that were common to multiple parts as far as I could. Not unlike a production line. From there on, it was part by part.
FUN = 7mm in diameter
Some parts were really small!
Artesania made the handles of these buckets from cast metal. They looked horrendous and snapped at the slightest chance. I decided to make them using crochet cotton. Now they look like rope.
Some parts were broken and had to be repaired, while yet other parts were missing and I had to manufacture them from scratch, mainly using epoxy putty as in the parts below.
Before
After. Still not perfect, but better.
Once set, I filled the gaps using Polyfilla Fine Crack Filler.
Making these parts was the absolute worst part of this commission! Though I tried my best, I think the gentleman will have to use some putty himself when fitting this to the sides of the ship. In fact, given what I see, I have NO idea how he is going to fit them, what with them having no guiding marks or pins, nada!
I really tried my best on these. Hopefully the figures and parts that are to be glued these manage to detract from the imperfections and serve to soften and enhance the overall look.
I will complete this article once the missing and replacement parts have arrived from Spain and I have done painting them.
18 June 2022... still waiting....
