Preshading vs Black Basing 

Hi folks, thanks for your comments and replies on my very first video. I will be re-visiting this method shortly with a clearer way of using both preshading and black basing methods to create both artistic and realistic results. Stay tuned and thanks again, cheers Chris.

I flew on P-3 Orions for 10 years at the end of their life, and i swear that Black Based wing looks EXACTLY like the panels on those old girls. Great tute mate.

In the end, it's always a matter of preference. Personally, I like the subtle variances the marbling on top of black-basing adds, but with a dark version of the base color, rather than pure black.

Really useful video. I prefer the artistic, less creative look. But black basing and marbling is also a great way to get there. And you’ve shown a TON of useful technique in this video for a beginner like me.

Great demonstration! In my opinion is all about personal choice. You can go after realism or after an artistic look. Nothing wrong with any of those choices really. Thank you for the awesome video. Luis.

I preferred the Pre-shading,.But again the marbling side is nice also..Thanks for showing both techniques.

Chris, If this is an example of the kind of video you can turn out then I hope you do many more. it's the most insightful video I've seen on painting model planes so far. Great job.

Nice job of demonstrating exactly what I needed to get going. Short, concise, no drivel, and good contrast in the before and afters.

one of the best tutorials for rookies or experienced modelers. Great production, simple explanation. (I like the accelerated imes) Discussion at end is excellent. jes

Thanks for an excellent tutorial, just getting back into modelling after a considerable lay-off, brushing up on old techniques and learning new ones, wish the technology was around when I was a kid for videos like this, but back then home video had not been invented. I was lucky though, spent 24 years working on the real thing, so I know how a worn and old surface finish really looks, and I agree,the black basing has far more realism than pre shading. Thanks again and please do keep up the tutorials so us old geezers can learn.

Thank you. Very nice tutorial. Just starting these tutorials, but yours is heads and tails better than any I've seen so far. You go through step by step and explain everything you do. Some others skip steps and go to the finished product, almost like they are playing 'hide-the-ball'. Seems like you enjoy teaching.Also, it is nice to hear an articulate speaker.

Great video, that shows the difference well. Thanks for taking the time to put it together.

Excellent discussion, and the side-by-side comparison was a great idea! I think both techniques are awesome, and one would probably decide on which one suits the particular aircraft you're building. This was a very good video! - Trevor

Fantastic! Loved the clarity and ease to how demonstrate both techniques! Thank you for sharing!

Well done! For a first video you nailed it. You got your point across in a clear and concise way with clearly demonstrated techniques and ended with a conclusive result.

I use to be a manager of a hobbyshops ( Allied Hobbies- Oxford Valley Mall, Langhorne,Pa.) over 30 years ago. Every payday I would buy a few models and in some cases alot of models. I never had the time to build them so now I have a closet filled (8 ft high x 5 ft deep filled) with unbuilt models. Well.... I'm getting the itch to begin building again after a 30+ year hiatus. I will say I am in shock at what plastic models cost today. Holy crap ! I have ALL the models I need to keep busy BUT.....I see the paints aren't cheap either . I think the purchase of a few good air brushes and compressor will be the cheapest purchase long term. I am truly looking forward to thee up coming cold winter months. My parrot on me one shoulder with a beer in that hand, and a airbrush in thee other, painting a model why watching a good movie. Now that's multitasking for sure.👍👌😎

Great video! Thank you. Very well presented and explained. I'd like to see your camouflage ideas.

Thanks for this comparison. I'm normally a tank guy but I'm building my first plane so I am watching a lot of videos on pre-shading etc... This video was extremely helpful and probably the best described I've seen so far.

Very interesting video Chris, I like the way you put it across, it's a nice change to hear an aussie point of view, found your last couple of vid's on the Flory Forum, of the raptor excellent viewing, I for one look forward to more, Cheers Clint.

Great works Mate! Doing the black basing for sure when painting my Eduard 1:48 Harrier soon, thanks for sharing!

Thank you Chris, I found that a really helpful comparison. Although I actually prefered the preshaded version but it's each to his own as they say. Thanks again.

I'm glad you took the time to show this as I am planning my next job I actually prefer the preshading or black and white method. as it gives more of a base to add it exactly where you want it but both look great and if time is a factor definitely the marbling would be my go to may actually use a bit of both in different spot on the tank thank you so much

very nice tutorial! good to see them side by side! I am working on an Arada sea plane and a Spitfire so will try on both! thanks!

Your first video! Wow, very well done. Well executed modelling techniques, well documented through video, well explained, and well scripted, neither too long nor too short..

Good explanation and tutorial. I have been marbling all of my paint starting with the primer, then aluminium and then the base colour. I do this so when I use the hair spray technique, I have veriations in the aluminium that is showing. It also means you see aluminium under the thinner painted areas as opposed to black paint. Just something I do and I like the resulting effects.

Wow! VERY informative. I am just getting back into building models...and this video really gives me a great idea as to what is possible - with a good deal of practice. Thanks for taking the time to film this - and explain things so well!

Really outstanding extremely helpful and a great boost to flagging modellers. I must confess I am a very average brit modeler who has a stash of around 150 kits usually valued from £3 to £50 3 trays, which hold up to 50 tin lets and bottles of enamel paints of Humbrol or Revel 2 trays of Tamiya acrylics and various other much specialised paints . My spray gun is a trigger type bought on eBay for abought £28 which will probably only last as long as my gun cleaners do not destroy some built in hidden seal. As I said this is very much the average modellers in the UK. Many of my friends are in the same boat so many thanks for this video

Superb job, Chris! The way you did this looks beautiful. More often than not I see preshading entirely WAY over-powering but the methods you demonstrated here look nice and very subtle.

SOLD! Didn’t think I would be be but the black is a winner on all levels and even if it only won on final look, it would be ‘it’ for me. Bob England

Just watched this very helpful I’m a newbie to airbrushing and panel lines and washing nice one

Thank you for this video. I'm wanting to get back into the hobby after a 20 year hiatus.. this helps so much.

possibly the best explained tute on this subject ive watched. hopefully you have done more.

I see some builders doing the marble coat, but leaving the panel lines alone. So it looks like a reverse pre shade. Thank you for showing that when you do the marble coat, you don't worry about staying within the panel lines.

thk you so much . just getting back into this after many years. nice to see another technic . ill try marble the next time, I agree I think its better!!

this was really good, i have used both but it was nice to see you do both on one plane.

Very well done ! Thank you so much for making a really useful video .

Hello ! if i may say, i also think the black basing /marblling technique gives a more realistic convincing looks , and as far as i saw aircraft from close by ( i was ground crew in the air force) - i never saw any darkening along the sides of panel lines as we do in modelling !!! as you say,it doesn't really exist ! on the contrary - you sometimes see a bit of lighter coloration along the panel lines, maybe from the effect of the weathering on the stressed skin of the metal where it's riveted to the spars/beams etc. and that's also only if you stand in a distance from the aircraft. and that is also very very subtle, you must look very carefully for few seconds to observe it. in addition,aircraft are being painted from time to time, so that lightening of colors can only be observed on the ones that haven't been painted long time... but i'm sure if i'd told this or do it on a model, i'll be crucified ! : -))) the only darkening of color i noticed along panel lines was from dirt (oil/fuel/grease/mud/whatever)

Nice demonstration. I agree with your conclusions. Well done.

Most informative! I''ll use the black shading technique on the Sopwith Camel and Mig 29 I'm currently building. I'm inspired by the excellent marbling effect. Thanks!

My first attempt at weathering was an 1/48 Testors SR71, which I pre-shaded. It came out OK, and I was mostly just pleased that i didn't screw it up. My 2nd attempt was a 1/48 A10 Warthog, and I again pre-shaded, but went back and added marbling in both gray and white before the top coat of gray. It came out extremely well and I was pretty happy with it. My next airplane project is a 1/48 Phantom "SCAT XXVII" flown by Robin Olds, and I'm undecided which way I want to go, but my point is that either method works, and you can do a mix of both techniques. Experiment, have fun, it's modelling.

Great video, thanks! I tried very hard to prefer the black basing, ,but I still like the pre shading. I will try both when I start airbrushing for the first time soon! I didn't know about the wash thing, I'll also have to look into that. That really added to the realism

Having looked at loads of videos of aircraft on aircraft carriers, the pre-shaded panel lines are very visible as opposed to variation in the panels themselves. My opinion is, and its only an opinion is that pre-shading is more suited to modern day aircraft that are one color all over. The black basing method for me is more for older aircraft that have different panel materials, panels replaced more often etc etc. That being said this is still great video.

Great video mate . Best comparison I've seen . Cheers. Just subscribed

Thank you forthe insight. I am starting my first air brush aircraft, airfix 1/48 P-40 warhawk to give as a gift to my father in law. This video helps a lot. Cheers!

Hi Chris, tx for this video. Highly instructive. I'll try black basing on my 1/72 P-39 that is in the making.

Excellent vid Chris. I honestly like both methods and would choose one based on the effect I'm looking for. A newer unit on the line or one that's seen less weathering would make me want to go with pre-shading. Older, more weathered and I'd go for the black basing. Coolest thing is that, if I were trying to recreate the look of the Spitfire in the picture, I'd use both methods. I'd pre-shade the wings and black base the elevators and fuselage center and rear. Before I do either, I'm going to have to work up my airbrushing skills and get a better fine line airbrush. This was really great and helped me see the actual differences in real time. Very much appreciated Chris. Thanks. Hopefully you've done some more vids since this one cause it was great.

Awesome job and I agree... Black basing does look more realistic, but I still prefer the look of pre-shading for modeling; as you say, it really pops. Thanks for taking the time to share your experience.

Still here mate...still listening and watching...Great tutorial...Big thanks...and I agree...the mottled effect, subtle and effective...and importantly more realistic...Big fan of heavy weathered aircraft...Be nice to see you do a weathered Aussie Beau....I'm spraying the Revell 1/32 Beau at the moment...Had to do a lot of work re-doing all the panel lines and rivets as its such an old kit...but it's looking good now...From the UK

Great video, thanks for sharing.

Best teaching so far..less talk more on the technic...keep it up sir

Great video! Straight up and no politics.

Thanks, this video was very insightful...appreciate the input!

I'm just getting started with this hobby.. thanks for the awesome video.. I learnt so much...

You make it look easy... I tried recently.. totally screwed the pooch...so oh well will try on another model...

great presentation thank you so much

Thanks , new to modelling and help me paint mixes and ratios. I like the black basing and trying it on my 1/72 aussie kittyhawk.

Great video, thanks!

Great side-by-side comparison!!! For me, time or amount of paint is not a concern, I prefer weathering that is realistic and more subtle. I don't think one is 'better' than another, it's all a matter of personal taste. Watching this video certainly reminds you to experiment though. I especially like that you touch on a contentious point - weathering that is realistic or weathering that will win contests; something to think about when finishing your model.

I like the black basing more it gives a more realistic look great job I hope we see more videos.

This was a well done tutorial thanks

Great video - thanks

Nice tutorial. for me, I model both Mecha & real world - I primarily use preshade for the Mecha as I'm aiming for a cleaner look - I haven't tried the black undercoat/marble yet, but I think I'll give it a shot on my next afv.

Hi chris! Thanks for the great video. Where can I buy those small paint cups you use to mix the paint? I'm an Aussie too, but living in LA. Cheers mate!

Excellent comparison. Thanks for going to the trouble. I often wondered why some preshaded aircraft models were pretty good but something just wasnt right. This makes it evident.

amazing

Fantastic tutorial! Thank you for sharing! : )

great tutorial

Thanks, that was really helpful.

nice video, i've been wondering for a while if what you call black basing would work, seems it does! also i wasn't sure how to approach this technique other than a sort of reverse pre shade, the marbling is something i wouldn't have worked out, however i wonder if reversing the colours would work on a black painted aircraft as i do have quite a few WW2 british bomber kits in my stash. thanks for sharing! phil.

Gran video, sabia del preshadind no conocía el black base, gracias por compartir sus conocimientos.

Excellent video. Thank you so much!!. By the way i'm looking for that base you use to paint the models without touching them, turning in circles with the model on it, what base is it? Thank you

Great video mate! Easy to understand and clearly displayed. I had considered the whole black basing thing too much pissing about for an effect I can do post with enamels, but your way of doing it looks within my skill level and very doable. Make more videos!

Great. What they said and please, more videos. It helps that I can understand the accent as well.

Thats some great video explaining stuff, thnks

good info mate keep it up cheers. Tony

Subscribed. I am not one for weathering as I believe planes tend to be kept up fairly well in the military. The tutorial is great to learn technique. Older planes may have looked rough. Im not in it to win competitions so like its been pointed out, there is weathering for contest and then for fun. My friends don't really care how realistic models look, just the community of modelers. Thanks for the tutorial.

The one thing I used to do was to silver based coat my metal skinned planes in silver paint (like the spitfires with folding landing gear) then I would back the paint away from the leading edge for a weathering effect (paint would be stripped from the leading edge in use).

Please, more videos! I agree, I've been using the black basing method myself for a couple of years, it's far more efficient and realistic. I'm sick of uniformly, over-weathered "properly" built competition-winning models.

I like the pre-shading method better. It looks more real to me.

Really interesting. Thanks.

Nice tutorial!!!

Thanks a lot great tutorial!

The key is airbrushing with fine lines and not a wide flood of paint. Demarcation lines are often times too wide which ruins the model. Most demarcation is one step from a hard line. I've been finishing models with fine spray pattern for 30+ years.

Thanks it is a big help for me

I agree with coops, best video I've seen on the subject, I'm looking forward to your next videos. Thanks for sharing.

Hi Chris I have to agree......the black base and mottling effects, look far better than pre shade. top job Cheers Keith

Great tutorial! Pre shade side looks better, more solid.

how much of the 'mottling' is due to the limitations of photography at the time? Great tutorial.

I like the clean look better but awesome tutorial.

Hi great tutorial video keep them coming, you are using the Badger black primer may I ask, does it really self level or is the slight orange peel illustrated in the video masked by the final dried Matt finish. Regards Dave

great video! What is the name of the thinner and wash that you said you prefer over the Ultimate?

I think the preshading is popular from all the ILM models they did for Star Wars. Looking at those you can see that heavy contrast. It penetrated the collective unconscious and now that's how we think stuff should look even though pictures show otherwise.

Awesome! Watched a lot of techniques and all results didnt satisfy me. I found yours, and it matched all my ideas i had in my mind already before trying out. In the end you also compared both methods i had in mind ... Thanks for that. Finally it turned out the way i wanted... well for Mechwarrior figures (bigger scale), but in the end they used panels and rivets as well to construct the mechs.. :D Thanks again!

That black basing method with the various greys would look good, if not perfect, for 1/48 scale F-14Ds since late in service life Tomcats were rather grubby and subtly mottled from all the quick paint touch ups the maintenance crews did. If ever I do a "Bombcat", I'll try the black basing.

I. agree with your previous writer, I was also in the RAF as a photographer for 15 years with a keen interest in all things mechanical. The panel lines are in fact only shadows of the nearest material to them and take on their colour, eg a red panel next to a white panel would appear a paler red as the reflection from the white has more reflectivity. Also not sure all this talk of dirt on a/c is correct, my father was a crew chief (engines) on Lancs during WW2 and he assures me his a/c were always maintained between sorties and that included washing and cleaning, naturally hot exhausts take on their own colour and staining. Go to your local a/c museum and look carefully at any aircraft can you honestly see it covered in dark lines, I think not.

Totally agree with you, takes way to long and too thick a paint to cover the pre-shading. One can always post shade if the panel line wash is not contrasting enough. Bravo

Hi, very nice to see. Some questions if I may? What pressure do you use when doing mottling technique, and what needle and nozzle? Thanks, would be useful to make my 1/48 EA-6b Prowler.

Greta video, very informative, ill try it on my next plane rather that pre shading

Hi Chris, great work. I like both methods but loved the vid. Reason for my comment is to ask what clay wash do you recommend?

Hi, great tutorial. I am about to build a Testors 1/48 SR-71 Blackbird kit and am new to these methods. Do you think it is worth using either of these techniques to enhance the panel lines on the Blackbird? It seems difficult to judge in my mind because all the photos of the real Blackbird seem to show random shades of black/grey, without particularly clear panel lines. So I was thinking that only a 'post shade' to accentuate different panels would be advisable. What would you think? Thanks.