Highlighting details with lighter colored paint?

[clovis]

I recently read a modeling tip on my Facebook feed about how to highlight details on a model by using a lighter shade of paint than you did on the background.

The builder who was sharing the tip builds mostly airplanes, but I wondered if anyone here used the technique on cars. He used it mostly in the cockpit and on bolts. The close up pictures of his builds look awesome.

In order to get the lighter shades, would I need to mix the paint?

Anyone using this technique on their builds?

[jaymcminn]

I'll often pick out bolts on a dull or dark aluminum part in lighter or brighter silver paint. I'll also drybrush/wash interiors when I'm going for a weathered or natural leather finish. Sometimes that requires lightening the base color a little to get the desired effect.

Edited July 12, 2014 by jaymcminn