Paint mixing color sheet

[aurfalien]

Hi,

I used to mix my own colors when painting etc...

I'm sorta thinking to apply this method in painting model kits. I've both done and seen color wheels on parts of one color to parts of another color in acheiving the desired outcome.

Is there such a thing for Testors or Tamiya paints?

Something like 2 parts this, 1 part that equals .... bayam.

I suppose one could simply use exsisting color scheme being RGB or CMYK but I think each paint manufacturure will have there own paint nuances.

But curious if any one has applied this.

[aurfalien]

I just had an epiphany, using Photoshop will get me a close approximation of what I need to achieve varied colors based on either RGB or CMYK.

Any one care to comment?

Think about it, the savings you can achieve by simply buying either 3 or 4 basic colors and perhaps customizing a color that you prefrer versus a color called for in a kit.

[Ace-Garageguy]

I've definitely seen something similar to what you describe for Floquil model railroad paints in years gone by...mixing formulas to approximate the various color schemes on locomotives and other rolling stock. I've never seen it aimed at car modelers though.

[StevenGuthmiller]

I just use the "trial & error" technique myself. Usually for interiors. When I'm trying to match a body color, I just use Testors flat paints & just start adding a few drops of this & a few drops of that, until I get the color I want. I usually have pretty good luck with that method. steve

[Snake45]

I know airplane modelers who have their own formulas for military colors, using Model Master, or Tamiya, or whatever, paints. Never heard of anyone doing it for car colors, though. I can usually find something close in Model Master or Testor colors, and in other cases I can mix what I need by eye.

[Snake45]

I just had an epiphany, using Photoshop will get me a close approximation of what I need to achieve varied colors based on either RGB or CMYK.

Any one care to comment?

Think about it, the savings you can achieve by simply buying either 3 or 4 basic colors and perhaps customizing a color that you prefrer versus a color called for in a kit.

The problem is that it's almost impossible to match colors to a computer screen--paint, photos, whatever. Has something to do with the screen is producing the light, whereas the light is just reflected from a paint chip or photo. Try hold a paint chip or whatever up to your computer screen sometime and see if you can match it--you'll see what I mean.

[aurfalien]

Actually we do it all the time in web design and media/entertainment circles.

You get the PDF of the Tamiya color chart which is on there web site, open in Photoshop and then see which color is made up of RGB or CMYK.

The real trick is measuring the amounts of paint needed.

I figure a real sensative food or posatge scale that measures fractions of an ounce. We've a pretty sensative digital scale used to measure for baking and weighing our chihuahua as we don't like her looking like a little chubby sausage

Edited November 13, 2014 by aurfalien

[Snake45]

I'd never trust any formula by weight (or volume) on Testor/Model Master paints because some of them are quite thick, others are almost airbrush-ready right in the bottle, and I've seen both types on the same color. The thinner stuff would obviously need more to have the same effect mixing with a thicker paint. Tell me what colors to mix, and approximate ratios, and I'll take it from there and do it by eye.

And then there's the whole "scale effect" thing that they like to argue in Model Airplane World, but I'll leave that for another thread....

[Lunajammer]

The problem is that it's almost impossible to match colors to a computer screen--paint, photos, whatever. Has something to do with the screen is producing the light, whereas the light is just reflected from a paint chip or photo. Try hold a paint chip or whatever up to your computer screen sometime and see if you can match it--you'll see what I mean.

Which is why you should avoid using RGB as color mode reference for paint because that's only for the color of light, or emitted colors. CMYK is the color of pigment, or reflected light.

[aurfalien]

Ah, great point.

Seems as though we are slowly developing a tool set and work flow, I love it!