hellohikaru

Shading and highlights are done pretty much the same way as you said, using selection tools and stroking with a soft brush (normally guided by a path) or simply using the gradient tool with opacity set to between 30-50%. Highlights, on a separate layer above the shade layer and on normal mode(ie, no blending) are done in a similar fashion. Sometimes i use the path/shape tools to create the highlight shapes, fill them with white then adjust opacity accordingly. Add some blurring (gaussian) helps to soften it up abit. Sun effect is simple..soft brush with low opacity. Hope that helps. Feel free to ask more if you need to know anything

Probably!..depending on how things turn out. Glad that to see some having a modicum of enjoyment from these stuff

Something new to alternate between the VE-3s

Just one last run of VF-11s...i need to get the Howlers and Warhawks out.

Eagle eye! Well..that stain is not just dry blood, it suppose to be dirt and all kind of grostesque stuff that leaking through it. I actually left the Japanese stenciling under the cockpit by mistake and it was already too late by the time i realized..oh well..i'll let Richard Dees (aka Miguel Ferrer) figure that one out. Thanks for all the comments!

Here is a one i would call a cross-over. Nuff said. and another quick one

Thank you and part of the credit must go to Talos..his lineart and decals helped alot. It would be an honor to be displayed on your website . UPDATE!!! 2 New Schemes now that i have established marking placement. Both are NSWC bird are the same airframe just with different paint jobs. TPS Grey New TPS Blue More to come soon...

@Mr March Don't worry about it. The Dragon II is open to interpretation anyway. And now my first VE-3 scheme because its simple. An unmarked plane deployed for Peace Keeping operations to protect UN high value assets.

Its been awhile since i last updated. This thing is a monster! Mostly i am done with the shading and moving on to weathering, i will try to it keep it subtle. Its far from perfect due to my limited skills but i am satisfied without getting a migrain @Mr March Your website is a wonderful source of reference for me. Your VA-3 section was very useful for me to gauge the insane curves that make up the Howler. btw do you have bigger scans for the Dragon II ? Preferably side view. That could be my next project

Thanks guys. Alright i have another update.

Here is a quick preview of Talos' massive Howler. Still a long way to go till completion.

@Talos, 505thAirborne Thanks i was beginning to think the VF-11s schemes are getting tiresome now. The VE-3 should provide a fresh start. @Wolfman, Talos or anyone Know any good reference for VAQ-130 birds beside the low-vis version ? Came up with nothing after an exhaustive search for markings from the high-vis era except some EA-3 Skywarrior pics.

Yup..a former Tomcatter F-4J turned F-4S too. I will look into the Zappers. Garudas and Ravens first..

Last Thunderbolts using the old template..no further request. Ok..Hawks, Cowboys, Death Rattlers and Red Devils. Next the massive VE-3 airborne jammer as supplied by Talos.

That's alot of Awesome detail Talos!

@Wolf Been meaning to do them anyway. Just a matter of time really.

Cool new VF-19 profiles Talos.. @Wolfman RL issues getting in the way..i am still lurking around though.

Last for VF-11B/C..

VF-25 Ohka (Baka )

I think even those are covered before..definitely the wolfpack bird...need to start a new blank from scratch for a VF-1.

Most probably..i intend to do SW1 era machines first though.

@March Looks like the Logan has been done before guess i skip that 1 and do the Sylphide instead @Wolf VF-4 already covered by garoquel. Maybe a Dragon II ?

@wolf The Wildboars (F-15C) have a much darker tone than the 80s/Early 90s 'albino' F-15s. I do realise the colors are bit too dark..referencing from Doncolor's website. Saving the remaining AF units for my next VF craft which will remain a surprise. @Zinjo Its the pudgy looking craft from Southcross as Wolfman mentioned...take a look http://forums.cgsociety.org/showthread.php?t=199621

Of all the names suggested so far i like Halcyon the most...sounds like something the japanese would go for. Sword names would be nice too..i like Durendal and kusanagi yet the japanese might find it too 'cliche'. Besides Ace Combat already used up most of those name. I sure hope he doesnt name it Retaliator, Mirage, Phoenix or whatever currently exist.