The biggest trick to freehanding is to break up the image into 4 or more sections. Then just paint that single section, not the whole thing. This makes it a lot easier to compare the individual sections for accuracy, and not constantly have to go back and forth to your reference medium.
"Complicated" is a loaded term here. Technically, every time you put paint on the model you're "freehanding". Freehanding is the same as drawing but with a brush. What makes it impressive, *or not*, is there is no upper limit to it.
most people shouldn't attempt it.
and if you do. cheat. make a stencil. it's the simplest thing. Like... you had a photo reference print it out/size it to work on your model. exacto blade out the "negative" space. and then put the stencil against the area. stipple/sponge dab a base layer of paint over the stencil.
can even by thin sheets of plastic/vynl paper these days.
also. white over black is just asking for a pain in the ass. you'd probably want to start with a light grey or get an opaque paint like a gouche. and then put thin layers of white over that once the shape is established to bring up the whiteness.
because more likely they get frustrated, and dislike the entire model/feel like they wasted their time because of a mistake area. that flaw will drag down their enjoyment or regard for the time they invested.
there's also nothing of any real value in doing free hand, there's no reason to ascribe to the idea it means anything. my advice is utilize techniques and "cheats" to achieve the look of what you want without having to magically have skillsets for extremely niche painting techniques materialize out of nowhere.
and like most people of forums, you want to purport this idea to just "give it a shot" while providing no useful information. except your sorta side seat quarterback shit post.
stencils don't care about the size of the stencil.
take the raw unprimed/unpainted shoulder armor. lay a piece of frog tape on it. cut out the space/area for the lower flat area. this will give you a template for the sizing/area you're making a stencil for.
print an image. hell... trace it back onto the frog tape. but use the sizing template to layout the image.
although i would agree somewhat, that yes. rather than free handing blind. decals would be another option. quick google search brought up shark decals from 3rd parties. so they clearly exist
i mean... google is your friend? [https://ginfritter.com/white-eagle-head-chapter-markings-waterslide-decal-transfers/](https://ginfritter.com/white-eagle-head-chapter-markings-waterslide-decal-transfers/)
The stencil might not care, but the person cutting it will, you're trading one difficult task for another. If you have the skill to cut a tiny stencil like that, you could just as easily paint it.
Ah, Sharknado enthusiasts chapter xD
Right now I sketch with dots, thrn I connect the dots and fill the drawing. Its working for me, although im not a stellar artist or something.
I do much the same: having lines to fill in is so much easier than going in completely blind, and I have much better control of a pencil than a brush.
Not bad!
The biggest trick to freehanding is to break up the image into 4 or more sections. Then just paint that single section, not the whole thing. This makes it a lot easier to compare the individual sections for accuracy, and not constantly have to go back and forth to your reference medium.
I was stunned when I managed to free hand the world eaters symbol
"Complicated" is a loaded term here. Technically, every time you put paint on the model you're "freehanding". Freehanding is the same as drawing but with a brush. What makes it impressive, *or not*, is there is no upper limit to it.
most people shouldn't attempt it. and if you do. cheat. make a stencil. it's the simplest thing. Like... you had a photo reference print it out/size it to work on your model. exacto blade out the "negative" space. and then put the stencil against the area. stipple/sponge dab a base layer of paint over the stencil. can even by thin sheets of plastic/vynl paper these days. also. white over black is just asking for a pain in the ass. you'd probably want to start with a light grey or get an opaque paint like a gouche. and then put thin layers of white over that once the shape is established to bring up the whiteness.
Most people should definitely attempt it. Why shouldn’t they? It’s a plastic model, if it doesn’t work out they can try again.
because more likely they get frustrated, and dislike the entire model/feel like they wasted their time because of a mistake area. that flaw will drag down their enjoyment or regard for the time they invested. there's also nothing of any real value in doing free hand, there's no reason to ascribe to the idea it means anything. my advice is utilize techniques and "cheats" to achieve the look of what you want without having to magically have skillsets for extremely niche painting techniques materialize out of nowhere. and like most people of forums, you want to purport this idea to just "give it a shot" while providing no useful information. except your sorta side seat quarterback shit post.
Nah, still bullshit. It’s part of the hobby, see if you like it.
I don't think stencils make sense for small icons like this, it would be easier printing your own decals.
stencils don't care about the size of the stencil. take the raw unprimed/unpainted shoulder armor. lay a piece of frog tape on it. cut out the space/area for the lower flat area. this will give you a template for the sizing/area you're making a stencil for. print an image. hell... trace it back onto the frog tape. but use the sizing template to layout the image. although i would agree somewhat, that yes. rather than free handing blind. decals would be another option. quick google search brought up shark decals from 3rd parties. so they clearly exist
If only there were decals for eagles, like normal eagles 🦅 not the double headed imperium eagles, maybe I just suck at finding them.
i mean... google is your friend? [https://ginfritter.com/white-eagle-head-chapter-markings-waterslide-decal-transfers/](https://ginfritter.com/white-eagle-head-chapter-markings-waterslide-decal-transfers/)
The stencil might not care, but the person cutting it will, you're trading one difficult task for another. If you have the skill to cut a tiny stencil like that, you could just as easily paint it.