Hoopoe - Johan Scherft - Page 4

**elliott** · #31 10-14-2018, 09:18 PM

Great walkthrough Kevin. The hoopoe is shaping up nicely.

**Kevin WS** · #32 10-15-2018, 04:29 AM

Thank you Vinalssergio155 and Elliot.

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As mentioned, the last stage was to touch up edges on the model with watercolours.

To do this I just use cheap watercolours from a stationary or cut-price store.
Bear in mind that I have varnished the model before doing the watercolours - that way if I make a mistake I can just "wash" the colour off.
I mix on the watercolours themselves (!) as I find this gives me better colour control, and I then clean up afterwards with a damp cloth.
I basically take the colour I want on the finished item (as closest to), flood my brush with water and then pick up the colour and transfer to the black or white depending on if I want to darken or lighten the shade.
I then "mush" around to get the rough shade and then start painting, adding a bit more water if required.
That done there are a number of ways to blend the colours on the model.
I moisten my finger and rub it over the painted area.
I do the same with a moist brush (less control)

You will find blending the colours desaturates them and they almost disappear leaving the white (or overly dark) areas coloured in. This is why an exact colour match to start with is NOT critical - close enough in a similar shade is adequate.

Finally, it is essential to then seal the watercolours with a last coat of varnish. In this case I just a cheap matt varnish straight off the "cheap" rack in the local hardware store - about # USD for the can!

**Kevin WS** · #33 10-15-2018, 05:16 AM

And, touch-up and spraying finished, here are a couple of quick pics of the finished item - one with me holding it to give a sense of scale. Quite a big bird as in real life......

**Kevin WS** · #34 10-15-2018, 05:25 AM

And a couple more pictures.

When I get time and the weather is nice, I am really looking forward to trying to take some photos of the bird in a natural setting.

**Vinalssergio155** · #35 10-15-2018, 05:47 AM

That beauty!! Extraordinary work, textures and design, great tutorial, great photos. It is a pleasure to see your threads about these wonders of nature. Excellent work Kevin, and when you take the photos in a natural environment your bird will come alive as your Microceratops. Congratulations.

**eatcrow2** · #36 10-15-2018, 06:05 AM

Super life-like beauty!!

**SCEtoAUX** · #37 10-15-2018, 06:21 AM

Very good. Looks like a bird.

**elliott** · #38 10-15-2018, 06:49 AM

Beautiful work Kevin !

**Vermin_King** · #39 10-15-2018, 06:52 AM

That is spectacular. Your print quality is amazing, as is your craftsmanship

**skidoosnopro** · #40 10-15-2018, 07:05 AM

Amazing LOVE IT !!! excellent work