Tag: Art

Palm Sunday

Our church pastor challenged us to come up with our own palms in light of covid cancelling formal church services. Here is my design:

DeviantArt link.

Mission Model Paint Test

The hobby shop I work at (Schaefer’s Hobby Shop) recently added a new line of paints from Mission Models. Being the type of model builder and artist that I am, I prefer to be familiar with the products I endorse and sell. So, I bought a quick build model kit and set about to testing these new paints.

The MM Grey Primer goes on pretty smoothly. Also, the Clear Primary can be mixed with the intended color paint, such as the Pearl Deep Green in this case, at a 1 to 1 ratio to make a smooth effect, as seen on the windshield in the pics below.

The base coat went on very well. Be sure to give a good shake to get a good mix (even for the primers) as the paints can be a bit watery if not properly mixed. The images below reflect three coats of Olive Drab Faded on top of the Grey Primer.

These paints also mix very well with other acrylic paints. I wanted to use MM’s Gun Metal shade to paint the landing gear struts, engine cowling, and rotor heads and blades, but it came out too shiny in the initial test. I instead mixed the MM with a black crafting paint at a 2 to 1 (MM to CP) ratio mix. The effect came out smooth and almost perfect.

Tires were painted with one coat of the Tire Black. The light effects were painted using a 1 to 1 mix of the clear primer and Pearl Deep Green and the same ratio with Pearl Red. I attempted to paint cockpit lines but the tape I used (Frog Tape) kept pulling previously dried paint away.

Overall, I am impressed with the Mission Model paints. The colors really pop. And, these are far superior paints to any hobby or craft paints I’ve used previously.

My only complaints about the paints would be the nature of the mix, the lack of tape cooperation, and a slightly longer drying time. However, I think the end result is worth the risks.

  • Note 1: any issues with coloring in the above photos are due to lighting source and clearness issues are because of unsteady hands holding the camera.
  • Note 2: I know the right side weapons are installed backwards because of multitasking.

The DeviantArt Gallery of the above pics.

Is It Too Early to Ask for a Do-Over of 2020?

The month of January is almost over and so far 2020 seems to be shaping up to be a repeat of 2016. The notable deaths over the past month of people who have had an influence on me:

  • Neil Peart
  • Buck Henry
  • Christopher Tolkien
  • Terry Jones
  • Jim Lehrer
  • Bob Shane
  • Kobe Bryant
  • John Andretti

It’s just a reminder of how limited life is and how we should take our chances to be an influence when the opportunity arrives. Also a reminder that tomorrow isn’t guaranteed for any of us.

Merry Christmas! (Or whatever holiday you celebrate this time of year)!

I’m currently avoiding the internet to avoid Star Wars spoilers. Some people are just mean. I have an honest idiots sciencing post coming up in a day or two. In the meantime, here’s this year’s Christmas card picture:

As always, the DeviantArt link.