Hello all: I normally post in the aircraft section, as that's mostly what I model. I have a Verlinden bust of a WWII German sub commander. Most, and this is MHO, wore a black leather jacket. That's how I plan to paint this one. Since model aircraft can't be painted solid black without having them look like a lump of coal, what do you suggest for a black leather jacket? Dark gray, with various other gray shades? All suggestions welcome.
Horton,
I've had fairly good luck with using a slightly brownish black as the base coat with highlights of the base mixed with violet for the highlights and the deep shade areas done in pure black (lamp black or ivory black are good colors). You can do some very subtle dry brushing around high wear areas like cuffs with a little brown. If you highlight with grays the figure starts looking like a zebra. I personally do a base coat in acrylics and do the fine work with Winsor & Newton Artist's Oils (wet-on-wet technique) but I think you can pull off the same color combinations using good acrylics like Vallejo. The leather should come out semi-gloss (which oils normally do anyway). If your final coat ends up extremely flat you may want to brush over a semi-gloss glaze on the leather to get the right reflectance. You don't want it shiny... you just don't want the surface to look like cloth. Best of luck on your project. Chuck
It's hard to remember that the object was to finish the model when you have both hands superglued to your forehead.
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