Desert Rat Body

[Gundragon]

Ok, I used to be an artist for fun and used to draw pretty decent and now that I have the desert rat body for my slash I am wondering how I could maybe draw a killer picture and then maybe paint it to the body. Anyone got any suggestions?
I know Woodie has told me to send him a couple drawings that I have done, but just have not had the time to scan them to my home computer. Some of them are REALLY old. I have not picked up a pencil and drawing paper in a long while, but if anyone can help I would greatly appreciate it.

 

[Gundragon]

I think this is the way I want to do the art. But am looking for ideas how to do something like this.

http://www.shopheadlines.com/images/products/Mustang-dragon-medium.jpg
http://www.shopheadlines.com/Images/products/Mustang-dragon.jpg

 

[Candyman]

Wow, that's ambitious. There are many ways to go about it. I have done more basic versions of stuff like that. The way I did it was to draw the design on the outside of the body. Then on the inside, I painted the outline using an opaque paint marker. Then went through the process of masking and painting the different colors. It's a slow, painstaking process, but the results are pretty cool.
I know NCNitro has done some fabulous animation and other themes like that and he may have a really good method. I'd hit him up for advice, too.

 

[alpinehyperlite]

And if you screw it up, you can paint the outside primer gray. The slash bodies look great like that, and when u scratch em up, just paint em again.

 

[NCNitro]

Liquid mask, a crapload of exacto blades, and a fridge full of brews.

No matter how you go at that one it will be tedious. First apply 4 heavy coats of liquid mask. Then print a pic you like, or as you stated draw one, and tape it to the outside of the body face down. Then flip it over and start cutting out all the outlines, but be careful not to cut too deep and damage the body. Paint the black outline areas first, then peel up the next darkest color and do that. You can shoot through things life shelf liner to give you a pattern, similar to the way carbon fiber is painted, and you can find it in different patterns for different effects. Good luck and be sure to post up pics.

 

[SmokeDogg]

You can always paint with Parma since it is water based you can wash it off if you dont like it. Just make sure you wash it within an hour of painting it.

I won't lie and say it's easy to get off but it's possible and looks fine after.

+1 on the liquid mask. You can draw on the mask than just cut out the parts you want to paint as you go just as NCNitro said. Stuff works awesome.

 

[Lessen]

*whistle* Talk about tough. way past my comfort zone that's for sure. keep us posted...

 

[SmokeDogg]

lol...

 

[Gundragon]

I appreciate the advice fellas! I know it will be tedious and all, and I used to hand paint miniture figures as a hobby myself so stuff of this nature I do not think will be that bad for me to take my time with. Its just getting the right idea and going with it.

NCNitro, where can I get the Liquid Mask you are talking about? Is it expensive? Can it be purchased at my local hobby store or do I have to go somewhere to get it? I know this sounds like a dumb question but I will ask it anyway. The Liquid Mask is going to be placed on the outside of the truck or inside? I am trying to get a visual on how this works is why I am asking. Is it clear when it is applied?

SmokeDogg, is Parma really that tough to use? And where can you get it?

I am really excited about starting this and once I am done I promise a LOT of pictures. I just have to decide how I want to do this and go from there.

I was teasing the wife the other night, I am huge Cleveland Browns fan and told her I would make it the same color as the teams colors. The idea did not set well LOL

 

[NCNitro]

Parma and Bob Divelys both make liquid mask. I have heard that the new runs of Bob Divels is very runny and needs to be left open for several hours and stired about every 20 minutes to get it to a usable consistency. The Parma stuff is good but a bit more expensive. Check your hobby shop, they may have it. You put about 4 heavy coats on the inside of the body since that is where you will be painting. Let each coat dry thouroughly before applying the next coat. When cutting it out use a lot of exacto blades, as soon as it starts to pull on the lm, change it. I save the old blades for other uses since only the very tip gets dull cutting the masking.

 

[Gundragon]

Thank you NCNitro. I will look into this and see if I can get this at my local shop. I will keep everyone posted. Who knows, I may finish it by the end of the year!

 

[Gundragon]

Just wanted to give you all an update. I have not begun to paint the body yet, but am working on it. I have cleaned the inside area of the Desert Rat body and am working on the Parma as Nitro has suggested to use. I am having a little bit of difficulty in finding the right picture and getting it to the right size I want it to be. Just taking my time for now. But am working on it still. I am thinking of going to Kinko's tomorrow to see about blowing up two Dragon images and seeing how they look on the Desert Rat. Will keep you all posted when this is started and then when completed. I am hoping to have it done by this summer. We shall see.

 

[Skwerly]

WOW, my ADD won't let me do much more than tape off a couple racing stripes and call it a day LOL! This will definitely be cool if you can pull it off! Best of luck, brotha!