My third Attempt at Replica Painting It's a walleye

[Donny Bear]

Best let you all know it is supposed to look like a Walleye lol

I know I have lot's of room to learn and improve, your feedback will help!
This was a big stretch and I have learned bigger fish are harder for sure, I have also learned that the guys that do this for a living deserve what they charge. I know I would not care to do it as a living.

Ref photo
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff248/escanabajimmer/DSCF6011.jpg

The Replica affter eyes and fins installed
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff248/escanabajimmer/P1030513.jpg

The end product
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff248/escanabajimmer/P1030549.jpg

Photo could be better, all comments accepted I can fix some things on the fins but the rest is as is pretty much very disapointed in the cheek area.

[Hunter Trav]

Other than the cheeks, the rest looks pretty good. The scales aren't as defined as in the picture, but looks very walleye-ish too me. Good effort on your part...:)

[ghostguy6]

Its looks very good. For the cheeks perhaps try spraying through some tool matting or some fine mesh ( fishnet stalkings or a laundry bag)

You might also want to try marbelizing the cheeks as well. insted of using candy apple red use a mixture of candy green and candy yellow. Build the candy layers slowly until you get the desired color.
marbelizing part 1 (http://www.airbrush.com/how-to-guide.aspx?content=how-to/howtoDetail&id=27)

marbelizing part 2
(http://www.airbrush.com/how-to-guide.aspx?content=how-to/howtoDetail&id=28)

[Donny Bear]

Its looks very good. For the cheeks perhaps try spraying through some tool matting or some fine mesh ( fishnet stalkings or a laundry bag)

You might also want to try marbelizing the cheeks as well. insted of using candy apple red use a mixture of candy green and candy yellow. Build the candy layers slowly until you get the desired color.
marbelizing part 1 (http://www.airbrush.com/how-to-guide.aspx?content=how-to/howtoDetail&id=27)

marbelizing part 2
(http://www.airbrush.com/how-to-guide.aspx?content=how-to/howtoDetail&id=28)

Cool Idea will give it a try

[Mike_W]

Eyes and cheeks need some work but as a whole it looks pretty decent I would say you need more black on the scales to give it some depth and the fins and tail could use the same.

Keep it up!!
Mike

[jackrabbit000]

Eyes and cheeks need some work but as a whole it looks pretty decent I would say you need more black on the scales to give it some depth and the fins and tail could use the same.



Agreed, overall, pretty decent, nice job.

[Sooner]

If that was my third attempt it would look more like a pike lol. I say you are on your way, 95 % of it looks good to me, I wouldnt worry if its only your 3rd try at it. Question, are the scales just painted on or is it a texture? Can you sand it down and do it again or is it finished after the first try.

[Donny Bear]

If that was my third attempt it would look more like a pike lol. I say you are on your way, 95 % of it looks good to me, I wouldnt worry if its only your 3rd try at it. Question, are the scales just painted on or is it a texture? Can you sand it down and do it again or is it finished after the first try.

You can take it back down with fine steel wool and try again but not after the clear coat and yes it is textured.

Thanks I am going to make some changes I appreciate the feedback and ideas

[double gun]

I think its awesome, especially for your 3rd fish. I havent seen many replicas painted well, and while I have never tried one I understand they are much harder to paint realistically. I would be very proud.... blend out the white in the fins a bit, tone down the spots on the cheeks and be happy.

[Kingfisher]

Not bad at all. I would almost eat it.

You seem to know where the flaws are. That is the way you learn. The next one will be even better. Keep up the good work.

Rob

[wwbirds]

I do notice the lat line on reference ends on top of gill plate while yours appears higher throwing proportions off. Air brushing with a medium tip will give larger blotches than you want on cheeks. Templates of kevlar scaled to correct size and vary intensity of color. dark Brown can and usually does have many values even on same blotch. Scale painting may be like bird feathers in that if you pull one scale (or feather and study patterns) you may break down the pattern into small segments. Often in nature the dark areas overlap and provide a luminescent quality so dark pattern varies substantially in intesdity due to overlaps and this makes them come alive where trying to replicate the same mudane pattern makes it seem too mechanical. Variety adds life but I stil knew it was a pickeral so it would pass.
I used to hate painting when I started carving and now it is my favorite part. keep at it it does get easier with practice. Only way to learn is laying paint down.
Where is light source, above? highlights by adding yellow to top part of brown splotch also adds life so not so monotone. When you add yellow highlight complementary color is purple for shadow. Look at belly of reference it is there very subtle. Study color wheel, if yellow wont work use orange with blue shadow or red with green shadow (for fish). Base color of belly could build to color from more white on underside.
rob