Started working on these beauties yesterday and just wanted to share what a nearly finished ship looks like. They’re downloaded from Cults3D and are probably one of my favorite fleet designs to date. The center ship in the photo is about 90% complete, while the ship on the left represents the majority of the fleet with only the base layers down. The ship on the right was my test scheme to see what I’d like. It was primed in white originally (because I hate painting white) but I like the stronger contrast from the base metallic over black primer better.

The nearly finished ship in the center needs the barrels painted on the guns. I’ll do these either in a bright silver or (more likely) a dark metallic black. On top of the four twin barrel guns there is a small strip that’s currently white which I need to color as well. Just haven’t decided what color to make this yet. Using the same red would be the safest but think I’d rather something bright which will pop more. Maybe a bright green or blue (the gold is a cold gold with lots of green and blue tones to it).

If anyone has an idea/suggestion for that little white strip feel free to comment and I’ll post a photo of the finished fleet when they’re ready for action. While I’m thinking about it, got a question for those of you who paint your ships. Do you paint the undersides of your vessels? I do, but tend to not paint as many layers or coats as the sides and top. Recently a couple guys at the local shop told me they don’t both to paint the undersides of most of their ships. They’ll get the primary base color down (often with their primer spray) and then they might dry brush it but that’s about it. Am I in the minority by putting the effort in to paint the undersides? If I use three layers of paint with two coats per layer on the top  I may just do two layers with one coat each on the bottom. So the colors are there but darker and less vibrant generally.