Ki-61-II Kai Ko Take Two!

[Jadehawk]

Howdy again all!
Well as I said before, my first attempt ended in disaster. Here is my second attempt at the Ki-61-II Kai Ko starting with a much more detailed line drawing I did. This is 1/4 of the original size and does not show the smaller details that well of course.
I must say I'm quite happy with the current progress. But dread the rivets I now am going to add!

Comments are welcomed as always.

[GrubbyFingers]

Hi Jadehawk.
You dont necesarily have to draw individual rivets. When it comes time to create them in Phoyoshop, you can set the spacing on your brush wide enough that you get a series of dots. Adjust the spacing until you get a similar rivet count to the subject.

Grubby.

[Jadehawk]

Thanks for the reminder Grubby!

I remembered this this technique now that you mentioned it. However, because of the original size of this line drawing, using dots is too small and have actually used small circles for this matter. Is that right? Well it looks right to me at this time but I'm also well aware I maybe walking into a quandary doing the rivets this way too.

But so far it look great to me. I just hope when reduction time comes, they don't ruin the whole look as some here have suggested that may happen.

Being a Technical Designer in real life for 28 years now, I tend to lean toward doing my details as accurate as possible. This also may undo me on this rivet situation! We'll see!

Thanks again!

[GrubbyFingers]

It works both ways. Depending on scale and size of rivet or fastener. Lines of small rivets I usually do as a single line in illustrator and then stroke with a dotted line in ps. Larger rivets and fasteners I draw with individual circle paths. You certainly have more control over the individual rivets if you do them as separate paths. It also means you can duplicate a rivet layer to get different effects you can't get with a single dotted PS stroke.
Grubby.

[Jadehawk]

Update time...

As it stands now, panel lines are 95% done, Rivets are complete accept the wing and stab. The wing rivets I'm sure I'll do. The Stabs, I'm not so sure about that. I'll try it and see, but my hunch is nope.

I have also included a snapshot inset that shows the full detail level.
Once the rivets are done, I'll start the highlights and shadowing.

I have learned quite a bit about this late model Ki-61 and have appreciated the many difference between this and the more common earlier versions.



Comments?

[GrubbyFingers]

Hi Jadehawk, It's looking good. I know what you mean about learning about the aircraft. Doing what we do here, we become very intimate with it. We learn the underlying structure, the separate panels, how parts meet and overlap. It's all very educational! I also find I appreciate the beauty in an airframe much more once I have tackled it as a profile. I even like the Gannet now!
Grubby.

[gamary]

I know what you mean about learning about the aircraft. Doing what we do here, we become very intimate with it. We learn the underlying structure, the separate panels, how parts meet and overlap. It's all very educational! I also find I appreciate the beauty in an airframe much more once I have tackled it as a profile. I even like the Gannet now!

That is very true. You look at airplanes differently after having drawn them. I've always found that amusing.

[Jadehawk]

Well I guess it's time for an update.

I'm now more or less back to where I was before my first disaster.
So go ahead and give me your opinions, suggestions and what not.

The full image is 31% of the original size and second is full 600 dpi size.

[Jadehawk]

well I guess none wished to comment? Is it that bad or am I missing something?

[SunDog]

Its looking fine so far Jadehawk, don't worry you've got the hard bit over with the line drawing. Now the fun bit begins in bringing it to life, its still early days