Where can I find wood grain decal?

[Patternmaker]

I would steer clear of acrylics, then, because they dry so quickly they need a wet palette. For getting fine layers and delicate effects they would be useless.
Oils are a long winded driers, but you can get accelerators to speed it up as someone pointed out.
You need only Turpentine or white spirit to thin them and you will need to thin them because otherwise you'll get a texture that would be entirely wrong at any scale.
Acrylics were intended to be quick drying oil substitutes but tend to be erring in the opposite direction. They do, however have a similar texture.
There's really no reason not to use ordinary enamels like Humbrol, etc., which dry quicker, but are thinner and still give you time to experiment with your effects.
Regards,
Patternmaker

[bristol scout]

Hi Jim my old friend,
knowing your abilities and expertise you will soon master the 'oils' technique

SPADA had a 'down time' fairly recently--it is good to hear they are back, and the effects with the decal from them look most convincing also.

Cheers,
Dave.

[mgunns]

Hi Jim: I would try the SPADA decals. Get about three different grains, mix them up on your panels, and it looks pretty convincing. I use the analogy of modelers won't hesitate to use Lozenge Decals, but decry wood grain. Doesn't make sense. Good Luck.

Best
Mark

[coyotemagic]

Hi Jim,
I, too, like the oil paint method, but I use Windsor & Newton Artisan Water Mixable Oil Colours. Sounds like an oxymoron, but it works. I add a couple drops of denatured alcahol to speed up drying time and aid in mixing the water with the paint. Drying time is still slow enough to blend everything, but it will dry overnight instead of days. Keep trying, or go with Spada. That's good, too.
Cheers,
Bud

[lamarzocco]

So try all the suggested techniques with oils (or pencils). They work. For example, my first attempts are here:

http://www.theaerodrome.com/forum/512816-post1.html

However - don't be put off any technique, like decals..if wojtek does it, it's worth trying... and good lord his wood decals work so well they just hurt my brain..

Example LVG: http://www.fajga.pl/modele/lvg-c6-49.jpg

His explanation http://www.theaerodrome.com/forum/397004-post16.html

[Bobfest]

Hey Sean, thanks for the info. After checking out the unbelievable models here and lurking around for about 12+ years, I am collecting a stash and want to dive in before my eyes get worse and my hands become frozen.

I am not too far away from you. I live in Syracuse, NY, originally from Brooklyn.

Thank you everyone for the advice.

Bob

[sean69]

Hi bob;

ahhh - I was curious as I ran into an old acquaintance from a few years back on facebook, turns out he is in a band now [one of those dadrage things] and each summer they do something called 'Bobfest' .... just wondering if you had anything to do with that...

anyway - good to hear, and welcome.

-best regards
-sean

[Bobfest]

That's funny, because it is music related. My email/name is a nod to the Dylan 30th anniversary concert where Neil Young (BIG fan) was playing & referenced the concert that way.

Thanks again, Bob

[sean69]

Thought I had posted this already - maybe browser screwed up ...

anyway, wood grain textures are free - no need to buy them, just search google for 3d textures, they are used in 3d rendering programs most can also be had as black and white bitmaps - which is used to give the texture the actual 3d effect... anyway - they would be useful for one of the techniques mentioned....

here is just one source:

90 Free High Resolution Wood Textures

-sean

@bob: haha! never knew that, BOB Dylan... shoulda guessed I suppose.....

[Patternmaker]

But at any of the scales generally modelled you really want to avoid texture. Texture would represent bad workmanship on the part of the airframe builder!

Stand back from a wardrobe or sideboard about 60 feet and see what you can discern of wood grain in detail. In fact, even at 15 feet you'd struggle.

Just something to bear in mind.
Regards,
Patternmaker