Scale Aviator International Magazine Issue 3 | Page 64

MASTER CLASS in PILOT PAINTING

BOOTS
Well everyone knows that black boots are painted flat black. Uh,
yes and no. I stumbled upon a hyper-realistic way to paint black
boots, or any black leather. First paint the boot flat black (of course)
and then wash mostly Windex with a little MMA Burnt Umber mixed
in, let dry and see what you think. This gives a boot a nice “lived in”
look without going overboard. It just looks like black leather. Since
these are Best Pilots, you can also go a little “psycho-scale” and
paint the detailed soles of the boots! But why? It probably won�t
ever be seen. Well, sometimes it just makes you feel good to
know you care that much about the hobby... or maybe I need to
see a therapist, but I�ll go with the former!
Paint the sole, not the heel (the heel was rubber), solid MMA
Leather. You can dry brush it on as well, just go heavy to give it a
good leather color and not fill in the stitching. And since these
guys were running to their planes through rain or shine, you can
dry brush your choice of a dirt color, I believe in England it is kind
of chalky, over the leather sole and heel of the boot. Gives a nicely
worn look to the sole of the boot.

STOCKINGS
The white “cuffs” over the boots, were (I believe) a kind of
stocking, almost like long underwear leggings that the pilot could
roll up to keep his legs warm in an obviously cold cockpit. Its an
art thing, but I liked the white visual break these gave between the
dark boot and dark pants. To paint these give them a coat of
MMA Sand, Wash with Best Pilots Wash and touch of Burnt
Umber. Highlight by dry brushing with Flat white.

GLOVES
These are real he-man gloves that the Brits called
gauntlets! The gauntlets are probably my favorite
part of this pilot figure. We are going to go for the
same technique as the leather helmet just a
different color. Base coat MMA Flat Black, then Dry
brush with MMA Burnt Sienna. Remember to just
touch the tips of the bristles in the paint and then
brush them on a T-shirt until the pigment is just
about gone (Tshirt, not underwear!)I usually put it
on a bit heavier in this instance, and the results are

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