Do you all relize that the blue I see is not the blue you see. If you don't have any color issues the colors we see are slightly different from one another, has to do with the cones ect. in the eyes. Yes it is very slight but I find this interesting. Now back on subject, an objects color can be changed by reflections, distance and size. The size change comes from the total light we recieve and surounding colors. The side of barn veiwed close up will be precieved different than say a red postage stamp surounded by yellow flowers, again these changes can be slight. Guess I remember more than I thought from art school.
BATMAN The smaller the surface area the more it is affected by the colours of the surrounding objects. Much like shinning different coloured spotlights on something but to a lesser degree.
The smaller the surface area the more it is affected by the colours of the surrounding objects. Much like shinning different coloured spotlights on something but to a lesser degree.
That explanations sound like it came from Duck's Breath Mystery Theaters' "Ask Dr. Science".
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6KUEg8rwzUA
Well, as mentioned earlier, the reason why size affects color shade is because the smaller item is small and normally viewed indoors so the indoor lighting makes the color shades look dark. /mystery solved.
Rio Grande. The Action Road - Focus 1977-1983
Brent
"All of the world's problems are the result of the difference between how we think and how the world works."
It's all due to the atmosphere.
When you look at a model locomotive in your hand, it looks more vibrant than seeing the real thing at a relative distance.
That's because there's less air between your eyes and the model and your eyes and the full-sized locomotive.
Same thing with the distant mountains. The air you're looking through is full of tiny particles that refract light, and depending what part of the planet you're on, the moisture content of the air changes as well. All this creates atmospheric haze, making things look duller and grayer in nature than they do on our layouts.
This is the effect scale modelers try to replicate by lightening the colors of smaller models.
Eric
SeeYou190It is true, the smaller the model, the lighter the paint color should be for it to look "right" to your eye.
But is that due to size or because that smaller model is normally viewed indoors; I would say the latter.
I can't say how many times I've seen models come from a factory and look too dark, and the manufacturer says, "but we used actual paint chips". But by gosh, the model definitely looks too dark.
I think it's pretty clear that out in sunlight, things appear lighter than indoors, and this is generally accepted anymore and not really a mystery to be solved by committee.
Track fiddlerWhen you see the broadside of a barn prototypically. Does the same barn on a smaller scale look the same in that same color? It doesn't.
Yes. It's the way your eyes see it. If I model a barn that I've seen in my travels somewhere, I want it to be the same color as the real barn.
My perception of that color might be different than yours.
Track fiddlerDoes it have to be lighter in color viewed from the same eyes that perceive it? It does.
???? Like I said above, your eyes and brain might put together a different version of that color than mine.
Track fiddlerIf everything else is reduced to scale, color must be reduced as well. Especially the tone and the hue. Mountains and trees faded in the background look bluer than they are up close.... That is a fact.
Yea well, once again, your eyes and brain might put together a different color than mine. Blueish mountains in the back round? Oh darn! you mean there not that blue close up!!! ??? Really?
Track fiddlerWhen you reduce prototypical size to scale. Can you not buy into the fact that you may have to reduce everything?
No, I can't. As I said before, If I'm modeling what I see, it includes the color the way I seen it. YOUR eyes and brain might put together a different shade or color that mine.
Track fiddlerI believe you may have to think about this for a moment.
Nope, no need. Nothing to think about, I model what I see, including color, and I will make what I model the color that I seen it.
The biggest challange might be going off the photo of the subject that I'm modeling, as far as color.
Now, your kidding me right? Mountains seen in the distance aren't that blue up close? OMG! Who knew?
Mike.
My You Tube
In Model Railroader's sister publication, Fine Scale Modeler, there have been numerous mentions of the "scale" of paint color.
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It is true, the smaller the model, the lighter the paint color should be for it to look "right" to your eye.
A 1/32 scale model of a tank should be a darker green than the same model in 1/72 scale.
This has everything to do with the amount of surface area light has to reflect off of.
Model Railroaders will never accept this idea, so its discussion here has proven pointless. We are too obsessed with exactly what shade of boxcar red is correct for a specific roadname, with no care that two cars painted the same day might be two completely different colors in six years in the real world. Or... even the same car can look two different colors on different days based on weather conditions.
Military modelers have had an endless debate about exactly what color "Panzer Yellow" should be, but they seem to agree it should be lighter on smaller models.
BRAKIEI agree with Dan that outdoor and in door lghting plays a part..
The big difference here is that in the outdoors, we have a single source of light, the sun. Indoors we usually have multiple sources of light. This changes the way shadows and highlights are expressed on the model.
Most models will look better in the daylight.
-Kevin
Living the dream.
I agree with Dan that outdoor and in door lghting plays a part..
Try this..Look at a freight car or locomotive under normal layout lighting the take the same engine or car outside. You should see a slight difference in coloring..
This is why I perfer to do my modeling in sun light by having my work desk by a window with open curtains. I also perfer to use sun light for operation.
BTW..I can open that window and let bottle paint fumes out while letting fresh air in and I can hear the birds chirp as well.
Larry
Conductor.
Summerset Ry.
"Stay Alert, Don't get hurt Safety First!"
It probably also has to do with the difference in outdoor and indoor lighting. But I agree, a color may be the same color but look different on a different size object. And under different light.
I've noticed that some modelers, particularly in Germany use vivid colors on their layouts. The grass IS greener on the other side... Well, in Germany the real greenery is more vivid than where I live. But my eyes find that toning it down just looks more real to me.
I ordered 3 shades of "Super Leaves" online in the lighter green, medium, and dark. The ligher one turns out almost almost neon lime green. Sunglasses please. I ended painting that tree a flat olive, far better. Dark is too dark, almost blue. Painted it too. My thoughts. Dan
Track fiddlerMountains and trees faded in the background look bluer than they are up close.... That is a fact.
Track fiddlerIf everything else is reduced to scale, color must be reduced as well. Especially the tone and the hue.
"One difference between pessimists and optimists is that while pessimists are more often right, optimists have far more fun."
I do.
When you see the broadside of a barn prototypically. Does the same barn on a smaller scale look the same in that same color?
It doesn't.
Does it have to be lighter in color viewed from the same eyes that perceive it?
It does.
If everything else is reduced to scale, color must be reduced as well. Especially the tone and the hue.
Mountains and trees faded in the background look bluer than they are up close.... That is a fact.
When you reduce prototypical size to scale. Can you not buy into the fact that you may have to reduce everything?
I believe you may have to think about this for a moment.
Share your thoughts
Track Fiddler