Painting the EPP eagle

[Maybz]

Here's how I painted my EPP eagle using spray cans and paper patterns.

Materials:
-Tracing paper or Vellum
-Super 77 glue
-Fusion brown (espresso)
-Fusion khaki
-Fusion black
-Fusion yellow
-scissors

I used these photos as reference.

[bat]

I gotta see this bird fly.

[Maybz]

1 -I Drew a simple feather pattern on Vellum (tracing paper). You can use the same pattern for both wings. I chose to use a different pattern for the top and the bottom of the wing. Cut the pattern at key color change points. Also make a simple 'swoosh' shape that closely follows the shape of your feathers.

[Maybz]

2. TOP FEATHERS - It's best to work from light to dark, starting with the lightest colors first. I used Super77 to tack the cutouts to the foam. Lightly spray the paper and let the glue dry for 10~20 seconds before applying. If you stick it too soon you will get glue residue on the foam, too late and it simply won't stick. I started by painting the long feathers first. I laid down a khaki base and then started adding shape using the swoosh template and brown paint.

[Maybz]

3. TOP FEATHERS - I kept adding layers of darker colors - eventually adding black at the feather tips and along the sides. I used the same swoosh pattern throughout the entire process - although I had to make a better one from cardboard after the paper one gave out. Occasionally stop to wipe the dripping paint from the template. Lastly, I added a single khaki stripe to each feather using the slit template.

[Maybz]

4. TOP FEATHERS - After finishing the big feathers I moved on to the outer LE feathers. I covered up my work with the paper pattern and a light coat of 77. Krylon Fusion sticks very well to the foam so no worry about peeling paint. I used brown and black in this area and then followed up with some khaki highlights. I also added black shadows between the major color changes.

[Maybz]

5 TOP FEATHERS - I did the wing root/LE last and started by applying a brown base coat. To give the effect of lots of little feathers I moved the root paper pattern forward a few inches and then sprayed right along the edge of the paper. I then repeated this all the way forward to the LE. I then went back and did the same thing using black - but with much lighter applications. Once satisfied with the results I did my best to repeat everything on the right wing top.

[Maybz]

6 BOTTOM FEATHERS - for the bottom side I decided to start at the root (remember, this whole thing is an experiment). I laid down a brown base coat using a criss-cross pattern to try and add more 'feather' effect. I then started adding small feathers using the same technique as before - shifting the paper pattern a few inches and then spraying right along the edge. I used brown first and then went back again with black. It doesn't take much paint to get the effect - light coats will usually do the trick.

[Maybz]

7 BOTTOM FEATHERS - I moved on to the middle section next using only a light dusting of brown followed by brown accent lines. I used my slit pattern to make the accent lines.

[Maybz]

8 BOTTOM FEATHERS - The big feathers came last this time. I used the same technique as the top side but with less paint and fewer colors. I started with brown edging to set the spacing, then added khaki filler lines, then went back with more brown and finally black at the tips and shadows. I used the swoosh and slit cut for everything. The bottom wings are lighter than the top both for realism and for easier orientation when flying (in theory at least). Again, I reused the paper patterns to mask finished areas.

[Maybz]

9 BOTTOM FEATHERS - last step on the bottom was to go back and add black shadow lines between major feathers groups. I used the same paper patters but left a deliberate gap between them where I wanted a black line. Your swoosh should be pretty paint-soaked at this point so you might let it dry before starting on the other bottom wing half. After finishing both sides I went and sprayed all around the the LE and TE with black to cover any remaining white foam.

[Maybz]

10 - BODY AND TAIL FEATHERS - I forgot to take pictures while painting these parts but by by now it should be easy to see how I did it just by looking at the finished pictures. The process is the same as the wing. I started with the yellow beak and feet using paper templates to mask the white areas. The beak tip has some orange on it and I chose to paint the motor also just to hide it better. The main body is brown with black feather accents using the same edge-painting process. The tail feathers are mostly bare foam with just a few khaki accent lines (yup, same swoosh pattern). I also added some khaki accents around the edge of the beak and between the brown and white using the same paper patterns but moved 1/4".

[Maybz]

Here are a few more pics of the finished project along with more reference shots. Total time was 5~6 hours including making a second pot of coffee and quick trip to Ace to get more paint. I used no Sharpie pens or masking tape and was back in the air the same day that I started.

[Maybz]

Here's some vid I shot this evening at the park...
http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=744885#post8203666

[rjarois]

maybz, very good instructional for feather painting!! good job. randy.

[KiwiKid]

Thanks for the time and effort put into this thread. You are an artiste, I will try an emulate your talents on my build. Thanks again.

KiwiKid

[Jim Blanchfield]

Maybz,

That's a real work of art you have. Very, very well done!

AND, thank you for sharing the painting technique. It will take me a while to fully understand the sequence of moving the masks and adding the colors.

Were the main masks used to define and accent the spanwise feather rows by placing matching mask sections (the two parts after being cut apart) on the wing with appropriate open gaps between them? I'm thinking the spray pattern from the cans is fairly large, so that would seem to be the only way to limit the coverage and get the edge definitions.

Jim

[Maybz]

The first picture in step 9 shows the three main masks on the wing but with a 1/4" gap between them. This is how I got the heavy black lines between the three main rows of feathers.

[Jim Blanchfield]

Maybz,

Thank you. I didn't notice the two masks in that photo.

This will be a learning process. I'll practice on some white cardboard.

BTW, my Eagle kit arrived. Three day service from Taiwan to Virginia!

Jim

[sunnyNY]

Maybz,

Thank you. I didn't notice the two masks in that photo.

This will be a learning process. I'll practice on some white cardboard.

BTW, my Eagle kit arrived. Three day service from Taiwan to Virginia!

Jim


Jim,

How much was the shipping? Did it cost extra to ship with 3 day service?

thanks

[Jim Blanchfield]

Sunny

No "extra" cost. EMS was the only shipping option at $26.49.

Jim

[sunnyNY]

Jim,

How much did you pay for your epp eagle kit?? The epp eagle creator attached a link for a distributor in US, which is at http://www1.freewebs.com/eppeagle/ and I am thinking to order one from them since they are in US.

Thanks

[Jim Blanchfield]

Sunny,

Mine was $56 something in US dollars, plus the shipping.

If you don't mind waiting until November, you could definitely save a few $.

Another option would be to contact Maybz. I believe he mentioned possibly importing some.

Jim

[sunnyNY]

Thanks Jim, for all your replies.

Wait till November definitely won't be an issue for me since I think it will be a great Christmas gift for myself and my relatives. I expect that I will still be able to fly it in NC for the rest of this year. I contacted the flyeagle2007@gmail.com, and they told me that the kits should be available for shipment in about 2 more weeks.

I will stay put to see if Maybz has any more info.

[Vagabond324]

Gee's these looked so good I ordered mine tonight. $74.00 shipped :D

[JONBOYLEMON]

Will post some pics later and edit this post but thanks for the wonderful thread. I am the worlds worst artist and my wings actually looks really good. Now just the body and tail which will be a piece of cake now that wings are done.

[Wingin' Wayne]

Maybz you are a Rembrant on foam. I didn't know such detail was possible! I found this forum because I was looking for some pointers on painting epp. Since this is my first time I want to keep it simple. All planned out on paper first. I'll go with the Fusion paint. My question is about masking a simple two color stripe scheme. After I spray the light color and I want to put masking tape on it to do the dark, will the tape pull off the light color when I remove after doing the dark. I appreciate any help!

[IPFlyer]

Have you tried low tack painter's tape?

[STRINGFLY]

Great thread... super job.

Stringfly <>++++

[wjkrysak]

Hello Maybz,
You inspired me with your art work. I recently bought my EPP Eagle with attending SEFF. I shopped for my supplies and plan to paint this weekend. I am creating a Red Tail hawk. They are native to Georgia and I'll share the sky with them. Thanks again. Beautiful job! cheaha bill