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.

I gotta see this bird fly.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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".

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.

Here's some vid I shot this evening at the park...
https://www.rcgroups.com/forums/show...85#post8203666

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