First Try at Object Sourced Lighting

by Novus

Seeing as I've gotten a new IG Valkyrie, I thought I'd try some different painting techniques.  This is my first try at Object Sourced Lighting (OSL).  I'd seen this same technique for a Valkyries cockpit done on another blog months ago.  I thought it was cool so I gave it a shot.

OSL is, at it's core, highlighting a model based on which parts of the model are generating light and where that generated light falls on the model.  For example, the screen and dials in the Valkyrie cockpit emit light.  That light will highlight and tint the pilots' faces, hands, and helmets from the direction of the instrument panels.

What I did was a basic paint and wash of the pilots.  After that, I painted the screen and dials in the brightest green I have (GW Scorpion Green) and lowlighted the edges with the next shade down (Snot Green).

Then, I loaded my airbrush with the Scorpion Green, set the meter on the brush for a minimal flow, and shot the pilots in the face and arms with it.  Very light coats is the key.  I sprayed the paint more heavily onto the bits that are closest to the light sources, like the hands and the visor edges.

I may have overdone it as most of the painting I did on the pilots was obliterated by the OSL.  But, it does look like the meters and screens are glowing.  I need to work on this technique a bit more, I think.  It came out OK, though.