regme Posted July 29, 2019 Share Posted July 29, 2019 I have a photo of a wagon I would like to match, which is proving more difficult than first thought and this is a very loaded question. As complicated as colour matching is, is there a way to match the colour from the photo. At first I thought using the RBG values, but that's not the way. Using an on line service I managed to find a colour, however it's more suited for a wall than a model. Plus I could only thin it by 20% and it may still be too thick for a airbrush. I guess I could just use a brush. My searches have come up with a lot of theory, but nothing practical. What would be the approach? Cheers Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium rab Posted July 30, 2019 RMweb Premium Share Posted July 30, 2019 While I appreciate your desire for authenticity, I do wonder if you're trying a bit too hard. How can you be sure the colour in the photo is accurate? If its an actual photo, variations in the processing can lead to subtle colour changes. If it's from a book or magazine, there may be further slight changes. There are times when near enough is good enough. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Saunders Posted July 30, 2019 Share Posted July 30, 2019 This has been covered many times, colour on photographs is subject to many factors and memory is just as bad! Paint diagrams can be unreliable if a vague colour is stated, unless a definite one is stated! Paint it and if you like it good, otherwise try again! 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
regme Posted July 30, 2019 Author Share Posted July 30, 2019 (edited) You both bring valid points, I guess what I needed was a starting point, whilst I did photograph both a model and the real wagon using a grey card rather than auto, my quite happy with the photo I have. I did come up with a colour that I matched online but that was a house paint colour, so the name does not relate to anything. I was tempted to buy it but I could not use it in an airbrush. I guess I could just to the hobby store with the photo and pick a colour, just thought there would be more science to it. Edited July 30, 2019 by regme Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Saunders Posted July 30, 2019 Share Posted July 30, 2019 Please share the photo if possible, is the livery current or a repaint on a preserved wagon? Mark Saunders Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
regme Posted July 30, 2019 Author Share Posted July 30, 2019 (edited) It's current, this is a photo of the model, the real one is too weathered to get the oringal colour Edited July 30, 2019 by regme Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Hilux5972 Posted August 12, 2019 RMweb Premium Share Posted August 12, 2019 On 30/07/2019 at 10:58, regme said: I have a photo of a wagon I would like to match, which is proving more difficult than first thought and this is a very loaded question. As complicated as colour matching is, is there a way to match the colour from the photo. At first I thought using the RBG values, but that's not the way. Using an on line service I managed to find a colour, however it's more suited for a wall than a model. Plus I could only thin it by 20% and it may still be too thick for a airbrush. I guess I could just use a brush. My searches have come up with a lot of theory, but nothing practical. What would be the approach? Cheers From memory, top gear did a car a while ago that they painted in a colour that was matched to the beige on a hearing aid. They took it to a paint store and he used some scanning tool to match it exactly. Maybe that could be an option? Anywhere that mixes paint should be able to do it. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
regme Posted August 16, 2019 Author Share Posted August 16, 2019 I thought about that, but then the paint is probably too thick for use in an airbrush, even if I thin it by 20%, I think any more than that the paint starts to loose it's properties. I should go in and find out. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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