How is this painted?

Here's the full link:

With an airbrush, using a series of cut masks...probably Frisket film.

The item is first sprayed the basic color. Then a single mask is applied - the scales were probably done first, in the darkest color. The mask would have been a simple single row of scallops, moved tip to tail to form rows and build a pattern of "scales". Spraying from the hard edge to the open makes/leaves the strong lines; the whole blank was probably painted black first and then the colors applied over it.

If I had to guess the order of operations, I'd say the item was first painted black and painted overall with a pattern of silver scales and then masked off over the back and head. Then the white was added in a gradient fashion nose to tail, then the red below the gills, then green, some final touchup with black around the head, and then a final clear coat.

I only recall this because Badger once published a "how-to" airbrush book that I glanced at when I got my first one as a teen. It had a section on using this technique to paint scales on both car bodies and fishing lures. The only difference in technique between the two is the size of the mask used and the width/pressure of the spray required.

I believe those are either screen printed or done with a form of a decal that is laid into the mold.

Anyone else?

Hawkeye wrote: