hi bois! something about the spots just doesn't look right. i like the idea of something in the stripes but not sure what or how much. i'll cogitate on that and see if i come up with anything.
what color did you spray over the yellow base/mesh on the back?

Hey BC, good to hear from you. I agree that something in the stripes is a good thing, just not sure what or how much??
Considered spraying the stripes thru mesh, adding random shaped spots, etc. ...still looking. The back color is an opaque green custom mix color. The side scale is created using a Sienna colored wash. I was hoping some TFF'ers would offer up some observations on the stripe/spot dilemma. Thanks for your input .

Wonder about dotting te stripes with a sponge so they are random, maybe with the same color as you back is painted in.

Interesting idea...I thought about using the darker back color to detail the vertical bars with random spots between the wave stripes along the edge of the bars. That level of work will require some very fine detail work and my .20 needle is bent. Those small needles are easy to damage, even by just a fingernail used to clean tip dry. Lately I've been using stencils to make small dots and details. Guess I'm gonna' have to order a few new air needles and start experimenting with sponges. Thanks for the sponge idea, Brad.

BBLures has interesting gill patterns. On some, it looks like he uses the netting as a sort of paint by numbers thing--so each scale is a different color--which is really what is happening on a real gill. Not sure about the technique, but the end results are pretty cool.

There's been a lot of discussion on other tackle making forums about the technique used to get the scale effect you mentioned. I think its the mesh and the angle of the brush that makes that effect look so nice, but I can't say for sure. Thinking if the goal is to make a pattern look as real as possible most all of the work needs to be done freehand. There was a guy in Plano who could freehand paint a bream pattern that was awesome...not sure where he is these days? Anyway this post was for the guys trying to get into painting lures and interested in some simpler methods used to make a pattern lifelike. If we can get the markings close to the real thing, then its up to the painter to experiment with color and shape to improve on the basics. Was hoping to make it interesting and maybe get a little feedback from some TFF fishermen and fellow painters along the way. Keep thinking good thoughts.

Haven't been able to paint lately. Finally able to finished this pattern. The blanks are 1.5 and 2.5 square bills finished in D2T epoxy. Tried a couple of different ways to detail the pattern. Finished the backs with champagne glitter...kind of greenish gold. Wish I could get the glitter to show up in a photo...it really makes the pattern complete. Hoping to get to the lake and try them out pretty soon.


Keep thinking good thoughts...always good thoughts

Some really nice work ...and the step by step is really helpful...thanks Bo