A rework from a 2022 built
Two years ago, in March 2022, I built my first 1/32 scale F6F kit: the F6F-5N Night Hellcat. It focused on heavy ocean weathering conditions and used a single color, dark ocean blue, throughout the fuselage and wings.
After refining my painting techniques again and again, I finished another build this summer, especially in rendering stressed or damaged skin (#inca_rendering). The results are different this time.
Inca-Concept Finish × AI-Generated Background
This build applies the Inca painting concept to recreate subtle surface modulation across the aircraft’s metal skin. The approach focuses on visual rhythm—managing light, shadow, reflection, and texture—rather than relying solely on traditional paint techniques.
Rather than applying color in a single pass, the surface was developed through controlled layering. Each layer contributed to the gradual emergence of stress fatigue, structural distortion, and the softer, time-worn qualities characteristic of operational naval aircraft. The result is a finish that feels lived-in—quiet, restrained, yet expressive.
Because outdoor lighting conditions were not suitable during the time of completion, the model was photographed under controlled indoor illumination. The environment was then extended digitally using an AI-generated background. A minimal prompt structure was used, and the same configuration was applied consistently across all frames to maintain continuity and mood.
This project represents a balance between physical craftsmanship and digital enhancement—where traditional model-making techniques meet modern creative tools, while the hand-made core of the work remains untouched.
