Finding the horizon line is the hardest part of SENMM painting (everything else is just blending, layering or feathering) and there is an easy way to do this.
Bear in mind that the horizon will only be reflected in parts of the mini that are perpendicular to the base, that is surfaces that are absolutely vertical. The problem here is that vertical surfaces can be contained within complex curves, but only the part of the complex shape which has the perpendicular surface will show the dark horizon line. Surfaces lying at a greater angle (facing upward) will show sky, those with a lesser angle will show ground.
The easiest way to find the perpendicular surfaces is to undercoat your mini and then hold it under a bright vertical light source. This will separate the surfaces facing up and those facing down. The line in between these surfaces will be where your horizon lines should be. If a part of the mini, for example a shoulder pad, doesn\'t have a light and dark separation line, then the horizon will not be seen in this part. A very complex shape, for example a piece of muscle shaped chest armour, may have multiple separation lines which means the armour will reflect multiple horizons, and in this case the hardest job will be to try to see how they move into one another.
Complex shapes are, believe it or not, slightly easier to work out than tubes. Tubes are very easy when they are horizontal because the perpendicular line is ease to find. When they start moving to vertical things get a little tricky and, while I could try to explain it, it\'s easier if I just say \'go buy a chrome tube and study it\'. It\'s a bit of a cop out but it\'s useful advice. Believe it or not, the item I studied to learn more about SENMM was a tap (faucet?). Taps contain a lot or different shapes and are useful for studying how reflections relate to surfaces and angles.
Hope this helps.
P.S. Yay, the big century! :bouncy:
