NaMoPaiMo - Starting to Build Color

Today I took a good look at my little Sultanna and decided that it was time to add the next coat of paint. Keeping my mentor's advice in mind to go from light layers to darker ones, I pulled out Titan Buff, the lightest color I had besides Titanium White. 

Then I wondered - should I mix those two colors together to make it even lighter? Or was this light enough for the second coat of paint? 

I pulled out my practice Stablemate, put a few brush strokes on her, and decided that I liked the color and would use it as is. (I thinned it with water first.)

 Painting is scary! I swished my brush around in the paint few times before I finally got my nerve up to get started.

Like the first layer, I began on the bottom of the horse, flipping it upside down so that I could be sure that I got a nice, light coverage. I left the hooves alone as they will be a different color than the body. 

Despite having two lights on and having the craft table by the window, I was still frustrated that I could not see the model as well as I wanted. I decided to turn on the flashlight that is on my phone, and that was really helpful. I peered at the model from all angles to be sure I got color where I wanted it and had not left any bare spots. 

I felt like the paint still was just a bit thick in spots, so I dipped the brush in water and went over those parts. I liked the results - it looked more evenly painted now.

Wondering if that iridescent base coat had made a difference, I compared the practice model to Sultanna. I was pleased that I could see a difference. Sultanna seems more luminous and less flat that the other piece.

I see a line on her barrel and I think it must be in the plastic itself. I can't feel it and I didn't see it during prepping, but the paint has made it visible. I thought about ignoring it and just painting over it, but even though this is my first piece to paint, I am determined to give it my best effort. And if that means a little sanding and repainting, so be it. Far better to do it in the early stages rather than later.

I'll let this coat of paint dry and then get the sandpaper back out.