How to do better repaints?

[TheR62Fan]

Now, I don't mean the process of getting the texture file into your paint editor, but more of how does one do a repaint that isn't just "slap one color and a logo." For example, I saw Buzz's NYC lightning gray F7s. How does one do that kind of repainting, is it just pure artistic talent? I want to repaint the G-Trax GP40 into a Metro-North Red, Gray, and Blue scheme (no. 4906) to go with my Metro-North Comet Vs I'm doing. My problem is the curved stripe in the front. This would be another addition to the WoH "oddballs" I'm doing. (Something for the Bergen Line )

[buzz456]

viewtopic.php?f=9&t=20478&p=236414&hilit=curves#p236414
Hope this helps.

[ET44C4]

I found another way that is pretty similar to Buzz's method and both work great. First you select the area of your curved shape from a good image of the locomotive. Then you paste it and smooth the edges while removing any handrails or other objects you don't want in the image. Next, select the area without copying the image, drag it over your alpha layer, and color in the area using the overlay paint option. To make it all kinda make sense here is a screenshot (I hope it's not too confusing lol) :

bandicam 2020-01-07 21-57-38-125.jpg

Edit: The edges are real jagged/pixel like on the curved section, so it'll take some work to get it smoothed out. Actually, if you use Buzz's method combined with this one, you could outline the shape from the image using the tool Buzz suggested. That is what I have done before, since it will give you a nice smooth edge to your curve.