Challenge #2: Maldives

how do you do that water effect? it's really well done

how do you do that water effect? it's really well done

If you mean the reflection? First I layer all visible layers of the aircraft. Then I flip it vertically. Then I add a masking layer. Then I select the Gradient tool going from Black to Transparent. Then I draw a line for the reflection and, finally I reduce the opacity of the aircraft.

Awesome concept. One thing that could make this livery pop even more is if you incorporate a 'halftone' for the gradient transition. (A simple Google search for 'halftone vector' will give you the element you need).

In real life, it is actually impossible to paint a gradient on as large a scale as an Airliner's Tail, so designers implement a sneaky paint scheme called halftone, which utilizes an arrangement of dots to create a generalized 'Gradient'. From up close it looks like polka-dots, but from far away, it gives the appearance of a gradient. 

Prominent airlines that do this, that I can think of off the top of my head, are United Airlines and British Airways.

Here's what I mean:

British Airways


United Airlines

Awesome concept. One thing that could make this livery pop even more is if you incorporate a 'halftone' for the gradient transition. (A simple Google search for 'halftone vector' will give you the element you need).

In real life, it is actually impossible to paint a gradient on as large a scale as an Airliner's Tail, so designers implement a sneaky paint scheme called halftone, which utilizes an arrangement of dots to create a generalized 'Gradient'. From up close it looks like polka-dots, but from far away, it gives the appearance of a gradient. 

Prominent airlines that do this, that I can think of off the top of my head, are United Airlines and British Airways.

Here's what I mean:

British Airways


United Airlines

In addition, look at G.J.'s concepts for Nord. and Nullarbor, you'll see more examples of a halftone up close...

This is quite nice actually

Titles look a little awkward, but the gradient on the tail and engines is pretty good, and I agree with (Not) Adam's suggestion that using a halftone would make them even better...

^^^^ Ok thank you all for the suggestions.