Summary
Hey all, I've been in stealth mode the last month or so working on a contest build with the new Gundam Artifact line. The build was quite challenging due to the kit's small size and I couldn't commit the hours to make it as clean as I liked. It ended up being a simple painted build with modifications to the funnels as to make them look dynamic. As always, check out my IG for more regular updates: @yulongsgunpla
Prep
Due to the kit's small size I had a number of seams to fill. Some of the details were also too small and needed to the remade (such as the shoulder vents).
Shoulder vents made using plaplate
The major modification came to the funnels, where I snipped off the original funnels and connected them using pla-plate. I then had to build the vents on the backpack where the funnels would have detached.
Backpack vents
Funnels filled using putty or thickened using plaplate
Free funnels
The freed funnels would be connected to a beam effect part for later. For the base, I used clear runner parts which would hold up the funnels and attached them to a 30-minute-missions base (the scale is off but I thought the city background would look pretty nice).
Primed up main body and attached base
Painting
For painting, I used lacquer to basecoat and finished with a combination of acrylic and enamel paints for detailing. I elected for no pre-shading due to the time constraints.
- Primer: Mr. Surfacer
- Main body: Nazca Joint Gray
- White parts: Nazca Warm White
- Dark grey parts: Nazca Frost Matte Black
- Effect parts: Mr. Color White, Fluorescent Orange, Yellow Orange, Hermann Red
- Dark/light blues: Mixed Citadel Acrylics
- Green accents: Model Master Enamel
- Panel line: Mr. weathering colour black
- Gloss coats: Pledge
- Matte coat: GX144
I added at least some decals before matte coat - I felt that it need it to have a sense of scale.
Gallery
Started with some standing shots - the kit doesn't have as nice a profile without the funnels attached.
Standing 3/4
Back 3/4
Rifle side
Shield side
Mounted to the base: looks a lot more impressive and dynamic
The funnels can be lined up to give a sense of direction
The blurring of the front funnels make the beam effects more realistic
Back view
Back view
High angle
Remarks
Overall, these kits are a bit too small. It was not comfortable to customize to be honest - I had thought about scribing lines but that turned out to be too time consuming, and I didn't have enough bandwidth to get it all done by the deadline. As of today though, the contest deadline was extended to give some folks time to finish - but I can't really take advantage of it now - it is what it is.
I've got some other Artifact kits as well. I still like the details on them, but I will probably do straight painted builds and take my time.
For now though, its time to get back to my main quest line on the Nobel.
Stay tuned!
Comments
Post a Comment