Grant CDL Finished Model Pictures

AS PROMISED, NO MORE ARTICLE SEQUENCE, ONLY FINISHED MODEL PICS. YOU CAN CLICK AND DOWNLOAD THEM IN GOOD SIZE.

Scratched and side doors, here we see rain marks, rust washes, scratches, chips, metalised edges and faded white washes.

Stowage, some from the Legend Firefly, some from Italeri and Verlinden, some, I created them myself.

Noticed the light and how its painted over raw plastic. Technique is in my article in the MMI magazine soon.

Scratches and paint chips. The browning is not done by airbrush but with hand painting.

Spluttering Effects. Wet and dry mud and some soot from the exhaust, which is also rust treated if you turn the model upside down to look at the pipes.

Spluttering effects. Winter tank with no mud is not possible. See also oil streaks, scratches, rush washes and metalised edges along with the stowage.

Wet, Dry mud and oil spills.

Grant CDL Part 5

Now, back to work on the model. The white oils are blended into the multi coloured and layered paintwork to fade out the harsh contrasts and to sort of give the paintwork some depth. The in-depth discription will be printed in the up and coming Model Military Magazine....so, buy some, and I will do some demos at ARMIE in the month of August on techniques on tracks and winter camouflages. Unlike others, admission is free.

After blending. I added some pin points of rust coloured oils. I do not use moisten turps brushes, just good sables dry to create lines. However, do let it dry for about 4 days before handling the model. Here you see the 3D tones of the paintwork and the rust etc.

Another close up on how the paint work has taken on a 3D effect. Dept and perception is heightended with lighter colours on top and slowly deepened on its way downwards to emphasis depth. It also has a semi gloss sheen, which is like painted steel. Not matt finish, which is like a white washed wall. It may look nice for Ebay, but not realistic. Can't hold a candle in Europe.

The model then recieved a pinwash to accentuate the details in the rivets. Notice the depth of the paintwork and the chipping on areas on top of the turret showing the olive green paint underneath faintly? I wanted to depict a repainted worn out paint surface.

Thre rear recieved some attention but not too much as I planned to add stowage to the rear portion.

Finally, I added the chips with my Germany triangular Kolinsky number 1 brush that I bought in Azimut in Rue de Turenne, Paris. Channet said that it was good, I bet it was!

Here is the end of part 5. Next session is only the finished model.....for those who want to know more, buy the magazine and do write to Armie for dates for live demonstrations. Chao for now.

Gundam Expo Christmas 2007

The Gundam Expo is a very exciting place. I was priviledged to be sponsored to go there in Hong Kong by the local agent Shing Tai Toys.

The expo is pretty big and there were a lot of bargains to be hunted. So, everyone grab ahhhh! Very cheap, almost 40% off from everything you can see. Some below half price.

We are there to also cover the competition. Which is very intense. However, there were some very good entries, all national champions in their own rights, that went home with only a medal and a good meal plus some presents. It is based on marketing budgets and also market penetrations.

A first time we saw even entry from EU and the USA. The Expo spread over two floors. So I snapped this from on the second floor exhibit.

This is Dominique's entry. Elementary stuff, no fanfare, no weathering, only washings and shading. That is why the lazy fellow did not win anything there in the world championship!

This is a senior entry Champion from China....very good scratchbuilding, but never kena anything. Also can't blame Bandai, since most of Gundam models sold in China are knock offs. Not really a real market for Gundam.

This is a very good entry in the Senior category from the Indonesian Champion. Also, a pity he did only won 3rd prize.

This Tamiya knock offs from Korea won 2nd prize without any Gundam on it!!!!!????? Not very good for a national champ if you ask me for senior category! The Thais were better, but, never kena....puzzles me.

This guy from HONG KONG deserves to the the world champion. The scratch building is enormous. Its a robot driving a bigger robot!

The Junior World Champion, nice story, recycling. Cocky guy, very snobbish ass hole. Enlarge to see. Win already still went around the whole place telling everyone why they didn't win or lost to him. This ten year old is crappy.....I believe his dad made it!

This is the junior world second. In Urban camouflage. Fence is from some Tomy toys. All toy cars from hot wheels.

World Junior 3rd winner. Model was not even painted! Still win....so...disappointed.

Singapore 2006 World CHAMPION....see, this is what good modelling is all about! But polictics man. Shitty, but it sticks.....I hope M-Con will not be another one of those political flicks to try to commercially control the market. There is enough con jobs now in the market, it has made the hobby something of politics rather than a group of enthusiasts enjoying what they do. After 35 years in this circle, its time to bow out and to just stay simple, so that I can retain my sanity and enjoy my hobby, ebay or not, don't need that small money anyway. If one is offended, then one does not fit into the fratenity of the hobbyist, but that of a commercial mercenary in disguise.