Boredom... That's all I can say about the chaotic way I go about doing my modeling projects. I get going on one, then I have to start on another, just to break up the monotony of working on the same thing for an extended period of time. I also get to thinking about what I need to finish a project, order it, and have to wait for it to get delivered before I can continue. In this case, I started working on my Hoth/Echo Base diorama. Three vehicles in, I busted out my 1/144th Bandai Millennium Falcon, a kit I've already started modding, and realized I needed more Shapeways parts before I could continue working on it. Technically, I could have done things to it that would have occupied my time waiting for the other parts to come in, but hey... I have so many other kits just lying around waiting to get some attention.
I looked through my stash...and after a few minutes of fighting with myself (trying to justify what kit I wanted to do), I settled on the Tie Interceptor. I've done this kit in a Finemolds variation but needed Bandai's more accurate kit to accompany the other Tie variants I've already done. So, last night I started priming the Interceptor. Funny thing is, I already started working on this kit a few months back. But, my wandering thoughts took me elsewhere and she ended up getting stuffed on my 'kits waiting to be put together' shelf.
Anyhoo... Like most of my projects, I start with priming the whole thing in Mr. Hobby's Mr. Finisher 1500 Black. This is, by far, the best primer I've ever used. It is a lacquer based primer, so you will need a lacquer thinner, or Mr. Hobby's thinner (the latter is what I use currently, but since it is so expensive, I'm going to switch to a lacquer thinner I'll pick up from Lowe's or Home Depot). I apply the primer with my trusty Badger Renegade Krome airbrush. A wonderful piece I picked up from AC Moore with a 55% off one item coupon and my 15% veterans discount. I think I paid under $90 for it out the door. I may pick up another one just because of that.
Unfortunately, I do not have any pictures of the post primer job, so you will just have to take my word, for now, that it goes on like butter on a hot piece of toast. What I truly love about this primer, is that it goes on smooth and dries nearly instantly. That means you can sand it within minutes of applying it, but if I'm being honest, I rarely sand my primed models. The reason I don't is simple: Star Wars ships, especially on the Rebel/Resistance side, are dirty and grimy. Not sanding adds to that griminess and makes for a much more believable model. Now, some guys don't prime Bandai kits because of the color molding they do. What I'm going to say to that is, do what floats your boat. For me, having a primed base coat allows me to have an additional layer of paint and provides protection for the plastic underneath... Especially when I start weathering with oils and odorless mineral spirits. And if I'm going to be doing some chipping effects, the added paint layer gives more levels of paint.
Ok, ok... I'm getting a bit ahead of myself here... First up is detailing the interior and other parts that will be hidden but I know that they are there. And in doing so, makes for good conversation starters when showing off my artwork to non-Star Wars people (mainly my family). Of course, the great people here at the RPF will appreciate the attention to detail, so there is that.
Ah... I must say that modeling Star Wars stuff is my happy place... My source of peace, Zen, and tranquility. I'm sure many of you feel the same way. It's a release from the constant drudging of life and a way to relive my childhood. It's an artform... And a form of meditation. An escape to a galaxy far, far away...
Once the finer detailing is complete, I then move on to weathering. My secret here is just plain old oil pants with an occasional helping from powdered pastels. I use Winton oil paints. Mostly primary colors with some variations of brown thrown in. My list of colors includes the following:
I know that I have never gone to this length to describe my process or how I approach modeling in general, but I figured it was time to share with the amazing people on this forum what goes through my head when I'm doing one of the things I love the most in this world... Besides drinking a nice cold beer while eating a burger covered in bacon and mac and cheese! I hope you took the time to read this and enjoyed my thoughts. Below are the results of my manic process from the mind a Star Wars nerd who is just a big kid at heart...
I looked through my stash...and after a few minutes of fighting with myself (trying to justify what kit I wanted to do), I settled on the Tie Interceptor. I've done this kit in a Finemolds variation but needed Bandai's more accurate kit to accompany the other Tie variants I've already done. So, last night I started priming the Interceptor. Funny thing is, I already started working on this kit a few months back. But, my wandering thoughts took me elsewhere and she ended up getting stuffed on my 'kits waiting to be put together' shelf.
Anyhoo... Like most of my projects, I start with priming the whole thing in Mr. Hobby's Mr. Finisher 1500 Black. This is, by far, the best primer I've ever used. It is a lacquer based primer, so you will need a lacquer thinner, or Mr. Hobby's thinner (the latter is what I use currently, but since it is so expensive, I'm going to switch to a lacquer thinner I'll pick up from Lowe's or Home Depot). I apply the primer with my trusty Badger Renegade Krome airbrush. A wonderful piece I picked up from AC Moore with a 55% off one item coupon and my 15% veterans discount. I think I paid under $90 for it out the door. I may pick up another one just because of that.
Unfortunately, I do not have any pictures of the post primer job, so you will just have to take my word, for now, that it goes on like butter on a hot piece of toast. What I truly love about this primer, is that it goes on smooth and dries nearly instantly. That means you can sand it within minutes of applying it, but if I'm being honest, I rarely sand my primed models. The reason I don't is simple: Star Wars ships, especially on the Rebel/Resistance side, are dirty and grimy. Not sanding adds to that griminess and makes for a much more believable model. Now, some guys don't prime Bandai kits because of the color molding they do. What I'm going to say to that is, do what floats your boat. For me, having a primed base coat allows me to have an additional layer of paint and provides protection for the plastic underneath... Especially when I start weathering with oils and odorless mineral spirits. And if I'm going to be doing some chipping effects, the added paint layer gives more levels of paint.
Ok, ok... I'm getting a bit ahead of myself here... First up is detailing the interior and other parts that will be hidden but I know that they are there. And in doing so, makes for good conversation starters when showing off my artwork to non-Star Wars people (mainly my family). Of course, the great people here at the RPF will appreciate the attention to detail, so there is that.
Ah... I must say that modeling Star Wars stuff is my happy place... My source of peace, Zen, and tranquility. I'm sure many of you feel the same way. It's a release from the constant drudging of life and a way to relive my childhood. It's an artform... And a form of meditation. An escape to a galaxy far, far away...
Once the finer detailing is complete, I then move on to weathering. My secret here is just plain old oil pants with an occasional helping from powdered pastels. I use Winton oil paints. Mostly primary colors with some variations of brown thrown in. My list of colors includes the following:
- Lamp Black
- Titanium White
- Burnt Umber
- A Dark Brown
- Ochre
- Yellow
- Blue
- Red
I know that I have never gone to this length to describe my process or how I approach modeling in general, but I figured it was time to share with the amazing people on this forum what goes through my head when I'm doing one of the things I love the most in this world... Besides drinking a nice cold beer while eating a burger covered in bacon and mac and cheese! I hope you took the time to read this and enjoyed my thoughts. Below are the results of my manic process from the mind a Star Wars nerd who is just a big kid at heart...
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