Category Archives: pre-shading

MG Exia #05

Custom paint gunpla

Introduction

Definetly, I love this model kit. So I take my time to obtain the best result I can. For this post, I will speak about the custom base coat paint and the panel lines work. I don’t like the base plactic aspect of the model kit. So I prefer a custom paint gunpla.

A good way to improve the general aspect of the gunpla, for me, it’s to use the black and white technic before to paint the main color.

Technic : the black and white in action

Like on my previous work on the MG Exia, I painted a black primer coat first (ref : vallejo mecha primer black 70.642) . Then I highlighted the parts with white paint (ref Mr. Color : C1). To finish, I applied the base coat with the desired color.

I used this method for all the pieces, It’s long but I like the final apparence of the gundam.

MG Exia's - gunpla MG Exia
Arms painted and ready for the assembly

Did I say I love this Cobald Blue (ref Mr. Color : C80) ? 😍😍😍

Final painted result

After several hours of painting, this is the finish work. I’m really happy of the final result. I think the paint imprive the volumes … isn’t it ?

Custom paint gunpla MG Exia

Custom paint gunpla MG Exia

Panel lines

After that, I put a gloss varnish coat (ref : Mr Color. C46) which is very important to protect the previous work. It was ready to receive the enamel juice to improve the panel lines. Like usual, I used the panel line accent color product from Tamiya which is a perfect product for me. When I have more time, I made it myself with a classic black enamel paint thinned with white spirit. To clean it, I used zippo lighter fluid 😉 with cotton sticks or a little brush.

Panel line accent color tamiya with zippo lighter fluid and brush. Custom paint gunpla
material used for the panel lines

I don’t finish all the mecha for the moment but this is some photos without and with the product applied on some parts.

I hope this post will be useful to improve your gundam and to work on a custom paint gunpla. Don’t hesitate to write a comment and to share of you like 👍.

See you soon for the waterslides 😉.

MG Exia #04

I continued to paint the MG Exia. I used the black and white technics to improve my model kit. That’s allow to make some artificial shadows and to improve the volume sensation. If you’re looking for a tutorial, I can advise you to go here (english) or here (french).

I painted the primer coat with the « one shot black » from Mig ammo [nozzle 0,4mm/1,5bars]. Then I used the white paint from Mr Color (ref : C1) diluated with a ratio of 50%/50% to paint the center of some parts [nozzle 0,2mm/1bars]. I decided to work with the paint made by Mr. Hobby for this project.

To finish, I a apply the base coat. You can see the result on the piece below with the « White MS » from Mr. Color (ref : UG01) [nozzle 0,2mm/1bars].

I hope you can the difference between the leg painted and the leg ‘out of the box’. I used exactly the same light for the photos. I think it looks great, no ?

See you soon 😉