BB218 MS-06F ZAKU II Part 3

Experiment 2: Dry Brush, Take 2.

This time I'm not using the salt weathering technique as my skills are not that advanced yet. After removing the previous color, I repainted it again using same Tamiya XF-60 Dark Yellow.

As you can see on the left is the first layer of dry brushing, which came out quite close to the effect that I wanted. The picture on the right was taken after applying the second layer.

Applying the same method to the rest of the parts.

Experiment 3: Camo Weathering.

I used 3 Tamiya color XF-60 Dark Yellow, XF-57 Buff and XF-10 Flat Brown for the camo weathering. Since I already painted Tamiya XF-60 Dark Yellow, the next step was applying the Tamiya XF-10 Flat Brown for the second color. Looks like a dinosaur egg XD

3rd color followed by Tamiya XF-57 Buff.

After I painted all 3 colors, I had do some color overlap touch up. Look at picture below, can you spot the difference?

Experiment 4: Weathering.

I'm not sure what is the correct term for this weathering technique, so please update me if you know. There are a few ways to do the same effect; the most common way is by using grey or silver with dry brush technique. The 2nd method involves using a small brush or tooth pick to dip some grey color, followed by gently applying it on the edge.

The 3rd method is the one that I used for my model. First, I need to apply a base color (dark or silver color up to the preference of the modeler) Mm.. in short, these are the steps I took:

Black(base color) --> Top coat (to protect the base color) --> Applying camo color or any color you wish to put --> Thinner + cotton buds (to remove the color on the edge). The results of my efforts are shown below:

This weathering technique requires thinner and a lot of cotton buds XD When you remove the color, please don't rub too hard or you might also remove the base color.

Another close up look on the kit.

Lastly applying water decal. Editing by Sylvia.

BB218 MS-06F ZAKU II: Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4.

BB218 MS-06F ZAKU II Part 2

Experiment 2: Dry Brush + Salt Weathering. Experiment failed..

The main idea of using salt weathering is to first put a primer colour (e.g. silver) before placing salt on the surface. Then, another layer of colour (e.g. green) is sprayed over it before allowing it to dry. Finally, the salt is removed (e.g. using toothbrush) and the result should look the the photo below.

The first step is propping my model parts on sticks before getting ready to spray. I used Tamiya spray TS-29 semi-gloss black for my base coat.

The next step is the application of salt. The bottle spray is used to spray water on the model kit (don't spray too much water on the kit as too much salt may stick on it or the salt may melt). A way of preventing this would be to hold the bottle about 30 - 50 cm away. Salt is then scattered on the kit and the kit is left to dry until all the water has evaporated.

In order to prevent the salt from falling off the kit when I use the dry brush technique later, I sprayed a layer of Tamiya spray TS-13 Clear over the kit. This was a major mistake as it caused the kit to have a glossy sheen and hence prevents me from using the dry brush technique as the surface is too glossy for the paint to stick. Picture shown below are after applying salt on the kit.

Let me now explain what dry brush technique I intend to use. The normal dry brush technique is to paint a silver colour over a dark base in order to create a slight enhancement effect. However, I am trying out a slightly different method to produce the effect as shown in the picture below.

However, instead of getting the effect I wanted in the picture above, this was what I ended up with.

To conclude, the salt effect works but the Tamiya spray TS-13 Clear should not be used with the dry-brush technique I used. Back to experimenting again...
Editing by Sylvia.

BB218 MS-06F ZAKU II: Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4.

Brunei Plamo Group - Plamo Competition x BB218 MS-06F ZAKU II Part 1

This will be my first time to enter a Gunpla competition, previously I didn't have a chance to participant on the EACON modeling competition.

Since is an open category, I gonna use BB218 MS-06F ZAKU II for my submission. During this project, will try some experiment that I haven't try before. P/S: This BB218 MS-06F Zaku II is a gift from Drinkin's Boys.

First, to detach the parts, I'm using guitar pick. Recommended to get two type of guitar pick, T and M (Thin and Medium).

Making extra panel line.

As for the shield, I follow the RG Zaku design.

Here is the result. If you look closely, you can spot my mistake on the shield, too careless. Over cut the lining XD

Experiment 1: Making hole.
Before I making hole on the parts, I have done all the marking, it's give me an idea where is the hole position.

Wala~ Before and after.

BB218 MS-06F ZAKU II: Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4.

Nissin 40th Anniversary Cup Gunpla & Cup Noodle

This is the Nissin Cup Gunpla & Cup Noodle set that was specially released to commemorate it's 40th Anniversary.

Special Thanks to Yumi for these belated wedding gifts.

What was special here was that the cup noodle comes with a box unlike previous ones that was just in the form of a normal cup noodle. Also, previously the gunpla kit came in a 1/380 scale whereas here the model comes in a 1/200 scale so it needed a bigger box to contain the kit.

Side view.

Top row:

-1/200 RX-78-2 Gundam

-1/200 RX-78-2 Char’s Customize Zaku

Bottom row:

-1/200 RX-78-2 Gundam Cup Noodle original color ver.

-1/200 RX-78-2 Char’s Customize Zaku Cup Noodle original color ver.

Check out my previous posts:

Nissin Cup Noodle Mini Gunpla
Nissin Food Products Cup Noodle Mini Gunpla Char Aznable Version: Part 1, Part 2, Part 3

Editing by Sylvia.

G-SHOT 2011 - Starting This November!

Gundam Guy / GG Infinite will be hosting this year's G-SHOT Gunpla Photo Contest starting this November. This a worldwide online gunpla photo submission contest where participants would compete in 5 different categories. This competition will begin Nov. 1st, 2011 and will end on December 31st, 2011. And depending on the judges deliberating process, we aim to announce the winners during the first week of January 2012 to kick off the new year. We are definitely looking forward to seeing all the great works that you gunpla builders had spent so much of your time working on.

GG Infinite will be sponsoring all the award prizes. We are keeping the prizes for each winning categories underwrap for now. Rest assure that the prizes will be the greatest & latest in the otaku world.

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Competitors will be competing in 5 main categories:

- Best Gunpla Photo - A gunpla image that would 'WOW' the judges. It doesn't matter whether the photo is from a diorama, customized kit or a straight build.

- Best Diorama - An image of a diorama that tells a story, with details that show the modeler's skills.

- Best Customized Gunpla - An image of a suped-up gunpla. Your image needs to show us the mastery of your modelling skills, by rightfully implementing aftermarket/option parts, custom decals, pla-platings, panel lines, etc. Basically we are looking for 'The Works' that looks the best.

- Best Paint Job - Obviously we are looking for more than just the stock color. Creativity & painting skills are what count here.

- Best Straight Built Photo - If you are a novice at building gunpla, we encourage you to send in a photo that shows the power of your straight build. *Application of Panel lines are allowed. Paint product such as top coat and other paint products are not allowed *

We will also have our judges to individually pick their own favorite entries, so there will be extra awards given to these winners as well. More info about prizes will be given in our next update post.

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Our Judges For This Contest:

Syd Sked - The host of Gunpla TV, and the guy behind Gaijin-Gunpla.com, who brings us a lot of great gunpla kit builds and reviews.

Kenny Lim (aka. Toymaker) - Creator of Toymaker. This guy needs no introduction. He is a multiple Bandai Gunpla Champ & 2010 group category champion. His creativeness & skills inspires many gunpla builders around the world.

Don Carlos - Creator & administrator of Mech Art Community, owner of DC23 Mech Arts blog, and a very seasoned gunpla builder.

Adam Sonar - Creator & administrator of Gundam Australia Forum! He brings gunpla builders from around the world together to discuss various topics, and hosting a lot of great group builds on his forum.

G.G. - Creator & administrator of Gundam Guy Blog and GG Infinite News. Owner of GG Infinte Online Hobby Store. Co-owner of MSG.net, a GG Infinite's Community Portal.

And a special thanks to our partners at MSG.net, DC23 Mech Art, Gundam Australia Forum, and Gundam Model Kit & Figures to help spread words about this contest. Be sure to take some time to visit these great forums and websites!

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Rules To Submit Your Entry For This Contest:

Send your entry to gshot.submit@gmail.com (Between Nov. 1st - Dec. 31st, 2011) according to the following requirements:

- Your full name

- Name of your model kit (e.g. MG 1/100 00 Raiser)

- Attach one competing image per category, and name the image 'yourname_gshot.jpg'. Pls also submit two other images so that we may view your creation from various perspectives, and name them 'yourname_extra1.jpg' & 'yourname_extra2.jpg'. Please note that only the competing image will be considered in the contest, so please choose wisely which image you wish to compete using. (Image size must be under 1 MB, and no larger than 1200/1600 pixels). We are also requiring that at least one of your image submission to be photo taken with a name tag w/ your name on it.

- Type in the subject area of your email the category that you would like your submission to compete in. If you would like to compete in more than one catagory, please send in each submission in a seperate email. If you send us more than 3 photos in one email or if you images are oversized, we will disqualify your entry.

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FAQs

***As with any competitions, there will be questions about rules & stuff that we have not mentioned, so this FAQ would continue to be updated to cover some questions that you might have regarding this contest, just message us your questions in this post.***

Q: I am not from the US, can I participate?

A: This competition is open to everyone around the world.

Q: What model kits would qualify for this contest?

A: Gundam model kits

Q: Can we photoshop our images?

A: Is both yes & no. Yes, you may use photoshop to do slight touch-ups & adding text. No, you may not use photoshop to mark-up your images so much that the gunpla looks different than what it actually looks like. Basically we want to see your work, and not a glorified digital alteration of it.

Q: For the Straight Built category, are we allow to use top coat, add panel lines, or apply paint touch up (like the sinanju gold trims)?

A: The rules for this category had changed for this year's contest. We will only allow panel lines from a Gundam marker pen. Other paint products cannot be used.

Q: Does the image have to be standing/full body shot or can it be any pose?

A: Only one competing image is allowed per category, so choose the image that you feel is best based on the specific category.

Q: Can we enter more than one model per category?

A: No, only one entry per category is allowed just to be fair.

Q: Can we use other people's photo for submission?

A: We hope that everyone would take pride in their own work, so the answer is 'no'.

Q: Can I have more than one kit present in a Diorama entry?

A: Yes, this is the only category where more than one kit to be present. The entire diorama is the star of the show.

Q: Is scratch build allowed?

A: Most Definitely, we love scratch build. But know that scratch build does not quality for Best Straight Build entry.

Steve Jobs 1955-2011

"Apple has lost a visionary and creative genius, and the world has lost an amazing human being. Those of us who have been fortunate enough to know and work with Steve have lost a dear friend and an inspiring mentor. Steve leaves behind a company that only he could have built, and his spirit will forever be the foundation of Apple."

"Steve was among the greatest of American innovators - brave enough to think differently, bold enough to believe he could change the world, and talented enough to do it."

- President Obama

"Steve defined a generation of style and technology that's unlikely to be matched again."

- Google CEO Eric Schmidt

"He not only gave me a lot of personal advice and encouragement, he showed all of us how innovation can change lives."

- Jerry Yang, Yahoo! co-founder

"For those of us lucky enough to get to work with him, it's been an insanely great honor."

- Bill Gates, Microsoft co-founder

"Steve, thank you for being a mentor and a friend. Thanks for showing that what you build can change the world. I will miss you."

- Mark Zuckerberg, Facebook founder

"Steve was such an 'original,' with a thoroughly creative, imaginative mind that defined an era. Despite all he accomplished, it feels like he was just getting started."

- Bob Iger, Walt Disney CEO

"We are so sad to hear about the passing of Steve Jobs. In all of our encounters with him he was such a lovely man, and always so humble about his incredible talents. Like all of the people he knew, and the millions of others he didn't, we will miss him. "

- Love, Coldplay

"We lost one of the most influential thinkers, creators and entrepreneurs of all time."

- News Corp.'s Rupert Murdoch

"He was one of the most remarkable business managers and innovators in American business history."

- Warren Buffett

"Steve's passionate belief in the power of technology to transform the way we live brought us more than smart phones and iPads: it brought knowledge and power that is reshaping the face of civilization"

- NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg

D.I.Y. "Satay" Clip

Due to limited tools resources in Brunei Darussalam, I gonna D.I.Y. "Satay" clip. Brought the wooden pinch from a Daiso shop.

Removing the star from the wooden pinch. If you notice on the early picture, I get 2 different size of wooden pinch.

Applying the wooden glue, wait for 15 minutes then it's done.

In this picture, you can see not all the parts I using the clip, some I'm using blu tack or just a stick to hold the parts.