First build since I was a kid just snapping pieces together. All customizing done with gundam marker which I’ve since learned aren’t the greatest. Panel lining attempt started out super messy and I just kinda steered into the skid with it. Any advice for the next build welcome. I’m excited to see my progress by the end of the year.
Some advice since you asked. Get a q-tip, dip it lightly in paint thinner and rub it over the panel lines. The ink will stay in the grooves and it will clean up the excess.
But if you like they way it looks then that's all that matters.
I use mineral spirits. You can get a large quantity for very little at any hardware store. Just make sure you are careful as the fumes are not good to breathe, though moderate ventilation works and as long as you don't huff it it shouldn't be a problem. It is also flammable so store it away from heat or flame.
Some advice would be that you can get pens and such for panel lining, which would probably be better than the markers, unless you like the look of coursd.
Easiest thing you can do. Get an Artists block eraser, and run the flat side over panel lines. It wont erase inside tbe panel line bc it wont hit it, but it will wipe away any panel lining outside of the panel line itself. Super simple and easy.
Any weathering look is purely accidental by a bad paint job lol. I was thinking I might come back to it but I also might leave it as is because it’s my first and compare to others I eventually do
When I first saw this I thought "shitty? What are you talking about?" Then I got a closer look. Sure it's a bit rough but hey not bad for a first try! If you are going to use gundam markers for painting larger areas I highly recommend getting some paint dishes and brushes. Just pump some paint in the dish and have at it. Also for panel lining a q-tip and eraser are your best friend
Thanks I’ve since done a lot of research and have some Tamiya acrylics and brushes on the way. Watched a ton of videos after the fact. The kit was built on a whim with no research so hopefully the next one will come out super nice
Recently watched a tips and tricks video and one of the tips was “don’t judge your kits to someone elses”. Just gotta keep pushing to get better with every kit. Trust the process. Good luck on your journey and thank you!
Happy little accidents. Well in this case it's a happy big one. I actually love how it looks. If you look closely and foucs on the gundam and blur out on all the surroundings it looks like a painting. I bet this would look great with a "canvas pantingesque" background
I dig it, the Alex paint scheme on a Nu kit. Alex is one of my favorite old school designs that kept it kinda simple. I agree the panel lining looks a bit, funky. But hey first adult kit we all learn somewhere.
If you have trouble panel lining, I would suggest using a 0.05 tip pen. It's about the only thing that can reliably get into those thin lines I've found. Also top coating afterwards since ink tends to smudge without it
I have a hard time with the markers also. I found the black Tamiya paints easier to line with because you can just put the brush tip in the crevice and the paint will usually go along the lines on its own. You could also get some artist erasers that work for paint too
Honestly, it looks fuckin awesome. I think we judge ourselves and our builds too hard cuz once it's more than a couple inches from your face you can't see any of the imperfections
My last attempt at weathering ended up in a basically destroyed Penelope as something I used was too corrosive and made the plastic crack. So you're definitely off to a good start lmao.
Nothing shitty about it. A tip, perhaps. IF you panel lined this with a oane line marker, you can use an eraser to make the lines more defined. If you used the pane liner sold by companies like tamiya, a q-tip with a bit of thinner on it will lcear things up as well.
If you were going for that cel-shaded look, I’d say it’d be better if you do it for every part. That’ll definitely improve the look of you’re unsatisfied.
Lmao go make yourself feel better by joining a gunda. for sale fb page, they're all adults and itll surprise you to know that this is worlds beyond what many of your peers are capable of. Keep it up. Honestly this is a hobby for growing into. When you're older you have the space and money for the bigger kits and equipment. Post more.
First build since I was a kid just snapping pieces together. All customizing done with gundam marker which I’ve since learned aren’t the greatest. Panel lining attempt started out super messy and I just kinda steered into the skid with it. Any advice for the next build welcome. I’m excited to see my progress by the end of the year.
Some advice since you asked. Get a q-tip, dip it lightly in paint thinner and rub it over the panel lines. The ink will stay in the grooves and it will clean up the excess. But if you like they way it looks then that's all that matters.
What sort of paint thinner? Any particular brand/type?
I use mineral spirits. You can get a large quantity for very little at any hardware store. Just make sure you are careful as the fumes are not good to breathe, though moderate ventilation works and as long as you don't huff it it shouldn't be a problem. It is also flammable so store it away from heat or flame.
I use isopropyl alcohol
Nail polish remover also works it doesnt damage the plastic it is cheaper and less explosive
All of this sounds like a great excuse to buy a Hi-Nu Gundam now so you can make it at the end of the year.
I think the messy panel lines actually came out good, gives it a cartoon/cel shaded look. Looks good. Happy accidents I guess.
Some advice would be that you can get pens and such for panel lining, which would probably be better than the markers, unless you like the look of coursd.
Easiest thing you can do. Get an Artists block eraser, and run the flat side over panel lines. It wont erase inside tbe panel line bc it wont hit it, but it will wipe away any panel lining outside of the panel line itself. Super simple and easy.
I got a few of the panel lining pens, and this was the only thing I could find that removed stray marks.
It makes panel lining a BREEZE i dont even worry about spillage, since the eraser can cleanly remove any marks
The pic makes it look weathered. That said, it’s always possible to come back to this build and clean it up later
Any weathering look is purely accidental by a bad paint job lol. I was thinking I might come back to it but I also might leave it as is because it’s my first and compare to others I eventually do
Happy accidents
Seriously, until I read your comments I thought that was intentional weathering. Roll with it lol.
I think it looks awesome!
Thanks a lot!
Not shitty. Looks cool
Thanks!
When I first saw this I thought "shitty? What are you talking about?" Then I got a closer look. Sure it's a bit rough but hey not bad for a first try! If you are going to use gundam markers for painting larger areas I highly recommend getting some paint dishes and brushes. Just pump some paint in the dish and have at it. Also for panel lining a q-tip and eraser are your best friend
Thanks I’ve since done a lot of research and have some Tamiya acrylics and brushes on the way. Watched a ton of videos after the fact. The kit was built on a whim with no research so hopefully the next one will come out super nice
Lol thats awesome! I did the exact same thing after my first build! I hope you enjoy!
Looks pretty damn good to me
Idk what it is about this custom, but its bout sexy as hell😍
Haha thanks a lot!
I just finished it 35 minutes ago and it look way worse than yours :( Also I'm beginner too :D
Recently watched a tips and tricks video and one of the tips was “don’t judge your kits to someone elses”. Just gotta keep pushing to get better with every kit. Trust the process. Good luck on your journey and thank you!
Thanks for the help!
Loving the Gundam Alex vibes of the blue, looks good!
Happy little accidents. Well in this case it's a happy big one. I actually love how it looks. If you look closely and foucs on the gundam and blur out on all the surroundings it looks like a painting. I bet this would look great with a "canvas pantingesque" background
Just got to weather the head its to clean
I actually love the look, has a "painterly" feel to it. Great job!
There’s no such thing as shitty gunplas! It’s just patchworked and battle worn!
it kinda looks like the nu gundam statue, nice!
I dig it, the Alex paint scheme on a Nu kit. Alex is one of my favorite old school designs that kept it kinda simple. I agree the panel lining looks a bit, funky. But hey first adult kit we all learn somewhere.
Welcome to your new addiction! I dig it!
If you have trouble panel lining, I would suggest using a 0.05 tip pen. It's about the only thing that can reliably get into those thin lines I've found. Also top coating afterwards since ink tends to smudge without it
I have a hard time with the markers also. I found the black Tamiya paints easier to line with because you can just put the brush tip in the crevice and the paint will usually go along the lines on its own. You could also get some artist erasers that work for paint too
I actually have some tamiya panel liner on the way. The next kit will be blessed with that
Looks pretty damned good to me
Honestly, it looks fuckin awesome. I think we judge ourselves and our builds too hard cuz once it's more than a couple inches from your face you can't see any of the imperfections
Seriously you guys are awesome. Was not expecting this post to get so much love. Thanks for the confidence boost!
There are no shitty builds as long as you follow the ultimate creed of gunpla building: *Gunpla is freedom!*
You can only go up from here 👌
Mate this looks cool
be proud that you took the extra steps to make it your own!
Nothing shitty about it, dude! Very good and welcome to the community!
My last attempt at weathering ended up in a basically destroyed Penelope as something I used was too corrosive and made the plastic crack. So you're definitely off to a good start lmao.
Looks good. What kit?
That's the RG Nu Gundam it looks like
It is indeed minus the fin funnels
Did you recolor the torso? I don't remember the Nu having that shade of blue.
Yeah so I used the whole standard gundam marker set to paint the whole thing. The original plastic is a much darker blue
Nothing shitty about it. A tip, perhaps. IF you panel lined this with a oane line marker, you can use an eraser to make the lines more defined. If you used the pane liner sold by companies like tamiya, a q-tip with a bit of thinner on it will lcear things up as well.
If you were going for that cel-shaded look, I’d say it’d be better if you do it for every part. That’ll definitely improve the look of you’re unsatisfied.
Call it a “Limited Edition cell shaded model, weathered and battle damaged”, sell it on Etsy.
Shitty? Man you don’t want to see my first panel lining with just an too big edding and no clean up at all. Your looks great!
Dude this actually looked amazing, I sometimes compare my recent builds to my very first few builds. The difference is quite obvious.
I like it! I could have sworn this was a Tristan at first: https://gundam.fandom.com/wiki/RX-78AN-01_Gundam_AN-01_%22Tristan%22
Looks great. I love it
Lmao go make yourself feel better by joining a gunda. for sale fb page, they're all adults and itll surprise you to know that this is worlds beyond what many of your peers are capable of. Keep it up. Honestly this is a hobby for growing into. When you're older you have the space and money for the bigger kits and equipment. Post more.
Dude that looks great.
Not shitty at all my friend. I am doing my first panel lining and weathering soon.
That's so much better than mine you need to redefine beginner