Dust storms follow as Freedom rockets over sandy dunes to close on the enemy. No one will escape!
I’ve finished the RG Freedom build, my first attempt at a desert diorama and dust effects. Woo. This was a project to test out diorama building and it’s a happy improvement over my last effort, but, I must learn to paint more efficiently though as I only have a few hours available per week to paint.
I’ve been hesitant to do dioramas for a long time, always felt intimidated by it as I try to get it perfect on the first go. In any project though, there is a point where further planning isn’t helpful and we just need to start. We can always course correct and improve down the line, the essential thing is we have to start.
This post will only cover the paint used on the Gundam itself, if you’re curious about how I made the base click here then here.
The Recipe
Frame
- MK-13 White (MODO) lacquer primer
- Star Aluminum Silver (MODO) lacquer
- Black (TAMIYA) enamel panel line
Added a spot of gold to the wing cannons.
Blue Armour
- MK-13 White (MODO) lacquer primer
- 70% MS Blue (SUNIN 7)+ 30% Black (MODO) lacquer preshade
- MS Blue (SUNIN 7) lacquer
- Navy Blue (TAMIYA) enamel panel line
I find the pre-shade on the blue sections to be too stark. Next time I’ll focus on laying down the pre-shade more precisely (damn you shaky hands!) and make the following coat of paint more opaque. This is my first time using SUNIN 7 and I’m finding I need to hold it close to the model (~4cm) to get a decent and smooth coverage.
Light Blue Armour
- MK-13 White (MODO) lacquer primer
- Sky Blue (MR COLOUR) lacquer
- Navy Blue (TAMIYA) enamel panel line
I chose not to preshade these pieces as they are too small and won’t benefit from it.
White Armour
- MK-13 White (MODO) lacquer primer
- 35% Wine Red (MR COLOUR) + 35% COBALT BLUE (MR COLOUR) + 30% Black lacquer preshade
- Flat White (MODO) lacquer
- Grey enamel (TAMIYA) panel line
Very happy with the pre-shade here, subtle.
Black Armour
- MK-13 White (MODO) lacquer primer
- Black lacquer
Dark Grey Armour
- MK-13 White (MODO) lacquer primer
- Black lacquer preshade
- 50% Black + 50% Dark Grey (2) (MR COLOUR) lacquer
- Black enamel (TAMIYA) panel line
Purple Wings
- MK-13 White (MODO) lacquer primer
- MS Blue (SUNIN 7) lacquer preshade
- 50% Wine Red (MR COLOUR) + 50% COBALT BLUE (MR COLOUR) lacquer
- Navy Blue enamel (TAMIYA) panel line
Beam Saber
- MK-13 White (MODO) lacquer primer
- MS Red (SUNIN 7) lacquer. Decrease coverage from the tip to the base, showing some white at the base.
Eyes
- Paint the back of the piece silver
- Clear Green lacquer
- Hand paint the mask around the eyes with acrylic black
The problem I have with my method is that the pieces are too dark, and the green can only be seen at a few select angles in bright light. Next time I’ll try with a white base coat and apply some painted on lighting effects.
Forehead Camera
- Paint the back of the piece silver
- Clear Yellow lacquer