RG Freedom WIP
Painting is almost done, so I’m moving onto the desert themed base. I’m picturing the SF flying fast and low to the ground, kicking up tremendous volumes of dust as it passes; like this but with dust instead. I would have done water too but there would be too much blue on the diorama.
For the base I’ve started with a cheap clock I found at a DIY store for RM8 (~2 USD) and will build it up using the techniques found on the Paint Pusher’s (PP’s) ‘Drop the Base’ facebook album. It’s a really good guide for diorama bases, I’ll be trying more of these techniques.
First step is to secure the brass rod that will hold the model with a big blob of epoxy putty.
Then put down a thin layer of epoxy so that the base isn’t too smooth, once that’s dry roll some putty snakes and lay those down to simulate sand dunes.
One side of each of the dunes (the same side for each of them) is blended into the base using the back of a paint brush. This is left to try for 24 hours.
This is where I deviate from PP’s guide, as I mix together real life sand and white glue, and then apply a thin layer onto the base. Mostly just behind the Gundam (I figure more rough sand will be visible here as the lighter sand has been kicked up into the air), but a few patches between the dune as well.
I’ve used this technique before to create the base of my HG GM Custom, it’s a great way to get a layer of ground work onto your model. If you use this you want the glue to be completely mixed into the sand (no dry bits), but you don’t want it to be a soup. Aim for the consistency of porridge. I used too much glue for the GM Custom so you can see some lumps of pure solidified glue on the diorama.
Next, I put down the fine sand. To model this I’m using bicarbonate of soda, a super fine powder that is fine enough to realistically model sand. This can get messy so make sure you put newspaper down before you start. I followed PP’s instructions here, painting a thin layer of white glue onto the whole base, and then tapping enough bicarb soda to cover everything. Once it had enough time to dry I blow and pour off the excess soda.
Next step is to prime and paint, look forward to it.
HGUC Dreissen
The Dreissen has been sanded and primed in black. The next stage is to pose the model then paint it in white, but only from above so I can get a natural pre-shade effect.
Still not too sure how I’m going to base this guy yet, will update next time.