Just finished this kit a few days ago. I entered it into a local contest, and when I brought it home, I realized that I had missed a few places. Lesson learned here is to never build in a rush, you’ll always miss something. I got no complaints about the kit with familys running around, small children; but then again, I don’t know if the organizers were approched behind the scenes because people feel safer to rat something out in private over just walking up and discussing the issue with me in person.
warning Potentially family unfriendly material in the below link. If slight nudity does not offend you, by all means, please click the link. I’m looking for some constructive criticism and such open discussions help me become a better modeler. For some other forums, I’ve already gained some insights on how to improve future works. I also feel that if there are folks that want to learn some of the techniques I used, it would also be a great benefit as I like passing on my techniques to anyone willing to listen.
This is also a pretty niche modeling genre, but if there are folks interested in this, feel free to contact me as well, I’ll be more than happy to share places and sources for such kits.
You’ve done a very good job, though I do agree with the criticism that the skin tone is too light. The eyes look very much alive and you’ve done an amazing job on the stockings!
You’ve done a great job on the website as well. I look forward to your future work.
Thank you for editing your comments. I’d never make a blanket statemet about Star Trek models simply because I do not have the slightest idea of what I am talking about with regards to that genre. This is what is so great about our hobby, there are so many genres out there, yet the basic techniques on building and finishing are pretty much identical. How about we look at it in that light?
I didn’t edit my comments, they were edited for me. Still, I don’t understand the attraction to anime for the reasons I stated, however that doesn’t mean that I’m against it. I just don’t see the issue of the original thread, sorry.
Oh, then I’ve mistakenly given you credit for that, I apologize. But I agree, I don’t see an issue with the original thread either, but this is fsm’s playground, gotta play by their rules.
Hm, well, I’m not sure but I’m kind of getting the impression that you don’t like anime. My advice to you would be, don’t watch any! If you did you probably wouldn’t enjoy it.
I, too, never quite got the whole anime thing. Way too melodramatic for my tastes. My kids were into it for awhile, and one of them still is. Whatever, I say. I could be more interested with subjects like that.
I agree that some of the anime stuff out there is a little over the top. However, there are different varieties that deal with different themes, made for different audiences…etc etc.
There are many that I enjoy as a 29 year-old professional with a literature background simply due to the complexity and gravity of the subject matter (case in point Evangalion.)
There’s other stuff out there that is very noir and hard-boiled (Cowboy Bebop). Neither of these have what I would call gratuitous nudity, or, as the Japanese call it “fan service.” If given a chance, there as some really serious, thought provoking stuff (Ghost in the Shell). I think that too much anime has been given this stigma that it’s pornographic, childish, corny…etc. etc. when it if often misunderstood or broadly viewed as trash much the way comic books were decades ago. Just my 2 pennies.
BTW: The model is great! Did you hand paint the lace at the top of the stockings?
Thanks! The lace was done with a wash as those were carved out recessed details in the resin. I clear coated that section first with future floor polish and let that cure. A few days later, I used some Model Masters Gloss White enamel and thinned it with some lighter fluid (napatha) and just dipped a brush into the solution and onto the part. Allowing the paint to dry slightly, the clean up was done with a paper towel slighly dampened with the lighter fluid. I was thinking if I should set up the camera and do a video of the process, but I was too lazy…
Thanks!. The fun part of the kit was that there was a nice mold line that ran down two sides of each of those detail areas, so the sanding process was a bit on the tedious side.
As for anime, I’m a mecha guy, and I’ve been watching Gundam since I was young, Macross, Last Exile, Bebop, Gurren Lagann, and a few others stick out in my mind right now as some of my favorites. I haven’t had a chance to catch the latest Gundam 00 series, or the new Macross Frontier either; so I’m a bit behind. It’s always a juggle to decide between building a kit or sitting down and watching anime (because I usually wait until I have a full series and just plow through it).
oh man, you should have seen me getting ready for the Nationals last year with Rathalos. I finished her at like 3am and and 330 I was in the shower getting ready to go to California. I got down to the hotel and started unpacking and COULD NOT FIND HER ARM! good thing I finally found it.
Lesson learned, get our projects finished well in advance but whats the fun in that???
This is from Orchid Seed? Im still not catching the amputation part and where it worked out.
GB’s got a great site, and its very informative with his massed amounts of how-to photos. Another is the site by Cody Kwok at Codyskoop. Given the genre, and having never seen the OS original character the skin tone looks ok to me, some of my girls are on the fair side and that is intentional. Usually mine get more ruddy than I care for and I have to repaint.
You really should rent “Grave of the Fireflies” It’s a poignant, beautiful movie from 1988. I have seen it once and will never need to see it again in my life. Yes, its that good. Absolutely no melodrama and it shows what anime can be as an art form. Sadly people think its all pimply otaku and girls’-high-school-uniform clad vampire slayers…Another really well-made movie that may be the last cell-animated feature length movie is Jin-Ro: The Wolf Brigade. Alternate post WWII history of Japan that deals with the rise of a totalitarian police state, betrayal, sacrifice and governmental double cross. I’m slowly collecting the works of Hayao Miyazaki’s Studio Ghibli films, which (unfortunately) is often marketed in the US under the Disney label making people think they are Disney-produced.
The hip cover girl was great. Too racy for my household, though. and I agree with watching “Grave of the Fireflies”. Very powerful stuff. Not many movies make me shed a tear- this one is a rare one. Also check out “Akira”, “The Venus Wars”, and “Police Tank Dominion”. If you liked Gundam and Macross, you should like these as well.
I remember watching Grave of the Fireflies a good 20 years ago, damn powerful anime.
Well, the stocking is build like a sock and just slipped over the leg part. Had I not cut the top part of the leg off (lace area) the stockings would then need to be cut along the line where the lace meets the leg. Having done that before on another kit, cutting the stretchy material and getting it to look good was rough. I had to use glue and all sorts of stuff. So effectively, when I cut the top part of the leg off, the stocking sock just fits over the entire leg so there is no need of any cutting. Currently, the stockings aren’t even glued into place, It would make more sense if I had the forethought to take some pictures to reason out. But believe me, the amputation was necessary to save alot of work.
Ive got Akira, found it in the five dollar bin of all places. LOVE PTD, good old school proto-mecha! Talk about a chick tank driver with attitude! I will need to find The Venus Wars.