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Post by SockMonkey on Sept 8, 2004 8:46:30 GMT -5
[glow=purple,2,300]Very cool, SS! I can't wait to see 'im painted. Have you decided what type of paint you want to try? Whatever you choose might I make a suggestion? I always find it helpful to test a new paint out on a test piece (I usually use skull jack's left armored foot since I have a million of them). It just makes me feel more confident going into painting the whole figure and cuts down on surprises. Oh and make sure you use a primer...amazing how much it helps. You might already plan on doing these things but I thought I'd throw in my 2 cents to hopefully make this a success. Good luck!. ~SM![/glow]
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Post by ShaneReinecke on Sept 8, 2004 10:22:11 GMT -5
Huh, I just lost a rather lengthly post to the Xevolution oblivion. It was here when I walked away to take care of some business, and when I came back, the message entry field was empty. Oh well... First off, very cool kitbash SS, I really like how the PC pelvis looks as a torso. I liked the hunched version and the Alpha/Omega blades better, but thats just my opinion. As for colors, how about metallic copper for the base, with black accents, and neon green for the visor to help unify his color scheme a bit with the other Xevoz Mechas. If you did some weathering effects (using a dry-brushing technique) you wouldn't even need to use a lot of accent or secondary colors. As for the name, Mecha Shell (as I recall) was a TMNT figure from the kids toy line and cartoon/comic, and I should still have one in storage if for some reason you want to see pics (the only toon inspired figure that I ever bought from that line as I recall). As for painting techniques. I prefer Citadel paints (for toys and miniatures), and Tamiya paints for transparent washes. If these aren't available to you (since you will need a good hobby/model shop at your disposal) then there are many other excellent acrylic paint manufacturers available, I've heard that Michaels and Walmart both carry some good brands in their craft sections. As SM said, you certainly will want to test your paints (and skills) on an extra junk part or parts, before proceeding with any major paint applications. This is to assure that not only do the paints adhere properly, but also that the desired color is achieved, and also (in the case that you have not done much painting prior to this) that your skills are warmed up so that you achieve the final results that you desire. As I do mostly airbrush work whenever I paint these days (and I don't think that you want to invest a minimum of a few hundred dollars in equipment into this route), I may not have a whole lot to provide in brush techniques, but some simple rules are.... 1. Practice keeping a very steady hand, steady even strokes are one of the most important aspects to a good smooth finished paint job. 2. Don't try to apply too much paint (or too little in some cases) at once, even layers will produce a much more refined finished product, and will reduced or eliminate splotching, running, and most imperfections. 3. Always be patient, patient in the amount of prep time you take, patient in the amount of application time you take, and patient in the amount of drying time you allow. Many more tips, tricks, and FAQs can be found here.... www.stikcustomizers.com/ and here... kevinonline.home.att.net/.....but there are other toy customizing sites and many miniature sites out there. As for me though, I would disassemble the figure, tape off the ball joints and sockets, and prime the whole thing in Matt Gray to start with. Proceed through the painting process, with whatever color scheme you finally decide upon, taking care and consideration for drying times in between coats and different paint apps.. Finally, when all of your painting is done spray on a couple layers of a good clear coat to properly seal the paint job. Re-assemble your figure, and enjoy the fruits of your labor, oh and don't forget to take plenty of photos to share with the rest of us . I can't wait to see how this one turns out SS.
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Post by MXC-087 on Sept 8, 2004 11:00:23 GMT -5
Yes, extremely cool! I'm not sure - would you paint a turtle shell pattern on the Preda Crawler waist (not necessarily green), or go for something more abstract and mechanical? I have to say I agree with darker colors for this one. Great work overall, and again, I'm always sorry that I don't take time to comment on your creations.
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Post by Squishee Slinger on Sept 8, 2004 16:05:54 GMT -5
There's no going back now... I went to a local craft store and bought primer, model master acrylic paints, brushes, and acrylic sealer. I've so far treated all of the major parts I want painted with primer. The painting is going to be a slow on going process. I hope to do this slow and steady. ~SS~
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the Homer
Quick Slinger
why you little !!!!!
Posts: 171
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Post by the Homer on Sept 8, 2004 16:14:12 GMT -5
thats going to be so cool when its done.
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Post by Batman on Sept 8, 2004 16:28:15 GMT -5
i created a kitbash similar to it. Though they only share the head and "torso" everything else I thought of myself.
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Post by Cactusboy00 on Sept 8, 2004 21:18:55 GMT -5
I'd have to disagree. I loved this kitbash before, but I think it looks even better in the second version (if you don't take the colors into consideration). I think the change of weapons and feet makes a huge difference, surprisingly. While the sectoid feet don't look robotic at this stage, I prefer them over the razor claw feet as far as fitting with the custom...they should look fine once they are painted. On that note, can't wait to see what the final product looks like SS.
On a final note, and I'm seriously not trying to dig up a settled argument, but I think that SS has proved that kitbashes are definitely a worthy form of customization. Looking at this kind of custom excites me and inspires me to go mess around with my own Xevoz.
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Post by Squishee Slinger on Sept 9, 2004 13:24:55 GMT -5
Well I've started painting (I used some of those awful EV-ACs as test pieces) and I've completely painted and assempled the right leg. I thought I preview it here so some of you could see the look and paint scheme I've decided to go with. Any thoughts or comments? ~SS~
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the Homer
Quick Slinger
why you little !!!!!
Posts: 171
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Post by the Homer on Sept 9, 2004 13:28:14 GMT -5
cool
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Post by Cactusboy00 on Sept 9, 2004 21:26:01 GMT -5
Lookin' good so far, SS. I like the blue and black, and I'm glad to see that the BC foot does indeed look much better once painted to match the rest of the figure. Can't wait to see you finish.
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Post by Batman on Sept 9, 2004 21:34:16 GMT -5
i really like how the foot turned out. it looks so different as a diff color.
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Post by zovex on Sept 10, 2004 12:16:29 GMT -5
just wondering....are they all going to be black with the four turtles different colors? because i think they should......any thought on sais or bo staff? obviously the katana and nunchucks are a no brainer.........also, what are the sky bombs for?
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Post by Squishee Slinger on Sept 10, 2004 13:42:21 GMT -5
Yes, all four homages will have the turtles the corresponding turtles color schemes worked into them. Obviously, this one is based on Leo; Mike or Raph is next.
The Sky Grinder bombs are going to act as jet turbine engines that come out of the thighs for flight, however, there are also going to be weapons that will connect to the chest and back for heavy assault capabilities. Each turtle have something unique.
Right now I plan on Raph using the Omega gaurd thick short swords as makeshift sais. If something better comes along, I'll replace them but I think they work pretty nicely as is for the mean time. Don is a different story. You'd think something as simple as a bow staff would be easy to come up with but giving it the right length and high-tech upgrade is proving somewhat difficult. I have an idea for a cool looking bow alternative when Infil-traitor comes out, but I'll have to wait and see when it's released.
I'm thinking about doing an Unnatural Shedder too. Infiltrator's cape, hyper gaurdians bod, and Firedrake's spikey forearm armor look like they provide me a nice starting place.
~SS~
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Post by DFReaper on Sept 10, 2004 16:44:03 GMT -5
For the bo staff you could go with the Shock Berzercker Electro Staff, Storm Wing's Staff/Javelin, or maybe a staff from a MOTU character since the weapons fit Xevoz hands from what I have seen. You could go with a Krang with the Transcorcher brain in a bottle. Me personally, I would have gone with Raph first, cause let's face it people, without him the Turtles would have worthless. Can you say Linchpin.
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Post by Squishee Slinger on Sept 10, 2004 16:56:25 GMT -5
I've Had an idea I think will work rather nicely. I'm cutting up two Hyper Fury Staffs trimming off the pieces I don't want and then connecting them.
~SS~
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