Blockade Runner, Bandai 1/1000 scale - Part 3

In this segment, I will delve into the finishing techniques employed on this project. After overcoming my initial scepticism, I decided to try out the weathering pencils from AK Interactive. I must admit that they are quite convenient and particularly good to use. They are essentially watercolour pencils - but endowed with richer pigments. They do not have that wax like appearance and boasts a deep and flat finish like acrylic paint. They are easy to manage and produce very subtle effects. Though not permanent, they can be sealed with fixative or varnish.  I highly recommend them for beginners or anyone who hates the odour of paint thinner and spirits as they dissolve readily in water. 

The deluxe 37 piece box set of weathering pencils courtesy of the good people at AK Interactive and MWorkshop.    

After some fumbling around to use them like conventional pencils, I settled to use them like paint, broke the lead and placed it into my blister pack palette. Light blue was used to enhance the vibrancy of the intermediate shadow of an otherwise dull medium grey Underpainting.

I proceeded to dissolve the lead into a solution comprising of 1 part retarder to three parts water. The purpose of the retarder is to increase the working time as well as to enhance the flow of the paint so that it spreads evenly. As you can see, the lead dissolves readily in the solution. 

As a rule of thumb, I always test out the consistency of the paint - as with the application of the glaze before applying onto the model. 

The light blue is applied to the mid tone areas for a subtle hint of vibrancy in the same fashion as one would do for a glaze.

Tighter corners are applied with a round brush.

Larger flat areas with a flibert brush.

The result from the subtle glaze of light blue in the mid tones. 

Perhaps one of the best thing about this kit is that it provides stickers, meaning that the "frames" can serve as masking films. 

Cut, peel and attach.

A firm rubber tipped clayshaper is used to press the sticker mask into the model's surface.

A light thin coat of paint and peel of the sticker mask. 

Painting the grey panels.

Painting the red stripes on the thrusters with masking tape.

Some light drybrushing on the edges with Grimy Grey over the red areas.

A light wash of scarlet Red over the dry brushed area to enhance the highlight. 

The completed result at this stage of the painting.

Too be continued......

Calvin