HOW TO DO Armor Trimming verDC23 at Youtube

I just uploaded another version of my Armor Trimming tutorial at my month old Youtube channel. 

This time the kit is my commissioned MG Gunner Zaku Warrior. A beautiful kit albeit the seam lines at the leg and arm parts. 

I kinda found it difficult to shoot ( video ) while doing Gunpla modifications. You are trying to favor towards the camera while cutting with a sharp stencil blade. Also favoring to the camera while drilling holes ( I slipped once ). I think I won't do much videos like this, except if I show a new technique ( at least for me ) or an old technique that I haven't shown in my channel ( like panel line scribing ). 

Anyways, I hope new modelers will find the modifications easy to follow and the video clear enough, or at least more clear than my older RG Sazabi Armor Trimming video. 

Also, I just hit the 9K milestone at Instagram! A ton of thanks to all the follows! 

I truly appreciate it so much! 

More Gunpla and Mecha Designs at all my Social Media accounts ( Twitter, IG, Facebook, Youtube and here )! 

Saludos! 

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MG Gunner Zaku Warrior REVIEW version DC23

Video Review at Youtube

My apologies as I do not have many photos of this review, as I was focused on recording the video for my new Youtube channel.

I love the design of this kit. Even the old 1/100 HG is beautiful. But this one is an awesome MG. I love the overall look and design of this Zaku. Tall and not as bulky as usual. L

Let's do this in bullets!

PROS

• The joints are great! Specially the joints or arms that hold the big gun to the backpack. The joints that hold the shield are also very nice and solid! Sturdy design! Gone are the flimsy designs of the older MGs ( at least for this kit. 
• Color separation of the parts are perfect ( as expected from a MG ). The construction of each part were not complicated and are all very straight forward.
• The articulation is one of the best ( specially for a Zaku ). The arms and legs fold all the way. The hand wrist joints are very good also. Waist could be more flexible, but it is sturdy enough to hold the huge backpack and gun.  
• Most parts can be easily disassembled for painting after snap fit ( just cut the male pegs ). 
• A beautiful kit, best displayed in flight ( due to the big gun ). 
• The typical Zaku cabling is easier to clean as it did not came in separate pipes. 
• Armor details are good. But there is so much room for more. 

CONS

• Nubs are located along the bevels of the pieces ( armor parts ). Tricky to sand for beginners. 
• Seam lines along the guns and backpack ( expected ).
• Seam lines along the upper arm, upper legs and lower leg parts. 
• There is a small red part ( I missed mentioning this on my video ) in the big gun that cannot be removed again ( after seam line removal ). Masking or hand painting will be required. 

CONCLUSION

I love the kit so much. There is a sudden pang of sadness while looking at the kit, as this is not mine. This is a commissioned work. So will be giving to the client once finish. 

Anyways, that's it! 

Do check out the 12 minute video review at Youtube. As I've said there, I am not sure if I could do these kinds of videos, as I am really focused on painting, mods and dios. 

Thanks as always for dropping by! Until next update guys! 

Saludos! 

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MG Gunner Zaku Warrior Commission!

No guys, this is NOT a review or unboxing post. We have the great Dalong.net and some Hobby Shops and Snap fitters at Youtube, for that already.

I just got this delivered to my studio by my client. This is my first Gunpla commission back to Gunpla. I will do some minor modifications to this kit.

I will start snap fit tonight after fetching the kids from school.

I plan to add my usual holes to some corners of the armor parts, do my usual armor trimming, a few panel line work and some chisel work ( still waiting for my new chisels from HobbyMate ).
This build should be fun. I will produce Youtube videos for some of the work done to this kit ( including the painting with Vallejo Mecha Colors ).

Pardon as this post is not really a review or unboxing. But then again we have other people for that.

Excited to share to you this build both here at my old blog and at my new Youtube Channel!

Thanks as always for dropping by! Until next update guys! Just enjoy the hobby!

Cheers!

MY PARTNERS

I only paint my Gunpla, Miniatures and Action Figures with Vallejos - Acrylicos Vallejo

I only use Harder & Steenbeck airbrush - Harder & Steenbeck Airbrush

I get my tools only from HobbyMate Singapore - HobbyMate at Facebook

I get my Vallejos and Miniatures only at Neutral Grounds - Neutral Grounds PH at Facebook

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Ironman Statue Repaint at Youtube

I just uploaded the video photo gallery of my old commissioned Ironman statue ( fix figure toy ) at my new Youtube channel.

This is a fix figure toy / statue made of plastic rubber. I physically burned the figure and I painted and weathered this with Vallejo paints. A nice gloss Vallejo Premium gloss paint gave it this super glossy finish. 

Also here is the link to a few posts regarding this Ironman Repaint. 

Thanks as always for dropping by! until next post guys! 

Cheers!

SHOUTOUT as usual!

I only use Vallejo Acrylic paints in all my builds - Acrylicos Vallejo

I get some of my tools from HOBBYMATE Singapore - HobbyMate at Facebook

And get my Vallejo paints from Neutral Grounds Philippines - Neutral Grounds Philippines

I only use Harder & Steenbeck for airbrushing - Harder & Steenbeck Airbrush

Before

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All Contrived Office Comics

I am waiting for my lunch atm, so I decided to blog. I have been really busy the past month and have finished 4 Children's storybooks already. I am still working on some Privateer Press inspired posters on the side and various other fun projects.

One of my regular projects is this ALL CONTRIVED web comics strip. Super fun stuff to make! It is a web comics published weekly. I find it very relatable as I worked in a corporate setting for 10 years. The comics is written and created by Vex Chagrin. I am just commissioned to illustrate them.

I would love to use the characters for my own script sometimes. I will need to ask permission from Vex. I prefer a RAT with big ears as character for a boss tho ( LOL ).

Anyways, do check out the comics at Instagram, Facebook and at the link below...

ALL CONTRIVED web comics

We are also releasing a weekly Corporate Dictionary now. Should be funny! 

Anyways, thanks as always for dropping! Lunch is here! CIAO! 

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Freelance Work Is More Fun!

I have been working at the 2nd largest TV Network in my country for the past 10 years, but have just recently resigned. I resigned back in February. I have set-up my home office immediately upon resignation, and have been doing a few commissioned artworks since then.

It took me a little more than a month to get used to the new lifestyle. No commutes and home cooked meals, will help you transition pretty well.

It has been a life changing experience thus far. I have 3 kids and they seem to love the idea that I am forever at home. Working freelance at home is Life! You get to spend more time with what matters the most, the family and the projects that you work on. No wastage of time. No traffics and downtimes.

You get to spend more time with the family, more time in honing your craft and more time to earn more. Other than the family time, even during work. The best thing in freelance work are the clients. You get to directly interact with your clients, thus you directly get praises for your hard work. No bosses to act as middlemen.

You are in control of your earnings, your time and your value. Do give it some thought. Do you love your cubicle life? Or do you want to potentially earn more, while you comfortably work at home?

Anyways, t's 4am now... and I have an interview at toptal in a few hours. Wish me luck guys! Hope I get to be accepted as a toptal artist after tomorrow! Until next update guys! Ciao!

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Flower Person Illustrations

I needed a break from all the serious, very detailed illustrations and watercolor paintings I have been doing these days. I am also not feeling well the past couple of days. But then again, I was commissioned to design a cute "Flower Person" for a Flower Shop in Canada.

I showed her 5 initial pencil sketches ( in varying body weights and costumes ), and the client chose this wonderful chubby Flower Person. This was all micron pens on vellum paper, scanned and delivered thru Google Drive. This was such a fun project to do! Can't help to put details in varying point sizes as usual tho.

Anyways, just wanted to share and archive this project here in my blog. Thanks as always for dropping by! Until next post guys! CIAO!

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Darth Maul Watercolor and Pens

I just finished this Darth Maul commissioned work illustration. I used this piece to test a new paper / card stock. It's a thick acrylic / oil painting paper of sort. I tested if it could handle heavy watercolor washes. I also used Micron Pens and a brush pen to give it a comics look. Client wanted colors and my usual inking in one piece of art. I think I am sticking to this style for a while. Been doing this watercolor / pens combo since I was a kid after all.

Anyways, this is now available as an ART print at the Art Shop. Link below...

Darth Maul ART Print

Thanks as always for dropping by! Until next post guys! CIAO!

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Some Quick Commissioned Illustrations

I just finished these Watercolor illustrations for a client. She wanted "sketchy" watercolor looking artworks. They need it for a TV show. It was fun stuff! It took a day of my life as I was a bit hesitant on how sketchy the artworks should look. I think the client is happy... as she offered that I do a few more illustrations.

The next batch should be more fun, as I know what the client wants! I used Indian Ink for the black outlines. I got a really cheap Indian Ink at the art store the other day. This Indian Ink is waterproof as usual. I will then reverse my workflow for the next batch. Ink before colors!

Anyways, off to do some more of these sketchy illustrations! Thanks as always for dropping by! Until next post guys! CIAO!

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Darth Vader ART

Just finished this Darth Vader INK Painting. I used Vallejo Acrylic Ink to render this piece. I used mainly brushes and ink. Diluted the ink with ordinary tap water for the shading. The black ink has a brownish tint when diluted, but I like the warm effect. This was painted on a 9 x 12 inch 425gsm watercolor paper.

This is now available in very limited copies of 20 at the ART SHOP! Link of the SHOP below...

DARTH VADER ART

Thanks as always for dropping by! Until next post guys! CIAO!

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Logan ART commissioned piece DONE!

I just finished this Logan commissioned piece today. Client had specific instructions and showed some visual pegs. I had fun with this piece, albeit I feel it looks too similar with the visuall peg of the client ( client instructions ).

Anyways, this Logan piece is now available as very limited ( 20 ) digital prints at the ONLINE SHOP...

LOGAN

Thanks as always for dropping by! Until next post guys! CIAO!

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Helga the Conqueror Minion Warlock - Commissioned Work

I finished this cool little Helga the Conqueror model at the same time as the Alexia Ciannor and the risen models. Both are primed, hand painted, and varnished with Vallejo acrylics. Nothing to write home about, but I do love the model so much. This is what is so fun about commissioned works, you get to paint and work on models you are not aware of or models that you never plan ( or need to ) buy for yourself.

I feel I painted this a bit darker than usual. The excess washes was the result of painting it at the same time as the risen models which I intended to look dirty. The washes diffused the effect of the highlights in the photos but the model looks a tad better in person. Besides, my painting are friggin zoomed in in these photos ( lol ).

I hope you like my pig ( my client's pig ). Will have more models painted next weekend! Thanks as always for dropping by! Until next post guys! Just enjoy the hobby! :)

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Alexia Ciannor and the Risen Mercernary Unit - Commissioned Work

 I just finished these Alexia Ciannor and the risen Mercenary Unit. These are commissioned works as usual with the website version as my guide for the colors. I tried to give the models a dirtier look with washes and they came out fairly okay. Here is the link to the Alexia Ciannor and the risen at Privateer Press website.

As it is obvious by now, I am not a fan of cork as basing material. I love how other painters make them look so nice and good, but I feel they are not strong enough after extensive game play. Cork base work should be awesome for display pieces definitely, but I am really afraid to use them for models for gaming.

Anyways the concept of the base and the whole unit is to try to make them look like they just came out of the ground. So I glued large pebbles around the models to make them look like so. The ground work are just aquarium sand glued and painted. Nothing special but I think I like the result. I could have painted more highlights on the models but spending even an hour per model is too much for a 24 piece unit!

All the models are darker and dirtier as usual as I painted numerous layers of washes over the models to make them look they came out of the ground. Fairly happy with the rusted looking metallics and very happy with the look of the bases.

I hope my client likes his Alexia and the risen as he gets them today! A ton more models to paint next weekend! Thanks as always for dropping by, Until next post guys! :)

I post a lot at Instagram these days... do follow me @DC23_mecharts if you like photo dumps everyday! Thanks! :)

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