Minor/Repaint: CW Thunderclash WIP

Discussion in 'Radicons Customs' started by Optimus.Magnus, Feb 8, 2016.

  1. Optimus.Magnus

    Optimus.Magnus Swingin' the chain

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    Hey everyone,

    Like many people, I've been wanting a Thunderclash to go with the CW lineup. Both Reprolabels and Renderform have, collectively, put together an ok version so far IMO, but I have a couple problems with it. So I decided to make my own.

    The vintage Thunderclash suffers from an atrocious color scheme, representative from the time period in which he was released. Typically, Transformers and super heroes alike have 3-4 colors, with perhaps a few extra thrown in as tiny accents. My goal for this project was to streamline the classic look into something more palatable, just as the Classics line has updated vintage characters.

    That said my rules were:
    - No 80s/90s colors (teal, aqua, hot/neon pink)
    - Make a good look instead of an exact, part-for-part color scheme

    I bought the Reprolabels set and pre-ordered the Renderform head. The RL set only has a few stickers I want to use and didn't have enough red for my taste. The rest is/will be painted.

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    The masked areas, as well as the white center of his shoulders, will be painted gold. I'm just waiting for the red and blue paint to cure properly before I put masking tape on it. I haven't decided what color to paint his hands, and I'm waiting to receive the Renderform head before I make the final decision to try to get a color match or something complementary. I also haven't decided what color to paint his alt mode windows: I'm leaning toward Gold (like reflective aviator sunglasses) or going with a clear red over the existing stock paint.

    I'm rather fond of his "obliques" being painted gray, similar to art I've seen floating around online. I think it matches the other gray areas well and makes the blue and gold pop. I'm doing the same scheme for his reverse combiner mode.

    Thanks for looking.
     

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    Last edited: Aug 13, 2018
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  2. KnightStrike

    KnightStrike Well-Known Member

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    I kind of dig the craziness of his original color scheme, but you are making this look really nice! I'd say on his alt mode try to go with a clear red over the windows. Can't wait to see where you go with this one.
     
  3. maximus_primal

    maximus_primal Autobot

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    Like where this is going!
     
  4. marvel b

    marvel b Bearer of the Matrix of Smash

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    cool! how did you match the gold on bc optimus?
     
  5. bumblebeej8

    bumblebeej8 Well-Known Member

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    That's awesome!
     
  6. Optimus.Magnus

    Optimus.Magnus Swingin' the chain

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    That was a bit of a happy accident. The best gold paint I have come across is Citadel acrylic Auric Gold. Just a beautiful, solid paint.
     
  7. Optimus.Magnus

    Optimus.Magnus Swingin' the chain

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    Hey everyone, thanks for the feedback :) 

    So I finished the initial stage of painting but I'm stuck at the moment and could use an outside opinion. Please take a look at the side-by-side comparison and let me know what you think I should keep, change, etc. Choices are not limited to the photo options.

    [​IMG]
     
  8. EarthGBilly

    EarthGBilly Sucker for a GERWALK Mode

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    I like the hips/trunks area on the current paint job, but the blue accents on the forearms and the darker fists from the possible changes.
     
  9. marvel b

    marvel b Bearer of the Matrix of Smash

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    seconded!
     
  10. KnightStrike

    KnightStrike Well-Known Member

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    I'm in this camp as well.
     
  11. maximus_primal

    maximus_primal Autobot

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    I agree with this. If you wanted to do something to the legs I just add a little blue accent to the thighs where it is indented.
     
  12. Optimus.Magnus

    Optimus.Magnus Swingin' the chain

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    Hey guys,
    thanks for helping me sort through that choice. I finished painting and added the few Reprolabels I planned to keep for his bot mode. I like the pink energon effects as accents.

    Next up will be alt mode!

    [​IMG]
     
  13. KnightStrike

    KnightStrike Well-Known Member

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    That turned out freaking awesome! You are right, those energon effects are the perfect touch.
     
  14. VIZGIX

    VIZGIX Smugbot

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    I really dig this. You have breathed life into a character I didn't really care for up until now by adapting it to this mold.

    I guess A better way to say this is that I hated Thunderclash's original mold, but never looked past the mold to realize I liked the colors. Thanks to your insight in realizing this and making this custom, I have now grown to really like the colors

    and your custom.

    Great job! :thumb 
     
  15. Optimus.Magnus

    Optimus.Magnus Swingin' the chain

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    Wow, guys, thanks very much!

    Next up on the alt mode, I decided to stick with the energon accents and I'm liking it so far. So really, I'm thinking I need a good color for the windows and the headlights. I plan to add some slight accents to the various lights above the cab as well but that will come last.

    I was thinking a clear red coat over a silver base might give it a nice metallic red finish, but I'm also considering a metallic icy blue tint instead. The lighter blue would work to match the blue in his bot mode and also be a nod to the vintage figure's lighter blues.

    Thoughts?

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]
     
  16. KnightStrike

    KnightStrike Well-Known Member

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    I'm kind of liking the clear red over metallic silver idea. It would help tie together the red on the rear section and the front of the cab and be accented well by the energon effect touches too.
     
  17. MyTea Boc

    MyTea Boc Do you smell that?

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    Nice work indeed! What type of red paint did you use for the legs?
     
  18. maximus_primal

    maximus_primal Autobot

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    Red or Blue??? That's a tough one...
     
  19. Rotorstorm

    Rotorstorm Wreck n’ rule

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    See for me the early 90s colours are part of the appeal, I look and think that the neon pink was perhaps the best highlighting colour, especially for the otherwise bland white truck he would be.

    That said, your custom is looking nice. Some purple might be a good bet though instead of the blue. it doesn't seem to be portrayed in most media but all the turbomasters made use of the same purple for the head sculpt (see Rotorstorm in LSOTW). I think it might make him look a bit less, I don't know, like he's wearing a flag in robot mode.

    Sorry if it sounds a bit arsey, but I always fin constructive criticism better than just hearing something isn't liked :) 
     
  20. Optimus.Magnus

    Optimus.Magnus Swingin' the chain

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    That's where I'm leaning at the moment, though I would like to throw in some blue somewhere.

    I used Testors Guards Red for the legs.