Minor/Repaint: IDW Whirl using Javaco's kit

Discussion in 'Radicons Customs' started by AxlF, Jul 2, 2014.

  1. AxlF

    AxlF Well-Known Member

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    Hi,
    Here's IDW Whirl via Javaco's Shapeways kit.
    His base model was HFTD Tomahawk and the shapeways kit more or less discards all peripheral limbs from him. The kit fits on easily and tightly turning Tomahawk into a Nut-Job.
    Javaco really deserves credit for this. There is an existing thread on the kit itself but as far as I can see, this is the first model painted so I've started this thread.

    Painted using acrylic paint -I'm in no way a customizer - i just want certain figures and do what I have to to get them.
    Acrylic was a mistake, or rather, my impatience was a mistake. I didn't have any thinner and thought water would do - it does not. Every stroke came out a different shade. Then i just went ahead and painted without thinner which left a thick, messy coat in some places.
    Anyway, enough - here's some pics.
    The original kit:
    [​IMG]

    Poses based on the comic
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
     

    Attached Files:

  2. taddghostal

    taddghostal Well-Known Member

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    MAN!!!! Good show Ol' chap!
     
  3. iconbot

    iconbot Well-Known Member

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    Looks crap! Sorry.
     
  4. AxlF

    AxlF Well-Known Member

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    Always appreciate constructive feedback.
     
  5. javaco

    javaco javaco

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    Wow man! Still looks amazing! You did a great job! And I'm so happy you found a spot for the weapon to store in vehicle mode haha. It wasn't something I thought of when designing it. Great!
     
  6. SteamShield

    SteamShield Well-Known Member

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    I think it is the gloss that does not go with whirl. Spraying on a layer of flat/matt clearcoat will definitely help...I think.
     
  7. nellie131

    nellie131 Well-Known Member

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    yeah the paint looks very un-even.

    that being said the kit really works and the colour choices are nice! perhaps you could re-visit this custom once you have gotten some more paint skills?

    you have managed to make the shape ways plastic look good too!
     
  8. AgentAlabama113

    AgentAlabama113 Wily Old Buzzard

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    That looks pretty good.
     
  9. Slimaximus

    Slimaximus Headmaster

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    The good: That kit is amazing looking and your color choices are good.

    The Bad and ugly: Paint looks rushed and very uneven.

    I'll be the 1st to admit I'm no super talent with painting either, but just by taking a lot of extra time and precautions I can turn out a pretty decent paint job.

    A lot of it comes from proper prepping: disassemble, sand joints, thoroughly clean surfaces and base coat. I like to use a silver base because it gives a great pop to the colors you paint over it. Also, specially in joints a top/clear coat to help prevent all that paint flaking that I'm seeing. To be honest I use Future floor polish for my clear and it works AMAZINGLY. Just dip the part and hang it to dry. And my final tip, let the paint cure before reassembling. This I learned the hard way and as I was putting a figure back together a nice big thumb print into the paint, had to strip it and start over with hose parts.

    But again great start and with a little practice can look a lot better.
     
  10. Kraken

    Kraken Is a vegiesaurus, Lex. Veteran

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    Nice attempt, and lessons learnt for the future. Nothing wrong with that. I really do need to pick up this kit. If you ever decide to revisit it, don't forget that there's plenty of tutorial on the site to help you, and don't be afraid to ask for help :thumb 
     
  11. archieboy

    archieboy Well-Known Member

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    Dude, bigger pics, please!
     
  12. CodeXCDM

    CodeXCDM Well-Known Member

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    Man... seeing it all painted up... Still can't believe Tomahawk was the base here. That kit javaco made is something else.

    If you seek contructive feedback... definitely thin the paints. It's definitely on the thick side. The base blue might be a tad too saturated for Whirl, seems more appropriate for Rotorstorm if anything. Still, it's a first custom, and there's always room to improve.

    :thumb 
     
  13. lenimusprime

    lenimusprime Well-Known Member

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  14. ShanLan

    ShanLan I is a WerWilf

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    Alright! Finally, a painted up version!
    Well, I thought my Generations Whirl would make do....but seeing your kit-Whirl all painted up has convinced me otherwise :) 

    Looks good, if the paint really bothers you, it doesn't look like anything that a light sanding and recoat couldn't improve.

    I actually just decided on the weekend to take apart and redo the first Transformer custom I ever did, since compared to what I can do now, he looks really, really sad :D 
     
  15. Algernon

    Algernon Radicon Acolyte

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    Not bad! What brand paint did you use?

    If I can offer a tip, it's to brush on very thin, multiple coats. If you're trying trying to get as much coverage as possible in one stroke, you'll get a rough or gloppy look. It takes more time to do thin coats, but it will look smoother in the end.
     
  16. AxlF

    AxlF Well-Known Member

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    I used Tamiya. Thanks for the tip.

    Yeah, I think I'll be starting this guy over - I was just too eager to get this guy painted up, thanks for the advice.
     
  17. usernamedustin

    usernamedustin Banned

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    Use Testors model paint. It will come out smoother.
     
  18. Rhinox555

    Rhinox555 ライオコンボイ

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    You don't need to have something good to say.
    If people only did that, we'd never learn anything.
    However, if you're going to say something negative, do so in a way that can help someone. Simply saying "Looks crap!" is negative solely for the sake of insulting someone and you're not helping anyone with that.
    Example: The paint on Whirl looks a bit thick. Have you tried thinning the paint or possibly wetsanding a bit? Thinner paint is initially going to look like it's not doing much. It will take several coats before it starts to really cover the figure, but the result will be much smoother, thinner and often more durable. If you're using spraypaints, each layer should look like a light dusting. For the most part, you're on the right track. You found the right type of paint for sure. Tamiya, when you've had some practice with it produces some of the cleanest paint jobs you'll see. Nobody gets it right on their first couple of tries and plenty of experimentation and trial and error is definitely involved. You're certainly off to a good start. Keep doing what you do and you'll see yourself improving.

    (This excessively long post provided by someone who hasn't finished a custom in years.)
     
  19. chansformers

    chansformers butcher of the bots

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    this still has great potential!
    the structure's still there,but like others have said,the paint looks a tad rushed.
    i honestly think you don't have to strip it all and repaint it again.
    look in the tutorials section and try giving him a "wash".
    it'll look like he's been through the ringer and that's why his paint is peeling in certain areas.then dry brush some of the raised areas/details a bit with silver and it'll ultimately look like decent battle damage,fitting for this psychotic character:thumbs2: 
     
  20. ironscythe

    ironscythe The Critic

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    That only applies in sunday school, buddy. When displaying artwork in a public venue, one must be prepared to accept the good and bad, and make something useful out of it. Your own comment had less value than the one you sought to undermine, frankly.

    Nowhere in the rules of this forum do I see anything stating that we must participate in a circle-jerk of creative stagnation.

    Now, if I may be so bold, it looks like you may have used housepaint, AxelF. I recommend purchasing some gundam markers or sharpie paint pens, and some EXTREMELY thin brushes. I also recommend using masking tape and an exacto-knife to cover the parts you don't want to get a certain color on, and above all, WAIT FOR THE PAINT TO DRY BEFORE GOING OVER IT AGAIN.