VF-1S Strike Battroid Valkyrie step-by-step

[DrunkenMaster2]

Thanks Big F, I like the color choices that you had, Tamiya Medium Blue XF-18, Tamiya Flat Blue XF-8 and a dash of Gun Metal X-10. Next I'm going to seal it then do the panel lines and add highlights on the corners. Should look good.

[DrunkenMaster2]

Ok I finish the panel lines with black oil wash. Next I tape off the area that I don't want to spray. I airbrush alclad steel on all the parts that needed it.

Next I highlight the edges on the boosters, as you can see, I highlight one part and left the other to show you how it will look if you had one highlight and one without highlight. Big difference if you didn't highlight the booster. I like how it came out, need to do some finish touches.

[Major Focker]

I use XF-18 1/3 2/3 XF-8 and a dash of X-10

It looks really good and the X-10 gives it a slight metal look that IMO make it look more real.

You can also use XF-50 and mix that with XF-8 that work too.

For a total TV look you can use XF-18 and a dash of olive green (forget which number), at the end of the day its up to you.

Once you find the colour you like mix a load of it as you`ll want all your future kits to be the same colour, you can store it in an old thinners jar or a small Jam jar or something air tight.

i think i like this color mix too. i've just started building my first valk and got 3 more kits on the way. how much do you think i should mix for 4 FP sets?

thanks

[ce25254]

Next I highlight the edges on the boosters

Wow, that makes a huge difference. What paint are you using to highlight? Oil or acrylic? Are you applying it with a dry brush technique or more exact spot application? (Seems like the latter to me.)

[valkyrie13]

Wow, that makes a huge difference. What paint are you using to highlight? Oil or acrylic? Are you applying it with a dry brush technique or more exact spot application? (Seems like the latter to me.)

Looks to me like a dry brush technique using a very flat brush and thick, bright enamel paint. Used to get these effects when I was a beginner in dry brushing and was too much highlight for military models. But on a sci-fi model (like a Valk), it has a very impressive result. I should try this myself. Thank you.

[Jeremy007]

great job on this kit.

i am building one right now and i hope it turns out this good when im done.

[DrunkenMaster2]

Oops forgot to add how I made the highlights. Yes I used a dry brush technique using acrylic paint. The paint I use was sky blue, I tried light grey just didn't work with the color for the boosters, but when I used sky blue everything pop out. Here I use a flat brush. First I load both side with paint then with a paper towel I take off the paint (both sides) with that done I went side to side following along the edge, by doing this the paint that's left on the brush will go on only the corners thus highlighting the parts that your painting.

Edited November 6, 2007 by DrunkenMaster2

[warpaint22]

Looking good, the colour looks great and the drybrushing really adds to the overall look. I like the mesh too it's a good idea.

[Valkyrie addict]

Wow...talk about detail and patience, I admire your effort of taking pictures and taking the time explain absolutely everything you are doing

great job man! I'm learning a lot!! hope to see you're work of art done!

[big F]

i think i like this color mix too. i've just started building my first valk and got 3 more kits on the way. how much do you think i should mix for 4 FP sets?

thanks

Well I mixed up the first batch using the small 10mm pots. I you go by my method you can use one whole pot for XF18 and two pots for XF-8 and a dash for X-10 I should give you just over 30mm of paint and when you add thinners you `ll get a lot more. I poured it all into a spare large capacity airbrush paint jar I had lying arround.

I have done the FP on my Strike and have enough to do at least one strike easily so when Im done I`ll mix up a super batch with 3 or 4 times the amounts and hopefully that will last to do some of my 1/55`s and still give me some spare to do the rest of my 1/72`s. The really great thing about airbrushes is super thin acurate layers and good covering mean you dont waste much and therefore you always mix more than you actually need.

Edited November 8, 2007 by big F

[DrunkenMaster2]

ok finish touch ups and seal everything in. Here is what I have so far. Here you can see I airbrush (Tamiya smoke X-19) burnt marks next to the missile bay on the strike pack, plus I added burnt mark by the laser on the strike pack as while. I think it came out pretty good.

Next I'll add the booster then finish up with the decals. I'm almost finish !!!

[DrunkenMaster2]

Ok here is where I'm at, as you can see I apply all the booster on the strike pack. All that's left is the decals.

[Valkyrie addict]

Holly crap man! I'm seriously thinking of getting myself a strike VF-1S and having you make it for me!! hehe

[DrunkenMaster2]

Ok finish the decals on the strike pack. All I have left is to panel the "UN Spacy" logo. Only thing I don't like the skull and white text, it's too bright, I'm thinking should I airbrush a very light coat of "smoke" over them? Any suggestion?

[ghostryder]

Ok finish the decals on the strike pack. All I have left is to panel the "UN Spacy" logo. Only thing I don't like the skull and white text, it's too bright, I'm thinking should I airbrush a very light coat of "smoke" over them? Any suggestion?

This is Hikaru's valk isn't it? I imagine they painted a new red skull/001 on a set of old strike fastpacks right before the final battle.

EDIT - maybe some smoke over the other white text, which I assume is what you were refering too also.

Looking good, can't wait to see the finshed product.

Edited November 15, 2007 by ghostryder

[KiriK]

very nice and detailed build up.... i like the highlights on the strike parts

[DrunkenMaster2]

Since I cut off the support on the arm armor I had to use styrene to attach it. Now the arm looks like the movie.

I couldn't wait I put it together to see what it will look like, I haven't put on the wings or missle pods on yet. I still need to find a base, I'm looking for a wooden circle base. I like how it came out !!!!!!

[redfinger61]

looks really good!!!

As far as the bases go, check out Micheals, the arts and crafts store, I get bases there all the time they are like 0.59$ cents or something.

Ashton

[big F]

Since I cut off the support on the arm armor I had to use styrene to attach it. Now the arm looks like the movie.

Should`a done that on mine IMO they look like pigmy Yamatos with them. Oh well theres always next time.

[Valkyrie addict]

looks fantastic...wonder if you can pose it like this

Edited November 18, 2007 by Valkyrie addict

[redfinger61]

looks fantastic...wonder if you can pose it like this

Your probaly could, those damned wings get on the way of any dynamic posing of the legs, with the wings up it will make things easier. I am thinking of doing a Max version with the wings armed, this thread is some good reference.

Ashton

[DrunkenMaster2]

looks fantastic...wonder if you can pose it like this

I thought about making my battroid like that, but after I study it, I found that the shoulder just didn't look right. This is the picture I use to study the valkyrie.

It's still an awesome job whoever did it.

So after studying that guy valkyrie which is awesome, I decided to do this version, still a cool pose.

Edited November 18, 2007 by DrunkenMaster2

[DrunkenMaster2]

Finally Finished!!!! More pics on the way soon. Went with a square base instead circle, found one at Micheals arts and crafts store, really cheap ($1.25)!!!

[misterryno]

Finally Finished!!!! More pics on the way soon. Went with a square base instead circle, found one at Micheals arts and crafts store, really cheap ($1.25)!!!

I think that looks miraculous........fabulous.........and beautiful

[PetarB]

He looks great - nice subtle work on that gun, too. I'd like to see a lot more pics though...!

[MechTech]

Looks great man! - MT

[DrunkenMaster2]

Here are the photos hope you enjoy the step-by-step!! Great kit to put together!!

[PetarB]

WOW! Very, very nice!

[cowie165]

Gee that looks good. Great work DM

[Jeremy007]

fantastic job on that kit!

[redfinger61]

that really turned out well, very clean! if you can, I would suggest doing something with the base, the plain wood looks a little too plain for such a dynamic model. Perhaps you can cut some styrene into squares and make a hull? or even a high-gloss black paint would look good as well. If your feeling rather ambitious you can try to recunstruct a lunar landscape, complete w/ small craters and debris.

One last suggestion would be to angle the rod. A straiht verticle rid gives no "motion" to your art, for example, in the y-wing dio I recently completed I mounted the y's on slanted acrylic rod, this gave the impression of motion, and movement, perhaps something like that could help here. The model looks great, my only cratique is the base, other than that, well done!!

Ashton

y-wing photo for reference

[big F]

Good job.

Now go and start your next kit

[DrunkenMaster2]

that really turned out well, very clean! if you can, I would suggest doing something with the base, the plain wood looks a little too plain for such a dynamic model. Perhaps you can cut some styrene into squares and make a hull? or even a high-gloss black paint would look good as well. If your feeling rather ambitious you can try to recunstruct a lunar landscape, complete w/ small craters and debris.

One last suggestion would be to angle the rod. A straiht verticle rid gives no "motion" to your art, for example, in the y-wing dio I recently completed I mounted the y's on slanted acrylic rod, this gave the impression of motion, and movement, perhaps something like that could help here. The model looks great, my only cratique is the base, other than that, well done!!

Ashton

y-wing photo for reference

Yeah the more I look at the battroid he looks like he's floating, need to make a cool action pose. Thanks for the suggestions! I thought about painting the base black to look like space. Have to play around with ideas.

[Valkyrie addict]

great modelling hability, some of the best I've seen!

hope to see more WIP from you!

[Gabe Q]

Great job! I love how you're not afraid to post those high resolution pics. You can see the degree of flawlessness in your work.

Just perfect.