"So where's this Gundam Unicorn? Still at the other end of the rainbow? Ha-ha-ha!"
So, my "secret" colour was yellow... It should be obvious to many, but I got the idea, of course, from Gaijin Gunpla's Sinanju. When I first saw GaiGun's work on Sinanju I was in awe - it was so cool to see a popular and already awesome kit turning even more badass through a very unorthodox custom colour scheme (and massive amounts of decals ;)). I knew that I wanted to try out that colour scheme too, but building another Sinanju like that didn't feel right... So I placed that idea in the back of my head and proceeded with my first gunpla, XXXG-00W0 WING ZERO CUSTOM. Then, after watching the first episode of Gundam Unicorn, I knew that Kshatriya was next on my list :D
Looking good there, Kshatriya.
So, I got down to my test build and started to think what colour I want to paint it. My conclusion was this:
Kshatriya is kinda like a Zaku - whatever colour scheme works for Zaku, it should work for Kshatriya too.
Then, I had a second breakthrough... Kshatriya is kinda like a Sinanju... And what's the most awesome colour scheme for Sinanju? :]
This Canary of Death has four wings :)
I've some modifications to the original scheme, though. GaiGun chose not to use any red decals, or any other "bright" colours (I remember some gold, silver, etc. here and there but that's about it). I wanted to liven up the kit a bit, especially the legs which are bulky and quite unappetizing in their original form/colours.
Delicious Kshatriya Legs
The second important part of the equation (apart from the colour scheme) are the decals. Massive plural form here ;) Well, not as massive as it was in GaiGun's case, but still... Big, big thanks to Samuel from Samuel Decal for printing me the Kshatriya decals in black - without his assistance, this project would be severely crippled ;) All the other warning decals, etc. are also from him - thank God/Haruhi, that there's someone offering decals in very reasonable prices for international buyers.
The decals are very thin and blend with the model extremely well (a huuuge improvement over the horrible, thick stickers on MG Wing Custom or the OMFG-so-annoying dry transfers). More on the decals in another post ;)
You know what? I'll just dump the pics and let them speak for themselves ;) There will be one or two follow-up posts after this one, detailing some of the parts of the kit I'm proud of ;)
You can see the influence of GaiGun's style on that arm protector - but I didn't have too much decals, so those are the only black lines you'll see ;)
Due to the lightning, the beam sabers look... suprisingly good :D
As you can see here, the emblems turned out quite nicely... How did I achieve that? I got fed up with my failed attempts and listened to G.G.'s advice and hand-painted them :D
I wouldn't be myself if I didn't add some panel lining here and there...
The legs looked too plain to me, so I've put some additional colours to liven them up. What do you think?
You can see here all the places where I've put the metal beads - they definitely made the kit... sharper. I was iffy about putting the beads into the mega particle cannons on the binders, but since I've put them on the chest, so I might as well on the binders.
More on the individual parts in a separate post :)
For now, let's say that I had a lot of fun with the binders :D
I love the aluminium/gold combination on the thrusters - I'm definitely going to use it more often now.
"Hey, look at those decals and details that no one, apart from the original creator, will notice!"
Upskirt shot!
Noticed the aluminium/gold leg joints? No? Q_Q
"This blog is protected by a NZ-666 Kshatriya. Non-commenting users will
be shot from 24 funnels, 12 mega particle cannons and shred to pieces
by at least two beam sabers and six arms. There's also a chance of being burned to a crisp from multiple thrusters. You have been warned."
PS: Sorry for the delay - RL stuff + unlike most of you (apparently), I don't have access to a (semi)professional photo booth, so I had to come up with some sort of cheap alternative. But IMHO, this kit needed a dark/black background, so excuse me if some/most of the photos show some "ugly" background ;)
Awesome kit! I love the coloring and the decals look great. I have always enjoyed doing the decals that only I will be able to appreciate; gives me that feeling like I have a secret. Again awesome build.
It's gorgeous! There's a tear in my eye as I write this. ;)
By far this is the most beautiful Kshatriya I have ever seen and the yellow works so beautifully. Our kits look like brothers! Excellent work with the details and decals, as well. Truly an impressive piece. I may post a link to this gallery in my blog. This piece deserves to be viewed by as many people as possible.
this in a word is 'excellent'. its so great that we can all inspire and learn from each other. you have an edge on gaigun here in the fact that you're working on a smaller scale but managed to make this thing look as good as a 1/100 kit. the details, the metallics, the lining, the decals and most importantly the finish are all top notch. glad gaigun turned me onto this blog
Rewelacja!!
Awesome. Awe inspiring. Love the colour scheme, and the fact that you took so much inspiration from GaiGun's Yellowbird. Great detailing. Just a beautifully executed model.
I couldn't risk not commenting after reading the warning... If I were to be obliterated by a yellow MS my legacy would never live down the shame. xD
A stunning yellow MS at that.
Congratulations on a spectacular build Igro.
OMG!! this yellow beast is awesome!!! love the color and decals! pretty nice build! I really like the paint job on the thruster and those verniers XD
was found your blog from gundam guy's blog and added to my 'nakama' bloglist :D
Wow. thanks guys for the positive feedback - it really means a lot to me and keeps me motivated :)
OFF THA HOOK man!! I'm linking you up in my blog roll, if you don't mind..
Awesome images man!!!....Whats your next project?
Well Seeing as I shouldn't wish to be shot (although from a gunpla this nice I might not complain) I shall comment XD.
Brilliant paint job and one of the best gloss coats I have seen in a long while (most are just not tuned right) also a perfect choice on the colour scheme, it is original, striking and just works well without being overly complicated.
What would you say the build quality is compared to the rather well built sinanju?, I am most defiantly going to get me one of these but it is a toss up between:
1: Exia Ignition Mode MG (for the Repair 1 model, with some modifications it could be awe inspiring) new air-compressor, bigger tank and better dual action brush (I do more than just gunpla with these)
2: DeathScythe + aircompresser and onwards
or
3: PG 00Raiser
I am thinking of adding this model before those now given that I will be soon watching Unicorn Eppy 1-2 together and building my sinanju (I am currently finishing off a Gundam Wing Diorama with HEAVILY modified Wing Zero and Epyon)
@Syful: I don't mind ;)
@G.G. Thanks :) I've covered the "next project" topic in my newest post, but in short: nothing atm, will see how it goes :)
@UE: Thanks for the comment - you shall be spared ;) About the quality of this kit vs Sinanju - if you're comparing to the MG version of Sinanju then it's not much of a competition (for example, it doesn't have an inner frame), but the HG Kshatriya (this kit) is very well built for a HG. The binders and the way they are mounted allow for a lot of poses, the arms on the binders are fully functional (except for the fact that they can't hold anything >_>). The parts themselves aren't that detailed, but I think it's just how Kshatriya is built (i.e. not that many panel lines, etc.). But I'd definitely recommend adding decals, since they add a lot to this kit (and any other, suppose).
I have the MG Sinanju and will definitely build it... but right now, I have no idea how I want to build it - GaiGun's Sinanju keeps popping up in my head and I can't just think of any other color scheme :D
PS: Epyon... Yummy :) I wish there was a decent kit of it (or is there?)
Nice! However it reminded me of The O for a moment, hehe.