So, before I start on a nice MG kit, I wanted to test out a few things on a test kit. I got a High Mobility Zaku II HG kit and went to work. I was testing marker lining and oil wash lining. I was also testing weathering effects that were a bit different than I normally use.

List of techniques and materials: -Panel lining with Gundam marker Equivalent -Panel Lining with W&N Black Oil Paint thinned to a wash with Mona Lisa Mineral oils -Panel Lining and general grime up with Flory Dark Dirt Wash -Dirt application with chalk pastel -Dirt Application with Tamiya Model Master weathering kit

So, a few words on my experiences here. First off, I typically paint minis and work on model airplanes, so my techniques are a bit different for those than they will be for most Gunplay painters. I am also still building up supplies and kit, so I do not have a light box built yet, and some things like decal affixatives are in the mail. Also, I did not prep this model correctly, so there is some orange peel on the top coat which I saw, but did not bother to correct before the test weathering.

So, my thoughts are as follows:

Marker Panel Lining -Marker Panel Lining was ok. Sometimes the line was too think, sometimes too thin, sometimes it just would not lay down on the model correctly. Overall, it was too imprecise for my taste. Lots of runners I had to clean up afterwards. I used something like a .3MM black marker. Would use in a pinch, but I prefer other methods. Pros:
-More consistent than oil panel lines. -Dark Panel Lines when they laid down correctly. Cons: -Thick panel lines no matter where they were applied. Would be less of a problem on a 1/100 kit. -Not as consistent with application. Sometimes re-application is necessary. -Thick Panel Lines needed touchup on runners and thick sections.

Oil Paint Panel Lining -Oil paint panel lining was a pain. I mixed the black oil paint with the thinner until it was a very thin consistency (milk-like) and would capillary effect itself into the panel lines. It did this very well, and with exceptionally thin and delicate lines. However, the pigment would almost inevitably separate and the lines ended up being grainy. I changed the consistency a couple of time looking for the sweet spot, but always with the same result. Initial application looked great, and then separation. A much higher quality paint might have solved this problem due to a smaller pigment particle, but maybe not. Lots of modelers use this technique on military vehicles with great success. Also, because the lines were so much more delicate, and liquid, the do not easily panel line grooves and creases, and are far more useful in actual panel lines. In addition, due to the delicate lines, they are not readily seen on the darker colors. They do, however, look amazing on lighter colors. Pros: -Looks great initially, and if it does not separate. -Nice, thin, delicate lines make for more of a miniaturized military vehicle look as opposed to a small anime representation with cel shading. Cons: -Pigment is not consistent. Regularly separates in the panels. Even after 3 applications I had this problem. (See line to left of knee above) -Thinner and oil in paint makes the model a bit greasy. -Smears easily. (See fingerprint in picture above) -Not easily seen on darker colors. -Not easy to use in grooves or creases. Almost requires actual panel lines.

Flory Dark Dirt Wash -I have used Flory Dark Dirt Wash on model in the past with great results, and expected pretty good results here. With this wash I have typically used it to cover entire models, let dry, and wiped away with a damp paper towel. It leaves a grimy looking patina. If you are looking for a weathered model, I cannot recommend it enough. In this case, it also provided the look I wanted for panel lines. I only applied it to the areas below the knee, but the lining was far more distinct on the dark blue than with the oil paints, and far more accurate than with the marker. This will be my preferred method of panel lining in the future. Pros -Great Panel lines. -Easy to use and clean up. -Visible on dark colors. Cons -Not an exceptionally precise method of panel lining. -Leaves a grimy patina. This can be seen on the picture above. I prefer weathered models, and this can be mostly cleaned, but not everyone wants this look. A solid gloss coat before this section may make it easier to clean, however. -This brand has to be imported from England.

Chalk Pastel Weathering -I have used chalk pastels in the past to give me the look I want, and honestly did not experiment too much with this here. Basically you scrape the piece of chalk to get the particles in a pile and use a dry brush, or wet brush to paint them on. Wet sticks a bit better, but makes a muddy consistency. Dry gives a dusty look, but is harder to make stick. This picture shows a bit of the grey dustiness in the chest, though it is a bit hard to see. Pros -Looks great with proper application. -Lots of different colors and ways to apply it. -Lots of different products and colors out there to work with. Cons -Doesn’t really stand on its own; Needs other weathering effects to make it work.

Tamiya model Master Weathering Kit -I have the set that has the snow, coal, and dirt colors. I cannot say enough about this! I have used it on several models, and it has always made itself useful. Each color is a cake that is a little more oily than you get from chalk pastels, but can be broken up into dirtlike particles (look at the feet) pretty easily, or applied from a sponge to give more of a smeared (look at the thigh in the above pic), or worked in look to the color. These are worth the money. Pros -Great consistency, color, flexibility. -Easier to make stick than chalk pastels. -Great weathered look Cons -Expensive (~$12 in the US)

These thoughts are in no way a declaration that these are the only methods for achieving these looks, but they gave me insight into how Gunplay is different from a modeling point of view than airplanes or miniatures. I hope this can be useful to someone in the future! Full gallery follows. Thanks for viewing all, and thanks for the inspirations.