Here’s the latest pictures of the Xmarx Hanger project, It’s still very much a work in progress. The final product will probably change quite a bit as I experiment with new techniques,  this is the largest model I’ve painted  so far and I’ve found that many of the techniques I typically use on smaller structures and Battlemechs need to be adjusted for larger surfaces such as the walls / floor of the hanger.

   Really, figuring out how you want the model to look even before your brush hits the paint is the hardest part.  My ideas evolve as I go, and I find myself completely revamping the model… Guess that’s the problem with being a perfectionist.  It will work out in the end however =) So at this point I am still not sure if I want the model to have windows making it more of a city type structure, this would allow it to match my other sci-fi type buildings.  Another option would be to make the hanger to a more fortified structure, filling in the walls with some dark gray or even blackish areas, or I could paint them a specific color based on the clan/house I plan to decal it with.  It’s probably going to be House Kurita, so maybe red? Hmm, I may even do one side windows, the other fortified, which could give me more options for photographing and realistic scenarios.

     Another decision that I need to make is how to paint the interior.  Do I want it a clean / new hanger, or do I want a used and dirty look.  I am playing with used and dirty right now, maybe I will buy another which I can paint to be more of a clean, new building.  It’s going to require a lot more coats of paint to get this thing looking how I want it, but it’s coming along. 

    The outside of the Hanger will need some weathering as well. I have some decals from fighting piranha graphics on the way, and I have some decal paper so I can print a larger logo for the roof. I also picked up some Micro Kristal Klear to test out; I’ve read that it can be used for realistic windows so I am going to test it out on some other pieces to see what it can do before I put it on this model.   

    In other news, I just got a new set of Winsor Newton Series 7 brushes for my birthday so I should be able to up the quality of the painting a bit. Also I may be getting an airbrush for Christmas, that should be a huge help on larger models such as the Hanger,  I don’t have any experience with airbrushes yet, but  after some online research I’ve concluded that the Paasche Model VL Double Action Airbrush may be ideal for my projects. If anyone has any advice on airbrushes it would be greatly appreciated. I will review both the brushes and Airbrush as I have more experience with them.

    Stay tuned for more updates on the Hanger to come soon.  I graduate in December so painting / blogging time should increase.