antampatz

With the oil weathering stage complete and given several days to cure, I moved on to the next phase of the finishing process: weathering with GSI Creos Gundam Real Touch markers.

Ideally, I would have preferred to allow the oils to cure for longer before continuing. However, with the competition deadline approaching, a balance had to be struck between giving the previous layers sufficient time to stabilise and keeping the project moving towards completion.

For this stage, I used a combination of black, grey, dark brown, light brown, and green Real Touch markers. These colours were applied selectively across the model to increase visual variation, create additional grime accumulation, introduce staining and discoloration, and reinforce the impression of a machine that has seen prolonged service under field conditions.

A blending marker was then used to soften transitions, remove excessive pigment, and transform some of the initial markings into more natural-looking weathering effects. In particular, this proved useful for creating rust-like spots, streaking effects, and areas of accumulated dirt around panel lines, recesses, fasteners, and mechanical details.

Additional refining work was carried out using cotton buds, melamine sponges, and paint brushes. Cotton buds and melamine sponges were useful for removing excess weathering and reducing areas that had become too intense, while brushes provided greater control when creating directional streaks and other more deliberate effects.

One of the advantages of this stage compared to the earlier oil wash is the level of control it offers. The oil wash established the overall layer of grime and shadow across the model, whereas the Real Touch markers allowed specific areas to be targeted individually. This made it possible to build variation gradually and focus attention on areas that would realistically experience more wear, exposure, or dirt accumulation.

The weathering also helped further unify the various donor components used throughout the build. Although the Gatekeeper is intended to represent a machine assembled from parts originating from multiple units, the accumulated grime, staining, and wear help reinforce the idea that these components have now served together for an extended period of time.

The photos in this update show the model following both the oil weathering and Real Touch marker stages. While the overall appearance is now much closer to the intended final look, there are still a couple of steps remaining before completion.

Next up will be the final protective matt coat, which will remove the gloss finish currently visible in the pictures. That gloss finish is a by-product of the decal and weathering process rather than the intended final appearance. This will be followed by additional finishing touches, e.g., using Tamiya Weathering Master sets, before the project is prepared for its final presentation.