I hate painting.
I always found it hard to paint with any type of liquid colours; it was messy, tedious and made all my work look like abstract art. I was further pulled away from the medium when I discovered my liking for pencil sketching, which was easier and cleaner; even colouring with them was a breeze.
On 14th April, I received my Amazon order for an action figure. A very particular action figure.
Most teens ask for mobiles, laptops or other appliances after completing their matriculation exam; I requested my mother for an action figure (it’s not a toy!) after my boards. Besides, I rarely asked (or cared) for presents.
The figure was the main mecha (a piloted robot) from a 1995 animated TV series Neon Genesis Evangelion. A show very very close to my heart.
Unfortunately, Amazon.in called me later to ask if they could change the toy (their words not mine) and send me another model from the same series. I quickly accepted after realizing how rare any NGE merchandise would be.
What I actually got, after thorough researching, was the limited edition Evangelion ‘Experimental Figure’ (2003) model kit. This version of the figure was only featured in a PS2 game never released outside of Japan. A very rare collectors item that must have been sitting in their storehouse for at least 13 years until they shipped it to me. But most importantly, it was a model kit.
A model kit.
That implied painting.
This revelation bought mixed, though mostly positive, reactions from me. Its rarity and intricacy far than made up for the fact that it needed careful assembly and a particular paint scheme. Thankfully, there was a (100+ steps!) assembly and colour guide but a small barrier still remained….
So it began.
I gathered my supplies, marshaled my troops and consulted my chief general (The Internet). I found various online guides on Gundam model building which were identical to mine and used these as a reference for building my figurine. I discovered the wonders of acrylic paint and binder, and panel lining with micron markers as methods of detailing models; experimented with how much paint thinner is needed for few drops of paint, when to use flat brushes and how to apply 5 millimeter long decals (hint: you need forceps).
Along the way, an unsettling realization occurred. I actually liked painting the figure. The painting, mistakes and all, added character to my creation and building it made me, quite literally, know it inside out. What started off as a reluctant undertaking to build myself the robot steadily turned into a learning process about crafting.
Avoiding doing necessary things that I didn’t like wasted a lot of my time. Rather, I tried to view these tasks as a stepping stone towards my goal.
8 hours, 220 parts, 100+ steps and several frustrating missteps later, I completed the figure.
Summary:
- 8 hours, 220 parts, 100+ steps and several frustrating missteps later, I started liking painting.
- My figure is not just rare but custom made.
- Try creating something personal. It may not be great or even good, but I promise you that you will learn more than any self-help article can teach.
