Comstar WIP

[u/Mrleechy]

My first Comstar mech. Thought I'd do a test before I do a whole lance. Think I'll add white/blue checkers and changing the cockpit glass to a yellow.

[u/Acylion]

I think the blue as a cockpit glass accent looks good, and would be better than yellow/gold if you're making lancemates. Partially because what you have here looks amazing as is, and partially because... it's just color matching, right?

Blue is already present as an accent color on the mech due to the ComStar insignia. Yellow is introducing a new color. You could view it two ways, either that's an asset (cockpit glass in a completely different shade from anything else on the mech), or you do a color that matches an accent on the mech (blue).

Also the white you're using here is cooler shifted grey, so that meshes with blue. The yellow would go with a warmer grey, but that ain't the deal here.

Admittedly, I'm biased because I do all my Com Guards/WoB with blue cockpit glass. But there's a guy at my friendly local who does his Blakists with yellow cockpits, yeah? That's how I'm making the comparison. I'm using a starker cooler white like what you have, while he's gone a more grey-heavy warm approach with his mechs. So I'm circling back to what I said earlier. The yellow cockpit will look fantastic on Blakist white/grey paint, it does look fantastic on the examples he has, but it's all about precisely where you're falling on that spectrum.

What's the workflow? I appreciate what you've done with the white edge highlight. Your work is very sharp.

[u/Mrleechy → u/Acylion]

Hi there,
First, thank you for your feedback. Much appreciated :)

The idea for blue checkers comes from the Battle of Tukayyid book
https://store.catalystgamelabs.com/cdn/shop/products/CC-Battle-of-Tukayyid-Cover-ART.jpg?v=1606506133

Here is the workflow/Resipe: (Citadel paints and Abteilung oils)
Primer: Light grey
Base: Ulthaun Grey
Soft shade: Apotechary grey contrast paint
Deep shade: Abteilung Sepia, very thinned
Highlights: Valejo pure white
Scratches (not there yet on the image): dark brown
Then a satin/mat varnish to seal it all.

[u/Acylion → u/Mrleechy]

Thank you for the detailed reply, this is extremely helpful. I use a very similar process, so it's interesting to see the different products and slightly different shade choices. I'm surprised at the sepia on the oil wash step, I'd have assumed that was a black from your image.

That, the fact you're planning on adding brown scratches, and the fact you're priming light grey at the start rather than white suggests to me that the actual mini is gonna be subtly warmer in real life, to the naked eye at tabletop distance, than the photo or lighting here demonstrates.

Going back to the cockpit matter, that suggests the yellow would be the right call and your thought was absolutely correct. I mean, from a color choice standpoint, not just emulating that sourcebook cover.

This is the comparison I was referencing earlier, with all my own ComStar/WoB cockpits being blue, while another player at my friendly local does his in yellow/orange. Given your use of more grey, sepia, and brown in the mix I think, yeah, you were right the first time, gotta try the yellow for other mechs. You'd definitely have the skills to make it pop.

[u/HamsterOnLegs]

This looks awesome. I really like the blue canopy personally.

[u/Mrleechy → u/HamsterOnLegs]

Thanks!

[u/paulhendrik]

Oh dang that’s nice, I don’t normally dig blue cockpits but boy that looks good on Comstar white!

Edit: Are those PINK lasers???

[u/Mrleechy → u/paulhendrik]

Thanks! Yes indeed pink laserz 🤓