Star Wars BB-8 - Bandai 1/12 Scale Plastic Model Kit [Completed]

Unlike in most other fields where artists can start from a blank canvas, we miniature painters and modellers are beholden to the quality and detail of a sculpture or model kit for the end result. That make us more akin to a renderer rather than creator. So it helped that Bandai produced a very well thought out model kit of BB-8 which made life easier for me to achieve a respectable finish.      

Bandai Star Wars BB-8 1/12 scale plastic model kit [Completed]

Let me make one thing clear. I'm not saying in any way, shape or form that I nailed the recreation of a mini-movie version of BB-8. Far from it. Sure I did some repainting, panel lining and weathering but not enough to make this kit as realistic as it can be. What I am saying is Bandai's BB-8 looks disproportionately good (or has the potential to) in relation to the amount of work put into it. Or in simpler terms, Bandai's BB-8 model kit can still look good without doing much work on it.

BB-8, the lovable astromech droid from Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens

Painted parts include the grey/black/metallic sections; red panel indicator lights; and a semi-gloss clear over body panels

Weathering effects on BB-8 were admittedly applied in a too light-handed manner

I had so much fun with this model kit that it is not inconceivable I will build a second one in the future. If I should ever attempt to do so, there are a few things I can do differently. Chief among them to do increase the level of weathering. In addition, I might have to repaint the orange parts or at the very least lay on a thicker layer of semi-gloss clear coat. Now these are things I could redo now but as the missus is happy with the way this version of BB-8 looks - it is after all a gift for the missus - no changes were made to it. That, if it ever gets done, will be for BB-8 two-point-oh.

Panel lining provides more depth to the overall piece

Bandai's BB-8 rests upon a cute little clear, round base

In case you are wondering ... no, Bandai's BB-8 model does not have free rotational movement

This version of BB-8 will eventually be displayed in its new home i.e. the missus's office. To better protect it, I encased the completed model kit in a small plastic display case (see last photo).

If anything, this BB-8 kit can be improved upon white a heavier semi-gloss coat and more weathering

In this version of BB-8, I didn't build and paint up any of its mini-gadgets such as the infamous "thumbs up lighter"

BB-8 all prettied up in a display case for the missus to bring to the office

So that's one droid finished and another to go in the Bandai Star Wars 1/12 scale BB-8 and R2-D2 plastic model kit set. But I think I'm going to take a short break from this kit and do some W40K stuff just to stay in touch with the SciFi universe that got me started in miniature painting in the first place. If I do go down that path, I'll be adding to my Ode to Chaos project and paint up a Chaos Space Marine Chosen in service to one of the four chaos gods (the first was to Nurgle). As to which Chaos god will be the next to bestow its favour, I hope you will stay tuned to find out. Until then, peace out!