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The Imaginary Zebra
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The bits behind TIZ | At The Imaginary Zebra™, we do a little bit of everything. To keep up, you can find us posting random news through facebook, personal designs on tumblr, daily photos via instagram, and the occasional yapping with twitter. 2010-2011. All rights reserved ©...


Mobile Pod Ball - Customizing Process

Tuesday, September 28, 2010


When I made the skateboards last month, some of you like to see some of my Gundam customs as well. I didn't have the habits of taking process pictures before, so I don't want to just snaps pictures of the Gundams that I've already made. The process, to me, complements the customization and brings the story to the final product. Hence, here's my new toy and its making of for your viewing pleasure.

I usually build BB Gundams/SD Gundams; they're small, simple, less time consuming to build.
This "Mobile Ball's" a new approach for me, I got it for its potential for custom.  Plus, I like trying something different.

↑This is also a model by Bandai. MG - 1/100 in scale. It also comes with a base stand - adds a professional look when place on your shelf. I got it in Taiwan for about $17 bucks. 

Here goes: I was going for the aged weathered look for this particular custom.

↑ I got some Gundam building tools (Epoxy putty, outline pens, primer, and weather paints ) for this custom, but I ended using none of them except of the primer. I hand painted the guy with paint brushes and acrylic paints.




↑I usually spray primer first before cutting the parts off. I think I've been wrong.

While waiting for the rest of the parts to dry, I started building the base stand first.



↑Grass type stuff for landscape modeling I got from a hobby shop years ago.




↑Done. I painted the base brown before sticking the grass.

The body came in 3 parts: the base structure( picture below), the inner frame, and the outer cover/shield. It took me a good while to add texture to them.

↑The base structure. Since it was dark grey, it created its own black outlines after I sprayed the white primer. I like how it looked so I stuck with it.


↑The inner frame and the front door added.


↑Bandai did a really great job manufacturing this model. Its got all the minute details.




↑The outer shields/cover after priming.


↑Added color, drew outlines, and weathered/aged.








↑Professionals usually airbrush the model for smooth surface. I couldn't afford an airbrush machine so I hand painted mine. Fortunately, the brush strokes also adds texture to the overall look.




↑While waiting (yet again) for the rest of the parts to dry, I applied the rub-on stickers that came with the package to the body.


BAM.

I had to struggle a bit to pick a color for the arms. Finally, I chose gun metal.



Well, that was quick. 7ish hours into it, I stated to skip the picture taking. I've never spent this long making toys. I also built and painted the canon on top. Forgot to take pictures of that, my bad.

Final touch!


It also happened to be 96 degree outside. The room was hela hot.

DONE!

Quick stats:



↑How it suppose to look. The provider of this photo also outlined the pod and painted the guys below. It'd look plainer if built directly without touching up.



More final product shots:







↑#712 for TIZ.






↑ Though, Bandai museum sucked, I still applied their sticker as respect for all the toys they made, including this one.




↑The Imaginary Zebra, yo.


CA'BAM!

======================================================================== -Benson|| Twitter || the movement|| The Imaginary Zebra website || Shop of Imagination ||


SoleDiction 5 Panel Cap

Sunday, September 26, 2010


Man, feels good to be back. Still suffering from jet lag, I slept from 5PM yesterday till 1AM and I've been up since. But on the good side, I was able to have breakfast this morning. What a bitter-sweet situation. 

Anyway, I got a few packages while I was away. One of them was a 5 panel cap, courtesy of SoleDiction


SoleDiction's an online magazine/blog that brings latest street wear news, features interviews with brand owners/designers/contributors of the street wear scene, and occasionally, puts out their own products.

I've had my first encounter with SD in 2008- I was really fortunate to have the opportunity to design their logo: 


Then, I had a collaboration with them for their 1 year anniversary.


They also kindly featured TIZ a couple of times.


Back to the cap. The embroidery job was pretty nicely done. 

Adjustable strap on the back on the cap.

SoleDiction!



Thanks again, Team SD
↑ ======================================================================== -Benson|| Twitter || the movement|| The Imaginary Zebra website || Shop of Imagination ||


On the way back

Friday, September 24, 2010

Hey there guys, I'm at the Taoyuan International Airport feeding off of their free internet service. I'll be back soon.

↑ ======================================================================== -Benson|| Twitter || the movement|| The Imaginary Zebra website || Shop of Imagination ||


Japan Trip - Day of Departure!

Thursday, September 23, 2010


Though, the vacation in Japan was just less than a week, I had a blast. Not only was it my first time in Japan, it might also be the last time to tour around with my college friends, since everyone's graduating. (except for Jim.) Dyam.

There's a lot more places in Japan that I yet to experience. But even with just what I've seen, I can understand why people have such great impression of Japan:

↑Really gana miss the convenience of their transportation.


↑The number of sports drinks they offer via their vending machines, which can found at almost every other block.



Good times, guys.










...and Cody, who was in Osaka when I took those pictures.

Woot, limited post cards at the airport's district.


Michelle received free fake eye lashes when taking sticky pics.


The variety flavors offered by Kitkat.


Aside from Japan, we also went to Taiwan for the rest of the vacation. I'll be back this Saturday. Pardon about the less frequent postings these days. Series III, Collabos, more projects will be on their way. Stay tune.

For now, here's a quick display of the souvenirs I got for the trip: 

Some books from Taiwan. I've moved to US since I was 13, but I still enjoy reading Chinese more than English.

Some of you have asked for some Gundam custom picture, so I decided to buy this and break down the design process when I get to it. 

↑I usually prefer to build SD Gundam, this will be my first time trying out an MG edition model. It's the 30th anniversary model, too. I'm excited.

Got the tools too.


Last but not least, the post cards, the free catalogs, and a bit camera related items.


Talk to you, soon.

↑ ======================================================================== -Benson|| Twitter || the movement|| The Imaginary Zebra website || Shop of Imagination ||


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