Veni Vidi Fenice and Meteora Trionfante (HG 1/144 Gundam Wing Fenice and Meteor Hopper)

Completed Spring 2014

Technically the idea for the paint job started from a twitter friend named Zach mentioning how he had this idea of a Fenice custom and he'd call it the Veni Vidi Fenice (you know like I came I saw I conquered). All I could think of were classic Roman triumphal parades as the focus of my major was Roman history. My design actually ended up being rather different than what Zach had planned on but as soon as he had mentioned it I had an image in my head. The face is red since you painted your face red to show a connection to the god of war Mars. It's glossy with lots of gold to show the wealth and showmanship that went into the parade. I was going to do purple on the torso since you'd wear a purple and gold toga but it honestly clashed. I let the gold v fin stand in for the laurels but I may paint that on the back of the head still. And of course I gave him a chariot to match! I used Automotive touch up rattle cans for the red since a metal flake sounded like a beautiful idea. The paint can be a bit thick but otherwise is a dream to work with. You do have to put gloss coat over it though for it to be even remotely glittery/shiny.

I also entered this kit into the A-kon 25 round of the 2014 GBWC! I wanted him to wave out while standing on the chariot but couldn't get him to balance in the case so nixed that idea. My friend John lent me an open palm hand for the occasion but only had a left one that would fit so had to drop the energy cape. The linked gallery is the official Bluefin gallery. It was absolutely thrilling seeing something of mine in the case and I loved getting to see everyone else's hard work too!

Bluefin Gallery