Next stage of the Akatsuki painting was to lay down some grey on the pieces on the grey runners. I used the FW Acrylics pale grey as as starting point. The FW Acrylics are already thinned and ready to use, and quick too because of their built in pipette dropper. I had to spray very gently and carefully to build up an even coat. Here the grey runners have their base layer and our red feet are drying in the background. The red feet needed some shading the darken them ahead of the application of the Tamiya clear red. I used the FW Acrylics crimson mixed with Payne’s grey (to make a brown) and ran it around the edges and heavy into the joint area of the feet, with a gentle spray over the other parts. Here you can more clearly see the shading. Alclad chrome was added to the feet thrusters, although it will only really show up as a shiny “hint” when the top layer of clear red goes on. Back to the grey pieces I mixed in increasing amounts of Payne’s Grey into the pale grey to build up the tones. I was happy with how the shield came out. I concentrated on darkening the edge and it went well. Shading like this adds more dimension to the parts and really helps make them stand out. The shield looks much more dimensional after the shading. Here you can see the red pieces after the first light coat of Tamiya clear red. They’re no longer pink! And after another coat the colour is getting deeper and richer.And with the feet taken off the runner, a final coat of Tamiya clear red is added and they’re left to dry.Alclad chrome was used to add in more shading and details to the grey parts. I chromed up these parts of the legs that will be visible. I may tone them back later to make them look a little less flashy, but there’s some nice detail on them that will look great panel lined against the chrome.I kept going back to the shield carefully adding more nuances. I can get a bit carried away, but it’s looking good! The white pieces got a coat of FW Acrylics white, and then Createx pearl white. It’s hard to see but the pearlescent effect is really quite nice.The feet take panel lining well. I may go back and put a touch more chrome carefully onto the thrusters, but it’s looking fine as-is.