Mr. Color Lascivus CL05 Pale Clear Brown: Uses and Layering Tips

Quick answer

Use Mr. Color Lascivus CL05 Gloss Pale Clear Brown as a translucent overcoat on top of a cured skin base color. Spray or brush it in thin, buildable layers to create soft shadows, warm up skin tones, or suggest a tanned complexion. Stop before the color turns muddy, and finish with a clear flat coat to lock in a natural matte skin texture.

What CL05 is designed to do

CL05 is part of the Lascivus line, a specialized Mr. Color series for character figures. The first lineup focuses on skin texture: CL01 and CL02 serve as base colors, while CL03, CL04, and CL05 are clear pigment paints meant for overcoating. CL05 is a gloss pale clear brown, so it adds warmth and depth without hiding the base color underneath. It is not a standalone skin color; it is a shading and tinting layer. The catalog notes that combining a base color with an overcoat color reproduces realistic skin, and using a clear flat on top improves the result.

Surface prep and base color choice

Start with a clean, cured base coat. If you are painting a figure, apply CL01 or CL02 as your skin base and let it dry completely. For Gunpla, any flesh-toned lacquer or acrylic base works as long as it is fully cured. CL05 is a lacquer-based Mr. Color paint, so it can bite into some acrylics if applied heavily. Always test on a spoon or a hidden runner first. A common mistake is spraying CL05 over a semi-dry base; the solvent can lift the underlying paint and create a cracked or uneven surface.

Thinning and airbrush settings

CL05 is pre-thinned for airbrush use? No, it is a jar paint and needs thinning. Use Mr. Color Leveling Thinner or the thinner recommended for lacquers. A ratio of about 1 part paint to 2 parts thinner is a safe starting point for detail work. Spray at low pressure, around 10–15 psi, and keep the airbrush moving. If you apply it too wet, the clear brown will pool and dry with a glossy, uneven patch. If it looks grainy, you are spraying too dry or from too far away.

Layering for shadows and tanned skin

Apply CL05 in light passes, building the color gradually. For shadows, focus on recessed areas: under the chin, around the nose, inside the ears, and along the hairline. For a tanned look, cover the entire skin area with a thin, even coat. Because CL05 is a clear pigment, each pass adds depth without turning opaque. The catalog suggests using it to shadow specific areas or to express tanned skin. A common mistake is trying to get the final tone in one heavy coat; that kills the translucency and makes the skin look flat and painted-on. Instead, build up three or four thin layers, letting each dry to the touch before the next.

Finishing with clear flat

CL05 dries to a gloss finish. While that can work for a sweaty or wet look, most skin reads better with a matte or semi-matte surface. After the CL05 layers are fully cured, apply a clear flat coat. The catalog specifically notes that using clear flat makes it better. A flat coat also protects the delicate clear layers and reduces the chance of fingerprints or shine from handling. If you want a dewy finish, use a semi-gloss clear instead, but test first because it can reactivate the CL05 if applied too wet.

Step-by-step: layering CL05 for realistic skin

1. Prepare and prime the surface: Clean the figure or Gunpla part, then apply a primer or base coat suitable for lacquers. Let it cure completely. For skin, use CL01 or CL02 as the base color. Checkpoint: the surface should be dry and uniform before you apply any clear color.
2. Thin CL05 correctly: Mix CL05 with Mr. Color Leveling Thinner at roughly 1:2 paint to thinner. Stir gently and test the consistency on a piece of scrap plastic. Mistake to avoid: using hardware-store thinner or water; it will not mix properly and can ruin the paint.
3. Apply thin, buildable layers: Spray at low pressure (10–15 psi) in light passes. For shadows, target recessed areas. For tanned skin, cover evenly. Let each layer dry before adding the next. Checkpoint: after two layers, the color should be translucent, not opaque. If it looks solid, you are applying too much.
4. Build depth gradually: Continue adding layers until you reach the desired shadow or tan level. Stop before the color becomes muddy or starts to obscure details. Mistake to avoid: rushing with heavy coats; this causes pooling, drips, and a loss of translucency.
5. Seal with clear flat: Once the CL05 is fully cured, apply a clear flat coat. This protects the finish and gives skin a natural matte look. Next step: if you want a glossier finish, use a semi-gloss clear, but test on a hidden area first.

Product facts

• Mr. Color Lascivus CL05 Gloss Pale Clear Brown 10ml: Lascivus CL05 is a clear pigment paint for overcoat, recommended to shadow areas or express tanned skin, and works with a base color to reproduce realistic skin. This tells you CL05 is not a base color; it is a layering tool for adding depth and warmth without hiding the underlying skin tone.
• Aqueous Gundam Color HUG302 Immortal Justice Red 10ml: Aqueous Gundam Color HUG302 Immortal Justice Red is a semi-gloss pre-mixed paint for Mobile Suit Gundam Seed Freedom models. If you also paint Gunpla, this pre-mixed red can save time on color matching for Seed Freedom kits, but it is a different paint line from Lascivus, so do not mix them without testing.
• PG GAT-X105 Strike Gundam: PG GAT-X105 Strike Gundam features an all-new inner frame system for superior flexibility, with waist joints that bend side to side and twist realistically. A Perfect Grade kit like this has large, detailed surfaces where subtle shading with CL05 on any flesh-toned pilot figures can add realism, but the main armor is not skin, so CL05 is not for the mecha itself.