"Beyond the Wall" is now in the books! Save for final finishing, and refining the interplay between Jon and Ghost, the Toison Studio homage to Game of Thrones is done!
“When the cost of a hobby exceeds the fun and doesn't attract new people, the game is over.” -The Jon Snow-half of the vignette is now all-but-done! I decided to "front-burner" this OOP 'classic' at year-end for completion by mid-February, and I am delighted to report that, save for the face and the accessories, the figure is effectively done!
This has been a very interesting project! I have only seen 3, maybe 4, completed build-ups, and not a single one has been what I would call "fully painted". I don't know why this unique offering has been given such a short shrift on the painting--Snow or Ghost; but it diminishes the presence and presen- tation of the vignette!
Regardless, I am delighted and the figure is on the home stretch. . .
The kit is now assembled in toto.
While the prepwork/construction is done, I do not intend to launch the finishing/painting phase of the project until after the New Year . . . probably not until after the Show.
Until then. . .
After 8 months on pre-order, I received X-Plus’s Maschinenmensch from Fritz Lang’s silent classic, Metropolis (1927), this week.
Maschinenmensch was one of the first, and perhaps most iconic fictional robots ever depicted in cinema, and went on to be one of the primary influences of robotic design in feature film.
The ⅛ scale model features the gynoid 'Maria' arguably in ‘her’ most iconic pose, posed before the chair/ ‘throne’ that 'she' recently occupied: the latter serves as an appropriately thematic base for the model.
Though it is marketed as a "glue-together" kit, the snap-together design of the core kit is plainly evi- dent. Interestingly, no mention or allusion to a no-glue finish is anywhere to be found in the instruc- tions, etc. This is a ‘hybrid’ kit, with some subassemblies glue-based, but with the figure itself being primarily a "snap-fit" assembly. Having said that, extensive dry-fitting and dry-assembly is a pre-requisite to the application of glue.
The kit is cast in injection-molded gold (figure) and light grey (display setting) polystyrene. The polystyrene is excellent: better-than-average heat resistance, though somewhat brittle and ‘layered’. Overall fit is G+ to VG+: the underlying 'mannequin sub-figure’ fit is not as precise as it might be; but that of the armour defining the kit is near-excellent! Overall, I would have to grade this kit as a solid "B+".
The instruction sheet, one sheet, 2 pages, is very good, and would be welcome--and appreciated!--by anyone with even moderate plastic figure experience.
Before closing, I have just found out that there will be a second Metropolis offering from X-Plus: a seated Maschinenmensch! It is scheduled for release in 2023, and I will be placing my pre-order as soon as it is announced!
“When the cost of a hobby exceeds the fun and doesn't attract new people, the game is over.” -
Oscar Koveleski, August 2003
By way of a quick Reference Note. . . The subject's character habitually wore three belts when fully armed: a heavier--and shorter--tunic belt; and two sword belts--I presume one of the latter was to suspend Davos' dagger; though I don't recall ever seeing him wear one without the other.
In any event, the kit provides only two belts: a somewhat thinner tunic belt; and the sword belt. I bring this to your attention in case you are so inclined to completely accurize the kit; I decided that the return on the time and effort that would be required was simply not worth it. If the arms had been provided as separate pieces, I would have perhaps given it further thought, but as it stands. . . no!
The amount of work planned and underway has decidedly elevated this kit beyond that of an OOB project. . .
To be continued. . .
The Game has begun. . . !
There are three major "revisions" on the TDL:
To date, work has commenced on the boots (Phase I completed) and the gorget. Once these items are done to my satisfaction, I can launch final finishing and start thinking about priming. . . The sword/scabbard will be finished while the figure is being painted.
Stay tuned!
“When the cost of a hobby exceeds the fun and doesn't attract new people, the game is over.” -
Oscar Koveleski, August 2003
The figure has now been stripped, pegged, and mounted on its work base. . .
To be continued. . .
My last two Eaglemoss GoT figurines are now in hand: Ser Davos Seaworth, "the Onion Knight" arrived this afternoon.
This is an "interesting" figure. The original promotional pictures (see below) of this release appear to be of a white metal figure; the figure I received is primarily bonded resin. Obviously, I am happier with the resin medium; BUT, the re-engineering has reduced the number of component pieces from 7 to 2! Casting quality is excellent, and pre-paint finishing is well above-average.
There are a few tweaks and upgrades that are on the TDL, but this will largely be--as of this writing--an OOB project.
More to follow. . .
“When the cost of a hobby exceeds the fun and doesn't attract new people, the game is over.” -
Oscar Koveleski, August 2003
I came across some rather shocking, though hardly surprising, news over the weekend: Eaglemoss, as we know it, is no more! This will not be an eulogistic epilogue, though I am saddened by the largely self-inflicted demise of major source for unique and very cost-effective products. Yet another source bites the dust. . .
As you can well imagine, this got me scrambling through the roster of GoT figurines to see if there were any must/should haves that were not already in the 'great grey army'. And sure enough, I found two at very reasonable prices: GoT Special Edition #1 - Mag the Mighty; and GoT #57 - Ser Davos Seaworth.
The latter is currently en route; but I received the former yesterday--and it is already stripped and on the work bench, with preliminary reductive grinding well-underway! By way of prologue, this will be a rather extensive "reworking" of the stock figure, and as such a long-term project. . .
There were three named Giants on GoT: Dongo, Mag, and Wun Wun. We met Dongo in Season 3, and was killed at the Battle of Castle Black. (S4E9). "Mag the Mighty", the subject of this first EM Special Edition, was also killed at the Battle of Castle Black. We would not meet Wun Wun until the Battle of Hardhome (S5E8): he not only survived the debacle at Hardhome; but he fought with the wildlings at the Battle of the Bastards (S6E9), where he ultimately was killed.
So much for the background. . . The figure is an exceptional one-piece bonded metal casting that measures 145mm in height (~1/32 to scale; not 1/14th, as promoted by Eaglemoss!). I don't know who sculpted/ designed the piece, but the quality is equally exceptional! Overall, this is the best GoT casting I have seen to date!! As a pre-painted collectible, this offering would be highly recommended.
My only reservation about this piece is the choice of subject: why "Mag the Mighty"? While I am not aware of the release schedule, which might have determined the selection, the optimal release for a Giant subject is Wun Weg Wun Dar Wun (bka Wun Wun). And he will be the subject of this project...
“When the cost of a hobby exceeds the fun and doesn't attract new people, the game is over.” -There was but one item remaining to be painted: the dorsal support strap for the spaulders--that is now done!
As is the figure!! I have about a fortnight's worth, give or take, of minor touch-ups, tweaks, weathering, etc. to be done--and satisfy myself that nothing was overlooked; but other than the normal final 'fin- ishing' (aka, epilogue), the time has come to find a space in the display case amongst its brethren...
I greatly enjoyed this thematic, sidebar project! While I can hardly recommend it without reservations, a creative, open-minded miniaturist and/or fan of the show will breathe 'life' into this dead minion. . .
Valar morghulis. . .
“When the cost of a hobby exceeds the fun and doesn't attract new people, the game is over.” -
Oscar Koveleski, August 2003
The figure has been permanently transferred/mounted on its display base. . . but is it effectively "done"?
Yes. . . and no. The final finishing/integration can now begin in earnest; but, as always, the closer I get to the 'finish line', the slower the progress. . .
Much more to follow. . .
18.10.2022 -
19.10.2022 -
“When the cost of a hobby exceeds the fun and doesn't attract new people, the game is over.” -
Oscar Koveleski, August 2003
The snow cover is setting-up quite nicely and very effectively! It should be fully cured by tomorrow morning. . .
Now it's time to take care of the remaining painting. . .
More to follow!
FOLLOW-UP. . . The left iris/pupil is done! Assuming it is dry tomorrow, I can apply the blue chromatic overglaze to the left eye. . .
UPDATE - 18.10.2022. . . Phase 1 of the head /face--including the 'blue eye'--is now DONE! Save for the sword blade, and the wrap on the left wrist, the entire figure is now in the oils phase of the painting. I anticipate completion of the figure within the fortnight. . .
“When the cost of a hobby exceeds the fun and doesn't attract new people, the game is over.” -
Oscar Koveleski, August 2003
The groundwork is now done!
The Tamiya Diorama Texture Paints --Snow Effect and Powder Snow Effect -- were used to replicate the virtually pristine, unbroken snow cover. This is one of the best ground-cover materials on the market in ALL respects!
