"Mean Machine" Angel - Painting: Priming

"Mean Machine" Angel is now primed! While I will probably be able to get some u/c'ing done during the early part of the week, painting will not begin in earnest until next weekend--after month end.

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

"Mean Machine" Angel - Prep 4: PPP

With the physical prepwork completed, the final remaining step (before priming) was the PPP. 

As you might recall, "PPP" is simply Pre-Prime Prep. It is the final surface finishing--if applica- ble!--of a figure that would otherwise be ready for priming. In the case of "Mean Machine", I wanted to depict corroded and/or rough-cast surfaces on the casing of the mechanical arm: this was accomplished by brushing-on thinned glazing putty on the targeted areas, and repeatedly stippling until I achieved the anticipated degree of texturing.

“When the cost of a hobby exceeds the fun and doesn't attract new people, the game is over.” -
Oscar Koveleski, August 2003

"Mean Machine" Angel - Prep 3

The prepwork is all-but-done! Over the next few days, I will carefully go over the entire figure to make sure I have not missed any seam lines or an extremely-rare air bubble. As part of the final once-over, I will sharpen any undercuts with scriber and #11 blade. 

Finally, I have mounted the [right] cybernetic arm on its painting base.

Assuming I can put in 1-2 hrs,/evening, "Mean Machine" should be ready for priming this time next week--at the latest!

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

"Wardaddy"--Pre-Prep

While doing preliminary prepwork yesterday, mainly fine-tuning the fit of the head to the torso, I settled upon my course of action for this piece. The grips are, afaic, iconic to, if not defining of, the character. Hence, they are a must. So, I have embarked on a journey along a rather lofty road. . . 

Per my introductory posting, this will mean redesigning the flow of the bust by extending its sinister half. Something like this:



Of course, that is but the structural framework for what lies ahead. . .

As a preamble to the above, I have already--carefully!--removed the cast grips, and am working on a texture stamp DONE! for the shoulder harness that must be extended.

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

"Mean Machine" Angel - Reboot. . .

I already have two entries ready for the next DWC painting comp, but I've never liked an even- number of entries in any "show". So. . . after careful consideration of the projected disposable time in the weeks to come--and definitely taking into account the fact that there will be a Quarter end to be reckoned with at work--I decided to pull "Mean Machine" Angel onto a front-burner and get to work!

As per my last posting over 6 months ago (almost 7 months to the day, in fact), the majority of the prepwork has already been done, with the final fitting to the groundwork to be done by the end of the long weekend. What will then remain to be done is the detailing and tweaking of the stock castings to suit my vision of the piece.

Considerable headway was made today, and my plans are to have the figure on the painting bench by the end of the month. We'll see. . .

“When the cost of a hobby exceeds the fun and doesn't attract new people, the game is over.” -
Oscar Koveleski, August 2003

DWC 2000AD Painting Competition

Hot off the presses from Rin at DWC:

Dark World Creations Painting Competition 2015

Hi Guys!

We suddenly realized that we have never done a 2000AD painting competition so we have put one together for all of you!!!!

I have tried to make it as simple and easy as humanly possible. You can enter absolutely any of our 2000AD 70mm or 35mm ranges. Please note that we haven't included any of our own zombie/survivors and military so that it is purely a 2000AD competition.

The more entries the bigger the prizes as the competition goes on.

There will be 3 winners and the prizes are:

• 1st prize - Judge Fear (70mm), Mean Machine (70mm) and Citi Def Trooper (70mm)
• 2nd prize - Mean Machine Angel (70mm), Citi Def Trooper (70mm)
• 3rd prize - Mean Machine Angel (70mm)

All entries need to be sent to aaron@darkworldcreations.com. Every entry will be posted on our Facebook page for everyone to have a look at all the models as well.

You can start painting now but the competition ends 13/4/15 UK time. Looking forward to hearing from all of you.

Cheers
Rin

You have a little less than 8 weeks to complete your entries, so get crackin'! 

“When the cost of a hobby exceeds the fun and doesn't attract new people, the game is over.” -
Oscar Koveleski, August 2003

Notable Acquisitions February 2015

At the 2015 edition of the Atlanta Show. . .

KITS
Andreas Barz Vlad Draculea (~1/8 scale bust-flat, Karl-Werner Rieger)
MDC Zombie Highwayman (~1/6 scale bust, Steve Peacock)
Young Miniatures "Hell on Wheels" [YM-1852] (1/10th scale bust, Young B. Song)

"Wardaddy"

When I saw Fury the other day, I immediately wondered how long it would take for someone to release a bust of Brad Pitt's character. Little did I know that there was not one, but two(!) busts available.

I picked up Young Miniatures' "Hell on Wheels" (YM1852) at the Show this weekend. As a side- bar note, it was the only figure acquired at the Show. If you like what you see on YM's site, you will not be disappointed: this is a very simple, impeccably cast, 2-piece bust (+ pedestal). It should also be noted that since my last YM acquisition, Young has switched resins: the current bust is in a cool (as opposed to 'warm') ivory (not buff)-colored resin that retains detail BEAUTI- FULLY!!!

There are two significant "marks" against this figure, and one is a potential deal-breaker:

• The proportions of the division insignia are ever so slightly off. It is arguable whether it is sufficiently noticeable to even bother, but it is to me. Since the patch itself is "clean" (read: blank), it will be easy enough to make the corrections--IF so moved.

• Depending on your vision for this piece, this one is a bit more serious. In order to include the grips of the revolver (see below) and maintain the overall length of the torso, Young "compressed" the vertical axis: the grips are effectively in the subject's armpit, and the SSI placement has all been pushed upward. There is but one decision to be made: lose the grips, OR extend the torso. The former is the quickest and easiest solution, though you may still have to modify the placement of the rank insignia. As to the latter. . . well, you will be essentially redesigning the bust. . .  

I do have one more "grip[e]", but this is in no way directed at YM. In the film, SSG Don “War- daddy” Collier carries a S&W Model 1917 revolver with "sweetheart grips". As best as I can tell, Young--or the boxart artist--was certainly aware of this. However, no matter how good of an artist anyone might be, it would be impossible to recreate a transparent piece of acrylic with a "picture" behind it with paint on an opaque, 3d canvas. So the "special" challenge of this project--should you decide to keep the grips--will be to carve a set of clear replacement grips for the sidearm. More on the image beneath the grips when--IF!--the time comes. . .

The overall challenge of this piece will be the painting. Young has provided a VG+++ canvas, but the team at YM can't paint it for you. It will be up to you to imbue life into the lifeless resin!

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

"Ace of Knaves"

Almost 6 years ago, I was pleasantly surprised by a most generous--and unsolicited!--piece of lagniappe: YS Masterpieces' "Ace of Spades" 200mm bust. 

Since that time, the kit had been rough-prepped, pegged, etc., but little more. Well the time has come to dust off this little "gem in the rough" and giver it the TLC it needs. 

Before proceeding with a quick, hands-on review, I would like to point out that The Red Lancers is probably your most reliable source for information about this company and its offerings this side of the Pond--YSM has not updated their website since Fall 2013!

"Ace of Spades" is a 200mm (1/9th scale) bust cast in 7 pieces--not five as you might have read elsewhere! The casting quality is VG-: my sample had a number of sizable air holes and a notice- able mold shift on either side of the neck that is more telling of QC than overall casting quality. The workability of the resin is VG++. 

This is by design a dark, whimsical rendition of a medieval court jester. The allusions to Wonder- land are readily apparent--and he is one disgruntled Court fool! While my original thoughts were to do him essentially OOB, it occurred to me last week that with relatively minor resculpting, this would make a fascinating iteration of the "Ace of Knaves". . . 

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