Ned Stark - Painting: Wrapping-up

While I do not feel that I am anywhere near the finish line, what with the pelt but ~50% done, and the sword yet to be primed, my "benchmarks" say otherwise! In particular the one where the all- but-finished project is transferred to its permanent display base. . . UPDATE 27.01.16. . . With the pelt being completed, it is now time to move this project to the completed folder. . . Updates will be posted in this/these entry/ies as the situation warrants.

The base has been chosen and tapped, and the bust fitted to the same. That means that within 48 hrs., the bust will be permanently mounted on its presentation base. DONE!

This is not a bout of "buck fever". Quite the contrary! The time has come to start envisioning the final look of this project--and working towards it!--and given the dynamics of the bust, that can only be done with the bust "in its place", as it were. 

So, by the end of the weekend, if all goes as planned, there should be no bare primer left to be seen! 

More to follow. . . !!!

28.01.2016 - 

• Cravat - Undercoated.
• Cravat - Phase I Oils done. 
• Eyes/Pupils - Touched-up in anticipation of final glazing. 
• Plinth - Done. 

30.01.2016 -  

• Hair - Done.
• Stray front forelock permanently attached and filled: save for Ice's blade/quillon subas- sembly, the figure is now completely assembled.

31.01.2016 -

• Cravat - Done. I would point out that this project, along with the Hammerstein underta- king, have demonstrated the effectiveness and usefulness of acrylic washes over oil foundations that have completely dried (!). It is time to rethink the dogma of  "Fat over Lean"--if it hasn't been already. . . 
• Front forelock primed and undercoated.

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

Ned Stark - Painting: The Pelt

In my last "painting" posting, I stated that, "[the pelt would] be the supreme challenge of this piece, and that, "I [intended] to simply "jump in" and see where it takes me. . ." 

And jump I have! The pelt is now, for the most part, base-coated using washes of Lamp Black, Van Dyke Brown, and Payne's Grey. And it looks AWESOME!!! 

I must temper my enthusiasm, however, as the most difficult aspects lie ahead: the white under- fur and the gold tips to the body and tail fur. Nevertheless, a solid foundation has been laid!

Stay tuned!!!

UPDATE 26.01.16. . . Save for the tail, which is still "in primer", the pelt is about 70% done! In short, it is blocked-in with the foundation washes, and I am approximately at the midway point of the over-glazes. Almost there!

UPDATE 27.01.16. . . While I will certainly revisit the overall item during the finishing phase, the pelt is effectively DONE! Took me back almost 40 years to when I was doing my first fur cloak on Imperial's 90mm Eric the Red. . . good times!!!

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

"The Warden of the North" - Prep: Ice

As I noted in the conclusion to the prepwork on Ned, Ice would be "finished once painting of the bust is well underway." And now, that time is upon me. . .

Not surprisingly, the functional end of the sword is all-but-done, but the devil is in the details-- and there are myriad details to contend with!

The fullers are now essentially done. There is still a small amount of work remaining on the main fuller, but that is a relatively minor detail, and hopefully will be a quick sidebar.

The are three salient steps remaining to be completed:

1. Creating the edges to the sword. Given the relative near-scale thickness of the blade, this is going to be a harrowing, albeit oh-so-necessary, undertaking!
2. Finishing the quillon. I'd say I am about 60% done with the crossguard, so it is more at "wrapping-up".
3. Polishing and final once-over.

If month end isn't too bad, I may have the blade and quillon ready for priming by the weekend. . .

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

Ned Stark - Painting: Intermezzo 2

As we head into the first month's end of the year, I thought I would post a recap of where I am with this project. . . 

There are but two items remaining to be painted before heading into the wrap-up phase: the neck scarf/cravat and the pelt. The former I should have u/c'ed within the next few days. . . The latter? Well, this will be the supreme challenge of this piece. Within the week, I intend to simply "jump in" and see where it takes me. . . By way of clarification, the sword--Ice--will be completed during the wrap-up.

This week will be largely dominated by matters at work, so little or no bench time is likely. The 30th can't get here soon enough. . . 

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

Ned Stark - Painting: The Hand Group

As I work my way "out" from the major garments/items, next in line is the hand grouping; i.e., the gauntlets and Ice's grip. It should come as no surprise that the pommel will not be addressed at this time: this has been relegated to the finishing stage for [what should be] obvious reasons. 

As has been the case throughout this project, your interpretation of the gauntlets is wholly de- pendent on your references. While the doublet and belting are decidedly weathered and lustre- less, the gauntlets are a contrast in suppleness and "richness". In simpler terms, the gauntlets should look relatively "newer", less worn. 

 

The grip appears to be made from flame/tiger maple. I have applied the "flames" using a mix of Burnt Umber, Burnt Sienna, and a touch of black irregularly streaked over the Orange Brown u/c. Once that is completely dry, I will glaze it with Orange Ochre. DONE!

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

Ned Stark - Painting: Phase III

The tinting and weathering phase of the gambeson sleeves is well underway!

This has evinced itself as an ongoing series of successive glazes (using Grumbacher Oil Painting Medium I as the medium) to modulate the prevailing greenish umbers into a bluer (cooler), greyer tint.

Somewhat difficult to describe. . . all I can say is, "Know your oils and trust your eyes!" Check back often(!): there are significant tonal shifts as the oils "settle" down. I intend to be tweaking the finish of the gambeson and the leathers until I deem the bust completed!

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

Ned Stark - Painting: The Mantle/Cloak

If I am to be perfectly candid with you, the reader, what remains of this bust will be painted large- ly by "gut". Any linearity and/or pre-conceived structure has been discarded, and I will proceed instinctively.

As you might recall, I undercoated the outer surfaces of his mantle in a very dark bluish-grey mix, as the Stark mantle's surface flocking is a darker and richer than the underlying base fabric. The sculptor did a commendable job of reproducing the two tiers of fabric, though the painters do not appear to have been aware of this particular aspect. 

I have effectively reprised my approach in oils. I essentially basecoated the surface of the cloak in a cool, medium blue-gray, concentrating on the indented patterns, and shading and highlight- ing accordingly. At this point, I feel the base fabric is a bit too bright and "blue", but it is much easier to selectively tone things down after the fact, than the reverse. 

Once the basecoat is completely dry, the "flocking" will be applied using a suitable black mix: as of this writing, I intend to use a mix of Lamp and Mars Black. If that is too dull, I will mix a cus- tom Black using ultramarine blue and a warm umber or sienna. 

Stay tuned. . . ! 

UPDATE 20.01.16. . . The outer surface of the cloak is now done! I used the Lamp-Mars mix applied as a light "drybrush" followed by medium stippling to create a visible texture, as well as establish tonal gradients. Any follow-up work will be determined by the finish once the oils settle down. . .   

NEXT: The cloak lining and the pedestal. . .  

UPDATE 21.01.16. . . The cloak/mantle is done!! I will revisit the lining during final wrap-up to make sure that the highlights are just right; otherwise, I am VERY pleased with the progress-to-date and the results achieved. . .

Insofar as the pedestal is concerned, all but the plinth is done. At this point in time, I think the plinth will be undercoated just prior to permanently mounting the bust on its display base, and finished in situ. 

Movin' right along. . . 

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

Ned Stark - Painting: Intermezzo (cont.)

In my first installment of this "intermezzo", I overstated the extent of the assembly of this bust: the shadowcat pelt that serves as the collar of the mantle/cloak and the separate, white metal forelock have yet to be attached! 

I never intended to attach the 'collar' until the bust was painted in its entirety; however, my experi- ences over the last few days have forced me to re-evaluate. Thus, the first thing I did when I got home was permanently attach the pelt! In spite of the fact that this will make painting a bit(?) more "awkward", it will also make the finished piece--assuming I do my job--more integrated and visually seamless. Practically speaking, with the pelt in place, I can now control the light and the tonal values as I am painting and not after the fact.

Back to the bench!

UPDATE 21.01.16. . . The attachment of the pelt has proven to be a VERY good call!!! Aside from providing a true 'snapshot' of the bust at any given time, it has proven to be an indispensa- ble "hand rest"/"handle". Just sayin'. . .

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

Ned Stark - Real-time Reflections

The last 24 hrs. have been quite a revelation into the underbelly of what this hobby really is--or isn't!

Andrea's Warrior of the North appears at first glance to be a simple, straightforward - even ba- sic! - bust. And it can certainly be approached as such, as the source did in their underwhelm- ing article in Figure International no. 54.

But will a "basic" approach bring this piece to life? As was unequivocally revealed to me this weekend, the answer is a resounding NO! The palette--the complementary reddish browns of the leathers and the bluish/greenish greys of the gambeson; and the cool-ish black of the mantle--creates an achromatic, lifeless melange that somehow must be worked around, if not enhanced, to make this bust "pop". The North might be bleak and drab, but our figure must transcend the austerity of its natural setting.  

I believe I'm back on track with my vision of this piece. With the 'basics' out of the way, it was time to "freestyle". Every aspect of the selected colours must be taken into account to create a chromatic harmony that is visually appealing. Form will be a secondary consideration that will be defined through tonal manipulation once the figure is completely painted.

This is, IMHO, what this hobby is all about! Since the turn of the century, the goal has increas- ingly been to paint for the camera, reducing a three-dimensional object to a 2-d illustration. While I don't see that changing any time soon given the virtual world we live in--and the fact that it is the "low road" and flattens the stylistic topography, it does not mean we have to buy into it. . .

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

Ned Stark - Painting: Intermezzo

The bust is now completely assembled--save for the sword blade and quillons. I decided to per- manently install the grips so as to ensure the alignment of the arms, as well as provide structural support for the same.

The only garments remaining to receive oils are the mantle and the gauntlets. 

As the readership well knows by now, the closer I get to the end of a project, the more work there is to be done. And this bust will certainly be no exception. I intend to spend the rest of the holi- day weekend preparing the bust for the final lap. . . outlining, touch-ups, etc. Think of it as pre- finishing prepwork!  

But first. . . priming the grips! Back to the bench!! 

FOLLOW-UP. . . The grips have been primed and undercoated.

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

Ned Stark - Painting: Phase II

Phase II, the tonal phase, of the sleeves and leathers is underway!

Surprisingly, very little work was required on the "temperature" side of things. Conversely, depth will require several additional passes to get things just right. As always, the amount of work will be dictated by the vision, literally and figuratively, of the miniaturist; time available; and degree of commitment. AFAIC, the only factor in play is the first.

Insofar as the leathers are concerned, preliminary distressing of the edges, etc. has begun. 

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

Ned Stark - Painting: Doublet and Belts

Phase I of the doublet and the cross belts is now done!

The colours of the leather items in the costume are very interesting: your "normal" complement of Umbers and Siennas will not be suitable in this instance. Rather, Mars pigments--notably Violets and Black--will be called upon to bear the brunt of the painting. I fully expect to have to "repaint" some areas to achieve the depth and vibrancy of colour/s that I am striving to achieve.

Phase II of the leathers will be more integrative than constructive. Once the figure is fully assem- bled--and the colours dry!--I will apply the finishing tonal contrasts and weathering as required.

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

ICM's 1/16th World's Guards

Well. . . Happy New Year indeed!

ICM recently "published" their 2016 catalog, and they have announced a new series of World's Guards units (p. 19)! Those of you who know me well know that I have been clamoring for such a series since well-before the turn of the century--all good things indeed come to those who wait!

The series will be produced in polystyrene in 1/16th scale (~120mm). It appears that ICM intends to give MiniArt a run for their money: while I am a big fan of the latter's earlier releases, their offer- ings over the last few years have left MUCH to be desired.
      


These will be ICM's first foray into the "large" scales, so I am very anxious to see how they man- age the transition. But I am even more curious to see if they expand their series outside of the modern era! Though I would be more than happy if they were to release a companion piece to 16002: an officer with a SMG. . .

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

Ned Stark - Painting: Gambeson Sleeves

Face aside, the sleeves of this bust will be the most challenging aspect of this undertaking. We discussed the chromatic "challenges" here -- now I get to translate descriptive prose into practi- cal application.

After completing the basic painting with oils (Phase I) of the right sleeve, I've come to the conclu- sion that the sleeves will require three distinct steps:

1. Basic painting in oils: base coat, shading, and highlight. Some modulation of values, tones, etc. can/will be introduced at this time, but these will serve as no more than 'markers' for what is to follow. 
2. Tonal phase. Once Phase I is dry, I will start applying glazes to set temperature and depth (i.e., increase volume). Phase II of the sleeves will follow Phase I of the leathers so that the sleeves can be worked as an integral part of the whole.
3. Tint phase and Weathering/Distressing. Phase III will be undertaken either as a distinct step prior to Finishing, or as part of the Finishing process. In actuality, it will probably begin as the former, and conclude as part of the latter.

Given that the left sleeve will be painted off the figure (i.e., unattached), the above approach will serve the subsequent integration quite nicely. 

Back to the bench!

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

Rick Grimes - Prepwork I (cont.)

As I mentioned earlier, prepwork continues at a satisfactory pace. Today, I:

• re-socketed the left arm to get a positive attachment to the torso; 
• added a wedge of Rick's box-weave undershirt at the edge of the rolled-up left sleeve;
• reworked the palm of the left hand to accommodate a pry-bar;
• sculpted a basket-weave pattern on the flaps of the speed-loader carrier;
• re-textured the facial hair; and
• continued working on the pant folds. 

Not bad for a couple of hours' worth of work. . .

FOLLOW-UP. . .       

• Made a pry-bar from styrene hex rod; and
• started reworking the coiffure. 

  
UPDATE 17.01.16. . . The figure has been pegged and mounted on its work base.

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

Rick Grimes - Prepwork: Intermezzo

As prepwork continues, I thought I would share a few observations, etc. with you.

As stated earlier, the figure is obviously based on the Season 3 promo poster, I have come to the conclusion that the figure is actually from Season 4. Why? Elementary, my good people! There is no left pocket on the shirt!! While the shirt itself is hardly a paradigm of screen accuracy, it is hard to believe that the artist, to say nothing of the subsequent reviewers, would overlook a pock- et unless it was by design. Hence, my conclusion that this Rick is as he appeared in the first half of S4! Which depending on your sense of colour, etc., might provide some latitude re: the colour of the jeans. As of this writing, I have yet to decide whether to go with the S3 or S4 Rick.

After brainstorming the "wedgie" concept with dear friend and colleague, Rich, I have all but de- cided to scrap the idea, if only because the scale of a readily identifiable "prison bus" wedgie would dwarf the figure and provide very little to the composition and overall effect of the piece. 

Finally, I am effectively "resculpting" the jeans. Nothing major, mind you, simply "smoothing" things out to a more convincing/realistic depiction of the fabric. It would appear that 3-D design- ers are no different than traditional sculptors in that they tend to get "fold happy" at times. . .

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

Rick Grimes - Prepwork III: The gun

Rick's trademark weapon is a Colt Python with a 6" bbl. While the overall appearance of the weapon is OK at a glance, it is actually one of the weakest aspects of the figure. 

In addition to overall detailing, I have the following on my TDL:

• Beef-up and detail the cylinder (latch, etc.).
• Add the ventilated rib and the front sight. (24.01.16)
• Detail the rear sight.
• Add the ejector rod. 
• Detail the hammer. 

 
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

Rick Grimes - Prepwork II: The holster

The holster has been removed and I have begun to refinish the underside. The area of the pants (note: black jeans) where the holster had been molded en suite has been filled, roughly modeled, and is now curing in the oven. 

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

Rick Grimes - Prepwork I

As indicated earlier, the figure is now ready for prepping. Unless you want to do "extra" research, the extent of your work will be cleaning seam-lines, assembling the figure, and pegging the legs.

I am going to take it up an extra notch or two. I intend to:

• Rework the seams on the garments where necessary
• Undercut and detail the holster
• Sharpen detail where required
• Add any items that might have been overlooked (e.g., left shirt pocket)

Work has commenced on the first three items. . .

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

Rick Grimes - Eaglemoss' TWD

I think I may have found my next painting project!

Eaglemoss' Rick Grimes is a simple, well-sculpted figure. The 3-D modeled design of this piece paid handsome dividends as the basket-weave tooling on the holster and gun belt is beautifully reproduced (note: this was readily apparent on the promo shots of the figure, but all the delicate detail was obscured by the heavy paint on the production piece!). It is comprised of 4 total pieces (body, arms, and base): if OOB is satisfactory, then it should suffer but a relatively brief sojourn on the workbench. With me, it will take longer before it is ready for priming.

The figure is based on Rick in the Season 3 promo poster. While I am toying with the idea of re- producing a "slice" of the poster in miniature, if memory serves, at no time did Rick climb atop
the overtuned [Thomas] prison bus--in Season 3 or 4.

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

Eaglemoss' THE WALKING DEAD Series

Some of you might recall my disappointment with Eaglemoss's latest releases a few years back: they had switched to a very poor-quality metallic resin and compensated with the application of heavy-handed coats of paint. I have not acquired an Eaglemoss product since. . .

Until now. Last Summer, they announced a new collectible series in 1/21st scale [note: 80mm] (I'm just as befuddled as you are, but somebody who designed his collectible work in 1/14th scale doesn't have much room to talk!) featuring characters from AMC's The Walking Dead! If any "theme" would prompt me to reconsider, it would be this one. . . especially, as Eaglemoss has completely rebooted, if you will, their product line.

The original introductory line-up, if memory serves, was to be as follows:

1. Rick Grimes
2. Daryl Dixon
3. Michonne
4. Philip "The Governor" Blake
5. Water Walker
6. Tyreese Williams

followed by: 

1. Carol Peletier
2. Glenn Rhee
3. Merle Dixon

[NOTE: For reasons unknown, the release order has since been revised at least once.]

Future, albeit unannounced, releases include:

• Shane Walsh
• Herschel Greene
• Abraham Ford
• Rosita Espinosa
• Father Gabriel Stokes  
• Maggie Greene-Rhee
• Beth Greene
• Sasha Williams
• Morgan Jones

After performing my due diligence, I decided to order Rick and Daryl. They were to have been re- leased to coincide with the premier of Season 6 of TWD; but for whatever reason/s, that deadline was not met. The first two in the series were released in late December, and I received mine today: afaik, these have been the only figures released to date.

The size of the shipping carton immediately told me that this was not the "normal"/usual Eagle- moss release; and that was quickly confirmed upon opening. Completely new packaging and presentation, as can be seen here. The "collectible" packaging is a clear-cut winner on every count!

What about the content? As with all Eaglemoss offerings, these are pre-painted collectibles. Un- fortunately, the finishing of the figures and the painting have not improved all that much: for my purposes, the latter, at least, is completely irrelevant; the former, however, will require some restoration work.

The casting, however, is a marked improvement! The casting medium is definitely new, but I am hard-pressed to discern any metallic filler. Regardless, my two samples are VG+ (or better!) castings that are eminently workable, albeit--please note!--somewhat brittle.

The figures are now in their purple bath: so far, so good! The paint is relatively thin, and is re- sponding well to the solvent. The underlying resin is seemingly unaffected by it, so there should be no deterioration of the working surface of the figure. As of this writing, this is quite promising!

More to follow. . .

FOLLOW-UP. . . After some four hours in the "bath", 70+% of the paint is gone. Closer inspec- tion of the figures confirmed my earlier conclusions: the casting quality is VERY good, though defintion is overall somewhat 'soft'. The medium is indeed a metallic resin, albeit with a very low %age of Al filler. Both figures are multi-piece castings (Rick - 3 + base; Daryl - 5 + 3? pc. base); and Daryl is a multi-media casting: over half the pieces are cast in white metal. 

The figures have been returned to their "bath", where I will leave them overnight. Hopefully 12+ additional hours will do the trick, but I would not be surprised if another session or two in the "bath" will be required.

UPDATE 10.01.16. . . The overnight "bath" pretty much took care of things.The figures are now scrubbed, disassembled, and their bases removed: pre-prep work is done!

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

The DWC detour has come to an end. . . or. . .

The return to Westeros and the North!

In the next week or so, I will resume my work on the erstwhile patriarch of House Stark. These will be rather long painting sessions due to the amount of coverage required and the distressing of the respective materials, so the bench time may be limited to once or twice per week, mostly on the weekends. Having said that, rest assured I will be taking full advantage of the forthcoming long holiday weekend!

Back to palette selection. . .

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

Durham Red - Painting: Wrapping-Up

02.01.2016 - 

• Lace fringe on cuisses and hose done.
• Wrist LEDs undercoated. 
• Lace pattern on hose done.
• Eyes done! 
• Gloves done. 
• Hair DONE! 

03.01.2016 - 

• Wrist lace fringe and LEDs done. 
• Boots are DONE--and save for the final detailing, and the final once-over in a week or so, so is the project!!! Images 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

Let the Flamesss of Jussticcce Cleanssse You!

For better or worse, 2016 will see the completion of the Deadworld quartet!

DWC has just announced the imminent release of Judge Fire. While I would normally be hissing my way into gleeful abandon, this one is such a departure from the style we have come to ex- pect, that I am decidedly underwhelmed: it is the first time that one of their 70mm offerings looks like an oversized "mini"!

For obvious reasons, Fire was always to be the challenging one of the four. Back in the day, Rin and I discussed the possibility/plausibility of using clear resin, tinted or un-, to depict the fiery elements and enhance the volume/3-dimensionality of the effect. While I never held much hope that this would be the path taken (cost, qc, etc.), I was certainly expecting a more organic, ele- mental rendition of the flames. As it stands, I am hard pressed to see how this can be painted to create the illusion of fiery consumption. . . At best, it will appear as a victim of tarring & feather- ing using scarlet macaw feathers. . . the Deadworld version of a tlecoyotl!

And then there is the trident. Having sculpted at least three tridents for production, I know all too well what a nightmare they can be. But this one is simply "clunky" in the most unflattering, per- functory way. . .

As of this writing, it looks like I will take a pass and keep the Dark Judges to a solid [as a] rock trio. Once I see the production castings, I may change my mind, and use the figure as the base for a kit-bash using elements from the other Justices. But for now. . .  

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