Daredevil - Painting III: Groundwork (2)

Over the course of the weekend, I completed the groundwork. As always, the invariable touch-ups and tweaks, as the elements of this project converge, lie ahead.

I have also decided it time to merge the "support elements", and permanently attach the Angel
to the groundwork/display base. The results exceed expectations! Now I can finish painting the Angel in situ.  

FOLLOW-UP 29.05.2018. . . While I fully intend to finish the Angel in situ (not that I have much choice now), I thought that I would mention that you would best be served by a 1:2 approach: 1 day paint, 2 days "rest"--minimum. The stains and other aspects of weathering need a bit of time to "settle". Your perception of the work also stands to benefit from the fresh/er perspective. When it's all said and done, you will achieve a more refined finish than you would by compressing the sessions.

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

Daredevil - Painting II: The Devil - Priming

With all the "support" elements underway, it was time to introduce the painting bench to the star of the project: Daredevil.

Daredevil is now primed, and curing in the oven. I will hopefully have it undercoated by next  weekend. . .

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

Daredevil - Painting I: The Angel - Painting

Let the fun begin. . . 

The Angel will be a multi-media undertaking, with acrylics prevailing. Oils will be used to provide a sculptural texture, address subtle effects, an add depth overall. Acrylics and acrylic stains will be used to distress and stain the stone, as well as provide the harsher contrasts. In all probabi- lity, pastels, etc. will also make an appearance, both fixed and un-.

The ventral half (facing the viewer) of Phase I is now complete. All the work to this point has been executed in acrylics. This has been as enlightening as it has been enjoyable; but I will be the first to acknowledge that the most difficult challenge will be to know when to stop.

To be continued. . .

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

Daredevil - Painting I: The Angel - UCing

The Angel is now under/basecoated, and is curing in the oven. . .

As with other, complex, multi-faceted elements of any project, the Angel will be a work-in-pro- gress for the duration.

A good day. . .

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

Daredevil - Painting III: Groundwork

I have not executed "traditional" groundwork since I don't know when! By "traditional", I mean Celluclay, "grass" plugs, etc. 

Well, I was able to reset the clock this morning. . . The Angel is now tentatively mounted on its display base, with the groundwork all-but-completed, and drying nicely. By this time tomorrow, I should be able to begin finalizing the groundcover, and undercoating the Angel.

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

Daredevil - Painting I: The Angel - Priming

As I was discussing this project with Rich the other day, it soon became obvious that we were discussing what was effectively a 2-figure vignette: Daredevil and the funerary monument (here- after, the Angel). Thus will the Painting arc be comprised of two distinct sub-threads. . .

And I will begin with Thread I, the Angel. After extensive reworking of its "footprint" over the last two days, the Angel has been primed and is now in the oven curing. The acrylics should begin flowing by Sunday at the latest.

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

Daredevil - Prep (5): Final Finishing

I'm finally on the home stretch! Final finishing will mostly revolve around surface finishing and scribing misplaced and/or omitted seams. The finish on Knight Models kits has never been any- thing to write home about, and this kit, while better than most, is no different. At this rate, I am hoping to have the Devil of Hell's Kitchen ready to prime by the end of the upcoming holiday weekend.

Stay tuned! 

UPDATE 22.05.2018. . . Final finishing is now all-but-done! There are still a few spots around the gauntlets that I need to give a final once-over to, but otherwise the figure itself is ready for prim- ing; and to this end, has been transferred to its work (read: painting) base.

The rest of the evening will be spent giving the funerary angel its final once-over. . .   

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

Joker - Arkham: Prep II--The Plinth

I decided to begin with the only omission of note of this kit: the plinth. 

Fewer busts are now provided with either a plinth (preferable), or a geometrical structure to sup- port the bust (rod, tube, etc.). I can certainly understand the savings involved; however, the rela- tively inexperienced miniaturist is in for a rude surprise! As I've mentioned in other postings, what- ever savings might be realized, I do not believe them worth the potential loss of a dedicated fol- lower, or never seeing the piece completed and displayed.

The plinth is now roughed-in, with preliminary finishing underway. So far, so good. . .

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

Daredevil - Prep: The Angel (4) ; the Cowl; and Completing Assembly

Most of the clean-up on the angel has been finally finished. Which means all that is left to do is reworking the right forearm/hand of the monument. . .

The rather simple approach to the right hand is "unfinished", afaic. As it stands, it creates a "vacuum" on the monument. The bouquet in the left hand is effectively a bas-relief rendition that does nothing to promote the upward visual flow--and "flattens" the funerary sculpture. Thus, I decided to rework the right hand and have it supporting a sword.

The hand has been prepped. This evening, I all-but-finished carving the sword from a pewter blank, and tentatively fitted it to the base. So far, so good. . .

Finally, I added a lower edge of the cowl, creating a defined neck gaiter. Now, the cowl is a distinct item and not an extension of a magical uni-suit.

UPDATE 12.05.2018. . . The left forearm/hand has been permanently attached. FOLLOW-UP 13.05.2018. . . Upon review of the piece in anticipation of beginning work on the retractable cable connecting the clubs, I noticed the unnatural 'bow' of the left forearm. Fortunately, this is a rela- tively simple fix, greatly facilitated by the Flexy 5K CA adhesive (VMS) used to attach the fore- arm. My question is: WHY hasn't this been addressed in ANY of the build-ups I have seen???

UPDATE 17.05.2018. . . The right forearm/hand has been permanently attached, thus assembly of the figure has been completed. Given my previous update, I am happy to report that the right forearm was pretty much good-to-go out-of-the-box.

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

Clown Prince of Arkham-Review and Prep I

I am the delighted recipient of Altores Studio's recent (February) release: Restless Patient (B-079, 1/10 scale bust) [nb: the bust was ordered from El Greco Miniatures--a pleasure as always!].

What you get. This is an exquisitely cast (PERFECTION!) bust comprised of 6 pieces: the one-piece bust, 4 straitjacket belt-ends, and the right hand w/ straight razor. There is no pedestal/ plinth included in the kit. The resin is a bit "softer" than I prefer; but given the modifications I intend to undertake, the medium is ideal!

The bust as designed holds very little appeal, no matter the excellence of the sculpture or the casting; however, this was love at first sight! What a magnificent basis for a conversion to the Joker!! While the boxart makes no allusion to Mista' J, several build-ups that I have seen sport
a green 'do and noticeably pale skin, though the busts themselves were not subjected to any modification/s.

The required work, afaic, revolves around the face/head. I will give Mista' J a full head of hair, filling out the exposed skin at the site of the craniotomy; and I will rework the mouth/lips to a more tra- ditional psychotic smile. There are a few other enhancements on the TDL, but all in good time.

To date, I have roughed-in the hair, and I have begun working on the upper lip--a GREAT start!

Stay tuned!

PS--The bust has been pegged, and transferred to 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

The Devil of Hell's Kitchen returns. . .

It has been a little over 6 years since this piece first saw the bench--hopefully it will not see it for a seventh!

In the past week I have joined the "in crowd" and I am now a Netflix subscriber! And I am now well over half of S1 of Daredevil. This is an awesome undertaking! While I am not one of the vi- rulent naysayers of the movie, it doesn't come close to what this series provides!!

In any event, the series has inspired re-making room on the workbench for this figure, and you will be seeing quite a few entries in the forthcoming weeks as I inch my way closer to priming... 

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