"The Face of Crime" - Prep 2

Today, I modelled the foundation of the jester-themed tie tack that was omitted on the prototype.
ALL sculptural enhancements have now been roughed-in!

With any luck, that concludes the putty-work on the sculpture. The remaining prepwork is essen- tially PPP (pre-prime prep): seam cleaning and surface finishing. . .  

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

"The Face of Crime" - Prep 1

It was a very productive day, I am delighted to report. . . 

Not only were all current PpS sessions completed, but I finally was able to work on the Joker: 

• Legs tapped and pegged (large "non-skid" paper clips).
• All corrective putty work roughed-in.
• Head pegged and repositioned; neck resculpted in the process.
• Waistcoat* roughed-in.
• Breast pocket and pocket square* roughed-in. 

*These three items were omitted in the sculpture. 

Save for one more item and any attendant detailing, all sculptural enhancements have been, at the very least, roughed-in.

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

Joker: "The Face of Crime" - Pre-Prep Observations

As I mentioned in the introductory posting/review, this iteration of the Clown Prince of Crime is taken from the conclusion of "Death of the Family". For those of you not familiar with this arc, this is a "must read" in the DCU, afaIc! By way of capturing the gist of the story, the Joker is captured by Batman and sent to Arkham Asylum. As it turns out, this was the Joker's plan all along, as his goal was to meet with the Dollmaker, and have him surgically remove his face. The Joker escapes, and a year later, he returns to Gotham City, recovers his "face", and begins to wear it as a mask (NB: this is particularly well-rendered in the figure!). 

The Joker is a VG+++, two-piece casting (+ plinth). It is cast in metallic resin, and herein lies Problem #1. Eaglemoss has come a long way since their first forays into resin-casting, but they have yet to take that final step that would allow, compel even, any reviewer to use the word "mas- terful" in their assessment. Granted, given that these are pre-painted collectibles, what I am about to describe is arguably irrelevant. . . 

The aluminum filler used is too coarse: too big and--relatively--too heavy (albeit less expensive!), especially when used absent a thixotropic filler (TF) (NB: TFs create stratified layering of the resin thus minimizing settling when prepared properly.). This results in a noticeably granular, rough surface in the distal 20%, give or take, of the figure, as the metallic filler settles to the bottom of the mold, while the rest of the figure is essentially pure resin. The aluminum filler they should be using should look and feel like grey talcum powder--this, when used in conjunction with a TF, will yield a 'bonded pewter' casting that one could polish to a high-luster, if so inclined; and be significantly and uniformly stronger. I maintain that such a medium would preclude the use of the reinforcing rods currently being inserted in the legs of their larger (>70mm) scale offerings.

Which brings us to Problem #1A. Using metal rods to support a casting is not an easy under- taking, IF one's goal is to provide a metallic endoskeleton that will reinforce and support the figure. My guess is that Eaglemoss experienced customer dissatisfaction with broken figurines and decided to use wire reinforcements in attempt to avoid such contretemps. The problem is that the rods are not anchored in any way, and thus float freely until the resin begins to gel. Be- ing lighter than the metallic resin, they tend to either freely gravitate to the surface of the mold, or are displaced by the settling metallic filler, thus marring the surface of the casting AND negating any reinforcement they might have been able to provide! Of the last 5 figurines I have purchased, all were reinforced with metal rods. . . AND THREE WERE BROKEN!!

AfaIc, dealing with the above is well-worth it given the price-point of the figure and the overall quality of the sculpture. Not knowing the particulars of Eaglemoss' production, or the production standards vs. cost ratio that they consider acceptable within the context of the marketed pro- duct and/or their business plan, I don't know if this is still a "work-in-progress", or if they have achieved their goal. Given the published reaction of some of their customers, I would say there remains room for improvement, especially as they have been noticeably responsive to the com- plaints received to date. . .  

“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 Joker & Harley Quinn Special Edition Box Set (LE 3000)

Looking to lick the wounds of failure by venturing onto more familiar grounds, I ordered Eagle- moss' The Joker & Harley Quinn Special Edition Box Set from their DC Comics Masterpiece Collection. I received issue 1767/3000. 

One might say that this is the resin counterpart to Eaglemoss’s DC All-Stars series: classic subjects; generous scale (1/14^th); and very reasonably priced (< US$25.00 per).

Both are DC New 52 iterations of their characters. The Joker appears as he did in the conclusion of "Death of the Family"; while Harley is in her re'vamp'ed ver.1 Suicide Squad get-up. 

As best as I can tell, the Joker appears to be a two-piece casting; Harley appears to be a six- piece casting (NB: not including the display plinths). The Joker is cast completely in resin; how- ever, Harley is a multi-media casting: her forearms are cast in white-metal (read: lead), and her mallet is a 2-piece white-metal casting. Casting quality is VG+++. And, I am delighted to report that pre-paint "clean-up", the usual destructive seam removal, was kept to an absolute minimum on both figures!

The Joker is definitely a SP3 (strip-prep-prime-paint) exercise. . .  He will probably be the next figure on the painting bench. As with Nurse Harley, there are a few mods in store for the Queen of the Suicide Squad; but again, primarily a SP3 exercise.

More to follow. . .   

18.12.2019--PpS is DONE for Harley and Mistah J! As a baseline going forward, I would recom- mend allowing a week for PpS. . . 

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

"The Clown Prince of Crime" -- Review

I have had my eye on The Joker from Eaglemoss’s DC All-Stars series since it was released: classic subject (Jason Fabok’s cover art in Batman 23.1 [Joker #1]); generous scale (1/14^th); very reasonably priced (< US$25.00). My only reservation was that, unlike the other offerings from Eaglemoss, this series is cast in ‘vinyl’. 

‘Vinyl’, like resin, is a catch-all descriptive whose purpose in this context is to differentiate, not elucidate. In other words, in this instance it is used to indicate that this figure is not cast in resin. The medium in which a figure is cast—be it white metal, PUR, metallic resin, plastic, or vinyl—is largely irrelevant to me; however, there are some variants of these mediums which are not acceptable to me for any number of reasons—particularly if I am not familiar with the produc- tion protocols observed.

The figure is cast in a somewhat “soft-ish” vinyl that on the whole captures detail well; AND the casting quality is VG+++. Being softer than PUR or metallic resin, it was not subjected to vir- tually any pre-paint clean-up—a PLUS! Not surprisingly, the figure appears to have been assem- bled "cold". Based on what I could observe, the adhesive used to assemble the figure was a cyanoacrylate, and this is where things get a bit “sticky”: how do I disassemble the figure; and how do I strip the figure--without damaging the casting?

Fast-forwarding to the present, I can state without reservation that Eaglemoss figures cast in 'vinyl' are not suitable candidates for complete "make-overs". The paint's--and adhesive's--re- sponse to the purple bath is negligible. While the paint responds very well to acetone, and the vinyl is relatively resistant to the solvent, any definition and detail is "softened" beyond accepta- bility in short order.

A real shame as it is a very nice figure. If it had been finished--assembled and painted!--to higher standards, it would have been a keeper. . .

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

Harley Quinn - Arkham Asylum

Hard to believe that it has been nearly 4 weeks since my last posting. . . Actually, what is really hard to believe is that I managed to average about 3 postings/week from the middle of July through mid-October! This has been a quarter from Hell at work, and it has finally caught-up with me: work-demons are anathema to creative Muses, and while my ladies held their own admir- ably, they finally had enough. . . Now it is incumbent upon me to stoke the boilers to life and start clearing some of the accumulated backlog of projects. . .

The piece that I hope will blaze the way is Eaglemoss's third release in their Batman: Arkham Asylum 1/16th scale series of figures, [Nurse] Harley Quinn. I just received the figure today(!); and having passed preliminary examination, it is now soaking in the Purple Bath. . . 

There are a few mods that have tentatively made their way to the TDL; but this one is primarily a strip-prime-paint exercise.

More to follow. . .

20.11.2019--I am now on the third day of "PpS" (pre-prep strip) and things are coming along quite nicely. . . I now know that there are [at least] 4 pieces to this figure: 1) main figure; 2) left arm; and 3) pony tails x 2 (NB-these are the only items cast in 'metallic resin'!). I am fairly certain that, at one time, the right arm was also a separate piece; but, in my sample, it appears as if it has been cast en suite. . .

Casting quality is VG+, and the usual destructive seam removal was thankfully largely disregard- ed. Yes, that means that the base coat of paint (white) is thicker than usual, but the trade-off is well worth it! I am hoping to wrap-up PpS by the Holiday weekend, at the latest.

24.11.2019--PpS is DONE for Harley. . . as well as her companion figure, Poison Ivy.

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

White Walker - Prepwork 12: Post-Finishing--The pteruges

As I indicated a little over 4 weeks ago, I would resume postings on the prep portion of the pro- ject when I began to finalize the rework of the pteruges. With the painting of the flesh taking-on a life of its own, and the figure being ready to be 'dressed' by permanently attaching the pteruges-- if they were ready, it was time to do just that. . . 

The finishing of the pteruges is all-but-done. By "finishing", I mean preparing the surface to re- ceive the addition of a fifth segment per strip--save for the strip on either side of the central solid 3; in addition to reducing the thickness of each of the strips. I would also point out that, while I have no definitive proof, it is reasonable to conclude that 4 strips of the rear panel of the pteruges are likewise unsegmented/solid.

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

White Walker - Painting II: UCing

As with its predecesor, painting the White Walker is anything but linear or sequential. Broadly or thematically so. . . sure; but beyond that, you would not be taking advantage of what this splen- did canvas has to offer!

So as to provide some chromatic balance, and provide a hint of what the finished product will ultimately look like, I decided to undercoat the armour of the extremities: the vambraces and the greaves. This was quite straightforward: just a simple coat of thoroughly-mixed Andrea Brown Leather. 

Once thoroughly dry/cured, I will go back with a grisaille of flat black to set my tonal values, and then lightly drybrush/glaze with Reaper Orange-Brown, all the time keeping in mind the oil finish.

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

White Walker - Painting I: Oils

There is still some work to be done with the acrylics, but I wanted to proceed with the oils to see if my plan had merit. And I am delighted to report that it did!

The oils were applied in two fashions: glazing and stippling. I first glazed the indicated areas with blue-green overtones: this served as a cool unifying gradient that provided some contrasting re- flective depth. Once satisfied, I began stippling a textured overlay with Flake White. This is very much Phase I, and I foresee at least two more layers: 1) a warmish overtone; and 2) a final uni- fying overlay of a stippled white made into a translucent "paste" with Dorland's Wax. 

More to follow. . .  

16.10.2019--Phase II:

• A. Warmish overtones. These were selectively applied with Transparent Red Earth muted with W&N Raw Umber Light, blending carefully. 

• B. I decided to have two applications of the "unifying white". The first layer will be slightly-thinned Zinc White, essentially glazed. Once I am satisfied, I will proceed with the stippled Flake White "paste", applied to punch-up the highlights and create   a granular surface.

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

White Walker - Painting I: UCing

With the figure primed and a day off, it was time to break out the paints!

In an excellent kit preview by Mike on Britmodeller, the reviewer makes the following observation:

There are no decals as you'd expect, and the instructions tell you to paint the body white and give him blue eyes.  The "real" thing was actually a myriad of subtle shades of blue with translucent whitish highlights that will be taxing to replicate, but if done well will look exceptional. 

As I learned in the Hardhome project, the blue tones/filter were digital enhancements introduced during filming and/or post-. Thus, the extent of blue manifest is a subjective/artistic call depen- dent on your vision of the project and the depth of your research.The "real" thing was an achro- matic pastiche, with a myriad of subtle cool (blue) and warm (reddish) shades and washes, uni- fied with white/ish drybrushing that is selectively concentrated. "Taxing to replicate. . . " -- Abso- lutely! But well worth the effort given the potential. . .

First phase of undercoating is now done. The first coat was a proprietary dark gray with blue and violet undertones that was 'scrubbed' off the highlights. When it was almost dry, I applied a gri- saille of black into the deep recesses and crevasses to begin setting tonal values. Phase 2 will be careful drybrushing and streaking of lighter values DONE. Phase 3 will be washes of warm black to block-in the deep shadows of the flesh and finalize the tonal topography of the 'land- scape'. . .

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

Ernesto "Che" Guevara, 1 enero 1959--Review and Prepwork

I recently got the urge to do a "historical", and while enjoying a good cigar, I decided that the subject that would best satisfy said urge would be a figure of Ernesto "Che" Guevara. Not just any figure, but the 1/35 scale CMK kit (F35 243) of Che, staged in the aftermath of the Battle
of Santa Clara on New Year's Day, 1959.

The figure is loosely based on the commemorative sculpture of Che that is the centrepiece of the Ernesto Guevara Sculptural Complex/Mausoleum in Santa Clara, Cuba.

This is an excellent PUR casting! Comprised of 5 pieces (including an optional head with cigar), the PUR is eminently workable, seam lines are a challenge to find, and the finer points are superbly cast in scale.

I have only made three slight mods to backdate the figure:

• 'Deleted' the carbine and removed the sling.
• Removed the grenade.
• Removed the star from the beret per photographs.

I am in the final finishing phase, with the holes already drilled for the foot pegs. NEXT: Priming! 

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

White Walker - Painting: Priming

The figure, not including the pteruges or the ice-spear, is now primed!

By way of preview, as of this writing, the painting arc of the project will be comprised of six distinct sub-threads:

• Painting I: Flesh
• Painting II: Extremity armour
• Painting III: Pteruges
• Painting IV: Hair
• Painting V: Scenic Setting (Groundwork)
• Painting VI: Finishing/Wrapping-Up 

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

White Walker - Prepwork 11: Final Finishing (cont.)/Pre-prime

The last bit of "enhancement" has just been completed and the figure is curing in the oven: skin texturing with red glazing putty. While I very much like the wrinkly skin folds provided by ICM, the surface of the skin is too smooth. One could expect ICM to provide a broken, granular surface as well, but I feel this aspect of the subject is best left to the end-user--and his/her sensibilities.

Once the putty is cured, I will embark on the 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

White Walker - Groundwork I

The time has come to start thinking of the setting for the White Walker. . . 

I have tapped the display base to accommodate the pegged figure, and I have roughly modeled (MS) a section of a sizeable boulder the will occupy the left front corner of the base. And I or- dered a basing kit from Precision Ice and Snow. 

A good start. . . 

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

White Walker - Prepwork 10: Final Finishing

The remainder of the prepwork will revolve around skin texturing and final clean-up. There is rela- tively little putty-work anticipated--save for the hair. I have a feeling that completion will come un- announced when I least expect it. . . 

10.09.2019--The enhancement of the musculature of the upper 'thoracic cage' is all-but-finished; as is the resurfacing of 'diaphragmatic arch'.

16.09.2019--The White Walker is effectively DONE! Some surface finishing--filing, sanding, and polishing--remains; but he should be ready for priming by the end of this weekend, next at the latest. Which brings this arc to a close. I will resume postings to cover the reworking of the pte- ruges when I get to that. . .  

25.09.2019--Obviously, the figure didn't get primed last weekend. . .  It is Q3-end at work, and I/we am/are drowning! I probably won't resume work on the White Walker until the 5th--or, more likely, until the Columbus Day holiday. . .  

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

White Walker - Prepwork 9: Finishing

There is quite a bit of work remaining before I can even begin to contemplate priming; however, the work ahead of me--save for the reworking of the pteruges [NB: as the pteruges have already been fitted, and the remaining work is largely cosmetic in nature, they will probably be finished after the painting of the figure itself is well underway]--is indeed that of "finishing". As always, I will log the progress as an itemized s-b-s. . . And as always, should any reader require addition- al details/information, please do not hesitate to ask in the Comments. . . 

02.09.2019--The arms have been fitted, and I have begun the enhancement of the musculature of the 'thoracic cage'.

03.09.2019--The coiffure: I have restored most of the reduced hair--all that remains to be done is the 'skullcap' that will bridge the forehead and main body of hair. . . and frame the face. 04.09-- The coiffure is DONE! All that remains to be done is the final surface texturing.  

05.09.2019--The arms have been permanently attached! The skin texturing can now begin in ear- nest!! FOLLOW-UP--The head is now permanently attached! The foundation figure has been as- sembled in toto!!

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

White Walker - Prepwork: Intermezzo (3)

With the armour in place and in various stages of completion, the major prepwork is effectively done. Most of my efforts in the immediate future will be dedicated to finishing the greaves and the vambraces, with special attention to the latter so that I may complete assembly of the figure (i.e., permanently attach the arms), and move on to final skin texturing and finishing. . .

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

White Walker - Prepwork 8: The Greaves

The greaves have been roughed-in with MS; Phase 1 finishing has commenced. . . 

28.08.2019--Phase 1 finishing of the right greave has been completed.

31.08.2019--Phase 1 finishing of the left greave has been completed.

06.09.2019--Surface-distressing of the greaves has been completed.

07.09.2019--The greaves are DONE!

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

White Walker - Prepwork 7: The Vambraces

The vambraces have been roughed-in with MS; Phase 1 finishing has been completed.

FOLLOW-UP--The vambraces are essentially DONE! I am well into the finishing stage. . . Next: distressing the surfaces and weathering; followed by lacing. . . 

27.08.2019--The surface of the right vambrace has been textured and distressed.

31.08.2019--One column of lacing on the right vambrace has been completed. 

01.09.2019--The right vambrace is DONE!

02.09.2019--The lacing on the left vambrace is done.   

04.09.2019--The left vambrace 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

White Walker - Prepwork 6: The Arms

As mentioned in the earlier installments of the Prep, the arms have been pegged, and the half sleeves removed.

Now the time has come to finalize the reduction of the arms, integrate the arms to the torso, and rework the musculature and skin texture. 

So far so good. . . The "bare" arms give the Walker a lankier, more gaunt, appearance that will be further enhanced by the achromatic, blue-biased colouration. 

More to follow. . .

31.08.2019--The reworking of the arm musculature is well underway. . . The deltoids are all but done, and the biceps are ~65% done.

[continued in Finishing]

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

White Walker - Prepwork 5: The Ice Spear

The fact that I have thread dedicated to the ice spear tells you, the reader, my decision re: the quandary presented in Intermezzo (1). . . 

While I applaud the inclusion of a clear-cast weapon, the haft, in this case, is a bit of a head-scratcher: why the symmetrical, circumferential crenellations--unlike the prototype?

The hafts of the Walker weapons were covered in wrapped 'leather'. Hence, I cut the spearhead from the haft, with a half-inch or so 'tang', that I then carefully ground down to fit the opening of a 3/32 d. brass tube. . . 

More to follow. . . 

24.08.2019--The ice spear is all-but-done. I replicated the wrapping using Aizu Project 2.0mm Micron masking tape. Once in place, I lightly "rubbed" ZAP CA superglue over the haft to seal the wrapping. Perfect! I will attempt to replicate the fringing with Aizu Project 0.4mm Micron masking tape, tin solder, and/or wire. But that is down the road. . . 

Finally, I have begun to carefully scrape-off the bindings on the spear blade. The problem with molded bindings on a clear blade is the fact that they are molded en suite will be readily appa- rent once they are painted. . .  

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

Jon Snow - Painting: Undercoating

Save for the fur collar and head, Jon Snow is a study in black. Hence, uc'ing the black was quick and easy. I will do the face later this evening or tomorrow; but I will leave the hair and the collar for when the oils are done. . . 

22.08.2019--The face and eyes have been undercoated. . . Phase1 UC'ing 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

Ghost - Painting: Undercoating

Ghost is now undercoated! Most of the time was spent setting the values and and tincture of the albino direwolf. . . a topographical map for the forthcoming oils . . .

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

White Walker - Prepwork 4: Coiffure

Even if I hadn't repositioned the head, I knew I would have to rework the Walker's coiffure. 

The hair--the second piece (back) of the head assembly-- is a bit too 'full' for my taste. It should be decidedly thin and wispy. Ideally, it would be ground-off in its entirety, and replaced with a suitable 'fake hair', but that is not something to which I would look forward. 

Instead, I ground-off the "animated" layer of hair, and in the next few days, weeks, I will fill the gap with MS and texture accordingly, hopefully achieving a suitably wispy look. The rest of the trompe-l'œil will depend on the painting. . . 

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

Jon Snow and Ghost - Painting: Priming

The figures are now primed! The component elements of the Jon Snow figure--cloak, right arm, sword, scabbard, and dagger--still await their priming session (see this posting).

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

White Walker - Prepwork: Intermezzo (2)

Before putting work on the Walker aside for the weekend, I completed the repositioning of the head by addressing the gap between the hair and the back, This was done with MS, and it is now under the lamp curing. 

The Walker's coiffure will be reworked once the putty has cured. . .

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

White Walker - Prepwork: Intermezzo (1)

While the kilt cures, I am left to ponder the other mods to be undertaken. . .

As with the Night King, I do not recall a walker ever being armed if not 'armoured'. And by 'ar- moured', I mean equipped with vambraces and greaves. As the kit does not include these items, but does include a most welcome clear-cast ice spear . . . you see my quandary. Do I sculpt vambraces and greaves--which would balance the chromatic and linear composition by means of a warm complement of colour? Or do I go the minimalist route, and merely sculpt a pair of gloves on the hands??

Hmmm. . . 

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

White Walker - Prepwork 3: The Pteruges and "Kilt"

The pteruges are cast in four sections. Each "strip"--the pteruges is comprised of 17 strips--is sectioned in four pieces.

Comments/observations:

•  I don't know how many strips comprise the pteruges, as I have not seen a rear view of a walker..The rear section of the pteruges has been depicted in any number of ways.
• The central three front strips are solid, not sectioned. It is reasonable to conclude that 4 strips of the rear panel of the pteruges are likewise unsegmented/solid.
• Each of the lateral strips are sectioned in 4 and five pieces. The 2 shorter strips on either side of the solid front central strips have 4 sections, the rest 5.

I have begun by smoothing/thinning the strips on the front panel of the pteruges . I will section the lateral 2 strips on either side of the central solid 3 into four and five segments.

As a sidebar note, the walkers wore a tattered garment ("kilt") under the pteruges. I intend to add this garment, though I have yet to determine the medium to be used.   

17.08.2019--The kilt has been roughed-in.

This may very well be a first of numerous attempts, as I have no idea on how it is going to work out. I had contemplated using sheet lead or paper as my medium, but when I sat at the bench this morning, the Aves "called" to me. . . So I rolled-out a very thin sheet of Aves Apoxie Sculpt, and roughly tore it into panels corresponding to the sections of the pteruges. I tacked those pie- ces in place and overlaid the pteruges. [NB: the fit is VERY good, and the 'dressed' walker cer- tainly looks the part! KUDOS, ICM!!]  

And now we wait. . . FOLLOW-UP--I am delighted to report that the first attempt was an unquali- fied SUCCESS! There is some "trimming and tacking" to be done; but, overall, it exceeds expec- tations!! 

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

White Walker - Prepwork 2: Pegging

The head has been pegged in its stock position with tin solder. I have initiated the reanimation process by reducing the left edge of the neck to allow the head to glance left and down. . . 

I have also tentatively pegged the arms with brass tubing.

More to follow. . .  

17.08.2019--Repositioning of the head has been effectively completed. It is a subtle, but poig- nant, reanimation. I have also tapped and pegged the legs--the figure will be transferred to its workbase in the next few days. . . DONE

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

White Walker - Prepwork 1

As I mentioned in the previous posting, I glued the torso halves last night. This afternoon, I glued the legs together; attached the feet; assembled the head (2 pieces); and removed the molded half-sleeve ties from the torso, and the half-sleeves from the arms. I also packed the hollow torso and head with MS.

Re: the half-sleeves. I believe this was the inspiration for the inclusion of half-sleeves:

From a practical standpoint, it provides for a seamless join of the arms to the torso. Regardless, it just didn't "work" for me: after seeing images of the production prototype, I decided to remove the half-sleeves. . . and the attendant ties. 

This weekend, I intend to attach the torso to the legs 16.08.2019--DONE! [This will result in a seamless join if done patiently and carefully. I used ZAP CA+ as the adhesive.] 

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