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

White Walker -- First Impressions. . .

As you might have surmised from the posting title, the "Great Other" (ICM #16202) is HERE (!!!).  Less than three weeks from ordering to receipt--exceptional service from the Ukraine! Дякую !!

First impressions? Awesome! I would have to say that it is even better than the "King of the Night". . . ! While I will provide a more informed opinion over the next few days/week, I am VERY pleased. I have already removed all the pieces from the sprue, and I have assembled the torso. The fit is excellent, but you will need some rubber bands to minimize/eliminate any gaps. 

“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 -- Prepwork 8: Home Stretch

The finish-line is definitely in sight!

There is still some work to be done on the boots and sword-belt; but for the most part, my focus henceforth will be on final finishing. 

If all goes as planned, priming is very tentatively scheduled for next weekend. . . 

12.08.2019--Completed finishing of the belt.

13.08.2019--Completed the left boot. NB: Snow's boots had laced vents (gusseted?) on their inner surfaces. These were carved; the laces were added with tin solder.

14.08.2019--Completed the right boot. 

18.08.2019--Finishing of the figures is now DONE!

“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 -- Prepwork 7: The Scabbard

I originally intended to cover the "remodelling/resculpting" of the scabbard as an extension of the reworking of the sword-belt, but the more I worked on it, the more I realized that this was going to be a mini-project onto itself. 

The stock scabbard is a generic sheath that could be found in virtually any spare parts bin. Long- claw's scabbard is as unique as the blade it protects, from its suspension to the decorative em- bellishments and tooling of the leather. As a sidebar note, I don't know how much the tooling would be apparent in scale. . . to be determined.

To date, the structural elements of the scabbard have been completed, and the scabbard reposi- tioned and fitted. Next comes the fine detailing. . . 

07.08.2019--Finalized the chased throat and the cross straps of the scabbard.

09.08.2019--Roughed-in the latten edging of the scabbard; and tooled the dorsal surface of the leather covering.

10.08.2019--Completed the latten embellishments of the scabbard. All that remain are the fini- shing of the cross straps; and the decorative metalwork on the leather. DONE!

“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 -- Intermezzo: The Sword Belt

I was doing the final once-over of the sword-belt when I realized that I had made a significant error: I buckled the belt "clockwise"! 

This is a painful reminder that assumptions are made at ones own peril! The initial correction has been made and is now curing in the oven. Hopefully, I will not have to remove the left arm to finish the belt. . . 

More to follow. . .  

DONE! Fortunately, the most difficult aspect of the "conversion" was flipping the buckle. I still have to add the decorative elements of the belt, but otherwise I am back to where I began this morning. . .

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