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