Wight - Prep I

The kit is now in-hand!

As I indicated in the last posting, this is the least impressive of the three offerings. As with the first two releases in this sub-series, casting quality is VG+++: crisp and uniform finish, flash-free, but with some annoying--but inconsequential!--seam lines throughout. There is no assembly guide as such: you will be largely on your own insofar as assembly and painting are concerned. That being said, assembly, at least, is very straightforward.

The kit has been "de-sprued", and inspected. While there are no casting problems whatsoever, pro- portional control between the component pieces appears to have proved a challenge in the design phase; however, these apparent variations may seamlessly interact to accommodate the layers of the figure. 

The base figure, save for the right arm, has been glued together: fit is above-average. While the pro- portional variances are now plainly evident, there is a certain "charm/appeal" to what is now before us. 

An early-draft of the TDL is as follows:

• Remove solleret (left foot).
• Replace axe with sword.  
• Extensively rework/resculpt the gorget.
• Reevaluate the distressed skin and re-texture as required.  
• Add elements of the cuirass; reconfigure provided armour as necessary.
  

There will probably be additional items as the prepwork progresses. . . 

More to follow. . . 

FOLLOW-UP. . . The figure's legs have been pegged (16ga copper wire) and the figure has been transferred to a work base. The solleret has been ground off. . .  

 

UPDATE - 04.10.2022. . . As I work towards the priming of the base figure, I had to 'backtrack' and remove the attached head to allow me to assemble the tunic as an independent sub-assembly that can have its undersides pre-painted and attached to the torso once the base figure is painted.

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

Wight - Intro

While I have yet to be “won-over”—to say nothing of convinced!—by the Game of Thrones’ prequel series,  House of the Dragon, it certainly has inspired me to revisit its predecessor, and wallow-in some of the finest TV ever!

As those who follow this modest work-log know, I am currently immersed in the Nuts Planet bust of Tywin Lannister. He will soon be joined by my ongoing project of ICM’s 1/16^th scale rendition of a White Walker (The Great Other). This polystyrene model kit was ICM’s second in its GoT series (the first was King of the Night, which was the base for my “Hardhome” project). They released a third figure, Wight, which completed their depictions of all ‘ranks’ of the Army of the Dead.

This is the least impressive of the three offerings! Skeletal warriors and a minimal number of parts (17) is never a good combination, and this kit is no different!! This one feels like it was not only scheduled for an immediate-future release, but that ICM felt compelled to conclude their sub-series. This one also feels as if HBO (or someone else) may have issued a ‘cease and desist’. . . The individual kits are no-longer available from ICM, and they have repackaged their GoT series into a single 3-pack (Army of Ice)—at one time a fairly common ploy to expedite the elimination of remaining stock.

This was also the only one of the three that does not appear to have been designed by the talented crew at ICM. The Wight was obviously designed by the brilliant sculpting team at Studio Dan Digital Sculpting, commissioned by Eaglemoss (#47 in the GoT Official Collector’s Models series), and under license from HBO. It would appear that ICM scaled-up the Eaglemoss offering (75mm to 120mm), making minor stylistic changes like the addition of a solleret to the left foot, and swapping the sword for an axe.

IF a C&D has been issued, depending on who issued it will make the stipulated figures highly desira- ble collectibles, especially given the relatively low-cost, relatively large scale, and the undeniably super-popular subject matter. As of now, the figures are reasonably available; but the earlier releases are beginning to be more difficult to find—and more expensive!

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

Tywin Lannister (Bust)-Painting - Oils (3): The Armour (pt. 2)--Brass-Gorget and cuirass

Today, I tackled phase 1 of the brass appliqué on the gorget and the cuirass. As in pt.1, these were painted with metallic printers' inks.

Phase 1 is basically the basecoat metallic. While the brass trim on the cuirass was wet-painted, the brass appliqué on the gorget was drybrushed using two tones of gold metallic printers' inks. Once the basecoat is dry, I will re-touch and execute final weathering of these brass metallics.

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

Tywin Lannister (Bust)-Painting - Oils (3): The Armour (pt. 1)--Spaulders

Today I completed the first installment of the visible armour.  I elected to start with the left spaulder, which is essentially under the draping sash. 

The brass-plated and -appliqued portions were painted with metallic printers' inks. I have basically a "complete" range of metallics, from lacquers to acrylics; but given the delicate sculpting, and the relative lack of accessibility in certain areas, I decided to go with my 'turn-to' medium. And the results to-date have amply vindicated my choice. . . 

Once the inks were dry, I cut-in the black base of the armour with oils. When these have dried, I will re-touch and execute final weathering of the brass metallics.

Before closing, I would point out that "research"--if you elect to do it--is rather critical. BUT. . . "in for a penny. . . " If you are going to selectively apply your research, and free-style the balance, then you would probably be better-served by "free-styling" the entire work.

So far, so very good. . .

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

Tywin Lannister (Bust)-Painting: Intermezzo

I am delighted to report that the head has been permanently attached to the torso: the bust is now completely assembled.

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

Tywin Lannister (Bust)-Painting - Oils (2): The Face, pt. I

After a seemingly endless 72 hrs., I was finally able to get back to the painting bench today. . . 

[As a quick sidebar note, my absence from the bench was due to my COVID bivalent booster, which I received on Wednesday. I don't know many individuals who have received this shot, so I can only speak for myself; but it was an asskicker! The first 36 hrs. post-shot were brutal--make sure you allow yourself at least 48 hrs. to recover. But, also make sure you get the vaccine before the weather changes!]

Today I completed phase I of the face fleshtones. Once the neck is dry, I will permanently attach the head to the torso, paint the eyes, and complete the face. I will leave the hair for last, per usual. 

So far, I am very pleased. . .

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

Tywin Lannister (Bust)-Painting - Oils (1)

The oils are now on the table. . . let the Game begin!

This is a deceptively easy bust to paint. . . largely one-piece, mostly polychromatic armour. HOW- EVER, the limited palette, and the multi-contact layering hides any number of pitfalls for the unwary.

I will, of course, work from the "inside, out", per usual. What needs to be examined--and considered--carefully, is the order of items painted. Thus, I began by painting the black neckband. This vital garment is the "bridge" between the head and the torso, and once it--and the neck--are dry, the assembly of the bust can be completed. 

This may--or may not--be my last painting entry this week. . . We will all know by tomorrow, Thursday latest. . . 

Until then. . .

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

Tywin Lannister (Bust)-Painting - UCing

Today was a bit of a hectic day, but I did manage to undercoat the "crimsons"--armour and sash. 

Unfortunately, it was only after I uc'd the sash that I noticed the braided piping along the lateral edges was not included in the sculpture/casting!!! This is what happens when you let your guard down, and opt for an essentially OOB project!! I suppose it could have been worse. . .  I added the braided piping with tin solder, carefully tacking it in place with CA+. 

AND. . . shortcoming #2. . .  Everything I have read indicates that this was a crimson velvet sash; however, if you look at the stills carefully, you will notice that the sash was reversible. While the display side was usually crimson velvet, the underside was a black/gold brocade! .

I will probably start uc'ing the black tonight, and finish uc'ing the plate tomorrow. . .

FOLLOW-UP. . . The bust is now uc'd! After a critical once-over, I decided to re-do the piping along the edges of the sash. Not fun at all, but definitely worth the investment of time and effort! 

The only portion of the bust remaining to be uc'd is the pedestal. I will not begin to consider the colouration of the critical support until the oils are well underway. . . 

UPDATE - 11.09.2022. . . The  face/head is now uc'd. . . time to break-out the oils!

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

Tywin Lannister (Bust)-Painting - Intro

"The Lord of Lion" was the second 1/10th scale bust of a Game of Thrones' subject released by NutsPlanet--as with all the GoT busts in the series (save "Mother of Dragons"), it is sculpted by Jun-Sik Ahn. The 3-piece kit (including the pedestal!) is based on Tywin Lannister, the head of House Lannister and Lord of Casterly Rock, in seasons 1/2. This is pretty-much an OOB project, though there have been a number of  salient enhancements that would make this a "minor conversion". . .

The bust is now primed and the fleshtones u/c'd. . .

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