Albrecht von Drachenkreis, Captain-General of the 'Jägers der Papst'--"Der Vampyrjäger"

And so a 10-year odyssey comes to an end. . .

"Der Vampyrjäger"-PAINTING: To date. . .

As I will not be able to set-up my photography niche until later this week, I thought I would provide an introductory summary of what has been done (or nearly so) to date.

Prior to resumption of project:

• Boots
  
• Face
• Buffcoat
• All armour "undercoated" in G-S Mr. Metal lacquers

Since the resumption of project:

• Cuirass (blackened)
  
• Bridle Gauntlet (russetted)
• Breeches
• UPDATE 05.02.10--Groundwork u/c'ed
  
• UPDATE 07.02.10--Right forearm: all but the mail; Sword grip
  
• UPDATE 07.02.10--Boot hose
• UPDATE 07.02.10--Cuirass belt
• UPDATE 12.02.10--Groundwork completed
  
• UPDATE 12.02.10--Bridle Gauntlet sub-assembly completed
• UPDATE 14.02.10--Lower half of body completed save for a few details and final finishing; permanently mounted on display base
• UPDATE 15.02.10-0100--Sword completed
• UPDATE 15.02.10-1745--Save for attaching the sword and finishing detailing. . . DONE!
  

I could not be happier with the way things are coming together! This is arguably my best rendition of "rust-proofed" armour to date, and I have definitely stumbled upon a new technique for russetted armour.

The balance of the gross figure should go quickly; but the devils are in the details, and there are many of these to exorcise in the days ahead. . .

Back to the bench!

UPDATE
The resin groundwork has been permanently attached to the display base, and expanded as needed. There are probably 1 or 2 more bench sessions ahead of me to integrate everything and then the painting can begin!

05.02.10--UPDATE
The groundwork has been completed and primed. It is now sitting under the lamps to fast-dry the mist coat of primer: I should be able to have it undercoated before calling it a night. BTW, for those who are wondering, I am at least a week away from being able to set-up my photography niche. . .

12.02.10--UPDATE
The final countdown has begun: by this time next week, the piece should be on the display table at the Show. While I am still worming my way through the studio (read: temporary store room while the work on the foundation is completed), please check the updates to the original posting for progress on the piece.

"Der Vampyrjäger"-PAINTING: Resumption

I would refer those of you unfamiliar with this work to:

http://forums.delphiforums.com/eph2/messages/?msg=508.1

For now, happy reading. The ip work has been moved to the painting table, and I will hopefully be able to get some--albeit limited--quality time in over the weekend. As I mentioned in my last posting, I am unable to engage in any photography at the moment, but hopefully this will change within a week or so.

Until then. . .

FOLLOW-UP
When I received my sample of the kit, it was essentially "OEM"; thus, the "spiky" elements (2 spurs and the terminal spike of the aspergillum) were not included. I have just concluded making these missing elements: the spurs from resin rod, and the terminal spike from bamboo. Though the original mythology called for a solid silver aspergillum, I felt that a wooden spike would not only add chromatic interest, but be truer to the title of the work. Keep in mind that whether silver, wood--or iron, the spike was interchangeable in keeping with the nature of the quarry.

The kit is now complete. . .