Durham Red - Painting: Wrapping-Up

02.01.2016 - 

• Lace fringe on cuisses and hose done.
• Wrist LEDs undercoated. 
• Lace pattern on hose done.
• Eyes done! 
• Gloves done. 
• Hair DONE! 

03.01.2016 - 

• Wrist lace fringe and LEDs done. 
• Boots are DONE--and save for the final detailing, and the final once-over in a week or so, so is the project!!! Images 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

Durham Red - Painting: Finishing

27.12.2015 - Phase 1 of the Groundwork has been completed.
28.12.2015 -

• Areolar LEDs (4) done.
• Search/Destroy Agency ("Strontium Dogs") badge done.
• Breasts glazed. 

29.12.2015 - 

• Phase 2 of the Groundwork has been completed.
• Red permanently mounted on display base. 

30.12.2015 -  

• Hair undercoated. WOW!!!
• Even though there is still a considerable amount of "detail" work to be done, I am moving this project to the completed folder. A new posting will be launched to cover the "Final Wrap-up". See ya next year!

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

Durham Red - Painting: Finishing - Intro

I am nowhere near being finished, but the finishing of the figure officially has begun, And it will be a l-o-n-g process. . . 

The nanosuit itself has been "anodized" in oils, and is now ready for final touch-ups. This will be an ongoing process to create an integrated flow of colour and light. As such, it will not be consi- dered done until the figure has been permanently mounted on its display base.

In the meantime, the arms have been basecoated with a metallic finish, and the fluorescent red LED's on the right side of the nanosuit have been painted. Thus the way is clear for me to perma- nently attach the right arm once I am ready.

More to follow. . .

FOLLOW-UP. . . The right arm is now permanently attached, and Phase I painting of the same has been completed.

FOLLOW-UP (2). . . All the fluorescent red LED's of the nanosuit have now been painted, save for the areolar pairs. The left arm is now permanently attached, thus assembly of the figure has been completed. 

FOLLOW-UP (3). . . The breechclout is done! WHEW!! 

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

Durham Red - Painting: The Flesh

The remaining flesh of this figure is now DONE! That isn't to say that I will not take advantage of the approach I used to continue integrative glazing once the nanosuit is completed; but, for now, the fleshtones are precisely where I need--and want!--them to be. 

The figure is now resting under the lamps, and so it shall stay through tomorrow, and possibly part of Saturday. My goal for this weekend is to have at least the right arm permanently attached.

And with that, all that remains is to wish the readership a very Happy Holiday weekend! ENJOY!!!

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

Durham Red - Painting: Undercoating--Epilogue

The arms are now undercoated. A word of caution, if I may: there is a lot more flesh visible than first meets the eye! Whether this was an exercise of artistic license or based on canon, I don't know; but the sharp-eyed amongst you will have options when it comes to the arms. . .

What's next? That is the question. . . I'd like to be able to get the remaining flesh on the figure done before Christmas Day, and then let it "rest" for a day or two before proceeding with finishing glazes on the nanosuit, etc. We shall see. . .

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

Durham Red - P&P: Epilogue

I can finally close the chapter on P&P--Prepwork & Priming, that is. It took me a tad longer than anticipated, as I added knuckle dusters to her gloves, which were otherwise nondescript and per- functory, to say the least.

That being done, the arms have been cleaned and mounted on a workbase. I will give them a final once-over later this evening after dinner, and have them primed no later than tomorrow. . . DONE!

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

Durham Red - Painting: The Groundwork, pt. 1

Since metallics are a significant component of the groundwork, the next step will be the under- coating of the figure's setting. 

This was in effect a chromatic grisaille: nothing too detailed, dramatic, or labour-intensive; simply a blocking-in of hues and values, using acrylics and lacquers, to make sure that everything is in sync with the figure. And what is now before me is most encouraging--and gratifying!

It is now time to let the figure "rest", before the next big/final? push. . .

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

Durham Red - Painting: Metallic Lacquers (The Nanosuit)

Much of the nanosuit will require a secondary undercoat: namely, a metallic lacquer. Those areas will then be overcoated and/or glazed with an appropriate black oil (or a suitable black mix--e.g., Prussian Blue and Transparent Red Earth) to achieve a textural and/or tonal difference.

I started with G-S Mr. Metal Iron and Dark Iron. A very few areas--4 to be exact--were painted with Stainless Steel to provide contrast and direct the light flow, but this will be up to the individual mi- niaturist. Buffing was controlled: more at smoothing/leveling than polishing.

The cuisses are perhaps the most challenging, as the lower half of these will eventually be over- painted with a lace pattern: the metallic foundation must still be evident when it's all said and done.

Before proceeding with the remaining flesh, I will address any touch-ups (minimal) and make sure all stray metallic particles have been removed from the figure.

But first. . .

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

Durham Red - Painting: Intermezzo

I was hoping to get a jump on the metallics (read: lacquers) tonight, but "'Tis the Season" indeed: the Blue Meanies at work have overpowered the guards, and are now running the asylum. . . Hav- ing said that, we apparently kept them sufficiently distracted to have Deep Purple voted as a 2016 Rock 'n' Roll HoF inductee. . .  FINALLY!

In lieu of the metallics, I did some follow-up work on the face, and I think that I should be able to wrap it up in two more sessions.

I probably won't break-out the lacquers until Saturday, but I thought I would share with you the prevailing design concept as gleaned from the design notes of the artist, Mark Harrison:  

Although basic black, the [nanosuit] is made-up of contrasting textures: black metal, leather, and overlaying lace.

The representation of the various materials will ultimately be the miniaturist's call; and therein lies the challenge: how to depict the various materials so that they are not only immediately recog- nizable, but artistically/visually cohesive.

I told you it was a fun figure!

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

Durham Red - Painting: The Face and Breasts

There really isn't a lot flesh to paint on this figure, but what there is better be done right! The flesh will set the tone, if you will, for the monochromatic/achromatic? melange that is to follow. In short, this figure is all about contrast--and balance.

By the end of this evening, the Phase 1 of the face will be completed [FOLLOW-UP. . . Phase 1 is done; and the face is fully framed with black forelocks.], and the breasts will be all-but-done. The face will be a wip for at least 2-3 more sessions.

As is my wont of late, I've used linseed oil as the thinner. In this instance, it allows me to glaze the shadows, and control the overall tone and temperature of the paint: a predominantly cool pa- lette (Parchment and Cobalt Blue are the primary colours) that must be moderated carefully by the selective application of a warmer, albeit still cool-ish, fleshtone. 

That's about it for now. Updates to follow. . . 

UPDATE 18.12.15. . . I am delighted to report that the face and breasts are essentially done! All that remains is finishing the eyes: adding the pupils and final glazing.  

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

Durham Red - Painting: The Eyes

IT. . . HAS. . . BEGUN!!!

Just finished blocking-in the eyes on our favourite vampire bounty-hunter! The eyes are beautifully cast, so no problem there. Where most will be troubled is the fact that there is not a whole lot of eye to paint. Given my experience with 75mm figures, these eyes are scaled more to 65-70mm. In short patience and a steady hand will reward you handsomely--and be prepared to adapt to the limited space!!

Red has piercing Bavarian Blue eyes! I opted to use a tint of Cobalt Blue as the base, with high- lights done in a tint of Turquoise Blue. I will revisit the latter once the base application is dry. 

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

Durham Red - Painting: Undercoating

As much as I would have liked, no brush painting was done today. Instead, I began assembling my acrylic palette. . . 

Red's outfit is straightforward: black. Any variation will be introduced and executed in the lacquer and oils phases. 

Her flesh, however, is not quite so straightforward. . . especially given the hue and tonal variances in the source material. Let us not forget that she is a vampire, thus we should not be surprised to see her in the ruddy radiance of health--or, for that matter, looking like "death warmed over". Per- sonally, I am leaning more towards the latter than the former. . . 

To achieve a good chromatic foundation, I've selected three colours: Reaper's Bloodless Skin; and Vallejo Game Color's Bone White and Elf Skintone. The latter will be used only as neces- sary--to taste--to warm the otherwise deathly pallor of the former. Otherwise, I am not too con- cerned about temperature or tonal variance at this point: there will be ample opportunity to ad- dress this with the oils.

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

Durham Red - Painting: The Base

Since the trusty Badger was up and running, I decided to go ahead and paint the base. Not the groundwork. . . the BASE. 

You might recall me mentioning that I wanted to add a little "hmmph" to a black textured base. The base in question had definitely seen better days. There wasn't anything wrong with it per se, but the finish was somewhat weathered, as is the nature of the beast over time. So, first things first. . .

Phase 1 was refinishing the black with Vallejo Air Black: quick; easy; virtually effortless. I put the base in the oven to set and cure the paint. 

Phase 2. After about 30 minutes, I applied an overtone of VAir Scarlet: opaquely in the upper third of the base, misting progressively more transparent towards the bottom. 

My initial impression is that it was quite successful; however given the nature of acrylics, I really won't know until the paint is thoroughly cured. One aspect that I do know was successful is the muted, almost faded, nature of the matte acrylics: Red will be quite bright and saturated--albeit largely achromatic, and a muted base will create a nice visual flow towards the subject of the work. 

Regardless of what I might think, ultimately, the success--or failure!--will be determined by the viewer. . . 

FOLLOW-UP. . . Just finished buffing the base, and I couldn't be happier! Remember that acry- lics are nothing more than liquid plastic: the matte additive can be buffed-out once the paint has completely cured, yielding a very pleasing, satiny sheen. I may revisit the base once the ground- work is painted and she is further along, but I have no reservations about the current finish. 

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

Durham Red - Painting: Priming

Red is now primed and is settling-in at her new "digs" on the painting bench.

I have yet to prime the arms--or finish them! As these will be attached once the body is done and "settled", there is no immediate urgency. That being said, they are a perfect 'after-work chore', so I hope to have them done by the end of the week.

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