“The man who passes the sentence should swing the sword. . . ” - Eddard “Ned” Stark, Warden of the North, Lord of Winterfell

Unfortunately, this project ran into the proverbial brick wall when "life" interceded on the very day of the last entry of the last posting almost 17 months ago!

BUT, with only 2 episodes left in GoT in this its penultimate season, and 8 episodes left in the entire saga, it was time to revisit our introduction to Winterfell. It will take some time to refami- liarize myself with the bust, to say nothing of the project; but in the meantime, we can address the one outstanding item to be completed: the Valyrian greatsword, Ice.

I completed finishing Ice this morning, and it is now primed and on the painting bench. I should have it basecoated by this time tomorrow at the latest; and painted/lacquered by eod tomorrow. Whether or not I proceed with final mounting will depend on the extent of patterns I decide upon.

More to follow. . .  

FOLLOW-UP. . . Save for minor touch-ups of all sorts, Eddard "Ned" Stark. the then-Lord of Winterfell and Warden of the North, is. . . DONE!

Ice went a lot smoother--and quicker!--than anticipated. The blade was permanently mounted be- fore lunch, and I was able to do the majority of the pattern-work in situ. Most of the touch-ups alluded to above will involve the final detailing on Ice; but this is the normal 3-4 week aftermath with any "medieval" metallic undertaking.

I will hopefully have some images up before the end of Summer. Winter IS coming. . .  

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

Ned Stark - Painting: Wrapping-up

While I do not feel that I am anywhere near the finish line, what with the pelt but ~50% done, and the sword yet to be primed, my "benchmarks" say otherwise! In particular the one where the all- but-finished project is transferred to its permanent display base. . . UPDATE 27.01.16. . . With the pelt being completed, it is now time to move this project to the completed folder. . . Updates will be posted in this/these entry/ies as the situation warrants.

The base has been chosen and tapped, and the bust fitted to the same. That means that within 48 hrs., the bust will be permanently mounted on its presentation base. DONE!

This is not a bout of "buck fever". Quite the contrary! The time has come to start envisioning the final look of this project--and working towards it!--and given the dynamics of the bust, that can only be done with the bust "in its place", as it were. 

So, by the end of the weekend, if all goes as planned, there should be no bare primer left to be seen! 

More to follow. . . !!!

28.01.2016 - 

• Cravat - Undercoated.
• Cravat - Phase I Oils done. 
• Eyes/Pupils - Touched-up in anticipation of final glazing. 
• Plinth - Done. 

30.01.2016 -  

• Hair - Done.
• Stray front forelock permanently attached and filled: save for Ice's blade/quillon subas- sembly, the figure is now completely assembled.

31.01.2016 -

• Cravat - Done. I would point out that this project, along with the Hammerstein underta- king, have demonstrated the effectiveness and usefulness of acrylic washes over oil foundations that have completely dried (!). It is time to rethink the dogma of  "Fat over Lean"--if it hasn't been already. . . 
• Front forelock primed and undercoated.

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

Ned Stark - Painting: The Pelt

In my last "painting" posting, I stated that, "[the pelt would] be the supreme challenge of this piece, and that, "I [intended] to simply "jump in" and see where it takes me. . ." 

And jump I have! The pelt is now, for the most part, base-coated using washes of Lamp Black, Van Dyke Brown, and Payne's Grey. And it looks AWESOME!!! 

I must temper my enthusiasm, however, as the most difficult aspects lie ahead: the white under- fur and the gold tips to the body and tail fur. Nevertheless, a solid foundation has been laid!

Stay tuned!!!

UPDATE 26.01.16. . . Save for the tail, which is still "in primer", the pelt is about 70% done! In short, it is blocked-in with the foundation washes, and I am approximately at the midway point of the over-glazes. Almost there!

UPDATE 27.01.16. . . While I will certainly revisit the overall item during the finishing phase, the pelt is effectively DONE! Took me back almost 40 years to when I was doing my first fur cloak on Imperial's 90mm Eric the Red. . . good times!!!

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

Ned Stark - Painting: Intermezzo 2

As we head into the first month's end of the year, I thought I would post a recap of where I am with this project. . . 

There are but two items remaining to be painted before heading into the wrap-up phase: the neck scarf/cravat and the pelt. The former I should have u/c'ed within the next few days. . . The latter? Well, this will be the supreme challenge of this piece. Within the week, I intend to simply "jump in" and see where it takes me. . . By way of clarification, the sword--Ice--will be completed during the wrap-up.

This week will be largely dominated by matters at work, so little or no bench time is likely. The 30th can't get here soon enough. . . 

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

Ned Stark - Painting: The Hand Group

As I work my way "out" from the major garments/items, next in line is the hand grouping; i.e., the gauntlets and Ice's grip. It should come as no surprise that the pommel will not be addressed at this time: this has been relegated to the finishing stage for [what should be] obvious reasons. 

As has been the case throughout this project, your interpretation of the gauntlets is wholly de- pendent on your references. While the doublet and belting are decidedly weathered and lustre- less, the gauntlets are a contrast in suppleness and "richness". In simpler terms, the gauntlets should look relatively "newer", less worn. 

 

The grip appears to be made from flame/tiger maple. I have applied the "flames" using a mix of Burnt Umber, Burnt Sienna, and a touch of black irregularly streaked over the Orange Brown u/c. Once that is completely dry, I will glaze it with Orange Ochre. DONE!

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

Ned Stark - Painting: Phase III

The tinting and weathering phase of the gambeson sleeves is well underway!

This has evinced itself as an ongoing series of successive glazes (using Grumbacher Oil Painting Medium I as the medium) to modulate the prevailing greenish umbers into a bluer (cooler), greyer tint.

Somewhat difficult to describe. . . all I can say is, "Know your oils and trust your eyes!" Check back often(!): there are significant tonal shifts as the oils "settle" down. I intend to be tweaking the finish of the gambeson and the leathers until I deem the bust completed!

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

Ned Stark - Painting: The Mantle/Cloak

If I am to be perfectly candid with you, the reader, what remains of this bust will be painted large- ly by "gut". Any linearity and/or pre-conceived structure has been discarded, and I will proceed instinctively.

As you might recall, I undercoated the outer surfaces of his mantle in a very dark bluish-grey mix, as the Stark mantle's surface flocking is a darker and richer than the underlying base fabric. The sculptor did a commendable job of reproducing the two tiers of fabric, though the painters do not appear to have been aware of this particular aspect. 

I have effectively reprised my approach in oils. I essentially basecoated the surface of the cloak in a cool, medium blue-gray, concentrating on the indented patterns, and shading and highlight- ing accordingly. At this point, I feel the base fabric is a bit too bright and "blue", but it is much easier to selectively tone things down after the fact, than the reverse. 

Once the basecoat is completely dry, the "flocking" will be applied using a suitable black mix: as of this writing, I intend to use a mix of Lamp and Mars Black. If that is too dull, I will mix a cus- tom Black using ultramarine blue and a warm umber or sienna. 

Stay tuned. . . ! 

UPDATE 20.01.16. . . The outer surface of the cloak is now done! I used the Lamp-Mars mix applied as a light "drybrush" followed by medium stippling to create a visible texture, as well as establish tonal gradients. Any follow-up work will be determined by the finish once the oils settle down. . .   

NEXT: The cloak lining and the pedestal. . .  

UPDATE 21.01.16. . . The cloak/mantle is done!! I will revisit the lining during final wrap-up to make sure that the highlights are just right; otherwise, I am VERY pleased with the progress-to-date and the results achieved. . .

Insofar as the pedestal is concerned, all but the plinth is done. At this point in time, I think the plinth will be undercoated just prior to permanently mounting the bust on its display base, and finished in situ. 

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

Ned Stark - Painting: Intermezzo (cont.)

In my first installment of this "intermezzo", I overstated the extent of the assembly of this bust: the shadowcat pelt that serves as the collar of the mantle/cloak and the separate, white metal forelock have yet to be attached! 

I never intended to attach the 'collar' until the bust was painted in its entirety; however, my experi- ences over the last few days have forced me to re-evaluate. Thus, the first thing I did when I got home was permanently attach the pelt! In spite of the fact that this will make painting a bit(?) more "awkward", it will also make the finished piece--assuming I do my job--more integrated and visually seamless. Practically speaking, with the pelt in place, I can now control the light and the tonal values as I am painting and not after the fact.

Back to the bench!

UPDATE 21.01.16. . . The attachment of the pelt has proven to be a VERY good call!!! Aside from providing a true 'snapshot' of the bust at any given time, it has proven to be an indispensa- ble "hand rest"/"handle". Just sayin'. . .

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

Ned Stark - Real-time Reflections

The last 24 hrs. have been quite a revelation into the underbelly of what this hobby really is--or isn't!

Andrea's Warrior of the North appears at first glance to be a simple, straightforward - even ba- sic! - bust. And it can certainly be approached as such, as the source did in their underwhelm- ing article in Figure International no. 54.

But will a "basic" approach bring this piece to life? As was unequivocally revealed to me this weekend, the answer is a resounding NO! The palette--the complementary reddish browns of the leathers and the bluish/greenish greys of the gambeson; and the cool-ish black of the mantle--creates an achromatic, lifeless melange that somehow must be worked around, if not enhanced, to make this bust "pop". The North might be bleak and drab, but our figure must transcend the austerity of its natural setting.  

I believe I'm back on track with my vision of this piece. With the 'basics' out of the way, it was time to "freestyle". Every aspect of the selected colours must be taken into account to create a chromatic harmony that is visually appealing. Form will be a secondary consideration that will be defined through tonal manipulation once the figure is completely painted.

This is, IMHO, what this hobby is all about! Since the turn of the century, the goal has increas- ingly been to paint for the camera, reducing a three-dimensional object to a 2-d illustration. While I don't see that changing any time soon given the virtual world we live in--and the fact that it is the "low road" and flattens the stylistic topography, it does not mean we have to buy into it. . .

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

Ned Stark - Painting: Intermezzo

The bust is now completely assembled--save for the sword blade and quillons. I decided to per- manently install the grips so as to ensure the alignment of the arms, as well as provide structural support for the same.

The only garments remaining to receive oils are the mantle and the gauntlets. 

As the readership well knows by now, the closer I get to the end of a project, the more work there is to be done. And this bust will certainly be no exception. I intend to spend the rest of the holi- day weekend preparing the bust for the final lap. . . outlining, touch-ups, etc. Think of it as pre- finishing prepwork!  

But first. . . priming the grips! Back to the bench!! 

FOLLOW-UP. . . The grips have been primed and undercoated.

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

Ned Stark - Painting: Phase II

Phase II, the tonal phase, of the sleeves and leathers is underway!

Surprisingly, very little work was required on the "temperature" side of things. Conversely, depth will require several additional passes to get things just right. As always, the amount of work will be dictated by the vision, literally and figuratively, of the miniaturist; time available; and degree of commitment. AFAIC, the only factor in play is the first.

Insofar as the leathers are concerned, preliminary distressing of the edges, etc. has begun. 

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

Ned Stark - Painting: Doublet and Belts

Phase I of the doublet and the cross belts is now done!

The colours of the leather items in the costume are very interesting: your "normal" complement of Umbers and Siennas will not be suitable in this instance. Rather, Mars pigments--notably Violets and Black--will be called upon to bear the brunt of the painting. I fully expect to have to "repaint" some areas to achieve the depth and vibrancy of colour/s that I am striving to achieve.

Phase II of the leathers will be more integrative than constructive. Once the figure is fully assem- bled--and the colours dry!--I will apply the finishing tonal contrasts and weathering as required.

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

Ned Stark - Painting: Gambeson Sleeves

Face aside, the sleeves of this bust will be the most challenging aspect of this undertaking. We discussed the chromatic "challenges" here -- now I get to translate descriptive prose into practi- cal application.

After completing the basic painting with oils (Phase I) of the right sleeve, I've come to the conclu- sion that the sleeves will require three distinct steps:

1. Basic painting in oils: base coat, shading, and highlight. Some modulation of values, tones, etc. can/will be introduced at this time, but these will serve as no more than 'markers' for what is to follow. 
2. Tonal phase. Once Phase I is dry, I will start applying glazes to set temperature and depth (i.e., increase volume). Phase II of the sleeves will follow Phase I of the leathers so that the sleeves can be worked as an integral part of the whole.
3. Tint phase and Weathering/Distressing. Phase III will be undertaken either as a distinct step prior to Finishing, or as part of the Finishing process. In actuality, it will probably begin as the former, and conclude as part of the latter.

Given that the left sleeve will be painted off the figure (i.e., unattached), the above approach will serve the subsequent integration quite nicely. 

Back to the bench!

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

The DWC detour has come to an end. . . or. . .

The return to Westeros and the North!

In the next week or so, I will resume my work on the erstwhile patriarch of House Stark. These will be rather long painting sessions due to the amount of coverage required and the distressing of the respective materials, so the bench time may be limited to once or twice per week, mostly on the weekends. Having said that, rest assured I will be taking full advantage of the forthcoming long holiday weekend!

Back to palette selection. . .

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

Ned Stark - Painting: Face

Phase 1 of the face is done!

I am now approaching faces more organically--as opposed to mechanically (i.e., procedurally and/or technically). Thus, it will now take at least two sittings to complete a face, as opposed to the usual 1 + touch-ups. I am using linseed oil as my thinner, which means that I am effectively glazing. Thus I am able to capitalize on the translucency of the oils in order to create depth and introduce chromatic filtering. 

With any luck at all, the face will be all-but-done by the end of the long weekend. 

UPDATE 12.10.15. . . The basic face is now done. The remainder will largely be integrating the face with the areas deprived of light by the separate hair sections, and then applying a unifying glaze with a transparent base to meld the disparate coloration and textures. FOLLOW-UP: The right-side hair sections have been undercoated and permanently attached. There is indeed a me- thod to the engineering madness. . . WOW!

UPDATE 17.10.15. . . The left-side hair section been uc'd and permanently attached: the face is now fully framed, and I can now proceed with the finishing glazes. There is but one hair section remaining: the stray front forelock. This will not be attached until the face is completely done to my satisfaction. 

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

Ned Stark - Painting: Eyes

The irises of the eyes are done! Hopefully, I will be able to proceed with the pupils and outlining by mid-week 21.09.15 DONE!, and wrap them up (glazed and sealed) by the weekend.

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

Ned Stark - Painting: UCing (cont.)

Ned is now completed undercoated save for the leather and the pedestal. . . i.e., about 60% done.

Stay tuned!

UPDATE 18.09.15. . . DONE!

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

Ned Stark - Painting: UCing

Let the Game [of Thrones!] begin. . .

Undercoating of the bust has begun. I decided to start with the quilted sleeves, as the Stark gambeson has the most "complex" colour: on-screen it appears as a warm, thoroughly dis- tressed blueish-grey with a strong green bias; in stills, it appears as a cool greenish-umber.

This is where production notes are worth their weight in gold--if such things are of concern to
the miniaturist in question:

"The Northmen tend to wear mostly grey and blue colored clothing, murky colors for a winter climate. Because the Starks are a warm and good family unit, however, they wear friendlier, softer shades of blue and grey. . . "
http://gameofthrones.wikia.com/wiki/Costumes:_The_Seven_Kingdoms

As with most complex colours, there are any number of ways to replicate the desired hues, each determined by the medium used, surrounding hues, etc. I opted for a "straightforward' base of Polly-S Fantasy Blue-Green mixed with Vallejo Dark Grey with a touch of Reaper Ultramarine. Tonal variation, temperature, etc. will be addressed in the oil phase of the painting.

I also painted the underside of the shadowcat pelt--entirely in acrylics! And mainly wet-on-wet!! As this aspect of the pelt will remain largely out-of-view, it was the perfect opportunity to play with the acrylics, and achieve a completely matte surface with enhanced absorbtivity.

So far, so good. . .

FOLLOW-UP. . . Ned's face has been undercoated. I also undercoated the outer surfaces of his mantle (Vallejo Black + Reaper Worn Navy): the Stark mantle is interesting as the surface flock- ing is a darker tone than the underlying base fabric. The lining--straight black--will follow later this week.

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

"The Warden of the North" - Wrapping-up, pt. 2

I am hoping to still be able to prime the bust before the end of the holiday weekend, but it will be close. . . 

I have just completed final fitting of the shadowcat pelt to to the cloak, and I am very satisfied. Once that is cured, I will continue working the quilting, which has been rather slow going. In retro- spect, it might have been easier to redo both sleeves/arms entirely. 

Ice will be finished once painting of the bust is well underway. It is not an integral element of the work, so it can be finished at any time. 

Stay tuned!

UPDATE 09.09.15. . . Save for the final once-over, Lord Eddard Stark is DONE! I plan to prime him weekend (DONE!). . . 

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