In 2012, I broached the theme of two Marvel super-villain teams, the
Serpent Society (SSo) and the Serpent Squad (SSq). It was also my initiation onto the world of Eaglemoss's pre-painted collectible figurines. . .
The other day, as I was exploring the Eaglemoss Marvel and DC collections, I decided to order Blink (CMFC #97) as a potential base figure to convert into Maxine Hunkel, bka Cyclone, one of my favourite JSA characters for any number of reasons. But upon arrival (VG+ 4 pc. casting, BTW), it occurred to me that this figure would be the ideal jump-off for a conversion to Cleo Nefertiti, bka The Asp. Cleo was an Egyptian (human) mutant exotic dancer whose unique abilities attracted the attention of the SSo.
And so, for the time being, it appears that my Serpents project has been resurrected.
To date, I have begun reworking the hair; reworking the breasts and bodice; and resculpting the shoes. So far. . . so GREAT!
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
Showing posts with label Review. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Review. Show all posts
10 July 2018
21 February 2016
REFERENCES - AK Interactive's Learning Series
By way of follow-up to my review of Metallics , vol. 2, I would like to point out that AK Interac- tive's Learning Series are some of the best modelling references it has ever been my pleasure to own and use. As of this writing, I have all but no. 2: Panzer Crew Uniforms.
The real strength behind these most useful guides is that they do not merely focus on the "how- to". Rather, the material is presented in the context of "what could be". What can be achieved is thus left entirely in the modelling reader's hands! And that is decidedly a breath of fresh air!!
And when you consider that they are little more than the cost of an Osprey book--or an issue of an imported magazine!--it's virtually a win-win situation.
ENJOY!
“When the cost of a hobby exceeds the fun and doesn't attract new people, the game is over.” -
Oscar Koveleski, August 2003
The real strength behind these most useful guides is that they do not merely focus on the "how- to". Rather, the material is presented in the context of "what could be". What can be achieved is thus left entirely in the modelling reader's hands! And that is decidedly a breath of fresh air!!
And when you consider that they are little more than the cost of an Osprey book--or an issue of an imported magazine!--it's virtually a win-win situation.
ENJOY!
“When the cost of a hobby exceeds the fun and doesn't attract new people, the game is over.” -
Oscar Koveleski, August 2003
16 February 2016
Metallics vol. 2 (AK Learning Series #5)
Last year, AK Interactive announced the release of a 2 vol. set of references in their Learning Series dealing with Metallics. Vol. 1, released in the Fall, was an excellent introduction to metals, the mediums available to reproduce optimal effects, and how they are rendered in miniature, specifically scale models.
Vol.2 has just made it across the Pond, and its focus is figures. It can certainly be read as a stand-alone entry, and most who are strictly figure-centric will appreciate this. This is by far the most enlightening and revealing treatise on the subject that I have ever encountered--and this coming from someone who has been peeling this delightful onion for over 35 years! If there was ever a turn-to reference on metallics this is it!! And for an old-timer like myself, it is worth the price of admission for the lucid presentation on how to work NMMs (Non-Metallic Metallics), especially as a complement to--and in combination with--more traditional approaches.
Admittedly, as with any reference, your mileage may vary--depending on your experience, pre- ferred medium/s, etc. Personally, I am not exactly taken with the ever-increasing use of the air- brush as a means to apply paint on figures. . . of any scale! However, that is the dinosaur in me speaking: you can argue with anything about it save [some of] the results!!
This is an invaluable reference, and one that I HIGHLY recommend!
“When the cost of a hobby exceeds the fun and doesn't attract new people, the game is over.” -
Oscar Koveleski, August 2003
Vol.2 has just made it across the Pond, and its focus is figures. It can certainly be read as a stand-alone entry, and most who are strictly figure-centric will appreciate this. This is by far the most enlightening and revealing treatise on the subject that I have ever encountered--and this coming from someone who has been peeling this delightful onion for over 35 years! If there was ever a turn-to reference on metallics this is it!! And for an old-timer like myself, it is worth the price of admission for the lucid presentation on how to work NMMs (Non-Metallic Metallics), especially as a complement to--and in combination with--more traditional approaches.
Admittedly, as with any reference, your mileage may vary--depending on your experience, pre- ferred medium/s, etc. Personally, I am not exactly taken with the ever-increasing use of the air- brush as a means to apply paint on figures. . . of any scale! However, that is the dinosaur in me speaking: you can argue with anything about it save [some of] the results!!
This is an invaluable reference, and one that I HIGHLY recommend!
“When the cost of a hobby exceeds the fun and doesn't attract new people, the game is over.” -
Oscar Koveleski, August 2003
07 June 2014
Tyrion -- Painting (I): Armour - Phase 1
Phase 1 of Tyrion's armour is now done!
It has been a number of years since I have painted a major piece of armour, and I am happy--and relieved!--to report that it's just like riding a bike: just do it!
Since this is intended to be the metallic basecoat to a weathered, dark-russeted cuirass, I went with G-S Mr. Metal Iron straight out of the bottle, rather than one of my custom metallic lacquer "cocktails". For the latten trim, I went with G-S Mr. Metal Brass, applied as a series of controlled washes. PERFECT!
It should be noted that I also wanted to introduce a somewhat textured surface to represent age and grime. Thus, I applied a somewhat heavy coat of paint (rather than floating a thinned coat), which I then textured as it was setting. Do not concern yourself with overdoing it it--within rea- son!-- as any overdone areas can simply be burnished-out when polishing the lacquers. As I've always said, you have to go out of your way to screw-up with the Mr. Metal lacquers!
I will let the lacquers cure for a week before proceeding with the russeting and weathering. In the meantime, I will complete undercoating Tyrion.
As a final note, I would like to praise a new product that I recently acquired: Tamiya's Craft Cot- ton Swabs. I purchased these for the express purpose of polishing metallic lacquers, especially tight areas, and they simply shine (pun intended) in this capacity! No more scratches from cut- down Q-tip shafts, no more lint to carefully remove before continuing with your work. And at ~5- 10¢/swab, depending on your retailer, these are money well spent!
It has been a number of years since I have painted a major piece of armour, and I am happy--and relieved!--to report that it's just like riding a bike: just do it!
Since this is intended to be the metallic basecoat to a weathered, dark-russeted cuirass, I went with G-S Mr. Metal Iron straight out of the bottle, rather than one of my custom metallic lacquer "cocktails". For the latten trim, I went with G-S Mr. Metal Brass, applied as a series of controlled washes. PERFECT!
It should be noted that I also wanted to introduce a somewhat textured surface to represent age and grime. Thus, I applied a somewhat heavy coat of paint (rather than floating a thinned coat), which I then textured as it was setting. Do not concern yourself with overdoing it it--within rea- son!-- as any overdone areas can simply be burnished-out when polishing the lacquers. As I've always said, you have to go out of your way to screw-up with the Mr. Metal lacquers!
I will let the lacquers cure for a week before proceeding with the russeting and weathering. In the meantime, I will complete undercoating Tyrion.
As a final note, I would like to praise a new product that I recently acquired: Tamiya's Craft Cot- ton Swabs. I purchased these for the express purpose of polishing metallic lacquers, especially tight areas, and they simply shine (pun intended) in this capacity! No more scratches from cut- down Q-tip shafts, no more lint to carefully remove before continuing with your work. And at ~5- 10¢/swab, depending on your retailer, these are money well spent!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)