Silver Savage-Prepwork 3: The "Shield"

The Cosmic Board MK.II is a fait accompli! And a complete success, afaic!! 

Finishing is well underway. I've begun work on the fittings of the enarmes, which more importantly at this stage, will laterally stabilize the board and afford me the freedom to reduce the thickness to scale.

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

Silver Savage-Prepwork Sidebar: The "Shield"

The Cosmic Board MK.I is now history; nonetheless, epoxy putty is the medium of choice!

The key is careful kneading and pre-roll-out prep. When I was kneading the putty, I inadvertently trapped air as I was folding the putty. This in turn, created weak spots--much like a sink hole in an undermined road--and the blank fractured along these flaws. Ideally, I would use a clay or pasta roller, but I'm not ready to buy an item that I would rarely use!

Cosmic Board MK.II is on tomorrow's agenda!

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

Planet Hulk -- Intermezzo

The demands of work have kept me away from the bench more than I care to admit. But with a long weekend ahead of me, I thought I would 'prime' the processes to keep things advancing.To this end, this evening I did the following:

•  Rolled out a board blank using MS. I am still unsure of the medium of the Silver Sa- vage's shield--epoxy putty, sheet plastic, or aluminum--but I would prefer epoxy putty if at all doable. UPDATE 09.11.2018. . . So far, so good. I've reduced the blank to its approximate final dimensions, and it is now curing in the oven.The real "test" will be when I begin to reduce its thickness. In this respect, I believe it will be superior to polystyrene; but it may be the deciding factor for aluminum. . .  
• Rolled out axe-head blank for the Green Scar.
• Rolled out 2 of the pteruges on the Green Scar's girdle. These will have to be finished, but it's a promising start.  

 More to follow. 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

Silver Savage-Prepwork 2: Anatomy (II)

While surface finishing and finishing of the anatomical enhancements continues, I took the oppor- tunity to begin working on the upper extremities. 

The left forearm was repositioned--and re-scaled!--to optimize the positioning of the "shield" (i.e., the cosmic board). This has been all-but-finalized, awaiting the replacement of the original board with a scratchbuilt item. 

The right arm is fairly good. I'm still working on the enhanced bicep--all that remains is the hand, which I drilled out to accommodate the haft of the yet-to-be-sculpted mace. 

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

Silver Savage-Prepwork 1: Anatomy and "Spaudler"

Before getting into the equipment "sub-projects", I wanted to "prep the canvas", as it were. One of the worse aspects of any Eaglemoss offering is the finishing of the casting. There is little if any consideration for the defining sculptural contours; where such consideration is manifest, the seamlines are ignored. Thus, the restoration of the canvas is a mix of filing and filling, with the attendant carving and sanding. 

The legs suffered the most in this instance of Eaglemoss's finishing--or lack thereof: I had to re- work the thighs, calves, and gluteals. The rest of the casting was adequately acceptable, save for the right bicep and left hand. All affected areas are now undergoing final finishing.

As I cannot begin to work on the greaves until the lower legs are done, I decided to begin work on what I will refer to as the "spaudler" (nb: I am not aware of a Roman term for the shoulder plate of a manica, so I will use the medieval term for the proto-pauldron.). This has now been roughed-in, and shaping/finishing is well underway.

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

Silver Savage-Prepwork: Overview

The primary focus of the prepwork will be surface finishing. I am approaching it as if I intended to use the casting medium as the finishing medium--which I am not. The figure will be painted in metallic lacquers, which will provide a unifying, seamless "skin".

Secondary foci will be on the respective accessories: garments, equipment, and weapons. I intend to start as I would any other sculpt, from the feet up. Thus, the first "sub-project" will be the greaves. . . 

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

Eaglemoss's CMFC #7: The Silver Surfer

As I indicated earlier, I have launched my Planet Hulk-themed 'project'. And this week I received the base figure for the project that got the whole thing rolling: Eaglemoss' CMFC #7, The Silver Surfer.

This figure, the seventh release in Eaglemoss' CFMC, was released in 2005; and in spite of its age--or because of it?--it is one of the best Eaglemoss figures I have ever seen! It is cast in but two pieces: the figure and the cosmic [surf]board. Casting is a solid B+: the only reason it does not break into the "A" tier is the board, which is ill-suited to be cast in pure lead. Given what I intend to do with the board, I will more than likely replace it with a scratchbuilt item.

The figure has already been stripped, disassembled, pegged, and mounted on its workbase. Prepwork will commence presently.

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

Planet Hulk

I hit a bit of a brick wall with health issues earlier this month, and all the momentum to-date has been largely spent. Now it's time to see how to get things going again. . .

What with regaining my strength and well-being, and the increasing Q4 workload, I think it will be a while before Spidey or Venom resume their rightful places on the front burners. What is impor- tant now is to get back in the groove, and re-establish the routine.

To this end, I have decided to pursue a project quite dear to me and relatively simple, albeit chal-lenging. Those of you who know me know that Planet Hulk is one of my favourite Marvel story lines. Exceptionally well-written and illustrated, its plotline revolves around gladiatorial combat and insurrection.

Nearly a decade ago, I acquired a masterful figure that was--is!--to be the base for the Green Scar, the Hulk's nom de guerre on the planet Sakaar. One of the Green Scar's opponents is the Silver Savage, the nom de guerre of none other than the Silver Surfer. The Silver Surfer was cap- tured by the Sakaar Empire, enslaved with an obedience disk, and declared damnātum, much as the Green Scar would be.

That very figure, Yedharo Models' King of Destruction, is now back on the bench. It will soon be joined by Eaglemoss' CMFC #7, The Silver Surfer. Before it is all said and done, I hope to have the two headliners of the Sakaaran Imperial Games in my collection. . .

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