As I was already covered in epoxy/resin dust, I decided to take it to the extreme. . .
The pedestal for the bust has an integral base. As this would not only increase the height of the pedestal but its footprint (requiring a larger base), I decided to eliminate it.
My reduction of the pedestal is now complete. . .
“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 Tars Tarkas. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Tars Tarkas. Show all posts
21 August 2011
Tars Tarkas -- Prepwork (2): The Harness (2)
The complete right half of the harness is now roughed-in. The shoulder wing will probably be augmented in the days to come, but the foundation is in place.
And, the left shoulder strap is roughed-in and in place, along with the leading section of the shoulder wing. I am finally beginning to see a 3-d'al rough sketch of what the final piece could look like and I am most satisfied.
All that remains to be roughed-in is the rear cross brace/drag handle. DONE!
More to follow. . .
And, the left shoulder strap is roughed-in and in place, along with the leading section of the shoulder wing. I am finally beginning to see a 3-d'al rough sketch of what the final piece could look like and I am most satisfied.
More to follow. . .
06 August 2011
Tars Tarkas -- Prepwork (2): The Harness
As I mentioned in the introduction to, and the review of, this bust, the Barsoomian war harness is virtually the only article of clothing worn by a Martian warrior, regardless of "race".
I will be the first to admit that I have yet to conceptualize the "small" picture of a Thark war harness. I know what it looks like (what I want it to look like) from "afar", but the details are very vague--at best. Part of the problem is a dependence on the source material, in spite of the dearth of details as provided by ERB.
I have just concluded roughing-in the right shoulder strap of the harness. A design I keep coming back to is a pared-down, open- backed version of a kataginu, in leather of course. Aside from liking the esthetics of the look, it will add depth and an added dimension to the bust.
More to follow. . .
I will be the first to admit that I have yet to conceptualize the "small" picture of a Thark war harness. I know what it looks like (what I want it to look like) from "afar", but the details are very vague--at best. Part of the problem is a dependence on the source material, in spite of the dearth of details as provided by ERB.
I have just concluded roughing-in the right shoulder strap of the harness. A design I keep coming back to is a pared-down, open- backed version of a kataginu, in leather of course. Aside from liking the esthetics of the look, it will add depth and an added dimension to the bust.
More to follow. . .
05 August 2011
Tars Tarkas -- Prepwork (1a)
Just a quick one to bring the readership up-to-date. . .
Reduction of the harness has begun in earnest. . . I figure I'm about half-way there. Next step will be to reduce it to its scale thickness while beginning to work-in the stress-work in the leather and the tension drapery.
More to follow. . .
Reduction of the harness has begun in earnest. . . I figure I'm about half-way there. Next step will be to reduce it to its scale thickness while beginning to work-in the stress-work in the leather and the tension drapery.
More to follow. . .
31 July 2011
Tars Tarkas -- Prepwork (1)
The more I handle and study this figure, the more I like it!
To date, I have done two things:
FOLLOW-UP . . . With the harness section cured, I pegged it to the figure in situ using 1/16" brass tubing. The harness was then popped off the bust, and placed in the oven to "hard cure". I then counter-sunk the exposed ends of the tubing, checked the fit, and started marking off the areas to be reduced. So far, so great!
To date, I have done two things:
- Lowered the height of the pedestal. Whether by coincidence or design, Andrew thoughtfully marked-off three tiers at the business end of the pedestal. This is a rather large bust, and being solid-cast resin, relatively heavy. Handling weight is not a concern; "display weight" is: the figure could be somewhat top-heavy. So I simply cut off the first "tier", thus lowering the figure on its pedestal. I might go for second reduction once the mods are completed.
- I have roughed-in the front main section of the Thark war harness. I haven't finished the design of the harness yet, but I needed something more palpable than a 2-d'al sketch to work out the details. So the roughly-shaped MS harness is now curing on the figure: once completely cured, I will sketch out the areas to be reduced and then pop-it off the figure. The harness will be constructed in at least four pieces.
FOLLOW-UP . . . With the harness section cured, I pegged it to the figure in situ using 1/16" brass tubing. The harness was then popped off the bust, and placed in the oven to "hard cure". I then counter-sunk the exposed ends of the tubing, checked the fit, and started marking off the areas to be reduced. So far, so great!
27 July 2011
Hail [Monster] Caesar!!! Tars Tarkas bust
In my June installment of "Notable Acquisitions", I mentioned that I had Monster Caesar Studios' bust of Tars Tarkas of Thark, Green Martian of Barsoom (aka Mars), sculpted and produced by Andrew Martin, on order.
Unfortunately, this was just about the time that the Canadian Postal Strike was hitting its peak, so a delay was not entirely unanticipated. What turned-out to be a four-week in-transit time was! But all's well that ends well--and it did!--and I can say with no reservation whatsoever that it was well worth the wait!!
Before moving on to a brief review, let me just say that Andrew is a consummate professional--not only as a very talented sculptor, but as a businessman. I contacted him yesterday (of course!) about my concerns re: the seemingly inordinate delay, and he was very forthcoming and accommodating. I can't recommend him highly enough!
To the matter hand. I don't feel a need to post images as what you see in the link above is what you get. This is certainly the most convincing, "realistic", and faithful depiction of a Green Martian I have ever seen. A two-piece casting-- bust and pedestal, it is the embodiment of perfection. Truly amazing!
Some might argue that it is a somewhat minimalistic rendition of the powerful warrior. And I would agree--to a point. But in so doing, Andrew, much as Burroughs in his literary creation, has given us enough latitude to let our imagination flourish, and personalize our depiction as we would like--and our skills allow. I plan to make a few mods to mine: the most obvious will be the addition of a Barsoomian war harness, virtually the only article of clothing on Martian warriors.
Before closing, I would just point out that there are no less than four Green Martian "hordes" on Barsoom, so we can certainly go above and beyond and depict a Warhoon or a Torquasian. BTW, for the curious, this is an approximately 1/8th scale bust!
I just received this piece, so rest assured more to follow shortly. Until then. . .
PS--Clean-up and pegging to pedestal. . . < 15 mins.!
Unfortunately, this was just about the time that the Canadian Postal Strike was hitting its peak, so a delay was not entirely unanticipated. What turned-out to be a four-week in-transit time was! But all's well that ends well--and it did!--and I can say with no reservation whatsoever that it was well worth the wait!!
Before moving on to a brief review, let me just say that Andrew is a consummate professional--not only as a very talented sculptor, but as a businessman. I contacted him yesterday (of course!) about my concerns re: the seemingly inordinate delay, and he was very forthcoming and accommodating. I can't recommend him highly enough!
To the matter hand. I don't feel a need to post images as what you see in the link above is what you get. This is certainly the most convincing, "realistic", and faithful depiction of a Green Martian I have ever seen. A two-piece casting-- bust and pedestal, it is the embodiment of perfection. Truly amazing!
Some might argue that it is a somewhat minimalistic rendition of the powerful warrior. And I would agree--to a point. But in so doing, Andrew, much as Burroughs in his literary creation, has given us enough latitude to let our imagination flourish, and personalize our depiction as we would like--and our skills allow. I plan to make a few mods to mine: the most obvious will be the addition of a Barsoomian war harness, virtually the only article of clothing on Martian warriors.
Before closing, I would just point out that there are no less than four Green Martian "hordes" on Barsoom, so we can certainly go above and beyond and depict a Warhoon or a Torquasian. BTW, for the curious, this is an approximately 1/8th scale bust!
I just received this piece, so rest assured more to follow shortly. Until then. . .
PS--Clean-up and pegging to pedestal. . . < 15 mins.!
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