White Walker - Prepwork 3: The Pteruges and "Kilt"

The pteruges are cast in four sections. Each "strip"--the pteruges is comprised of 17 strips--is sectioned in four pieces.

Comments/observations:

•  I don't know how many strips comprise the pteruges, as I have not seen a rear view of a walker..The rear section of the pteruges has been depicted in any number of ways.
• The central three front strips are solid, not sectioned. It is reasonable to conclude that 4 strips of the rear panel of the pteruges are likewise unsegmented/solid.
• Each of the lateral strips are sectioned in 4 and five pieces. The 2 shorter strips on either side of the solid front central strips have 4 sections, the rest 5.

I have begun by smoothing/thinning the strips on the front panel of the pteruges . I will section the lateral 2 strips on either side of the central solid 3 into four and five segments.

As a sidebar note, the walkers wore a tattered garment ("kilt") under the pteruges. I intend to add this garment, though I have yet to determine the medium to be used.   

17.08.2019--The kilt has been roughed-in.

This may very well be a first of numerous attempts, as I have no idea on how it is going to work out. I had contemplated using sheet lead or paper as my medium, but when I sat at the bench this morning, the Aves "called" to me. . . So I rolled-out a very thin sheet of Aves Apoxie Sculpt, and roughly tore it into panels corresponding to the sections of the pteruges. I tacked those pie- ces in place and overlaid the pteruges. [NB: the fit is VERY good, and the 'dressed' walker cer- tainly looks the part! KUDOS, ICM!!]  

And now we wait. . . FOLLOW-UP--I am delighted to report that the first attempt was an unquali- fied SUCCESS! There is some "trimming and tacking" to be done; but, overall, it exceeds expec- tations!! 

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

White Walker - Prepwork 2: Pegging

The head has been pegged in its stock position with tin solder. I have initiated the reanimation process by reducing the left edge of the neck to allow the head to glance left and down. . . 

I have also tentatively pegged the arms with brass tubing.

More to follow. . .  

17.08.2019--Repositioning of the head has been effectively completed. It is a subtle, but poig- nant, reanimation. I have also tapped and pegged the legs--the figure will be transferred to its workbase in the next few days. . . DONE

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

White Walker - Prepwork 1

As I mentioned in the previous posting, I glued the torso halves last night. This afternoon, I glued the legs together; attached the feet; assembled the head (2 pieces); and removed the molded half-sleeve ties from the torso, and the half-sleeves from the arms. I also packed the hollow torso and head with MS.

Re: the half-sleeves. I believe this was the inspiration for the inclusion of half-sleeves:

From a practical standpoint, it provides for a seamless join of the arms to the torso. Regardless, it just didn't "work" for me: after seeing images of the production prototype, I decided to remove the half-sleeves. . . and the attendant ties. 

This weekend, I intend to attach the torso to the legs 16.08.2019--DONE! [This will result in a seamless join if done patiently and carefully. I used ZAP CA+ as the adhesive.] 

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

White Walker -- First Impressions. . .

As you might have surmised from the posting title, the "Great Other" (ICM #16202) is HERE (!!!).  Less than three weeks from ordering to receipt--exceptional service from the Ukraine! Дякую !!

First impressions? Awesome! I would have to say that it is even better than the "King of the Night". . . ! While I will provide a more informed opinion over the next few days/week, I am VERY pleased. I have already removed all the pieces from the sprue, and I have assembled the torso. The fit is excellent, but you will need some rubber bands to minimize/eliminate any gaps. 

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

Jon Snow -- Prepwork 8: Home Stretch

The finish-line is definitely in sight!

There is still some work to be done on the boots and sword-belt; but for the most part, my focus henceforth will be on final finishing. 

If all goes as planned, priming is very tentatively scheduled for next weekend. . . 

12.08.2019--Completed finishing of the belt.

13.08.2019--Completed the left boot. NB: Snow's boots had laced vents (gusseted?) on their inner surfaces. These were carved; the laces were added with tin solder.

14.08.2019--Completed the right boot. 

18.08.2019--Finishing of the figures is now DONE!

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

Jon Snow -- Prepwork 7: The Scabbard

I originally intended to cover the "remodelling/resculpting" of the scabbard as an extension of the reworking of the sword-belt, but the more I worked on it, the more I realized that this was going to be a mini-project onto itself. 

The stock scabbard is a generic sheath that could be found in virtually any spare parts bin. Long- claw's scabbard is as unique as the blade it protects, from its suspension to the decorative em- bellishments and tooling of the leather. As a sidebar note, I don't know how much the tooling would be apparent in scale. . . to be determined.

To date, the structural elements of the scabbard have been completed, and the scabbard reposi- tioned and fitted. Next comes the fine detailing. . . 

07.08.2019--Finalized the chased throat and the cross straps of the scabbard.

09.08.2019--Roughed-in the latten edging of the scabbard; and tooled the dorsal surface of the leather covering.

10.08.2019--Completed the latten embellishments of the scabbard. All that remain are the fini- shing of the cross straps; and the decorative metalwork on the leather. DONE!

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

Jon Snow -- Intermezzo: The Sword Belt

I was doing the final once-over of the sword-belt when I realized that I had made a significant error: I buckled the belt "clockwise"! 

This is a painful reminder that assumptions are made at ones own peril! The initial correction has been made and is now curing in the oven. Hopefully, I will not have to remove the left arm to finish the belt. . . 

More to follow. . .  

DONE! Fortunately, the most difficult aspect of the "conversion" was flipping the buckle. I still have to add the decorative elements of the belt, but otherwise I am back to where I began this morning. . .

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

White Walker -- Pre-Release Preview

RELEASE IS IMMINENT!!!!

The "Great Other" will be a July release, and if you click on the link to the ICM page in the initial posting, you will be treated to images of the component sprues to this kit.

It is comprised of 19 pieces (2 fewer than the "King of the Night"): 15 grey (the figure); 1 clear (the ice-spear); and 3 black (the pedestal). 

Based on the images provided, this one will be every bit as good--if not better!--than its prede- cessor. . . CAN'T WAIT!!!!!

UPDATE - 25.07.2019. . . The kit is now ON ORDER! If all goes as planned, I should be working on this piece in 3-4 weeks!!

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

Jon Snow -- Prepwork 6: Finishing

While I am anxiously awaiting the release of ICM's The Great Other, I will spend the next 4-6(?) weeks working on the Jon Snow and Ghost vignette. . . 

The project's finishing continues. . . Today, I reworked the right arm's attachment to the body; and the join of the fabric portion of the cloak to its fur collar--I anticipate completion by tomor- row. Once that is done, I can begin to work on the detailing and final finishing of the scabbard. . . 

Given the "layers" to this figure, there will be a considerable amount of assembly and finishing executed in the course of painting. As of this writing, the 1) right arm, 2) cloak, 3) Longclaw, 
4) dagger, and 5) scabbard will be partially painted off the figure before attaching and finishing, with final painting conducted in situ.

More to follow. . .

27.07.2019--The prepwork putty-work is all-but-done! A few minor tweaks here and there remain, and of course, the scabbard, but otherwise I am pretty close to moving on. Today has been spent touching-up and final-scaling the boots, and surface-finishing the cloak. 

28.07.2019--Today, I intend to finish the lower-half of the body, namely the gambeson. Once that is done to my satisfaction, I can proceed to the wrap-up of the figure/project. . .

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

"Hardhome" - epilogue

One good turn deserves another. . .

In a most generous gesture, ICM has honored me by graciously posting images of "Hardhome" on their Facebook page.

Heartfelt thanks to the ICM team!

AJR

"Hardhome"

The Night King - Painting IV: Finishing/Wrapping-Up

03.07.2019--The eyes have been chromatically glazed. 

04.07.2019--The armour/torso is DONE!  

05.07.2019--Phase I of the exposed arms is done! As is the head!!

06.07.2019--The figure is effectively DONE! The only items yet to be painted are the hands, and I will begin on those tomorrow DONE! after the figure has cured overnight on its permanent display base. Once the hands are done, it is a matter of final detailing/outlining, and integrative weather- ing over the next fortnight or so. . . 

09.07.2019--Save for the strap pins of the greaves and vambraces, and the fine finishing on the "claws", the Night King. . . is. . . DONE!!! 

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

White Walker -- Preview

ICM's 2019 catalog had a very pleasant surprise: the second offering in their 200 series of 1/16th scale figure kits, The Great Other. . . bka a White Walker (#16202) [NOTE: The line drawing 
in the catalog is not representational of the tbr figure.]. The kit is scheduled to be released in ~3 to 4 weeks, and it is the next project on the docket. 

As with the King of the Night, the TDL--at least the projected iteration--is not inconsiderable. If only because, as with its predecessor, there a numerous avenues at ones disposal. I will go into greater detail once the figure is in my hands. . . 

Until then. . .

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