Red Skull
Batwoman
[NOTE: the stock ears on the cowl have yet to be removed]
Divio Juckal
28 February 2011
Graphic updates to-date. . .
Red Skull
Batwoman
[NOTE: the stock ears on the cowl have yet to be removed]
Divio Juckal
27 February 2011
Red Skull (Bust)--The Project & Prepwork Update
Last things first. . .
Progress continues to be made on the focal point of this conversion. The "structural" skull is now about 70-80% complete, and the dental work has begun in earnest. A shirt collar has been added, and the head-cum-skull fitted.
Which brings us to the nature of the Project. At its most basic, the converting or replacement of the head to/with a skull: obviously, I have elected the former option. That is really all that needs to be done to effect a visually and immediately recognizable depiction of the Red Skull. BUT. . . the devil is in the details! And here is where most of the effort will be expended.
Finally, while the bust provides a cigarette, I intend to augment it with a cigarette holder--and make any aesthetic changes to the hand that I deem necessary.
Back to the bench!
FOLLOW-UP . . . The second tunic button has been carefully removed (to be reattached later), and the area refinished as a prelude to the addition of the EK II ribbon.
FOLLOW-UP (2) . . . The EK II ribbon has been added (MS). The tunic button has been cleaned-up, finished, and reattached.
Progress continues to be made on the focal point of this conversion. The "structural" skull is now about 70-80% complete, and the dental work has begun in earnest. A shirt collar has been added, and the head-cum-skull fitted.
Which brings us to the nature of the Project. At its most basic, the converting or replacement of the head to/with a skull: obviously, I have elected the former option. That is really all that needs to be done to effect a visually and immediately recognizable depiction of the Red Skull. BUT. . . the devil is in the details! And here is where most of the effort will be expended.
- Rework the collar insignia
- Add the EK II ribbon
- Add the RK
Finally, while the bust provides a cigarette, I intend to augment it with a cigarette holder--and make any aesthetic changes to the hand that I deem necessary.
Back to the bench!
FOLLOW-UP . . . The second tunic button has been carefully removed (to be reattached later), and the area refinished as a prelude to the addition of the EK II ribbon.
FOLLOW-UP (2) . . . The EK II ribbon has been added (MS). The tunic button has been cleaned-up, finished, and reattached.
26 February 2011
Batwoman
One of my acquisitions at this year's Show was one of the two Batgirls from the same series as the "Vampire Bat" and Harley Quinn.
(This is the pair beautifully painted by Jim Capone. . . our subject is on the right)
As with all of the busts that I either have or have seen in this series, this one-piece casting is a solid A/A+. The only reason it is not a resounding A+ is because of a single stray air bubble on the chin.
I am not a huge Batgirl fan--though I am warming-up to the later incarnations. Having said that, there was something about this bust that was quite compelling. So I decided that I would "per- sonalize" it and effect the relatively minor mods that would transform her into Batwoman.
To date, I have reduced the height of the pedestal by half, and I have roughed-in the "horned" mask à la Huntress. This remains a separate item and will not be permanently attached until the bust is ready for priming--if then. . .
Until next time. . .
"Firedrake" - Prepwork: Update
Just by way of update, the hood is just about ready for final finishing; while the boots continue to evolve and be refined. . .
As soon as I get him mounted on his workbase, I will post some images.
As soon as I get him mounted on his workbase, I will post some images.
Ragin' Cajun - Graphic (Re)introduction
We consigned M. LeBeau to the safety of the display cabinet about 6 1/2 weeks ago. While paring-down the project list is always a decision fraught with doubt and misgivings, it was definitely the right call IF I was to get the most out of the [considerable] time invested in salvaging this piece.
Since it has been such a long time, a graphic jog to the ol' grey matter. This is the kit as intended by KM and Marvel:
And this is what you will see unfold before you:
You may review the steps taken to arrive at the above in this thread.
Since it has been such a long time, a graphic jog to the ol' grey matter. This is the kit as intended by KM and Marvel:
And this is what you will see unfold before you:
You may review the steps taken to arrive at the above in this thread.
25 February 2011
POLL--Grading our blog!--CLOSED
Out first poll is now closed. I would like to thank the 8 respondents who took the time to participate, and, as always, to Lloyd for his comments.
So how did we--the blog and I--do? Well, 2 "Great"s, 5 "Not bad"s, and 1 "Could be much better". As there was but one comment, I can only guess at what I might do to improve the experience.
As I mentioned in the presentation of the poll, I am aware that the site is light on images. While I will strive to improve my performance on this front, I will be completely candid with you and tell you that any improvement will be relative. My disposable time is extremely limited, and if I have to choose between photography and photo-editing, and modelling or painting, the photography will lose every time!
Secondly, I am not particularly graphics driven. I have touched upon this on numerous occasions in writing and verbally with those of you who know me well. I respect your counter-arguments, and they are not without merit; however, my experience as the host of a forum for over a decade, and now this blog, is that images will not yield a greater level of participation. Images in this context are but a visual aid, not a means to an end. I have my own theory on how forums and blogs should work, and I have yet to receive a post or a comment that ties in the images of the completed piece, which I always provide, with the descriptive text that preceded it. . . I know many will disagree with me, and that is your privilege.
So. . . again, my thanks for your participation. Maybe we'll do this again in a year's time and see if we can elicit a greater response--and improve the scores some!
Augie
So how did we--the blog and I--do? Well, 2 "Great"s, 5 "Not bad"s, and 1 "Could be much better". As there was but one comment, I can only guess at what I might do to improve the experience.
As I mentioned in the presentation of the poll, I am aware that the site is light on images. While I will strive to improve my performance on this front, I will be completely candid with you and tell you that any improvement will be relative. My disposable time is extremely limited, and if I have to choose between photography and photo-editing, and modelling or painting, the photography will lose every time!
Secondly, I am not particularly graphics driven. I have touched upon this on numerous occasions in writing and verbally with those of you who know me well. I respect your counter-arguments, and they are not without merit; however, my experience as the host of a forum for over a decade, and now this blog, is that images will not yield a greater level of participation. Images in this context are but a visual aid, not a means to an end. I have my own theory on how forums and blogs should work, and I have yet to receive a post or a comment that ties in the images of the completed piece, which I always provide, with the descriptive text that preceded it. . . I know many will disagree with me, and that is your privilege.
So. . . again, my thanks for your participation. Maybe we'll do this again in a year's time and see if we can elicit a greater response--and improve the scores some!
Augie
24 February 2011
Red Skull (Bust)--Prepwork: Phase I
I have obviously skipped a posting, and I will hopefully be able to outline the project in the days ahead.
With that editorial comment out of the way, quite a bit of progress has been made this evening:
With that editorial comment out of the way, quite a bit of progress has been made this evening:
- The assembled torso/pedestal has been tapped and pegged, and mounted on its work base.
- Clean-up of the puttied/filled areas has begun.
- The calvarium has been added with MS.
- The salient facial features have been removed, the overall volume selectively reduced, and the skull roughed-in, again with MS. VERY pleased to this point!
Divio Juckal--Prepwork concluded
Save for cleaning up what few seam lines remain, and double-checking that I didn't overlook anything (especially through the heavy mantle of fur), domnului Juckal is ready for priming!
The shirt (note: as best as I can determine, this is not a jacket!) has been fitted--though not attached! Same for the hands. The bowler has been removed from the sprue and finished.
The only item remaining to be addressed pre-priming is the groundwork, and there is yet much to be done on this front before I can even begin to consider kneading putty.
Short and VERY sweet. . . as it should be!
The shirt (note: as best as I can determine, this is not a jacket!) has been fitted--though not attached! Same for the hands. The bowler has been removed from the sprue and finished.
The only item remaining to be addressed pre-priming is the groundwork, and there is yet much to be done on this front before I can even begin to consider kneading putty.
Short and VERY sweet. . . as it should be!
23 February 2011
Red Skull (Bust)--Introduction & Kit Review
With the full figure behind me, it is time to follow-up with the bust/s. . .
Yes, you read right, busts. I always intended to do a companion bust to the full figure, and to this end I acquired Young Miniatures' 1/10th scale SS Totenkopf Officer (YM1811--OOB presentation can be found here) in the Fall. But. . . I recently acquired Jaguar Models' 1/12th scale SS-Ober- sturmführer (Oberleutnant/First Lt.) (GD-12005) by Mike Good (sculpted in 1998!), and this will be the basis of my first conversion project.
The bust is cast in 5 pieces + an elegantly designed pedestal that practically seamlessly attaches to the back of the torso. The all-critical head is cast separately, as is the distressed peaked cap. The remaining pieces of the kit are the right forearm/hand and cigarette. Casting quality is VG+. There are concentrations of air bubbles along some of the edges and proximal ends of the castings, but nothing out of the ordinary--or to fret over: these are now filled and under the lamp.
Whereas the Young bust will be hatted, this rendition will be bare-headed. I will further elaborate on the project in the next posting in the thread.
Yes, you read right, busts. I always intended to do a companion bust to the full figure, and to this end I acquired Young Miniatures' 1/10th scale SS Totenkopf Officer (YM1811--OOB presentation can be found here) in the Fall. But. . . I recently acquired Jaguar Models' 1/12th scale SS-Ober- sturmführer (Oberleutnant/First Lt.) (GD-12005) by Mike Good (sculpted in 1998!), and this will be the basis of my first conversion project.
The bust is cast in 5 pieces + an elegantly designed pedestal that practically seamlessly attaches to the back of the torso. The all-critical head is cast separately, as is the distressed peaked cap. The remaining pieces of the kit are the right forearm/hand and cigarette. Casting quality is VG+. There are concentrations of air bubbles along some of the edges and proximal ends of the castings, but nothing out of the ordinary--or to fret over: these are now filled and under the lamp.
Whereas the Young bust will be hatted, this rendition will be bare-headed. I will further elaborate on the project in the next posting in the thread.
21 February 2011
Stellio "Firedrake" Salamandra
As the second day of the Show was winding up, the crowds in the Vendor Hall had thinned out enough so as to afford me some leisurely browsing through The Red Lancers' tables. I had already picked-up EVD's "Dragon Raider" bust (CB31 - based on Chris Achilleos' Celtic Queen), and then I stumbled upon the subject of this review.
I had first come across this unique offering on the pages of pF. Milit Model is a relatively new Italian company, apparently associated with EMI, that to date has been concentrating on [large] 54mm Italian subjects of the Great War.
Their first release (in 2009) was an Italian flammiere. Kudos to them for releasing such an esoteric--and interesting!!!--subject! Flamethrowers are hardly common in the marketplace, and I would venture to wager that this will be the first and last rendition of an Italian one in the First World War.
Which is a shame. While the subject matter is undeniably unique, the sculpting and casting leave much to be desired: it deserves better. The kit is a comprised of 13 pieces: one piece body, two arms, and a 4-pc. flamethrower--and six(!) pieces dedicated to the groundwork/ base. The sculpting is, shall we say, "unrefined" and "clunky", lacking in definition and finishing.
The casting? Anyone who has had any experience with EMI over the years would not be surprised. It is distorted; and with six pieces dedicated to the groundwork, it would not have been too much to ask that the flame-resistant hood (i.e., the head) be cast as a separate piece: this is severely skewed, as would be expected from the position of the head given the volume of the hood.
So, as an addition to the historical collection, it would not be a "good fit" with the current generation of historical miniatures. In fact, this piece would not look out of place with a miniature produced in the 70's or 80's! BUT. . . as a a subject from an alternate reality, this has virtually unlimited potential!
Allow me to introduce to you: Stellio "Firedrake" Salamandra. I am still working on the background story, but he will be a Victorian freelance "exterminator". . .
To date, I have begun reworking the hood, and have roughed-over the spindly (not quite SAS, but close!), puttee-wrapped lower legs into heavy postilion-style boots. I know I will add protective fire-resistant gauntlet/s; but beyond that, the final concept and design are still very much a work-in-progress. . .
Stay tuned!
I had first come across this unique offering on the pages of pF. Milit Model is a relatively new Italian company, apparently associated with EMI, that to date has been concentrating on [large] 54mm Italian subjects of the Great War.
Their first release (in 2009) was an Italian flammiere. Kudos to them for releasing such an esoteric--and interesting!!!--subject! Flamethrowers are hardly common in the marketplace, and I would venture to wager that this will be the first and last rendition of an Italian one in the First World War.
Which is a shame. While the subject matter is undeniably unique, the sculpting and casting leave much to be desired: it deserves better. The kit is a comprised of 13 pieces: one piece body, two arms, and a 4-pc. flamethrower--and six(!) pieces dedicated to the groundwork/ base. The sculpting is, shall we say, "unrefined" and "clunky", lacking in definition and finishing.
The casting? Anyone who has had any experience with EMI over the years would not be surprised. It is distorted; and with six pieces dedicated to the groundwork, it would not have been too much to ask that the flame-resistant hood (i.e., the head) be cast as a separate piece: this is severely skewed, as would be expected from the position of the head given the volume of the hood.
So, as an addition to the historical collection, it would not be a "good fit" with the current generation of historical miniatures. In fact, this piece would not look out of place with a miniature produced in the 70's or 80's! BUT. . . as a a subject from an alternate reality, this has virtually unlimited potential!
Allow me to introduce to you: Stellio "Firedrake" Salamandra. I am still working on the background story, but he will be a Victorian freelance "exterminator". . .
To date, I have begun reworking the hood, and have roughed-over the spindly (not quite SAS, but close!), puttee-wrapped lower legs into heavy postilion-style boots. I know I will add protective fire-resistant gauntlet/s; but beyond that, the final concept and design are still very much a work-in-progress. . .
Stay tuned!
20 February 2011
Divio "Mad Dog" Juckal, Vârcolac of The Wheel
Divio "Mad Dog" Juckal is a Romano/Sinto werewolf in the Smog 1888 alternate reality. For those who would like to read about the back- ground story, you may do so here (Home>Smog>The Wheel). And the "boxart" may be seen here.
A dear friend and patron presented me with this figure at the Show. And I am delighted that he did: this is a beauty of a kit!! Cast in 8 pcs. + cobblestone plinth in a dark grey polyvinyl resin, I received an exquisite casting with but 3 airholes in non-critical areas. Fit is very good--some minor mold wear precluded a seamless fit; but nothing major. In fact, all corrective filling has already been taken care of, and the torso has been permanently attached to the legs.
More to follow. . . !
FOLLOW-UP . . . The head and tail have been permanently attached, and the figure pegged and mounted on its workbase. All that remains to be done before priming is minor seam clean-up and feathering the fur along the join seams.
FOLLOW-UP (2) - 22.02.11 . . . The furred join seams have been filled and textured. Once I finish seam clean-up and some minor re-detailing, this one will be ready for priming. Maybe by the weekend?
A dear friend and patron presented me with this figure at the Show. And I am delighted that he did: this is a beauty of a kit!! Cast in 8 pcs. + cobblestone plinth in a dark grey polyvinyl resin, I received an exquisite casting with but 3 airholes in non-critical areas. Fit is very good--some minor mold wear precluded a seamless fit; but nothing major. In fact, all corrective filling has already been taken care of, and the torso has been permanently attached to the legs.
More to follow. . . !
FOLLOW-UP . . . The head and tail have been permanently attached, and the figure pegged and mounted on its workbase. All that remains to be done before priming is minor seam clean-up and feathering the fur along the join seams.
FOLLOW-UP (2) - 22.02.11 . . . The furred join seams have been filled and textured. Once I finish seam clean-up and some minor re-detailing, this one will be ready for priming. Maybe by the weekend?
Looking ahead in 2011. . . revision
The 2011 Atlanta Show is now behind me. I hope everyone had/has an uneventful and safe trip home.
All in all, an overwhelmingly successful event, and the Fantasy category infused a much-needed dose of "fresh air"--this coming from hard-core "historicists", most of whom were approaching this as their last Atlanta Show unless "something" was done. Mission accomplished.
With the annual rendezvous behind me, I am compelled to revise the originally published tentative slate for 2011. Here goes. . .
1) Gambit (Knight Models 75mm) -- already transferred to the bench!
2) Red Skull (Jaguar Models' 1/12th scale conversion)
3) Harley Quinn (1/9th scale)
4) Batwoman (1/9th scale conversion)
5) Jeremiah Crow (Smart Max 'Smog 1888')
6) Stellio "Firedrake" Salamandra [Steampunk (SP) flamethrower] (Milit Models 54mm conversion)
7) Divio "Mad Dog" Juckal [SP vârcolac] (Smart Max 'Smog 1888')
Red Skull, Harley, and Batwoman are busts.
As always, subject--and quite likely!--to change.
And as always, I hope you will find something of interest in the above--I look forward to your comments and observations.
Back to the bench!!
A~
All in all, an overwhelmingly successful event, and the Fantasy category infused a much-needed dose of "fresh air"--this coming from hard-core "historicists", most of whom were approaching this as their last Atlanta Show unless "something" was done. Mission accomplished.
With the annual rendezvous behind me, I am compelled to revise the originally published tentative slate for 2011. Here goes. . .
1) Gambit (Knight Models 75mm) -- already transferred to the bench!
2) Red Skull (Jaguar Models' 1/12th scale conversion)
3) Harley Quinn (1/9th scale)
4) Batwoman (1/9th scale conversion)
5) Jeremiah Crow (Smart Max 'Smog 1888')
6) Stellio "Firedrake" Salamandra [Steampunk (SP) flamethrower] (Milit Models 54mm conversion)
7) Divio "Mad Dog" Juckal [SP vârcolac] (Smart Max 'Smog 1888')
Red Skull, Harley, and Batwoman are busts.
As always, subject--and quite likely!--to change.
And as always, I hope you will find something of interest in the above--I look forward to your comments and observations.
Back to the bench!!
A~
19 February 2011
Harley's pedestal adjustment
Actually a few days after the fact--this cutting session was the last thing I did before showering to get ready to leave for the Show.
The pedestal was reduced by about 11/16th in. This results in what I consider an ideal height. I also cut it at an angle, with the bust now having an ~30° lean towards the left of the viewer, with her face nearly perpendicular to the table.
I might tweak the angle of lean in either direction a smidge, but essentially the bust is now ready for clean-up and assembly.
More to follow. . .
The pedestal was reduced by about 11/16th in. This results in what I consider an ideal height. I also cut it at an angle, with the bust now having an ~30° lean towards the left of the viewer, with her face nearly perpendicular to the table.
I might tweak the angle of lean in either direction a smidge, but essentially the bust is now ready for clean-up and assembly.
More to follow. . .
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