Oðindestroyer - Introduction

It has been a VERY good Summer at the local cinema for Superhero fans! I have not seen GL, but I have seen the three Marvel releases: all different--but all VG+, or better!

For myself, the biggest surprise was Thor. As I have told several friends, it is--IMHO--the best of the prequels that collectively set the stage for next year's release of The Avengers. Don't get me wrong. . . the Iron Man films are still my favourites, but there was a very different dynamic, pace, and purpose at work with these.

But I digress. . . One of the more memorable "characters" in Thor was the Destroyer, Oðin's own, personal armour automaton. Those who wish a more in-depth background of the character can check out the Wiki entry.

The Destroyer is essentially lifeless until animated by the life-force of a sentient being. To the best of my knowledge, the only time that the Destroyer armour has been "worn" was when Oðin donned it to deal with Thor in the one-shot, Thor: Man of War (2008). There is some very inspirational art in this issue, and given what I knew about the movie when it was released, I was hoping they might take a brief detour in this direction. Alas, no, but it was probably for the best.

As you can probably well-imagine, the hobby-and-collectibles biz immediately gravitated to the character of the Destroyer. Surprisingly, one of the companies was Knight Models, with their first--and only release to date--in their "Tales of Asgard" series.

This kit (#109/500) was recently presented to me as a gift. Was I excited to receive it? YOU BET! Excited and grateful. Do I feel the same after having spent a week or so with it? Obviously I am ever-grateful for the thoughtful generosity manifested; but the excitement has been tempered considerably.

Full review to follow in the days to come. . .

Red Skull #3--Prepwork, Phase 2: The Red Skull (II)

I had a bit of free time this afternoon, and after doing some putty-work and grinding on the groundwork of the White Ape, I decided to rough-in the dentition of the RS. That accomplished, I proceeded with working-out the left side of the facial structures, such that the left side of the face is now essentially done.

I might try to continue with the right side once the head comes out of the oven. . .

FOLLOW-UP. . . The head is now completely roughed-in. Now the "fun" begins, micro-detailing the dentition, etc. . . .

UPDATE - 27.09.2011. . . I now have a "rough" of the cigarette holder. For this version, I used a piece of copper wire of a suitable diameter. While it required a certain amount of care while shaping and grinding, it ultimately yielded superior results than its brass counterpart.

Red Skull (Bust)--Wrapping-up

It's been an incredibly productive day. . . just goes to show what a holiday, much-needed rain, and moderate temperatures can do for your productivity. . .

I might be a bit premature in declaring this piece ABD (all-but-done), but just. The head is now completed; the hand is a session or two from being done; as is the pesky RK. All that remains undone is final clean-up and the pre-prime once-over. In all likelihood this piece will be primed alongside the Great White Ape of Barsoom.

Until then. . .

FOLLOW-UP - 24.12.2011 . . . I treated myself to a "Me Day", and effectively wrapped-up the pre-prime work on this piece. Next step: PRIMING!

Red Skull #3--Prepwork, Phase 2: The Red Skull

I actually began work on the head a few weeks ago, first shimming the calvarium (with MS) to ensure a positive "lock" of the hat; and beefing up the frontal, sphenoid, and anterior temporal bones and supra-orbital processes to de facto recess the eyes. Last week, I ground off the soft tissue of the nose and lips, and began to work the lower half of the face into more angular, skeletal features. Today, I continued with the latter; and ground-off the ears and redefined the jawline.

So far, so good! More to follow. . .

White Ape of Barsoom--Wrap-up

The fairing, blending and detailing of the hair was indeed completed by early nightfall, which paved the way for initiating the finalization steps. I have just completed the first "glazing" of the sculpt, and if all goes as hoped, I should have it completed and ready for priming over the coming weekend.

This concludes the Modelling phase of the project. I have enjoyed it immensely. AFAIC, this has been a "classic" conversion project. . . and I will finally have a Great White Ape of Barsoom in my collection!

Images of the primed, completed figure will be posted in the introductory post of the Painting phase of the project.

Until then. . .

White Ape of Barsoom--Update (4)

By way of keeping everyone abreast of the progress. . .

• Fairing, blending and fine detailing of the dorsal half of the hair continues--and may be completed before calling it a day.
• Groundwork has been fitted to display base. Have yet to decide whether to build up the "integrating groundwork" as an integral part of the resin piece; or after the latter has been permanently attached.
• Club has been finished.
• Fine finishing and final detailing has begun.
  

At this point, I do not believe the piece will be primed this weekend. What's the rush? Having said that, I do believe it will be ready for priming in the next 7-10 days, with a priming date of no later than mid-October.

Stay tuned. . .

2011 Status Report -- Fall Update

1) Red Skull (bust, Jaguar Models 1/12th scale conversion)
2) Divio "Mad Dog" Juckal [SP vârcolac] (Smart Max 'Smog 1888')
3) Great White Ape of Barsoom (Smart Max Mr. Honk ['Smog 1888'] conversion)
4) Abraham Lincoln - Vampire Hunter (Andrea 54mm conversion)
5) Loki Laufeyson (Knight Models 70mm)

It is looking like this might very well be my Show line-up for 2012. That's not to say that changes and/or additions are not possible; but there are only so many hours in a day, and it looks like I will have my hands full at work at the very least through the Show.

If there are changes and/or additions to the above, they will most likely come from this "active reserve":

a) Gambit (Knight Models 75mm) -- on the painting bench.
b) Red Skull #2 (ff) (Smart Max 150mm conversion)
c) Red Skull #3 (ff) (Andrea Miniatures 90mm conversion)
d) Tars Tarkas (bust, Monster Caesar/Andrew Martin, "1/8"th scale)
e) Oðindestroyer (Knight Models 70mm conversion)
f) Baba Yaga (Smart Max Nibaba ['Smog 1888'] conversion)

Back to the bench!!

A~

Baba Yaga - UPDATE

• Mortar has been "scaled". Surface texturing of the mortar has begun, as has the hollowing. I'm about a third of the way done with the latter.
• The pose has been "locked" and the lower half of the figure is completely roughed-in. Finishing of the left leg has begun.
  
• Figure has been fitted to the rim of the mortar. Pegging to follow soon.
• "Fleshed-out" the torso somewhat: nothing dramatic, just a bit more youthful.
  

I am more and more taken with the idea of following Smart Max's lead and converting the oaken right forearm to a silver birch. This will necessitate extensive reworking of the right shoulder girdle, but it shouldn't be too bad.

Stay tuned. . .

Notable Acquisitions August 2011

KITS
Andrea Miniatures kit of Reinhard Heydrich (???, 90mm)
Smart Max kit of Nibaba (Allan Carrasco, 1/35th scale)

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. . .

White Ape of Barsoom--Graphic Interlude (2)

In all haste. . .




A significant amount of finishing work remains to be done, but nothing out of the ordinary. If you look closely, our subject will need to have some dental work done over the weekend. . .

UPDATE - 22.08.11. . . Not quite "over the weekend", but close enough. . . The lower right canine has been successfully implanted and our subject now has a full set of pearly whites. . . or close enough. The "smoothing" and toning of the musculature is underway in earnest, and save for a bit of touch-up filling on the right support (middle) hand, all the putty work save for touching-up the coiffure is now done!

On the home stretch!

UPDATE - 24.08.11. . . The front half of the coiffure is essentially done! I really can't wait to be able to get some paint on this face/ head!!

White Ape of Barsoom--Update (3)

The fairing and blending and fine detailing of the hair continues. Fairing of the right half of the face/scalp is all but done; and both ears have been sculpted in their new apical location.

The forearms have been tentatively fitted, but yet to be permanently attached. As the club would prove to be major annoyance, if not outright hindrance, during painting, I have removed it proximal to the gripping hands, and hollowed the latter. I will rebuild an attachment peg, probably reinforced with wire.

Movin' right along. . .

UPDATE - 16.08.11. . . The forearms have been fitted. This required some rearrangement of the coiffure, but all for the better. The club has been pegged and fitted.

Getting close. . .

UPDATE - 17.08.11. . . The forearms have been permanently attached. . . Let the finishing begin!

White Ape of Barsoom--Update (2)

The "unruly shock of wiry hair" is all-but-done and permanently attached.

Re: the latter. The coiffure is being done in three stages: stage 1 was done is SSFine ; stage 2 was done in MS. The "wig", if you will, was then permanently attached; which brings us to stage 3: fairing and blending and fine detailing.