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

The Night King - Painting II: The Upper Half, pt. 3--The Arms

30.06.2019--The arms are primed!

01.07.2019--The arms are 50% undercoated; and. . . the figure is completely assembled!!!

02.07.2019--Undercoating of the arms has been completed!

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

The Night King - Painting II: The Upper Half, pt. 2--The Torso

28.06.2019--The torso is primed!

29.06.2019--The torso is undercoated. . . and Phase I lacquers completed!! FOLLOW-UP--The head has been permanently attached to the torso, and the torso/head unit to the legs.All that remains unattached are the arms. . .

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

The Night King - Prep 10: Detailing, pt. 6

18.06.2019--Final finishing of the torso has commenced!

22.06.2019--The front/ventral half of the torso is DONE! 

27.06.2019--THE TORSO IS DONE! All that remains to be finished are the arms. . . 

30.06.2019--The arms--and the figure!--are DONE!

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