Harley Quinn - Arkham Asylum

Hard to believe that it has been nearly 4 weeks since my last posting. . . Actually, what is really hard to believe is that I managed to average about 3 postings/week from the middle of July through mid-October! This has been a quarter from Hell at work, and it has finally caught-up with me: work-demons are anathema to creative Muses, and while my ladies held their own admir- ably, they finally had enough. . . Now it is incumbent upon me to stoke the boilers to life and start clearing some of the accumulated backlog of projects. . .

The piece that I hope will blaze the way is Eaglemoss's third release in their Batman: Arkham Asylum 1/16th scale series of figures, [Nurse] Harley Quinn. I just received the figure today(!); and having passed preliminary examination, it is now soaking in the Purple Bath. . . 

There are a few mods that have tentatively made their way to the TDL; but this one is primarily a strip-prime-paint exercise.

More to follow. . .

20.11.2019--I am now on the third day of "PpS" (pre-prep strip) and things are coming along quite nicely. . . I now know that there are [at least] 4 pieces to this figure: 1) main figure; 2) left arm; and 3) pony tails x 2 (NB-these are the only items cast in 'metallic resin'!). I am fairly certain that, at one time, the right arm was also a separate piece; but, in my sample, it appears as if it has been cast en suite. . .

Casting quality is VG+, and the usual destructive seam removal was thankfully largely disregard- ed. Yes, that means that the base coat of paint (white) is thicker than usual, but the trade-off is well worth it! I am hoping to wrap-up PpS by the Holiday weekend, at the latest.

24.11.2019--PpS is DONE for Harley. . . as well as her companion figure, Poison Ivy.

“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 12: Post-Finishing--The pteruges

As I indicated a little over 4 weeks ago, I would resume postings on the prep portion of the pro- ject when I began to finalize the rework of the pteruges. With the painting of the flesh taking-on a life of its own, and the figure being ready to be 'dressed' by permanently attaching the pteruges-- if they were ready, it was time to do just that. . . 

The finishing of the pteruges is all-but-done. By "finishing", I mean preparing the surface to re- ceive the addition of a fifth segment per strip--save for the strip on either side of the central solid 3; in addition to reducing the thickness of each of the strips. I would also point out that, while I have no definitive proof, it is reasonable to conclude that 4 strips of the rear panel of the pteruges are likewise unsegmented/solid.

More to follow. . .

“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 - Painting II: UCing

As with its predecesor, painting the White Walker is anything but linear or sequential. Broadly or thematically so. . . sure; but beyond that, you would not be taking advantage of what this splen- did canvas has to offer!

So as to provide some chromatic balance, and provide a hint of what the finished product will ultimately look like, I decided to undercoat the armour of the extremities: the vambraces and the greaves. This was quite straightforward: just a simple coat of thoroughly-mixed Andrea Brown Leather. 

Once thoroughly dry/cured, I will go back with a grisaille of flat black to set my tonal values, and then lightly drybrush/glaze with Reaper Orange-Brown, all the time keeping in mind the oil finish.

“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 - Painting I: Oils

There is still some work to be done with the acrylics, but I wanted to proceed with the oils to see if my plan had merit. And I am delighted to report that it did!

The oils were applied in two fashions: glazing and stippling. I first glazed the indicated areas with blue-green overtones: this served as a cool unifying gradient that provided some contrasting re- flective depth. Once satisfied, I began stippling a textured overlay with Flake White. This is very much Phase I, and I foresee at least two more layers: 1) a warmish overtone; and 2) a final uni- fying overlay of a stippled white made into a translucent "paste" with Dorland's Wax. 

More to follow. . .  

16.10.2019--Phase II:

• A. Warmish overtones. These were selectively applied with Transparent Red Earth muted with W&N Raw Umber Light, blending carefully. 

• B. I decided to have two applications of the "unifying white". The first layer will be slightly-thinned Zinc White, essentially glazed. Once I am satisfied, I will proceed with the stippled Flake White "paste", applied to punch-up the highlights and create   a granular surface.

“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 - Painting I: UCing

With the figure primed and a day off, it was time to break out the paints!

In an excellent kit preview by Mike on Britmodeller, the reviewer makes the following observation:

There are no decals as you'd expect, and the instructions tell you to paint the body white and give him blue eyes.  The "real" thing was actually a myriad of subtle shades of blue with translucent whitish highlights that will be taxing to replicate, but if done well will look exceptional. 

As I learned in the Hardhome project, the blue tones/filter were digital enhancements introduced during filming and/or post-. Thus, the extent of blue manifest is a subjective/artistic call depen- dent on your vision of the project and the depth of your research.The "real" thing was an achro- matic pastiche, with a myriad of subtle cool (blue) and warm (reddish) shades and washes, uni- fied with white/ish drybrushing that is selectively concentrated. "Taxing to replicate. . . " -- Abso- lutely! But well worth the effort given the potential. . .

First phase of undercoating is now done. The first coat was a proprietary dark gray with blue and violet undertones that was 'scrubbed' off the highlights. When it was almost dry, I applied a gri- saille of black into the deep recesses and crevasses to begin setting tonal values. Phase 2 will be careful drybrushing and streaking of lighter values DONE. Phase 3 will be washes of warm black to block-in the deep shadows of the flesh and finalize the tonal topography of the 'land- scape'. . .

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

Ernesto "Che" Guevara, 1 enero 1959--Review and Prepwork

I recently got the urge to do a "historical", and while enjoying a good cigar, I decided that the subject that would best satisfy said urge would be a figure of Ernesto "Che" Guevara. Not just any figure, but the 1/35 scale CMK kit (F35 243) of Che, staged in the aftermath of the Battle
of Santa Clara on New Year's Day, 1959.

The figure is loosely based on the commemorative sculpture of Che that is the centrepiece of the Ernesto Guevara Sculptural Complex/Mausoleum in Santa Clara, Cuba.

This is an excellent PUR casting! Comprised of 5 pieces (including an optional head with cigar), the PUR is eminently workable, seam lines are a challenge to find, and the finer points are superbly cast in scale.

I have only made three slight mods to backdate the figure:

• 'Deleted' the carbine and removed the sling.
• Removed the grenade.
• Removed the star from the beret per photographs.

I am in the final finishing phase, with the holes already drilled for the foot pegs. NEXT: Priming! 

“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 - Painting: Priming

The figure, not including the pteruges or the ice-spear, is now primed!

By way of preview, as of this writing, the painting arc of the project will be comprised of six distinct sub-threads:

• Painting I: Flesh
• Painting II: Extremity armour
• Painting III: Pteruges
• Painting IV: Hair
• Painting V: Scenic Setting (Groundwork)
• Painting VI: Finishing/Wrapping-Up 

Stay tuned! 

“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 11: Final Finishing (cont.)/Pre-prime

The last bit of "enhancement" has just been completed and the figure is curing in the oven: skin texturing with red glazing putty. While I very much like the wrinkly skin folds provided by ICM, the surface of the skin is too smooth. One could expect ICM to provide a broken, granular surface as well, but I feel this aspect of the subject is best left to the end-user--and his/her sensibilities.

Once the putty is cured, I will embark on the final once-over. . .

“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 - Groundwork I

The time has come to start thinking of the setting for the White Walker. . . 

I have tapped the display base to accommodate the pegged figure, and I have roughly modeled (MS) a section of a sizeable boulder the will occupy the left front corner of the base. And I or- dered a basing kit from Precision Ice and Snow. 

A good start. . . 

“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 10: Final Finishing

The remainder of the prepwork will revolve around skin texturing and final clean-up. There is rela- tively little putty-work anticipated--save for the hair. I have a feeling that completion will come un- announced when I least expect it. . . 

10.09.2019--The enhancement of the musculature of the upper 'thoracic cage' is all-but-finished; as is the resurfacing of 'diaphragmatic arch'.

16.09.2019--The White Walker is effectively DONE! Some surface finishing--filing, sanding, and polishing--remains; but he should be ready for priming by the end of this weekend, next at the latest. Which brings this arc to a close. I will resume postings to cover the reworking of the pte- ruges when I get to that. . .  

25.09.2019--Obviously, the figure didn't get primed last weekend. . .  It is Q3-end at work, and I/we am/are drowning! I probably won't resume work on the White Walker until the 5th--or, more likely, until the Columbus Day holiday. . .  

“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 9: Finishing

There is quite a bit of work remaining before I can even begin to contemplate priming; however, the work ahead of me--save for the reworking of the pteruges [NB: as the pteruges have already been fitted, and the remaining work is largely cosmetic in nature, they will probably be finished after the painting of the figure itself is well underway]--is indeed that of "finishing". As always, I will log the progress as an itemized s-b-s. . . And as always, should any reader require addition- al details/information, please do not hesitate to ask in the Comments. . . 

02.09.2019--The arms have been fitted, and I have begun the enhancement of the musculature of the 'thoracic cage'.

03.09.2019--The coiffure: I have restored most of the reduced hair--all that remains to be done is the 'skullcap' that will bridge the forehead and main body of hair. . . and frame the face. 04.09-- The coiffure is DONE! All that remains to be done is the final surface texturing.  

05.09.2019--The arms have been permanently attached! The skin texturing can now begin in ear- nest!! FOLLOW-UP--The head is now permanently attached! The foundation figure has been as- sembled in toto!!

“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: Intermezzo (3)

With the armour in place and in various stages of completion, the major prepwork is effectively done. Most of my efforts in the immediate future will be dedicated to finishing the greaves and the vambraces, with special attention to the latter so that I may complete assembly of the figure (i.e., permanently attach the arms), and move on to final skin texturing and finishing. . .

“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 8: The Greaves

The greaves have been roughed-in with MS; Phase 1 finishing has commenced. . . 

28.08.2019--Phase 1 finishing of the right greave has been completed.

31.08.2019--Phase 1 finishing of the left greave has been completed.

06.09.2019--Surface-distressing of the greaves has been completed.

07.09.2019--The greaves 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