Author Topic: The Royal Dick: Journey to ReaperCon (Read 5856 times)

abou · « **on:** 24 March 2024, 17:19:13 »

I started work on my project for ReaperCon. It is a Highlander I am naming after my alma mater: so the name while in jest is not a joke. I am going to try and keep a journal of the project as I go. Feel free to follow along.

The Highlander re-sculpt is particularly nice here because the parts make posing easy. By using green stuff and pinning, I can achieve strong joints fairly easily. The mini is removable from the base for painting.

Last year I won silver for my miniatures. What was important was the feedback I received: reflecting scale and light volumes. So those are big goals here.

Gladius-XC · « **Reply #1 on:** 24 March 2024, 19:44:46 »

You're off to a good start! I can already get a sense of the scale of the 'Mech.

Daryk · « **Reply #2 on:** 25 March 2024, 03:41:45 »

Good luck! I look forward to following your progress! :)

abou · « **Reply #3 on:** 26 March 2024, 23:45:08 »

I hope the antennae are a nice touch.

Daryk · « **Reply #4 on:** 27 March 2024, 03:25:19 »

I at least think so! :)

abou · « **Reply #5 on:** 28 March 2024, 13:02:32 »

I figured I would try a test mini for the scheme I am planning on. I have had this Stealth for a long time. The pose on the mini is certainly static, but I will give it props for being well-sculpted with very crisp details. So while the mini is limited based on the art in TRO 3055, the sculptor still did a good job.

I decided to work with chromatic grays, which allows the tartan to pop... at least in my head. First time attempting tartan and in not the easiest spot to paint. It is both easier than you think and more difficult. Still some other things to try with this mini, but the lighting seems to be heading in the right direction.

Gladius-XC · « **Reply #6 on:** 28 March 2024, 14:32:44 »

That looks good. The tartan pops like you wanted it to, but not as much as the cockpit!

Daryk · « **Reply #7 on:** 28 March 2024, 18:20:33 »

Agreed! The cockpit is definitely popping more than the tartan for me...

abou · « **Reply #8 on:** 30 March 2024, 23:18:11 »

So I definitely won't be using the neutral green-toned gray for the Highlander. I have to admit I hated everything about this and just wanted to be done with it.

On the plus side, I am glad I had a test mini. And one less on the pile of shame. But after a few hours, I realized I just needed to get it done and move on to the next idea.

Daryk · « **Reply #9 on:** 31 March 2024, 05:38:37 »

I think it would be a good color for an Exterminator or Spector, but yeah... not so much for a line machine.

klarg1 · « **Reply #10 on:** 31 March 2024, 13:34:22 »

The lighting test looks really promising, even if you are still making adjustments.

I look forward to seeing your progress (and maybe the finished project in Denton this fall)!

abou · « **Reply #11 on:** 31 March 2024, 18:12:42 »

Quote from: klarg1 on 31 March 2024, 13:34:22

The lighting test looks really promising, even if you are still making adjustments.

I look forward to seeing your progress (and maybe the finished project in Denton this fall)!

I didn't realize you have gone in the past. Were you there last year?

klarg1 · « **Reply #12 on:** 01 April 2024, 00:29:06 »

I was; I try to go every year if I can.

I show up on the Reaper forum bingo cards most years if it helps.

Savage Coyote · « **Reply #13 on:** 03 April 2024, 07:17:17 »

I've been there every year since, uh, 2018? But I'm doing CAV stuff haha!

This Highlander looks promising!

klarg1 · « **Reply #14 on:** 04 April 2024, 00:00:24 »

Quote from: Savage Coyote on 03 April 2024, 07:17:17

I've been there every year since, uh, 2018? But I'm doing CAV stuff haha!

This Highlander looks promising!

I missed 2021 and it was sad.

Aside from that I’ve been going since 2012 which makes this year #10!

abou · « **Reply #15 on:** 20 April 2024, 19:54:40 »

Starting work on the NMM. I decided I would focus on that first due to the location of the joints. I have already gotten some feedback, so just working away with the brush tonight.

Quote from: Savage Coyote on 03 April 2024, 07:17:17

I've been there every year since, uh, 2018? But I'm doing CAV stuff haha!

Yeah, I stopped by last year between classes to say hi while you were at the table doing CAV stuff. Congrats on getting gold for you entry, by the way.

Quote from: klarg1 on 04 April 2024, 00:00:24

I missed 2021 and it was sad.

Aside from that I’ve been going since 2012 which makes this year #10!

Hopefully I can catch you while you are there.

mikecj · « **Reply #16 on:** 20 April 2024, 20:15:47 »

Beautiful work!

agen2 · « **Reply #17 on:** 22 April 2024, 00:03:59 »

Well done!

ISD · « **Reply #18 on:** 25 April 2024, 23:08:21 »

That NMM work is just incredible

abou · « **Reply #19 on:** 06 May 2024, 23:54:56 »

Third attempt at NMM. I just wasn't happy with what I was getting. I think I am happy now. The hardest part is how the NMM details are deep in the mini, which is slowing me down.

I am sure there will be more refinement, but now I feel I can finally move onto the rest of the mini.

Daryk · « **Reply #20 on:** 07 May 2024, 03:29:16 »

Looking good! :)

klarg1 · « **Reply #21 on:** 11 May 2024, 20:06:20 »

It seems like there is a bit of a texture on the 'mech's chest. Is that the paint or the metal? (or the photo?)

abou · « **Reply #22 on:** 12 May 2024, 09:32:04 »

Quote from: klarg1 on 11 May 2024, 20:06:20

It seems like there is a bit of a texture on the 'mech's chest. Is that the paint or the metal? (or the photo?)

Just the metal. I only have a basecoat done on the chest. It does feel as though IWM saves their best metal and pours for the Darksword stuff.

abou · « **Reply #23 on:** 12 May 2024, 19:31:08 »

Working on the shadow side. Wasn't expecting such a copper look, but here we are. Main goal was to avoid any colors with yellow in it to communicate that it is in shadow. There will undoubtedly be adjustments later.

Daryk · « **Reply #24 on:** 12 May 2024, 20:48:11 »

Looking good to me! :)

willydstyle · « **Reply #25 on:** 13 May 2024, 12:09:38 »

The Chrome NMM on the stealth feels like a very intense version of lipstick on a pig. The paint job is wildly impressive for such a lackluster mini.

Really looking forward to what you accomplish on the Highlander. I like that it channels the "goofy giant robot" of a lot of the '90s designs but has way more fun detail and mechanical design to it.

Charistoph · « **Reply #26 on:** 13 May 2024, 13:21:48 »

Quote from: willydstyle on 13 May 2024, 12:09:38

The Chrome NMM on the stealth feels like a very intense version of lipstick on a pig. The paint job is wildly impressive for such a lackluster mini.

Sometimes learning how to put lipstick on a pig makes it easier when putting it on something more beautiful.

After all, why ruin a good piece with an experiment?

Speaking of which, it will be interesting to see how they improve the Stealth if/when they get around to it. I ran one for the first time a month ago in a scenario they set up and provided the equipment. I like the maneuverability, even if its firepower wasn't fantastic.

klarg1 · « **Reply #27 on:** 13 May 2024, 22:06:24 »

Quote from: abou on 12 May 2024, 19:31:08

Working on the shadow side. Wasn't expecting such a copper look, but here we are. Main goal was to avoid any colors with yellow in it to communicate that it is in shadow. There will undoubtedly be adjustments later.

I can’t comment on what you were going for, but I really like the tone you’re getting.

abou · « **Reply #28 on:** 30 May 2024, 19:03:57 »

Here is here I am at working on the "sun" side compared to the shadow side. Does it seem like the idea is coming across that one side is in the light vs dark?

Daryk · « **Reply #29 on:** 30 May 2024, 19:05:01 »

Very much so! Excellent work! :)