El Chupacabra - "Planes"

This fine fellow is El Chupacabra from the "Planes" movie, built with the Zvezda snap-fit kit.

The kit comes with simple solid color plastic components, and stickers to make up for all of the detail. I used those stickers to fashion masks for the wings, and then cut-to-fit masks for the wheels, and did the stripes freehand.

These are the best snap-fit kits I've ever seen, and I highly recommend them to any modeler, even if you don't have a kid that might want to build one.

Remora Noodle House - WIP

I have spent the past few weeks working on one of the Remora kits from Industria Mechanika, and let me say now that I recommend their kits without reservation. I have several now, and each of them is incredible. 

For this one I'm converting the ship into a flying noodle house, inspired by the movie "Fifth Element." There's a long way to go at this point, but it's all starting to come together. Once the kitchen is built out I'll start in on the heavy weathering. I will also be making polymer clay foods, using dollhouse techniques, that won't involve paint.

This kit represents a real stretch for me, as the polymer clay is new, and I'm not much of a scratch builder. But almost everything in the kitchen will be scratch built. In fact, everything in the photo at this point is - including the unfinished cooler cabinet on the back right. I need to space the shelves so you can see the food, which is why I haven't finished the build.

A lot of the little details, like weathering on the engine, or notes in the wheelhouse, will be fairly hard to see, but I've enjoyed putting them there.

Stay tuned....

 

Spotlight: Figure Painter Magazine

I am thrilled to be able to say that my 1966 Oldsmobile 442 got a two part, step-by-step write-up in Figure Painter Magazine issues 16-17.

More to come!

DAK Officer - FINAL

This was a fun, and reasonably quick paint up of the DAK Officer from Alpine Models. I really love their sculpts, and the quality of their resin is excellent -- something I don't say often about resin.

I look forward to painting more of these.

It was painted largely with P3 acrylics, and weathered with Secret Weapon pigments. The base is made up of natural soil, rocks, and pigments.

NOCF Charity Models - Marneus Calgar & Honor Guard

I am happy to be participating a bit more directly with the NOCF charity army projects this year -- with a set of painted models, in addition to the support of Secret Weapon Miniatures.

They have posted a WIP page for all of the army builds, so you can see exactly how things are coming together in real time.

I only have good things to say about the NOVA Open Charitable Foundation, and the money they raise for charity. Money raised through the raffle goes directly to the charities, and you get a chance to win your choice of several incredible armies. There are also weekly drawings -- including several Secret Weapon gift vouchers.

Check it out - and then give them your money!

http://novaopenfoundation.org/

NOVA Open Charitable Foundation

I am proud to once again be working with the NOVA Open Charitable Foundation to raise money for charity by raffling off two Warhammer 40k armies, art directed by Dave Taylor, and featuring models from a number of well known painters.

For my part I will be painting Marneus Calgar and Honor Guard for the Ultramarines army.

In addition, Secret Weapon will be providing custom bases for both armies, as well as support for a weekly raffle drawing. From the NOCF press release:

The NOVA Open Charitable Foundation (NOCF) is currently selling tickets for the 2014 charity army raffle season. Visit www.novaopenfoundation.org and join the “Compassionate Force” by taking chances on winning one or more of the amazing armies being offered this year and supporting deserving charities in the process!

NOCF WEEKLY DRAWINGS:
NOCF weekly drawings begin tomorrow (April 12, 2014). This week’s prize is a $25 online gift certificate to Secret Weapon Miniatures. Anyone who has purchased tickets in the raffle before midnight tonight is eligible to win as the winner will be drawn from the pool of raffle ticket holders.

Winner will be announced at www.novaopenfoundation.org tomorrow.

WEEKLY PRIZE ANNOUNCED ON SUNDAY:
Remember to check the Foundation website ( www.novaopenfoundation.org ) every Sunday between now and August 17, 2014 to see which of our amazing sponsors is offering a gift certificate for the weekly Saturday drawings!

The NOCF is a non-profit organization operated by a Board of Directors in accordance to charitable organization by-laws. Donations are tax deductible; purchase of raffle tickets is not. If you have any questions, comments or ideas, please send them to: novacharities@gmail.com.

Nurgle Gunner - FINISHED

There are still things that I'd like to correct, of course, but overall I'm very happy with how this one came together. I am especially pleased with how smooth I managed to get the blending on the front of his leg armor.