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!

Commission: Hello Kitty Supra GT

I don't take on a lot of commissioned projects these days, but when my friends at Powered Play told me they were releasing a new light rig for car kits, and that they wanted me to do a Hello Kitty themed car for them... well... I just couldn't say no.

Now I haven't painted a pristine vehicle since... I honestly can't remember when. But I love Hello Kitty, I like the people involved, and I was glad for an opportunity to use some techniques that I don't generally get to play with. For instance:

I've known HOW to use a mask to create a carbon fiber effect, but I've never had a reason to try it.

Of course the hood on the kit is part of the body - which means that I now have to mask it off, and hope I don't mess it up, while I'm painting the rest of the car.

And the rest of the car will transition from a dark purple metallic in the front, to a bright metallic pink in the back. Because I can. I'll use masks to put Hello Kitty on the doors, tail, and on the hood.

1966 Oldsmobile 442 - Final

Until I spot the next thing that needs "fixing," this is it for the 442 kit.

It wasn't easy to close things up and hide all of the trash inside -- but there's enough going on that when you see the kit up-close you're drawn through the windows, so it's not all lost.

And now I need to not break it until the December IPMS event.....

Zombie Truck - Nearly Finished

This is the "Pick Up w/Equipment" from Meng models - and I actually purchased the kit simply to get my hands on the stowage that comes with it. When PoweredPlay started offering ready to go lighting kits I decided I had to try one as soon as possible -- and so was born this fun little project!

I kept the cab empty so that I wouldn't have to worry about where to put the wires, but the module is so small it would have worked if I'd just left out the engine. The hood comes off so that I can fiddle with things, but I also put the battery under the stand so I can just disconnect it.

The lights are incredibly bright -- enough so that they're clearly visible despite the fact that I have two 100 watt daylight bulbs shining in these photos!

The kit, and the lighting, were a real treat to work with -- and I'll try to get some finished shots up in the near future. I still need to do a bit of weathering, and then hide those wires!