|
|
Post by artdecovampire on Feb 16, 2013 12:14:07 GMT -5
Having seen Kurt Christensen's work in the gallery I have decided to renovate my Flying Reptile along the same lines. I am also going to model a new modular base for it. One that can support it in a flying position but still fit with the other scenes somewhere. I've started by stripping out the wing hinges, sanding them down and gluing the tips on with with Tensol, to give them a plastic welded strength. Super glue etc. just wouldn't hold the narrow surfaces safely. I haven't filled the tiny gaps yet. Next its the head! Attachments:
|
|
|
|
Post by artdecovampire on Feb 17, 2013 3:25:50 GMT -5
I straightened out the claws with a heat gun and I intend to model pads for the feet out of putty, otherwise the soles would be too flat and on mine there is a shrink mark. Its a Revel re-issue so the purist needn't panic. I carefully broke off the articulated head, the glue was poor so it came apart easily. I cut the lower jaw off with a fret saw and then split the whole head assembly to four parts. I sanded the top and bottom sections to fit back together at a more open angle. I then glued the two top halves in place. Attachments:
|
|
|
|
Post by artdecovampire on Feb 17, 2013 3:35:00 GMT -5
Here is the head after I have added the bottom jaw. Attachments:
|
|
|
|
Post by artdecovampire on Feb 17, 2013 3:42:04 GMT -5
There is plenty of putty work to do still. But if you know Kurt could you pass on my thanks for the inspiration? I am also going to add some detail to the neck. A subtle wattle like ridge of skin. Attachments:
|
|
|
|
Post by TAY666 on Feb 17, 2013 9:42:49 GMT -5
I'll be watching this progression with great interest.
I have been wanting to modify one of these for a long time.
Though my ambitions are bit more aggressive (which is why I haven't actually started yet)
Been trying to figure out a way to do one with the wings folded at it's sides.
I think that would look much more natural sitting on that rock base.
Yours is looking really good so far.
|
|
|
|
Post by artdecovampire on Feb 17, 2013 10:08:19 GMT -5
Thanks.
Folding wings! Now there is challenge. The normal stance looks like a cormorant drying out in the sun. The wings are certainly more folded on the original box. The way they are often portrayed now is rather like the wings of a Corsair or a Stuka waking on their knuckles. That really would take a lot of cutting.
|
|
|
|
Post by artdecovampire on Feb 18, 2013 2:14:45 GMT -5
as you can see I have more putty than I need in places. It needs to be sanded and ground back using my Dremmel. I'm happy with the snake like tongue and the subtle wattle, which I might make a bit bigger. Attachments:
|
|
|
|
Post by artdecovampire on Feb 18, 2013 12:06:46 GMT -5
I quickly sanded it and slapped on some thin paint. The grinding and final sanding isn't done I just wanted to get an idea of how its going and the colour helps. The tongue needs cutting back at the top at the back. I'm happy with the small wattle and the way I have blended the neck. The foot pads are done but the toes need cutting out and the detail engraving on the pads. Some thin filler on the wings too Attachments:
|
|
|
|
Post by artdecovampire on Feb 18, 2013 12:11:00 GMT -5
Top view showing wings without hinges and head glued angled to one side. Wing joints need more fine filler. Going with green top, orange wing inners and muted yellow beak and crest. I want to keep it very reptile rather than slightly avatar. Attachments:
|
|
|
|
Post by artdecovampire on Feb 18, 2013 12:12:23 GMT -5
Underside view showing wattle. Attachments:
|
|
|
|
Post by artdecovampire on Feb 18, 2013 12:24:18 GMT -5
As I have a few days off and have been allowed to indulge myself I have decided to make a simple base to avoid displacing my standing flying reptile from its position. I have cast this up in plaster in a press mould made from plasticine. Its an impression of a real ammonite from Whitby, Yorkshire. Its quite heavy, so I'll paint like its an empty shell coming out of sand and varnish it. Drill it and put a clear rod in it to balance the flying reptile on. I can then set him anywhere I like. There's enough angles on the block to position it next to any of the outer bases. Attachments:
|
|
|
|
Post by RetroArt on Feb 18, 2013 23:42:54 GMT -5
This is looking fantastic!
I love this approach/color scheme you have chosen.
It's starting to look like a winged terror that would be swooping out of the jungle skies in a JONNY QUEST cartoon!
And please take that as a compliment.
Looks great!
|
|
|
|
Post by artdecovampire on Feb 19, 2013 2:36:37 GMT -5
Hey Retro. That is a compliment! Isn't that why we love these things? I remember Kazar, Marvel's Lord of the hidden jungle, but I'm just as happy with Johnny Quest.
Don't forget about the giant Flying Reptile which appeared in The Land that Time Forgot? Or the beast that carried Raquel away in One Million Years BC?
|
|
|
|
Post by andymoscarts on Feb 19, 2013 9:45:38 GMT -5
Looking really great,love the base idea,spent many a happy hour fossil hunting round Whitby and Robin Hoods bay.
|
|
|
|
Post by artdecovampire on Feb 20, 2013 3:11:40 GMT -5
Here is the base painted up. I found the original ammonite at Whitby, but I found an Icthyosaur vertebrae at Robin Hoods Bay. I've been many times but other people usually beat me to the good stuff. I was going to drill a clear rod in to the base and a hole in the Flying reptile to balance it on. I like both too much to drill them so I will probably use a wire method instead. Kurt C uses a wire on his on the main site so I'll probably nick that idea too! Attachments:
|
|
|
|
Post by artdecovampire on Feb 20, 2013 3:15:40 GMT -5
Here is the painted varnished head and mouth. Its old school brush work. Nothing too fancy, just a bit of comic book style evil bat reptile stuff ! Its a PS not a museum model. Attachments:
|
|
|
|
Post by artdecovampire on Feb 20, 2013 3:17:11 GMT -5
Here he is with his red/orange under wings to add that angry look as he swoops down on the two headed snack, oops snake! Attachments:
|
|
|
|
Post by artdecovampire on Feb 20, 2013 3:18:47 GMT -5
Now I have to get the base and the reptile together. It needs thought. I'll contemplate whilst I finish my Pyro based Iguanodon conversion
|
|
|
|
Post by prescenes2 on Feb 21, 2013 14:51:31 GMT -5
Looks great from what I can see. Need to have better focus for detail. Keep it up.
|
|
|
|
Post by artdecovampire on Sept 19, 2013 0:48:33 GMT -5
Just a quick update as somebody asked me how this ended up. The ammonite base I made wasn't heavy enough to weigh my flying reptile down so I used a clear plastic rod through the original base. Thought I'd post this pic simply because I hadn't finalised this thread with a finished item. Attachments:
|
|
