Kabuto is on hold while I have the head recast. Meanwhile I've worked on this for one night and a day, it's my take on the tomb the original Kuuga was lying in.
I'm just refining the lid now before I add the runes and then it's off to landscaping the base and then painting the entire thing. Probably my only diorama piece as of now, It's a pretty fun experience. really different form my usual process and I might consider doing more bases for my riders.
On a whim (and having the extra parts) I started doing this micro custom, of felicia from Darkstalkers. I had an extra scrap Doronjo body to use and a black felicia gashapon to cut parts from. so I cut and modded some parts to do this mock-up and I'll finish it when I have the time.
A modern figure(left) and a figure made almost a decade earlier (right)
Bought MU she-hulk recently and thought the figure was a good step forward for the line. The range of motion is a bit better than previous waves and they removed those indecisive open palm-closed fist types of hands and going with hand types that fit the character, only alternate hands and better torso motion would make it very good.
In comparison though this 2012 figure still pales in comparison to a figure made in 2003, but the MU figure is much more resilient to play wear.
Meanwhile,
Still working on the chest of Kabuto here, planning to refine the head a bit more after that.
Within those illuminated shelves, are toys. Dozens of them, from all companies and all types, even the hard to find ones and those that have been out of production. Last time I saw something like this was on my birthday visit to Hongkong, where literally there was an entire building (not just a floor mind you) dedicated to selling all kinds of toys.
We've never truly had those kinds of specialized establishments but the (somewhat) newly opened Greattoys Annapolis branch comes close. Very close. In fact that picture above is only half of the actual branch.
Now most of us who collect toys frequent Greattoys Online's stores a lot, mostly because their inventory can offer up products we won't normally find in stock in regular toy stores or even specialty stores. Which is something that has been an advantage to GTO for well over a decade now, and something that most collectors are grateful about. But that's just half of the story about collecting. if you've ever done a toy run, it's more fun with friends, but the thing is if you have a lot and your usual run is in really tight and packed stores well it isn't actually conducive to hanging out.
With the opening of their biggest branch to date, GTO Annapolis offers the usual diverse and oh so tempting selection of models kits, action figures, statues, magazines and other things, while maintaining a very spacious and cozy atmosphere you and your friends can relax in.
It couldn't have been more true than last night where I along withsomeotherfriends, attended the Blogger/Press event promoting the new store.
The star of the show himself, Mr. Malvin Lim.
Our host and the owner of Greattoys Online, Mr. Malvin Lim was very gracious that night, chatting with everybody from the highest media people right down to the regular customers and casual visitors, talking about his business and how he himself is also a collector of many sorts of items. One of the gems were these babies:
Yes, those are actual animation cells from the classic super robot anime(s) Voltes V and Daimos. To have that kind of item, something absolutely hard to acquire without the right connections and resources, makes this store a cut above the rest. Last night was an event to orient and familiarize us who were there that this is what we can expect from GTO from this point forward, bigger and better things are afoot. And the least we (as the guests) can do is to help tell people about the new place, and share our experiences there.
So I, as a satisfied customer and hobbyist do hope you give the place a look.You can find anything here: toys, books, plushies, statues, indoor photography materials, sports equipment, katanas, friends,
Hell, even love if you're lucky.
So if you need a place to shop for some really rare or premium items, or you just need a place to hang out while you window shop, I'd recommend a visit to their Annapolis branch. If you're ever feeling lost, here's a handy video GTO made to help you get there (just click to watch):
Here are a few more pics from the event. Thanks again to Mr. Malvin Lim and Greattoys Online for having us there!
Thursday, September 20, 2012
not even done with the last kiwami project I started another. lol.
Copy-pasting a post I made on my facebook pertaining to how I sculpt:
1. Tools and general tips:
Sculpting tools. the ones I use a lot are mostly the hand-made ones lol
A. Hobby knife for cutting and making sharp/even edges.
B. BBQ Sticks with flat sanded edges for general shaping and manipulating the epoxy putty
C. Engraving tools to smoothen or add indents on surfaces and make raised designs.
General tips for epoxy sculpting:
use powder to keep the putty from sticking to your hands or tools
general shaping can be done 5-10 minutes after putty has been mixed and applied
for refining shapes or making designs wait until the putty becomes a little firmer and is no longer sticky.
for harder edges and sharper lines, you can make them when the putty is really firm and no longer malleable but not rock hard. Use the knife to carve sharp edges from the putty.
You can do repairs on your sculpt or make it sharper after it has fully set, by using strips of sandpaper to sand down the sculpt into the shape or texture you want.
any questions? throw them at me I'll try my best to answer them.
Tuesday, September 18, 2012
Now all that's missing would be the bikes--Shadowmoon
It feels like a while since I started this guy, feeling like I really slowed down these past weeks in terms of stuff I make, but I do enjoy seeing just how far I'm getting with a project.
The newer stuff I did was to finally sculpt the back of the figure, and complete his belt too.
Then, of course, the ankles and the feet. I'll get around to adding his foot and removable gauntlet spikes soon, and once everything is worked out the way I like, it's off to paint him.
Worktable went to shit for the moment but I was still able to do some minor work on the reading desk. Here's some minor sculpting done on Gills (since he's probably the only workable WIP I have at the moment) with the second gauntlet done and beginning detail on his legs. I plan to do a little bit more piling on of epoxy on the legs (general shaping) before I tackle on cleaning up the details.
Then I'll have to figure out how to do his whips and other pointy stuff.
