Black Leather and Combat Boots - Sian Jeisel

Happy Thanksgiving guys! Hope everyone has a safe and happy holiday!

I have many finished figures to shoot over the next several days so I'm excited about the updates that are upcoming in the weeks to come. I wanted to start off with one of the finished pieces that wasn't originally in the lineup to be completed this soon. For some reason I was hit with a sudden surge of inspiration to bring Sian Jeisel to fruition.

Those that are unfamiliar with the Jedi Sian Jeisel, check out her Wookieepedia link.

Began this figure I'd say about a year ago - and no, it didn't take me a year to complete...none of my figures do. Most of you know I work on several...and I mean several different projects. I think that if I was to clear my workbench out and only focus on the completion of one figure from start to painted finish, it would take me 2-3 weeks...mind you that includes the time I spend at work each day. Anyway, that is beside the point - I'm glad I took my time. She has good articulation but a bit limited at the hips...which makes little difference to me, I wanted this figure to have..well,...a "figure" LOL! She possesess just enough articulation to come across as a kick ass lady Jedi with some sex appeal to boot.

By the way, what's with all these lady Jedi walking around in next to nothing or tight leather outfits why the men have to sport those heavy robes? I'm not complaining but you know what I mean...anyway, onto the images...

Jeisel measures about 3.75" high - sculpt with Aves FIXIT sculpt and painted using Floyquil Acrylics.

Shoulder armor can be removed if needed and is free moving on the shoulder using a small clear band which straps the armor to the arm.

Detail of the face reveals the rough texture of the Devaronian skin - "furry" :)

I wanted Jeisel to have a figure - with a slender waist and slightly wider hips...gives some "attitude" to the figure in my opinion.

It was awesome to revisit my K'Kruhk sculpt...and I'm happy to see the scale is close to being accurate! Nice to see these guys together...

Another scene taken straight out of the Republic comic book by Dark Horse - Sian Jeisel and Quinlan Vos...one of my older custom figures :)

Finally one more team-up - this time with Aayla Secura, another Jedi from the pages of Republic, and a sculpt I completed last year.

As always, I need a scale shot...

Alright...a quick update on some of my other works in progress...first is Lumbra. A space pirate seen in the Dark Horse comic series Dark Times who is close to being completed. Below are some completed sculpt images, along with detail shots and a closeup teaser of the head painted :)

How about some very early works in progress...starting with two of the most wanted cantina figures from A New Hope...The Tonnika Sisters.

Below is an image of the articulated plastic armatures...I've already began sculpting and will be making additional adjustments to height and proportion as I go. I should begin working on the head sculpts soon.

Another update is a work in progress image of Darth Yuln from Star Wars Legacy. Again you see how I build the figure - creating a working armature, then sculpt. I've began working on the head sculpt, shoulders, torso and lower abdomen.

Here's a challenge - Starkiller under Cybernetic Reconstruction. This was one of the additional costumes you could purchase while playing the Force Unleashed. With an open body cavity, tubes and flesh draped machinery, this figure will be an enormous challenge to pull off and once finished will be extremely detailed.

The figure's armature is getting close to completion...strange looking right? The legs need some work but the upper body is complete. Not much to show but hoping for a nice progression over the coming weeks and months.

Darth Malgus from The Old Republic theatrical trailers "Decieived" and "Hope". I've been wanting to get to work on this figure since this Sith Lord made his debut - I have seen some outstanding customs by other artists and can't wait to get to work! Malgus will have two different head sculpts..one with and the other without the respirator. I chose a couple figures combined to give me the articulation and body frame I need. Not much to the work in progress image but it's a start right?

Finally a comparision shot of the Hasbro Embo which I finally got to purchase yesterday along side my sculpt of the same character...Hasbro did an excellent job with this figure!!! Mine of course is a "Real World" version of the bounty hunter so many of the physical differences is purley in the translation from animated to "life-like". I'm working on the lower legs and will begin adding additional detail to the figure soon - thanks to Hasbro for the bowcaster and daggers! Saves me the trouble of making ones myself! Not to say they won't receive a light wash of paint before I'm done :)

And that's it folks - I'm Spent! LOL! PLENTY MORE photos of Sian Jeisel so head on over to my Flickr photostream for more Jedi eye candy!!!

As always, your comments and suggestions are welcome!

If you haven't become a fan of my Facebook page, take time to visit and click the "like" button - We reached over 130 fans this week and growing - I am very thankfull for your continued interest in my work!

Alright guys - Have a Happy Thanksgiving and give thanks for the blessings you and your loved ones have been given this year!

Cool Hand "Jedi Master" Luke...and SW Insider 121

Happy Halloween to all!

Have some news about my artwork being published in the new Star Wars Insider! First though, lets get to the main event - Jedi Master Luke Skywalker: Seige of Rychel - Invasion.

My completed Jedi Master Luke Skywalker as seen in issue #3 of Star Wars Invasion by Dark Horse Comics. Luke is in command of Republic forces sent to the planet Rychel in order to repel the invading forces of the Yuuzhan Vong.

The figure was mostly sculpted in Aves Epoxy FIXIT sculpt using a plastic articulated armature. The forearms and hands have been recasted from original parts. The head originalted from a Legacy Snowspeeder Luke figure, casted in wax and completly retooled and refined adding additional markings to the face, age lines, a lower brow, hair and ears...I also strengthened the jaw. The figure measures 3.75" in height. Painted using Floyquil Acrylics by testors.

Alright guys - I took like 53 photos of this guy so head on over to my Flickr photostream for Jedi Luke overload!!!

Want to give a shout out and special THANK YOU to Bonnie Burton and all of those involved with having my work published in the latest issue of Star Wars Insider 121.

I am humbled and very thankfull for consideration of my work in your publication and am thrilled at the outcome. I hope this will not be the last?.....hee hee :)

By the way, Titan publishing will be happy...I've purchased 12 copies plus the variant covers LOL! - Hey, it's not everyday your art is published in a lucasfilm orinented publication!!

A few more Works in Progress news..

- The Vong Warrior will not be making a showing till next week...just couldnt get the work done fast enough...so expect seeing Luke here make another appearance becasue I planned to have the Vong go one-on-one with him in my photography :)

-Zayne, Furlag and Jennir will all be making appearances soon. They are almost complete.

I have three more pieces nearing completion soon...

From Star Wars Legacy - Wolf Sazen and Shado Vao

and from Star Wars Republic - Jedi Sian Jeisel

As always, your comments and suggestions are welcome!

If you haven't become a fan of my Facebook page, take time to visit and click the "like" button - We reached over 100 fans last week and growing - I am very thankfull for your continued interest in my work!

Alright guys - Have a great Halloween once again and get to be early...it's a school night!

Teaser - Master Jedi Luke Skywalker...and others

Here is a teaser of Jedi Master Luke as seen during the Seige of Rychel...the official release will be on Halloween..and hopefully will include a finished Vong Warrior - the first in a series.

I am still working on the four Republic troops that are to accompany Luke but they may take a bit longer to complete than I would have hoped.

Another piece that deserves a teaser is Furlag - the Bounty hunter from Shadows of the Empire that met his demise in the hands of Boba Fett. His head is complete - I began painting the body this week...would have been a great Halloween release but I'm afraid he'll be a little late to the party.

I finally began working on some characters from The Force Unleashed storyline. The image above is a partially painted sculpt of a "concept" version of Starkiller - which means it's the version that failed to capture the actors likeness LOL! It's close, but the mouth and jaw are way off. So, it has graduated to the concept version of the character - I am in the process of sculpting the "actors likeness" version - not so easy when working in 1:18th scale.

The figure will appear in the outfit seen in the trailers...and possibly one or two more versions - love the imperial flight suit. Some other Force unleashed figures I am considering...

Juno (Republic Captain).

Starkiller Sith Cyborg.

Sith Starkiller from the Ultimate Sith edition.

Imperial Riot Trooper (x 2) - They always come in pairs.

Kota...no sure which version I will go with yet.

And that's all for now Folks. As always you can see many more images of my works in progress on my Flickr photostream.

Check out my Facebook page (look to the right) for updates and other fun stuff. And a special thanks goes out to the 100 fans of my page - you guys ROCK! Awesome!

I will have some finished pieces to show you next posting - have a good one!

Invasion Teaser...

...actually its a tease of my upcoming Yuuzhan Vong Warrior which is in the process of being painted.

Took the photo using Hipstamatic on my iPhone - it would make a cool poster :)

Just a bit of an update - working on all five figures listed in the last entry. A little here a little there...as you can see in the image above, I've made some progress. Should have two of the five completed by the weekend.

I've place a few more WIP image on my FLICKR photostream if you like to drop by and have a look. A couple of Zayne and another of H2 - just a few teasers...nothing to write home about.

Alright - back to work! More udpates coming soon!

Time to get wet...

...for the figures below, this will be the last time you see then naked...without their paint that is :)

I will be setting aside the sculpting tools for the moment and focus on nothing but painting up several finished pieces...the following figures are facing the brush this week...




JEDI MASTER LUKE SKYWALKER - STAR WARS: INVASION

Still working on a robe for him, as well as a few additional accessories but nothing that should delay the paint application.



JEDI DASS JENNIR and H2 - STAR WARS: DARK TIMES

Some of you know that I have already painted the headsculpts of both Dass with and without his hat...I've just went back and included the originals in the shot for effect...nothing more. H2 is complete, but will have to stay behind the curtain till Dass is finished.



ZAYNE CARRICK in SPACESUIT - STAR WARS: KNIGHTS OF THE OLD REPUBLIC

Again, I've already completed a painted headsculpt...but will do another one because I have a second Zayne piece in the works that can sport the same head with possibly a different hair style...



FURLAG: BOUNTY HUNTER - STAR WARS: SHADOWS OF THE EMPIRE

Time to get this bad boy painted up - I've been looking forward to it too. The eyes will be the biggest challenge!



YUUZHAN VONG WARRIOR #1 - STAR WARS: INVASION

Finally a finished Vong to paint up! I will be using the color schemes found in the Invasion comics. I hope to retain much of the detail I have placed into the scupt so expect plenty of dry brushing and multiple thin layers.

So I'm ready to get rollin'!....but wait, I already have!

Last night was PRIME TIME...and no I don't mean the great Deion Sanders. Last night I washed and primed the figures shown with a few layers of Floyquil Undercoat Gray...I always prime my figures.







Note that I washed the figures first...if your a novice to painting, always remember to wash the pieces you are about to apply paint to. Leftover oils or releasing agents may still be attached to your sculpt and not allow paint to adhere...leaving a "balding" area where paint easily strips away. You don't want this...

Alright - That's it for now. You can see many more images of the pre-painted figures I have shown on my Flickr photostream. Check out my Facebook page (look to the right) for any short but sweet work in progress postings I may make while working..I may have some tips to share :)
Hopefully will have some finished pieces to show you next posting - have a good one!

A return to Metal Gear..

I have always had a bad habit of getting in over my head...and with this hobby it's no different. I tend to take on multiple projects at once then eventually find myself tabeling a majority of the work in order to center my attention on a single piece. Case and point - Metal Gear. I began working on a Metal Gear series shortly before MGS4 was released - for some reason I found myself on a "sith trip" and tabled the entire gear line to knock out figures such as Darth Sion and others. Now though, after almost a year of tableing these figures, I'm back at work - and I'm kicking myself in the arse realizing how much fun I've been missing!! Not to say working in the Star Wars universe isn't fun...it's a blast!...but it's nice to have a change of pace every now and again :) My Star Wars creations will not be taking a back seat...not in the least...but it will be sharing the spotlight now with various Gear characters...there's plenty of room at the table.

A short but sweet Star Wars update by the way!

Mazzic needed some adjustments to the ears....I had them sculpted too forward and a bit too small which threw the entire head sculpt out of proportion. After some minor adjustments though, Mazzic's head is close to completion - I will have a second headsculpt depicting him with his tradmark toothpic in his mouth. It seams that all my sculpts require multiple head sculpts these days - I'm not having a problem with that at all. Below is an image of the corrected Mazzic sculpt.



I have officially completed the Vong Warrior from Star Wars Invasion, as well as Jedi Master Luke Skywalker and will be priming the sculpts soon for painting. I look forward to how these Vong sculpts look when given some color.

I've began working on the Tonnika Sisters...and I hope to have the body frames set up soon. No microlady parts will be used for framwork this time around...I'll be using Joes.

Alright - On to Metal Gear, starting with and update to the Jonathan sculpt from MGS4. Had to create a larger ball joint for his waist/lower abdomen articulation...the previous one was too loose and when adding more weight of the FIXIT to the frame, the figure bagan to slump forward a bit - much better now.

I thickened the shoulders and added the upper arm sculpt.

The shoulders still contain ball joints but due to the thickening around them, a small amount of articulation has been lost...you can't position his arms at a 90 degree angle to the ground any longer...no problem, I can deal with that. He can still strike a firing position when holding a weapon.

I am working on his lower legs and feet as well. I had to go back and sculpt the boots - because of his mass, the hands and feet are out of proportion. I have a new set of hands ready but I have to resculpt the boots. Below is some of my progress. In order to retain ankle articulation I had to lower the tops of the boots a bit. Looks a bit like cross trainers now but I'm alright with that - once it's painted the boots will work well with the rest of the sculpt. Still working on completing the boot straps; the lower arms and hands will be added next.





Here's a fun "before and after" shot. I originally used a dremeled down microman kinnikuman figure, adding joe parts and a ball jointed neck. Parts of the original articluation still exist and work very well. I like the kinnikuman frame for larger figures and intend to use it again soon (possibly Ed).



Next, I worked a little over the weekend on Raiden(MGS4). Sculpted the base of the lower torso/abdomen and added some of the base to Raiden's left upper leg...the muscle so to speak.





So far, so good - but I do have a delemma...Raiden has clear parts that go over his shoulders and his lower legs. I am concerned how I may be able to create these. I have worked with the crystal clear resin/plastics before and no, I don't have a pressure pot...which suits me fine, the last one I had blew up...not a fun experience (a long story). I guess since the parts are small, I may be able to get away with a slow pour which may negate the air bubbles...we'll see.







Finally an update on Vamp from MGS4 - I wanted to show off a bit of his existing articluation. One of my goals for this figure is to retain as much articulation as possible - Next to Raiden and Gray Fox, Vamp is one of the most animated characters in the Metal Gear universe..I want to make sure I do that some justice. I will be resculpting the facial features and the hair to allow him to look up...and no suprise, a variant head sculpt is also in the works. Vamp is one of my favorites in the MGS universe...



I resculpted and thickened his waist a bit - another proportion issue. The image below was me having some fun with photoshop...



Some other Metal Gear figures in the works or "planned to be one day" but nothing worked or photographed yet...

Metal Gear Solid:

- Solid Snake - Working

- Gray Fox - Working

- Psycho Mantis - Planned

- Next Generation Special Forces soldier - Planned

Sons of Liberty:

- Solid Snake - Working

- Solidus - Planned

- Raiden - Working

- Iroquois Pliskin - Planned

- Tengu Commandos x 2 - Working

- Gurlukovich Mercenaries - Working

- Cyborg ninja -Planned

Snake Eater:

- Jack - Working

- Naked Snake - Working

- The Boss - Planned

- Big Boss (snake) - Working

- Eva -Planned

- GRU operatives - Working

MGS - PO:

Frank Jaeger as Null - Planned

Python - Planned

Big Boss - Planned

Meal Gear Peace Walker:

Big Boss - Planned

Metal Gear Solid 4:

Old Snake - Working

Raiden - Working

Vamp - Working

Meryl Silverburg - planned

Ed - Planned

Laughing Octopus - Working

Long list huh...but hey...it will keep me busy!

That's the update for now - For more images of my work, check out my photostream on FLICKR at http://www.flickr.com/photos/sith_fire30/

Thanks again to all those that have become a fan of my Facebook page!! I appreciate all of your continued interest!- If you haven't become a fan, please click on the banner to the right if you'd like to join in! Take care - Star Wars update next time!

sith_fire30