Here's some figures I'm working on for a 1/12 robot garage diorama.
http://fichtenfoo.net/blog/tag/mechanics/
(https://www.finescalerr.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Ffichtenfoo.net%2Fblog%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2011%2F01%2Fmechanics-01.jpg&hash=9643a6b4e2a7dcd69a033ae8d1f3aa8e0e0313e4)
(https://www.finescalerr.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Ffichtenfoo.net%2Fblog%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2011%2F01%2Fmechanics-02.jpg&hash=b0e42085e6cddc1e8fcd7693df7bfb346bf0cee7) (https://www.finescalerr.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Ffichtenfoo.net%2Fblog%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2011%2F01%2Fmechanics-03.jpg&hash=a84da96ec575c9252d0b925e005c5642588d2d65) (https://www.finescalerr.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Ffichtenfoo.net%2Fblog%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2011%2F01%2Fmechanics-04.jpg&hash=86f68f894deb4a26bf81122fe2e05efbb1eb2f27) (https://www.finescalerr.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Ffichtenfoo.net%2Fblog%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2011%2F01%2Fmechanics-05.jpg&hash=4f61b212237f53434fd542e36fafd910d8a4b836)
Great looking sculpts, Michael! Gotta try some of those monster-size ... er, robot-size ... er, BIG characters some time. Great results on the heads, look forward to the rest.
Cheers,
Dallas
Thanks! THis is the robot they'll go with: http://www.hobbymedia.it/5611/chubu-mechatrobot-tokyo-cultuart-beams-modellismo-statico
Now thar be some adequate sculpting, mateys! -- Russ
Yes indeed. Wow, that thing has to be huge in 1/12th scale.
Nice work!
Thanks guys! I haven't put it together yet, but it looks to be about 12" tall or so. I'm not sure where how I'll display this since the whole scene will be too big for my case. Probably a dual-sided shadowbox style. (inside/outside) I want to try some of that EL Wire and do a neon sign either in the shop and/or out a window.
Now those are cool.
How did you get one of these kits. I would love one. Very cool.
Fantastic sculpting! Bravo!
That's some great sculpting!....and what I am sure will be a very cool dio.
Are you by any chance planning on casting and selling some of these figures?
Marc
What material did you use to sculpt these figures? Did you use an armature?
Thanks everyone!
78ths: I got it here and split shipping with a friend who also got one, (only place for us westerners and I even had trouble with my friends in Japan scoring one) but you don't wanna know the cost. It was a rare expensive purchase. That's why I'm going all out with custom figs and such... make it worth the investment! LOL! http://www.japantrendshop.com/chubu-01-robot-p-896.html
Marc: Do you mean these 1/12th guys? I'd love to but is there a market for silly 1/12 scale mechanics? :-\ I also feel weird selling firgers as I don't feel like I'm a figure modeler or even great at it. I'm decent, but could definitely improve. I have improved a lot though recently thanks to the answer to Ray's question...
Ray: It's a mixture of Super Sculpey and Sculpey III. I used to sculpt with Magic Sculpt, but it dries too quick. WHat I love about the sculpey (especially now that I also can mix it with Super Sculpey FIRM) is that I can work it for weeks, months, etc... and it's not hard until I bake it. It gives you the ability to go back and rework areas that are not to your liking. Armature-wise I use old coat hangars wrapped in thinner floral wire and wire mesh. Here's a fantastic Sculpey sculpting tutorial for creatures/figs: http://www.conceptart.org/forums/showthread.php?t=18287
Michael -
i too wish you would cast and sell some 1/13.7 and 1/12 figures. This is my favorite size to model in, and there is a growing bunch who model narrow gauge trains in both 7/8" and 1" scales, as shown at Ferd's Forum www.7-8ths.info, and by Paul's Heywood models. I used to sculpt, cast, and sell 7/8ths figures, but I sold off the masters, and now they're available at www.back2bay6.com in England.
What I want to know is how you got such a fine, smooth, slightly shiny finish on the big mechanic. Is that the clay surface, or primer? Did you brush/wash it with alcohol? Sand it? Buff it? Or what?
Will you create an actual "cloth texture or weave pattern" on those parts, or leave it smooth, and use painterly effects to suggest cloth?
I look forward to seeing the other guys.
Carlo
http://www.spirito.biz/models.html
Been working on the 1/12 scale Chubu Mechatrobot for this diorama. I also had some 1/12 tools make in PE along with some Chubu emblems and a 50's style PA MECHA license plate.
Pics and stuff here:
http://fichtenfoo.net/blog/tag/chubu/
Carlo: I totally missed this reply. So sorry! Part of that is the lighting, but I also smooth the Super Sculpey mix I use with either turpenoid or alcohol to soften the finish. Usually with a very soft brush.
(https://www.finescalerr.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Ffichtenfoo.net%2Fblog%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2011%2F06%2Fchubupaint-06.jpg&hash=785b8f79280e40e5e871f99c63d130d9af34642a)
(https://www.finescalerr.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Ffichtenfoo.net%2Fblog%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2011%2F06%2Ftools-03.jpg&hash=a71720ee1d05d60af7de5abb3427a8ac207c6d38)
(https://www.finescalerr.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Ffichtenfoo.net%2Fblog%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2011%2F06%2Ftools-01.jpg&hash=9ee095875627119b33e57e6281d8e93f709f9890)
Very nice PE sheet of mechanic's tools Michael. Are you planning on making those available for sale?
Paul
Sweet, and way cool. So glad to see an update/progress on this.
Marc
Thanks guys! Was considering scaling these down to 1/20 scale for a production run, but am undecided until I can get enough interest. Not sure if there'd be enough interest in a 1/12 scale set. I'd need to be able to sell at least 40 to make it worthwhile. The cost went up at my production PE vendor's vendor. These were etched by a guy that'll do the occasional proof/one-off for me.
Michael -
Thanks for the Sculpey tip. I'll try that.
Now, about those etched tools. They look great. But... how thick are they?
If thin, then do you have a way to make them look thick enough for 1" scale?
Will you sell me a sheet or two?
Carlo
http://www.spirito.biz
spirito@gwi.net
Well, that's the problem. The pliers and wrenches should be fine. The large pipe wrench was laid out to be folded to double the thickness. The monkey wrench will be a little thin, but it also depends on how it's placed into the scene whether that'll be noticeable. I hoped for thicker metal, but my one-off guy can't etch that. These were done in .010" brass.
As for selling them, I only had enough produced for my needs as I didn't expect there to be interest in the 1/12 scale. However, if I get enough people interested in the 1/20 scale (Maschinen Krieger modelers would love that) then I could have a few 1/12 scale frets added to the master sheet so that I can kill 2 birds with one stone.
My PE production guy has a minimum order per film thrust on him by his vendor. So I'd have to order enough to fill up 2-3 huge sheets of brass which could be 50 sets. It's too pricey for me to just sit on unsold stock. (barely breaking even with my sea life photoetch set trying to sell off the last of it and that was done before the price increase) Let me think about it though... it may all work out.
I want to include a PE toolbox as well. Any preference on the design? I was considering the long rectangular open-topped house-shaped style. What I'd really love is a huge red/chrome Craftsman tool chest all in PE with working drawers and such... but that's a full set in itself! LOL!
Here's the latest:
http://fichtenfoo.net/blog/tag/chubu/
(https://www.finescalerr.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Ffichtenfoo.net%2Fblog%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2011%2F06%2Fchubupaint-07.jpg&hash=22c9beb97922e9ab7bb481e35ac32c4a53ed6559)
Wow, too cool.
Who could criticize that? -- Russ
Thanks!
Just a thought on the "too thin" tools. Could they be "painted" with a very thick substance such as 5 minute epoxy? Perhaps if this were done to each side they could have a more beefy look about them.
Chris