Project Hobbit - Phase 3

I have completed priming and putting the base coat on my hobbit.  So far I am happy with how he is turning out.

I started the priming with a light coat, almost just a misting, of Krylon Plastic Primer.  I include this shot just to show how much spray primer I apply.  I like to use light coats of paint when painting plastic figures.  I find if you get the coats of paint too thick it tends to flake too easily.  As  usual, Friar Tuck (an Airfix Robin Hood set figure) and Conan (a Caesar Miniatures Adventures set figure) make their appearance for scale.  Also making an appearance in the blog is a Caesar Miniatures Adventurers set female fighter figure.  I have replaced her sword with a war hammer and primed her with Krylon spray primer.

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In the next picture, I have applied two coats of black latex house paint.  I find it adheres well to the Krylon spray primer and the latex paint has some flex and give if the plastic figures are bent.  I also take a soft bristled tooth brush and buff the figure between coats of paint.  The buffing smooths the primer between coats, sort of the way you can sand primer between coats when painting a car.  It also tests the bond between the primer and figure early in the painting process.  I hate to finish painting a figure only to find out the primer failed to bond.   

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I then applied a base coat.  The picture below speaks for itself.  I did try to paint some yellow trim on the green vest.  It seemed like a good idea, but I do not really like the effect.  I think I may change it when I start painting highlights and details.  Even if I just leave the vest plain with no trim it should look good on the table top.

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I have included a shot of the back of the figure, to give a complete view of the base coating process.

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I am looking forward to doing the detail painting and putting a protective finish on this little guy so he is ready for the table top.  So it is time to quit writing and go back to painting. 

Thanks for reading...



Copyright © Ron Hamilton 2011, All Right Reserved.

Project Hobbit, Phase 2

I broke out the green stuff and started sculpting.  I started with the nickers and worked my way up.  The shirt  was easy, but he looked sort of plain so I added a vest.  At first it looked like he was wearing a life vest, but since hobbits don't swim, I removed a bit of green stuff and reworked it. 

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With the mistake on adding extra green stuff on the front, I did not add any so it moved along much quicker.

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Next I took a straight pin and forged my little new little adventurer a 1/72 version of "Sting".  If anyone would like to have me explain the "forging" process, it is easy to do and gives consistent results.

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Just to be complete I included a shot from behind with the added sword.  It may be overkill, but once the camera is set up snapping extra shots is pretty easy.

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Next to prime and paint the little guy but that will be another blog entry.  Thanks for reading...







Copyright © Ron Hamilton 2010, All Right Reserved.

Project Hobbit, Phase 1

I have recently been running the guys from our local game group in a dungeon.  The old school AD&D sort just so they will know how us old grognards did it in the day.  :-)  I rolled up some characters and I thought I needed a halfling (hobbit) thief to get the right flavor for the party.  Only one major hitch, no 1/72 hobbit are to be found.  Being an inventive sort, I realized "Caesar Goblins" should be hobbit size.  I came up with a plan.  I head swap the goblin head for a smallish human one, sculpt on some clothing and gear, and add a short sword and Project Hobbit was born!

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One more quick size comparison with a Caesar Dwarf so that you can see if he will look Hobbitish enough when hanging out in the local dungeon with all the other cool adventurers smoking pipes.  :-)

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As usual, Friar Tuck (an Airfix Robin Hood set figure) and Conan (a Caesar Miniatures Adventures set figure) make their appearance for scale.  I have included a "Caesar Goblin" with no modifications and a the converted one.  The head was taken from a Victorian era British soldier who was more then happy donate it to such a good cause.   Below is the lucky trooper twin broth celebrating his brother new body.

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I have coated the body in supper glue where the clothing and gear will be covering the noble Hobbit.  I am hoping the super glue will give some purchase for the green stuff.  My previous experiments with green stuff directly to vinyl have been slowed when the green stuff would not properly grip the slippery vinyl.  

Next time, I hope to have the conversion finished and ready for the paint table.  Wish me luck, and thanks for reading...

Copyright © Ron Hamilton 2011, All Right Reserved.