Tuesday 3 May 2022

MAY THE 4 th BE WITH YOU

 For the second year in a row, I've actually remembered to have some Star Wars models ready to post up on the Star Wars celebration day, and this year I was even organised enough to have models for Monster May(hem) that fit both criteria. Now on Keith's opening ceremony he said he looked forward to seeing what I come up with this year to surpass or equal the Krayt Dragon I did last year, and at this time I don't know that's possible, but will endeavour to see what I can come up with.

So I'm going to start small and see where it leads, so for my first submission I have a pair of Wampa's, for anyone who doesn't know what they are, they come from the ice planet Hoth, and are the planets apex predator. They first appeared in " The Empire Strikes Back", and in the original you barely saw it's face and a bit of an arm, when the extended versions were released, we were treated to a full shot of the creature devouring Luke's Tauntaun.


Below are the original face shot, and the full extended version, I've based my colours on the extended version.


What's that you say not enough for a celebration ! Okay with a recent order off of Ebay I received a bonus couple of models, two poses of the Mandalorian Armourer that featured in the series "The Mandalorian", this was a very pleasant surprise, but I thought I only really need one, so I'll paint up both, and then decided which one I'd use, and unsurprisingly I've gone for the action pose, so will pass along my good fortune and give the second one away.


You're still here ! But the credits are rolling and everyone is leaving. Oh you're waiting to see if there is an Easter Egg in the credits, okay here's one more for Monster May(hem). In the recent series " The Book of Boba Fett" there was a new creature shown in episode one, from a little bit of research I've found it's being called a Tatooine Sand Ape, as soon as I saw this creature, I knew I wanted one, as it would be a great random encounter in my games, and planned to build one. Then recently I spotted that someone was selling two versions of the creature, when the prints came through, the quality was excellent, no 3D lines, and no clean up, which meant I could get straight onto painting them. I've tried to match the colours, and used multiple different glazes to get all the different tones I spotted in the reference picture to come through.


Okay that really is all now, so until next time stay safe and have fun !

Cheers Dave

28 comments:

  1. These are just awesome! I actually like the standing Mandalorian pose better, but that's me. Are those 32mm minis? The Sand Ape must be a beast! Great mini. -Faust

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    1. I forgot to say that someone at LucasArts was probably playing homage to the Yeti from the Rankin/Bass when they made the Wampa.

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    2. Thank you Faust, I like the action pose as it reminds me of the scene when she decimates the Stormtroopers with just the hammer and tongs, but can understand liking the other pose as well, yes they are the 32 mm Legion scale models, and the Sand Ape is twice the height of the Wampa, and can see the resemblance of the Yeti in there.

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  2. Great work on all the mini's, and happy "Star Wars" day to you.

    There was a guy in the North Wales Comic Con cosplay competition dressed a a "Wampa" last time I went (a few years ago now), it was awesome he must have been eight feet tall, and the "cozzie" was spot on!

    Never noticed the Rankin/Bass "Rudolf the red nosed reindeer" connection but now I can really see it! 😂

    Cheers Roger.

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    1. Thank you Roger, for me every day is Star Wars day, this is the day where every one else joins in ! LOL
      That would have been awesome to see in person, some of these cosplayers really go above and beyond don't they.
      Once someone spots it, the rest of us just play catch up ! LOL

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  3. O my, this is a fantastic post. So much cool stuff to drool over! All the beasts are wonderful versions from the screen and that Mando lady looks great in both poses (Though the standing one is my fav). Good stuff Dave!

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    1. Thank you Dai, thought you would like the Sand Ape, after our previous discussion on it, and there is nothing wrong with the standing pose at all, just like the dynamics of the action pose.

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  4. Happy 4th to you too. Cool SW stuff that I actually recognize as just a casual SW fan.
    Who knew there would be a sand ape miniature already available? Crazy. ❤️

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    1. That should be a 😀 and not a ❤️
      Are we close enough for ❤️ Yet? I usually just send those to my wife.

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    2. Thank you Stewart, glad you recognised all on show, and nothing wrong with only being a casual fan.
      I think there are some 3D sculptors out there who have even more time on their hands than me ! LOL
      As for the love heart, your secrets safe with us ! LOL

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  5. Happy Fourth, Dave! Great painting on all these, the white fur on the wampa is particularly good as white is such a bugger sometimes. The two Mandalorians are cool and wow, that sand ape! What a superb sculpt and amazing paint jobs! The glazes, layers and shading have really brought out the realism and it's a cracking model! May the Force be with you, sir!

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    1. Thank you Matt, spent the day watching Star Wars, and playing with Star Wars models, so I enjoyed myself ! LOL The Wampa's fur was tricky and had to build it up to white slowly, to get the right shadow and look. The Mandalorians were an unexpected extra which were great fun too paint, and the sculpts on the apes were a pleasure to paint, as they had really crisp detail, which allowed the glazing technique, under the intense light for the photographs they look a lot more green than they do in hand, where the black and brown stand out more.

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  6. Ohh, cool stuff, I think the post goes up and up in awesomeness as you scroll down. May the 4th!

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    1. Thank you Suber, always good to finish on a high LOL and May the 4 th be with you

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  7. Great post, love the last big monster thing in two poses!
    Best Iain

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    1. Thank you Iain, you can certainly see the influence of Ray Harryhausen in it.

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  8. Wow, superb figures, I do like the Wampa's!

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    1. Thank you Phil, got to love a yeti ! LOL

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  9. Wow, all three of these look awesome and are perfect for Star Wars day! May the 4th be with you indeed! I like the Wampas a lot since they're from the original trilogy. I read somewhere that there was going to be a scene where Wampas attack the rebel base en masse in Empire Strikes Back that got cut. I'm not sure if the rebels were there or imperials when that happens but its wild that almost made it into the movie though it isn't hard to imagine them doing that sort of thing. The Armorer looks great as well and captures the look from the show perfectly. Always nice to see some more Star Wars minis from you Dave! :)

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    1. Thank you Jeff, I have seen the deleted scene where a lone Wampa is in one of the side tunnels, with Han Leia and Chewie involved, but as they were having so many problems with the Wampa costume can understand why it ended up as just a few seconds of screen time. A lot of ideas seem to get cut as they make the movies, some good calls, others not so much ! LOL
      Plenty more Star Wars to come Jeff, and when I get all these 40K armies finished then it will be my main focus, with a sprinkling of Judge Dredd and Zombies ! LOL

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  10. Damn, Dave! You have made it plain I NEED to watch the Book of Boba Fett! (I haven't got around to it yet!) Excellent work on these beasts. I was considering doing the wampas (wampi?) myself, but I'm in the middle of Bespin Gambit (no wampas there) and I want to finish the whole set first before moving on to Hoth... Great MM submissions, as always!!

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    1. Thank you Keith, I enjoyed the Book of Boba Fett, where others haven't, a lot of people didn't like the development of the character, whereas I did, has some very cool monsters, characters and vehicles in it as well. Can understand not wanting to move to a different set before finishing the one you've started, and admire the discipline you have. Glad I could start strong hopefully the rest I have planned will measure up ! LOL

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  11. John@justneedsvarnish8 May 2022 at 07:52

    These are all brilliant, Dave! :-) Glad you enjoyed the day!

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    1. Thank you John, many would say it is just a normal day for me ! LOL

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  12. Strong in this one the 4th is lol I had to throw that in the Dave as every year I use it for my eldest grand draughter's birthday which just happens to be May 4th. Wonderful work all round mate & I thing that sand ape is really sweet, not that I'd like a four armed huge off him :)

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    1. Thank you Frank, and for you to use a phrase held for your grand daughter, is special to me mate. Not a creature to mess with, and a bear hug from him, would certainly leave some ridges ! LOL

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  13. Typically excellent work again - but the paintwork on those Sand Apes is sublime! Even if they do have an odd old design! ;)

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    1. Thank you Azazel, thoroughly enjoyed painting all of these, which made it very easy, and gave me chance to play with glazing tones some more. You can definitely see they were fans of Ray Harryhausen's work especially the Kraken ! LOL

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