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Alien from War of the Worlds

Discussion in 'vBench (Works in Progress)' started by kansas kid, Aug 9, 2015.

  1. kansas kid Well-Known Member

    Country:
    United-States
    Below is my latest efforts on a rather poor Pegasus kit of the Alien from the Tom Cruise and Dakota Fanning/Steven Spielberg film from 2005, War of the Worlds. The kit is 1:8th scale and vinyl. I think vinyl is not easy to work with — regarding removing mold marks and mold seams. I've had to use a lot of putty in the joints. You will notice right away that the mouth has not even been touched yet. And that is going to be a major problem. As there is a gap in the left and right side of the mouth. And it is such a very tiny gap. I'm not sure how I'll be able to fill that in. But it does need to be done for a contest model. I'll just keep thinking about it, and hopefully come up with a solution that will work. Right now all the joints have been glued together and puttied, except for the head into the neck. That will be joined together near the end of the project. And some putty work will be required.
    Photo #1 shows a portion of the box art. Photo #2 show that nice base that the creature is placed on. I like the “wooden plank” effect and thought that might be a good idea when I started working on my idea for the base for the creature. I did cut the wording “War of the Worlds” out of this #2 pictured base to be placed vertically in the front. I’m thinking about tones of bright red and hints of yellow for the wording. Photo #3 shows the very first start of work on the new base. Photo #4 shows the application of ClayShay, a papiér maché product that I covered the Styrofoam with, and I laid a few lengths of bass wood on top. These pieces of bass wood are not glued in place.
    Photos #5 through #8 show the creature. The joints at the feet-ankles (?) had to be repositions to sit correctly on the base. If you’ve seen the movie you remember the root like tendrils that were creeping up all over the place. I used roots from my lilac bush and painted them bright red. Of course those tendrils will be attached to the base in what I hope will be an eye catching manner. All the paints are acrylic. Your candid remarks are welcomed.

    Attached Files:

    Manfred, samson, Huw63 and 9 others like this.
  2. prickett Member

    Country:
    Russian-Federation
    Like this guy!:D
  3. kansas kid Well-Known Member

    Country:
    United-States
    Thanks for taking a look Mr. Prickett.

    K Kid
  4. Jazz A Fixture

    Country:
    England
    Wow,
    Cracking work K Kid. I love what you have done with the Red Weed. The painting of the alien is spot on too. As always you have really thought out the colour combinations that you use. I think you are making a great job of this. Look forward to seeing the end result.

    John. (y)
  5. housecarl Moderator

    Country:
    United-Kingdom
    As I said previously Rick.
    Smooth blends.(y)
  6. kansas kid Well-Known Member

    Country:
    United-States
    Hello Carl:
    Well my friend, thanks for taking time to post your
    comments here on the V-Bench. I do appreciate
    it. BTW, Carl, my e-mail is down and I can't send
    any messages, for the moment. Arrrrrrrrrrrrgh!:eek:
    Rick
  7. DEL A Fixture

    Country:
    Scotland
    That is marvellous. Suitably alien colours suberbly blended.
    The figure glows and is absolutely menacing ........ excellent (y)
    Cheers
    Derek
  8. Dekiman Well-Known Member

    Alien is superb.Great painting .
    Poor quality model dont affect your work.
    I especialy like eyes on model.
    Will watch your further progres.
  9. Ronald Kok Member

    Country:
    Netherlands
    I reale love it what you have done with this model.
  10. kansas kid Well-Known Member

    Country:
    United-States
    Hello Derek:
    And thank you for taking time to put your most
    welcomed words into this thread. I really do hope
    that I'll be able to create that kind of menacing
    atmosphere and tension. There is still so much to
    do, especially with the base, and so many decisions
    to make that will be critical. I'm having fun but am
    somewhat concerned regarding the ability to pull
    it off. Thanks again, Del. Rick
  11. kansas kid Well-Known Member

    Country:
    United-States
    Hello Dekiman w/ the Richard Sharp 95th Rifles avatar.
    One of my favorite series on PBS TV here in the American
    Heartland, some years back. (I know I've mentioned that
    before to you) I appreciate your comments about the eyes.
    I painted them with antique Silver acrylics
    and then poured some Woodland Scenics Realistic Water,
    which is basically liquid clear acrylic, into a dimpled
    palette. Then I added blue food colouring to the clear
    acrylic, mixed it up and applied several coats to the
    antique silver eyes. I use the same idea for wine bottles,
    clear parts that need tinting, such as jewels in a sword
    hilt, made from clear styrene. Thanks for your kind word, Sir
  12. kansas kid Well-Known Member

    Country:
    United-States
    Hello Ronald: It was so kind of you to take the time
    to respond to this kind of modeling. I realize this
    type of subject matter is not mainstream here at
    Planet Figure. But for me it is very creative and so
    much fun. Thanks again, Jayhawker
  13. John Bowery A Fixture

    Country:
    United-States
    I really like the alien colour.
    Cheers
    John
  14. kansas kid Well-Known Member

    Country:
    United-States
    Hi John: And thank you for your kind words. I was
    very impressed with the rendering of the model on
    the box art but I know there was no way, I don't have
    the skill level to pull that off. So, since I'm such a big
    fan of the Granddaddy of all the four Grand Slam Tennis
    tournaments, I decided to use the colours of Wimbledon;
    i.e. Violet and Green. Have a great week John,

    Rick
  15. Joe55 A Fixture

    Country:
    United-States
    Like the colors used here, and the overall look you've accomplished on this hideous creature (y)!

    Joe
  16. kansas kid Well-Known Member

    Country:
    United-States
    Good evening, Joe:
    I do so appreciate your kind and encouraging words.
    Hideous creature, is right. Before I started the project
    I watch the Spielberg -Tom Cruise War of the Worlds
    2005 movie once again. And I will tell, those creepy
    three legged creatures just gave me the willies. Fortunately,
    I didn't have any nightmares. Whew! Jayhawker
  17. Huw63 A Fixture

    Superb. I enjoy that film especially the train on fire - awesome.

    Cheers

    Huw
  18. kansas kid Well-Known Member

    Country:
    United-States
    Hello Huw:
    Well, thank you for taking time to chime in here on
    this thread I started yesterday, that being Sunday, 9 August.
    As I said at the top of this thread, I watched the movie
    again recently, to help me with colour choices, and help
    with just how to proceed with the base. And most sincerely
    Huw, I do appreciate your words of encouragement.
    Have a great week, podna'. . . . . . . The Miami Jayhawk
  19. chippy Well-Known Member

    Country:
    United-Kingdom
    Hi Rickster , I know this is the latest thing you are working on and as always up to your normal high standards , Can't wait to see more . I haven't seen the movie that this figure is from I only remember the 1960s film starring Gene Barry !!!
    all the best
    chippy
  20. kansas kid Well-Known Member

    Country:
    United-States


    Roger that, Chippy, and thanks for taking time to chime in
    here matey. I do so appreciate the kind words. Oh my, I have
    seen the original version of the film, but I had forgotten
    that Gene Barry was the name of the lead male actor.
    Your memory is much better than mine, podna.
    Have a great week,

    Rick Brownlee

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