GIGER 49 MERCS

[Dr. Cranky]

This is what happens when the clear on another project takes longer than expected to dry ... I started a project I had been meaning to paint and build from two years ago. What delayed it? Well, Craig Fraser had created these Steampunk Templates with Art Tool/Iwata but they were released in a large format, so it took a while for them to come out in a smaller version, small enough for 1/24th scale.

So the templates arrived and then I started to gather some art from one of my favorite painters H.R. Giger (Alien movie fame!) so that I could reduce it and use it all in the interior. So on Google I found some and then used my word processor to shrink everything and get it on paper.

Once reduced and printed, I sprayed matte clear on the ink to prevent it from bleeding . . .

[Dr. Cranky]

Like I said, the templates arrived and I set out to practice using them with the airbrush, just to familiarize myself with them . . . and then move on to the vehicles. It's better to ruin paper than it is to ruin styrene! That's what Cranky believe and so he's sticking to it!

Here are the two bodies . . . I undercoated one in Solar Gold and the other in Orion Silver (HOK colors!):

Here's a closer shot. The scratches you see are on purpose. I used Scotch Brite and scuffed the surface (for some texture that's going to come in handy later, as you will see.)

[Mooneyzs]

Very Nice Cranky.... I love the color of both builds and absolutly love the holes that you have drilled in the hood on the Silver one. It looks great. Seeing these is making me itch to get out my '49 merc project that I have planned. Looking forward to seeing more of this.

[Dr. Cranky]

Hold on, Chris, these two ain't staying this color . . .

Here's a picture of the scuffing pad . . .

Now the gold was sprayed with Kosmic Copper and the silver with Kosmic Gold.

All of this is in preparation for the different subcoats and texture-painting . . .

[Dr. Cranky]

Once I sprayed the Kosmic coats on, then it was time to mask . . .

Although these two are going to be painted in the same style, I wanted them to have some subtle differences . . . and again, I'm just trying this stuff out to experiment and see what happens . . .

[Dr. Cranky]

The best trick I know to keep paint from sneaking under your taping job is to spary along the edges with SG-100 . . .

[Dr. Cranky]

Okay, this is where all the fun begins . . . it's time to add the kind of texture that will show up under the last round of paint . . . (and that comes later . . .)

Using different templates, I added some texture and visual interest to what I already had . . .

[MikeMc]

Lets see some skulls!!!!

Bring on the kandys!!

[Dr. Cranky]

In due time, my friend, all in due time . . . this stuff is just the beginning . . .

Here's a better picture . . . not of this stuff is really that difficult, after all you are only using templates . . .

But then the results really begin to liven the paintjob up . . . going slow, of course . . . letting your imagination take over . . .

[Dr. Cranky]

Using over-reduced black and violet, I go template-ing and adding more detail and interest . . .

You begin to see how the texture really adds another layer of interest . . . underneath . . .

[Dr. Cranky]

After all the preliminary basecoats go on, then it's time to unmask the bodies . . ..

[Dr. Cranky]

Here are a few more pics before the kandies go on . . .

[Dr. Cranky]

Here's the other one . . .

[Guest 85Biarittz]

Looks good so far. Can't wait to see what you come up with.

[bad0210]

wow! awesome

[Mooneyzs]

Cranky.... Holy Crapola!!! Those Paint Jobs are BADA$$!!! man you have some skills for sure. Great job man. Ok I have to ask using the innercoat clear do you just lay down one coat over the model after you tap it off? I am hoping to order some of the HOK colors here soon in the 4oz sizes to get a few colors in my collection. One that i want is partly for my Merc Build I want to do. These kits are going to look amazing once you get the clear shot on them.

[Dr. Cranky]

Yeah, buddy, the intercoat clear works beautifully to seal in different coats, and it is extremely tape friendly!

Thanks for all the comments. Now I have to figure out how and where I'm going to lay down the kandies.

As much as I want to make these two monochromatic, I still want to add a little bit of color to it.

[envious8420]

dang Virg, those will be of the hook and laying on the floor, great progress. cant wait to see what else you have up your 4 mile long sleeves.(you are always whipping up cool stuff)

[Janne Herajärvi]

Very cool paintjobs there. I really like your way showing step by step how your paintjobs are done. It makes me want to try something similar in future. But first ill havto practice with one or two color paintjobs to get familiar with airbrush working. Keep us posted

[Dr. Cranky]

My take on painting is that ALL painting is about practicing. Every model is one step closer to getting better . . . so keep on doing it.

[Dragline]

Cranky, do you see a shrink regular like? MAN, that is some twisted stuff!!!!!

I'm a HUGE Giger fan [Have an original coffee table version of Necronomicon in my collection]. His designs are erotic, sublime, mechanical, disgusting, and always outright shocking.

Without going overboard, you have captured some of what H.R. Giger is all about.

Crazy skills.

Bob

[Harry P.]

Virgil, you are definitely an artist! This goes beyond just painting models, it's about design, concept, vision. I can definitely see you working on more than just model cars... like on canvas, fer instance...

[Dr. Cranky]

Thanks, gents, I really appreciaite your kindness.

Harry, although I like the canvas, I really did working on 3D subjects.

[rustybill1960]

You are constantly raising the bar Cranky!

Thank You for sharing!

Your builds and "paint" are what the hobby is all about, progress we can all strive to attain without loosing our minds!

You are the Guru of plastics Virgil!!

Thank You! Thank You! Thank You!

And by the way those Mercs are really wicked Man!

Thank You for sharing!

Really!

Later Dude

Russ

[Raul_Perez]

WOW, Virgil!!

That is some seriously WILD stuff!!

Raise the bar? I think Virgil owns the bar!!

Keep up the AWESOME work!!

Later,