I recently got the Master Box 1/35 The Wild West. Gold Fever Series Kit No 1 Gold-digger (https://www.scalemates.com/kits/master-box-mb35233-gold-digger--1546617) and was compelled to build it.
(https://www.scalemates.com/products/img/6/1/7/1546617-16684-58-pristine.jpg)
I also renamed it to "Prospector", because while he may be a gold digger, that means something else in modern parlance.
MasterBox figures vary widely in quality, with no real rhyme or reason. Some of the shortcomings have been poor detailing and a deviation from scale - some figures are as tall as 1/32 figures would be.
Luckily, this grizzled prospector is pretty good. Face details are adequate and so is the detailing. The donkey is nicely molded. The general pose and outfit could place the prospector anywhere from the 1800s to some futuristic post apocalyptic period.
I'm trying to improve my figure painting and I've made small gradual improvements, so this figure has been good practice.
The lacing on his boots was poorly molded and barely visible. I found a Trumpeter figure (which are almost all trash) with extremely prominent boot lacing, so I cut them off and transplanted them to this figure:
(https://i.imgur.com/nl3LYD2.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/dOfoNkA.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/K2JpJLe.jpg)
I detailed his open eye - even has a correctly scaled pupil - but the telescope blocks it completely:
(https://i.imgur.com/2MLvTPK.jpg)
I also have the beast and rifle from the Master Box 1/24 "World of Fantasy No. 2" kit:
(https://www.scalemates.com/products/img/6/2/1/1010621-14175-23-pristine.jpg)
I did some surgery on the rifle/weapon to roughly match the length of the Prospector's rifle. I also moved the trigger closer to the buttstock:
(https://i.imgur.com/2hCQ9dv.jpg)
I used some glow in the dark powders mixed in with red and smoke clear Tamiya acrylics.
Here's the other side of the rifle:
(https://i.imgur.com/rDWDjzj.jpg)
I'm debating whether to fix some of the painting issues with the figure or move on to the donkey.
The figure looks great to me. Not so sure about the sci-fi rifle, though. It could be just that I don't understand how you are supposed to aim and fire it. And it looks heavy to be carried by a guy who is out there on his own.
Looks good.
I love the look on that Donkeys face in the box art ;D Lovely animals :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
Another great looking figure from ya Frank 👌 😉
Looking forward to the donkey ;D
Quote from: NARSES2 on May 11, 2024, 12:34:46 AMI love the look on that Donkeys face in the box art ;D Lovely animals :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
He's saying 'Will you just GET ON WITH IT! I've been standing here doing nothing for half an hour while you point that thingie at me and my mate and there's half an acre of yummy looking grass just over there!'
Really nice paintwork Frank. Subtle things like the patch in the trousers. Paintwork on the blanket roll is superb.
Thanks, guys - I redid the donkey's
donkey tail, to make it look more like the boxtop. Getting the shading on the fur will be tough, but that's why I bought this kit.
The space rifle is big. I just wanted to rescale it and play with the UV pigments. I modified the rifle (which looks close to the one on the boxtop) to look more like a Winchester.
@Brian - I was really tempted to make a decal for the pattern on the blanket, but this was more a figure painting exercise and I didn't want too much mission creep.
Quote from: buzzbomb on May 11, 2024, 03:48:55 PMReally nice paintwork Frank. Subtle things like the patch in the trousers. Paintwork on the blanket roll is superb.
Speaking of patches, the knees always get holes first. Unless he got shot at!
This is really looking great! I'm interested in how the donkey turns out.
Quote from: kerick on May 11, 2024, 07:38:32 PMQuote from: buzzbomb on May 11, 2024, 03:48:55 PMReally nice paintwork Frank. Subtle things like the patch in the trousers. Paintwork on the blanket roll is superb.
Speaking of patches, the knees always get holes first. Unless he got shot at!
This is really looking great! I'm interested in how the donkey turns out.
Same here Ken...ive got a horse to paint and some tips would be very useful 👍
Painting model horses is an art form in itself, they always have this sheen which is very difficult to replicate. People tend to recommend the use of oil paints for them. Donkey's don't have that at least :angel:
Quote from: NARSES2 on May 12, 2024, 12:49:46 AMPainting model horses is an art form in itself, they always have this sheen which is very difficult to replicate. People tend to recommend the use of oil paints for them. Donkey's don't have that at least :angel:
Oh I'm really not looking forward to this now 😕 ;D
But it's gonna be quite a cool build so mate I'm gonna need a heap of luck .
Least the figure will be easy 😉
Quote from: Wardukw on May 12, 2024, 01:51:35 AMQuote from: NARSES2 on May 12, 2024, 12:49:46 AMPainting model horses is an art form in itself, they always have this sheen which is very difficult to replicate. People tend to recommend the use of oil paints for them. Donkey's don't have that at least :angel:
Oh I'm really not looking forward to this now 😕 ;D
But it's gonna be quite a cool build so mate I'm gonna need a heap of luck .
Least the figure will be easy 😉
Have a look at some figure painting forums for advice. Techniques may well have changed in the 40 years or so since I last painted some horses.
Quote from: NARSES2 on May 12, 2024, 01:55:24 AMQuote from: Wardukw on May 12, 2024, 01:51:35 AMQuote from: NARSES2 on May 12, 2024, 12:49:46 AMPainting model horses is an art form in itself, they always have this sheen which is very difficult to replicate. People tend to recommend the use of oil paints for them. Donkey's don't have that at least :angel:
Oh I'm really not looking forward to this now 😕 ;D
But it's gonna be quite a cool build so mate I'm gonna need a heap of luck .
Least the figure will be easy 😉
Have a look at some figure painting forums for advice. Techniques may well have changed in the 40 years or so since I last painted some horses.
Yes Sir..I fully intend to do that I ashore you..Im
gonna need all the help I can get.
Strangely though I'm really looking forward to this build .
Quote from: Wardukw on May 12, 2024, 02:08:57 AMQuote from: NARSES2 on May 12, 2024, 01:55:24 AMQuote from: Wardukw on May 12, 2024, 01:51:35 AMQuote from: NARSES2 on May 12, 2024, 12:49:46 AMPainting model horses is an art form in itself, they always have this sheen which is very difficult to replicate. People tend to recommend the use of oil paints for them. Donkey's don't have that at least :angel:
Oh I'm really not looking forward to this now 😕 ;D
But it's gonna be quite a cool build so mate I'm gonna need a heap of luck .
Least the figure will be easy 😉
Have a look at some figure painting forums for advice. Techniques may well have changed in the 40 years or so since I last painted some horses.
Yes Sir..I fully intend to do that I ashore you..Im
gonna need all the help I can get.
Strangely though I'm really looking forward to this build .
And that's what it's all about :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
Donkeys have a much more rough and scruffy look than a horse. I've no idea how you would do that.
Quote from: kerick on May 12, 2024, 08:29:42 AMDonkeys have a much more rough and scruffy look than a horse. I've no idea how you would do that.
You can see why I'm interested in how Frank is going to paint this cause the guy I'm going to build is a Chaos corrupted knight from Warhammer..not sure which chaos god this dude will be corrupted by yet but his horse won't be pretty and a donkey might be a good basis for its paint job.
Quote from: Wardukw on May 12, 2024, 11:27:58 AMQuote from: kerick on May 12, 2024, 08:29:42 AMDonkeys have a much more rough and scruffy look than a horse. I've no idea how you would do that.
You can see why I'm interested in how Frank is going to paint this cause the guy I'm going to build is a Chaos corrupted knight from Warhammer..not sure which chaos god this dude will be corrupted by yet but his horse won't be pretty and a donkey might be a good basis for its paint job.
Or a bison!
(https://www.nczoo.org/sites/default/files/styles/max_650x650/public/2024-03/american-bison-2.jpeg.webp?itok=Z4VfcMNH)
Here's what I did to the donkey today:
I applied some Tamiya extra thin on the plastic, waited a bit and stippled the surface with a brass scratching/scuffing pen like this:
(https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/218FlJGkyuL._AC_SX466_.jpg)
It looks better in person, but this where it was with a basic coat and some white on the underside, head and snout:
(https://i.imgur.com/qPFuinJ.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/5wmr7gk.jpg)
With some of the blankets painted and some shadowing on the fur. Here's a donkey in the air for your enjoyment:
(https://i.imgur.com/fsEK7ai.jpg)
It looks a bit more realistic at normal viewing distance. I should have been a bit more aggressive with the glue and brass pen, but it looks OK.
Nice shaggy donkey... that is working really well
On painting horses.. there are many techniques out there. One of the best tips I find useful is around getting the sheen of a horses coat. Paint in flat paint, then when dry, run your fingers, down/along the coat a couple of times. Using the natural skin oils gives a nice subtle sheen with a bit of variation that a satin paint coat does not seem to match.
Quote from: buzzbomb on May 12, 2024, 07:47:23 PMNice shaggy donkey... that is working really well
On painting horses.. there are many techniques out there. One of the best tips I find useful is around getting the sheen of a horses coat. Paint in flat paint, then when dry, run your fingers, down/along the coat a couple of times. Using the natural skin oils gives a nice subtle sheen with a bit of variation that a satin paint coat does not seem to match.
That's a useful idea - I've seen it mentioned for other things that need a slight patina - though getting your fingers into some of the tighter areas could be interesting.
What about a rub with a paper towel, or chamois cloth?
What about.... dry brushing to highlight textures?
Quote from: Rick Lowe on May 12, 2024, 10:40:31 PMQuote from: buzzbomb on May 12, 2024, 07:47:23 PMNice shaggy donkey... that is working really well
On painting horses.. there are many techniques out there. One of the best tips I find useful is around getting the sheen of a horses coat. Paint in flat paint, then when dry, run your fingers, down/along the coat a couple of times. Using the natural skin oils gives a nice subtle sheen with a bit of variation that a satin paint coat does not seem to match.
That's a useful idea - I've seen it mentioned for other things that need a slight patina - though getting your fingers into some of the tighter areas could be interesting.
What about a rub with a paper towel, or chamois cloth?
It's the skin oils that do the work, can you get enough on a paper towel or chamois cloth to do the job? :unsure:
Quote from: buzzbomb on May 12, 2024, 07:47:23 PMNice shaggy donkey... that is working really well
It is indeed, looking very good :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
Quote from: buzzbomb on May 12, 2024, 07:47:23 PMOn painting horses.. there are many techniques out there. One of the best tips I find useful is around getting the sheen of a horses coat. Paint in flat paint, then when dry, run your fingers, down/along the coat a couple of times. Using the natural skin oils gives a nice subtle sheen with a bit of variation that a satin paint coat does not seem to match.
That's a fascinating idea :thumbsup: Would you be able to "seal" the coat though without negating your efforts at getting that shine ?
In the Middle Ages, theologians used to argue about how many angels could balance on the head of a pin. Frank appears to be demonstrating that even a donkey can do the same!
Almost done.... still need a couple of bits:
Skeleton Pass is a small pass in the Mojave Desert between a small mountain and a large hill covered in a jumble of boulders. The pass opens up onto a plain...in the middle of nowhere, and if you look at it on a map, it doesn't look too imposing of a hike. I've been there and it was brutal; not so much the heat but the small rocks and the uneven "road":
(https://i.imgur.com/xKPHjma.jpg)
The kit just has you glue things on. I think the tools needed a strap. I hope the donkey doesn't get poked by that pick...
(https://i.imgur.com/MPhlrCV.jpg)
I'll have to fix the floating prospector. He's actually on the groundwork, just not all the way in.
(https://i.imgur.com/aFzLviS.jpg)
Donkey looks a bit cross:
(https://i.imgur.com/Vjj7rDF.jpg)
:thumbsup:
Womby, I wasn't meaning impregnating the towel/cloth with the oils; rather using the very slight abrasive/smoothing action of the material to get the same effect.
Quote from: frank2056 on May 13, 2024, 06:15:21 PMI'll have to fix the floating prospector. He's actually on the groundwork, just not all the way in.
(https://i.imgur.com/aFzLviS.jpg)
Donkey looks a bit cross:
Not cross, he's just trying to figure out how the prospectors floating ;D
Terrific work sir :thumbsup:
I'm not going to mirror Chris words but damn he's right ..great work mate 👌 :wub: ;D
:thumbsup: :mellow: :thumbsup: :wub: :mellow:
I could spend days fixing minor details... but I'll call it done:
Anti-gravity boots turned off:
(https://i.imgur.com/4qO5TVe.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/rG4u9jC.jpg)
Top view of all cargo on the donkey:
(https://i.imgur.com/xcTEhzv.jpg?1)
I turned the kit's rifle into a Winchester, 1873-ish...
(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/16/Winchester_1873_Rifle.jpg/799px-Winchester_1873_Rifle.jpg)
... by taking out a section, bending the stock and making the elliptical thingamabob behind the trigger out of 30 gauge wire:
(https://i.imgur.com/4pXG5vX.jpg)
With his pals. Looks like we've been spotted:
(https://i.imgur.com/GDJ3M4j.jpg)
Thanks for all the comments!
Awesome Frank 👌 👏
That elliptical thingamabob behind the trigger is a vernier adjustable site ..with that site the rifle could shoot out to 700yds plus ..depending on the round ..be it a 30-30 or .44 and so on .
My Sharps 45,110 Quigley can hit targets out to 1000yrds and with the massive size of the rds its not surprising ;D
I didn't think of modernising the rifle into something not all that modern, not to speak of futuristic....
The 1873 fires pretty low velocity rounds: 44/40 and some smaller ones that are also suitable for period revolvers. Rainbow trajectories, so the vernier sight will be useful even if ranges are not all THAT long.
I thought "thingamabob behind the trigger" referred to the lever, or cocking handle, of the lever action.
That looks great, Frank! :mellow: :thumbsup:
The prospector out-guns his 3 pals quite considerably! ;)
That really is fantastic Frank :bow: :bow:
Thanks for all the comments! I was referring to the cocking handle. I couldn't remember what it was called when I posted. This was a fun kit to build, with few of the issues with scale and faces that some Masterbox kits seem to have.
Looks very good to me!
Quote from: perttime on May 15, 2024, 01:03:33 AMThe 1873 fires pretty low velocity rounds: 44/40 and some smaller ones that are also suitable for period revolvers. Rainbow trajectories, so the vernier sight will be useful even if ranges are not all THAT long.
And originally made in the same calibre so you could use the same round in both - not having to pack different ones.