Engineering Zotz' AMAZING Sarah Kerrigan - A WIP UPDATED!!!

[Crazy Joe]

Greeting my resin-afflicted comrades - As most of you know, I managed to acquire this incredible piece of "kit art" that our friend Zotzie commissioned Marcus DeLeo to sculpt - and impeccably molded and casted by Randy of Lil' Monsters fame - If you are going to jump on one of these - you will NEED DISPLAY SPACE - this thing has a incredible "wingspan" that you will need at least 24" square shelf space to show. I spent the latter part of July working on this as a birthday gift to myself.

First, CAREFULLY inspect your parts - you've got 37 supremely cast parts of all sizes - spread them out and make sure everything's in order -

IMG_2645 by Joseph Nejberger, on Flickr

After they're given a nice scrubbing, eliminate whatever mold lines are there, as well as the random air bubble (there might have been FOUR -) and then DRY FIT - ALOT -

IMG_2629 by Joseph Nejberger, on Flickr

IMG_2634 by Joseph Nejberger, on Flickr


A WHOLE LOT...

IMG_2635 by Joseph Nejberger, on Flickr

IMG_2636 by Joseph Nejberger, on Flickr


Before I go much further here, let me give two valuable points of reference - One, go to this original thread -


http://theclubhouse1.net/phpBB3/viewtop ... 9&t=106949

And download ALL of the reference in-progress shots Marcus has provided here - they will be INVALUABLE in figuring out where all of those lovely insectoid dreads go - Randy has also colour coded some of these parts - TAKE PICTURES OF THEM before you get big into the painting and assembly...

IMG_2661 by Joseph Nejberger, on Flickr

IMG_2663 by Joseph Nejberger, on Flickr

Two, make a plan of assembly. This piece has SOOOOO many opportunities to explore different painting adventures - in order to do this properly, and with the love and attention this piece deserves, much of the painting of the parts will have to be done pre - assembly. AND -

NOTHING will aid you more than a good set of these finger drills - They are available from Micro-Mark...

IMG_2641 by Joseph Nejberger, on Flickr

Get some wire in corresponding gauges - Like I did with Larry's "Tank Girl", I am going to drill and pin, every SINGLE PIECE...


IMG_2630 by Joseph Nejberger, on Flickr


And, I'm going to drill entry holes for EVERY SINGLE PIECE...

IMG_2631 by Joseph Nejberger, on Flickr

And, I'm going to test fit some more. You just can't do this enough with this piece. It's very easy to make a mistake on this expensive kit -

IMG_2634 by Joseph Nejberger, on Flickr

IMG_2640 by Joseph Nejberger, on Flickr

By this time, I'm ready for some refreshment. Some Bloody Caesars fill the bill nicely.

IMG_2642 by Joseph Nejberger, on Flickr

Next, I want to make sure the area where our Gaming Goddess meets the base is seam-free. There ARE some gaps there, so I take a little impression of the area around the join with some Repli-scale, and stamp in the detail after I lay AVES around the gapping area -

That tall brass rod is for support and stability - once you get those "wings" on, this piece may become a little unstable. The rod ensures that Sarah won't be hitting the floor at any point from assembly to completion.

IMG_2652 by Joseph Nejberger, on Flickr

IMG_2658 by Joseph Nejberger, on Flickr

IMG_2660 by Joseph Nejberger, on Flickr


I'm happy with the join...

IMG_2659 by Joseph Nejberger, on Flickr

Now, I'm going to tackle that AWESOME base - I have vision for how I want to paint this, so I test fit the pinned parts (this time with brass rod), and bring my airbrush close in as if I was going to paint it to see if I can assemble and glue this before painting.

IMG_2664 by Joseph Nejberger, on Flickr

I can. The "leaves" and base are numbered, so you won't have a problem mating them up. After epoxying the parts, I lay in some AVES to perfect the join..

IMG_2672 by Joseph Nejberger, on Flickr

I now do a FINAL test fit of all parts to make sure this is going to go together the way I want it to before I prime -

IMG_2643 by Joseph Nejberger, on Flickr

You can see what I mean about the space this thing takes up...

Now, before I go further, I'm going to make a personal modification and enhance her nipples with AVES and my expansive recall of female mammary anatomy.... Yeah, yeah, yeah, I'm gonna do it...


IMG_2653 by Joseph Nejberger, on Flickr

And here she is, every part pinned, primed, and PERFECT.

IMG_2673 by Joseph Nejberger, on Flickr

And here's where I'll leave you - TWO FULL CANS of Tamiya Primer, and she's ready for a basecoat - unfortunately, there's paying work to get done for the next few months, so it will likely be the Holidays before I can return to my new resin girlfriend.

Thanks for tunin' into this WIP - The next update will have me painting this thing, and I DEFINITELY have a vision for her - I promise it won't be as long as it will be for Season 6 of Game of Thrones to get here....Stay tuned!

[good30]

BRILLIANT, please keep it coming.

Stu

[scubasteve]

What a great write up and good detail pictures.
Ordering some finger drills today.

[zotz]

Thanks for making her, Joe!

[lorigrey]

That is amazing.

[deadhead]

As usual, C. Joe's WIPS are in a league of their own. Truly inspiring and awe to observe. Thank you!!

(Off topic, curious tho, where did you find that C. Lee pic? I have a library of his images and haven't come across that one yet. I could use it as I have Resin Crypts 1/6 as well as Blackhearts 1/1 in my queue and it would be great to get ahold of...?)

[aussiedave]

Nice work CJ. Always love reading your WIPs. Thanks for taking the time to post all the pics and tips.

[Lukvader]

Well done so far. Love it.

[modeljunky]

Lookin good, but man my head is spinning just looking at all those pieces.. good luck.

[Avall15]

I cannot wait to see more... Just a crazy amount of delicate pieces... CJ can!!

[Zephyr]

This's exciting. I love watching WIPs and how people work. It's inspiring.

This's a fantastic kit so I'll be watching with special interest. Can't wait to see more.

[Collapseindustries]

Amazing build up so far! 2 cans that's a ton of primer. Can't wait to see paint on it.

[annya12345]

Thank you very much for such an amazing WIP. I can't wait to see your color choices
This is a great reference for me when I finally find time to make mine

[btbrush]

This is going to be fun to watch, can't wait. If I maybe so bold as to offer a suggestion. I get a great line-to-line fit as on the base, by first coating the bottom of her legs with liquid latex, then smearing some Bondo on the base and smushing them together. Fast and easy.

[monkey5150]

she is freaken amazing

[Redwing]

Thank you for taking the time and effort posting such a tutorial must take! Looking forward to the paint!

[kevtk135]

This awesome piece is a bit out of my price range, but I'll have the enjoyment of watching you build yours.
what a terrific job so far. Also, never realized it was *that* big.

[Collapseindustries]

Any more progress on this girl? I have been debating picking on up for my self. I did not realize quite how big she was!

[BlueRaven]

I cannot wait to see the painting progress on this! You are going to knock it outta the park, I am sure!

[Crazy Joe]

I have been debating picking on up for my self.

Stop debating, bro! Git 'er!!! It's an O U T S T A N D I N G piece!!!

I hope to start laying paint around the end of this month - and likely to start detail painting around the holidays - stay tuned, y'all...