The classic S. Hayes Hunter of Darkness

[Tiger2]

This kit has been on my grail list for too many years to remember, for one reason or another I just never managed to
snag one and was always very cautious of recasts. If you look on the Predatorstuff website and dig through the archives,
you can see a stunning build up by the very gifted hands of Joe Dunaway. The kit depicts a powerful looking Predator, striding away from a
dead Alien he's just knocked the stuffing out of. The composition and design of the kit are what immediately appealed to the artist in me.
Quoting from the article on Predatorstuff, this cements my belief that this kit is more than just a little bit special.

"There are a few kits out there that are extremely rare and extremely prized by collectors simply because they are magnificent pieces, rather
than because they are hard to find. The Hunter of Darkness kit produced by Nayuta is a classic example of beauty and rarity and I can’t say
enough about how awesome this kit is, and you shouldn’t pass up any opportunity to grab an original if you can."

Originally released in 2002 under the Nayuta label and sculpted to perfection by Takahashi Shiraiwa Hayes, I finally got to see the real thing thanks to
Clubhouse Predator maestro Heavy Metal Spike, or Ian to his mates!

Ian answered the call and kindly put me in touch with his contact Mark and I now have the pleasure (and pressure!) of bringing this masterpiece to life.
I owe Ian a huge thank you for this one and also a massive apology that it's taken me so long to get the build underway!

Yes, it pains me to say it but it landed here last June! Life, family and work just kept jumping in front but hey, better late than never.
With the impending release of the new Predator movie approaching and all the images from the film starting to appear in the magazines,
it gave me the kick I needed to open the box and get the build underway.

I promised Ian I would do a workbench thread once I got the kit started, so here we go...!

First up the box and parts. The kit is beautifully cast considering it's now around 15 years old and aside from a few pinholes, very little clean up required.















Clean up took very little time, then it was a good bath in the washing up bowl and onto the build.
The figure is quite a heavy chunk of resin and so deep holes were drilled into the ankles and knee to ensure
a strong base to pin him later. I must say a big thanks here toTerry Norton who kindly helped out with this operation as I hadn't
got a suitable drill at this time.

I have now managed to get the main components together and will keep it in these sub assemblies for priming and painting to
allow easy access to all details. Here's the main torso and legs together and the base just dry fitted to get an idea of layout.





So, primer next and then onto the painting. Work is ramping up again on the day job but I'll do my best to keep this one moving along!

[Heavy Metal Spike]

The original release was WAY back in 2000 - but this is STILL one of my fave ever Pred sculpts.

Great photos Paul - looking forward to watching the rest of the step-by-step


.

[Tiger2]

Ok folks, a quick update on this bad boy. After priming the Pred with Tamiya fine white, I airbrushed
a fleshy grey undercoat over all skin areas mixed with Valejo acrylics. Creases around the abdominals and armour
were darkened slightly with burnt umber and black. The armour and dredlocks are base coated in Valejo black.

Once dry, I set to work with the oils which I prefer for skin tones. The slow drying time allows for subtle blending and the natural
sheen helps the look of the skin. The head is slowly coming together, I think he'll look happier once his front mandible teeth and
extra dredlocks are added.

I'll get to work on the skin tones around the torso, arms and legs next, followed by all those spots, lumps and bumps! Juggling this one with
the day job, so it may be a week before I can show some more progress. A lovely kit, really enjoying this one.

[Heavy Metal Spike]

Coming along nicely - just wait for those spots (AND the netting!)


.

[Tiger2]

Thanks matey, ah yes, the netting, designed to push a modeller's eyes and sanity to the limit! I'll do my best

[Tiger2]

Work has been a little slow on our dreadlocked friend here, perils of a frantic day job and putting on an exhibition.
Now getting some time to push him forward. All the main skin tones have been finished in oils, just waiting for it to dry
so I can finish the spot patterns and netting.

Lots of details yet to complete, the dreadlocks and neck rings will have a coat of satin varnish next.
Main teeth still to go on once the inner jaws are glossed, plus the irises in his eyes need adding.


A little dry brushing of burnt Sienna on the leather work and then a first wave of dry brushed steel across the armour and gun pack.
I want to layer this up with shades of brass and silver, scratches and weathering to create more depth. He looks like he's got football
socks on at the moment as I need to held him be the legs so much during painting! So the lower legs are still untouched primer.
Hope to get the base under way next while the oils are drying, all great fun so far!

Cheers,
Paul

[Heavy Metal Spike]

There's for sure a lot of patience and skill needed for these beasties - nice to see the step-by-step.

Thanks for posting Paul - keep up the good work!

.

[Tiger2]

Cheers Ian,

Just pondering how to achieve a transparent effect on the dead alien's head, I'm thinking mark out the eyes and skull pattern in dark greys, then spray over it with transparent grey and ochre to soften and knock it back. Always a challenge, making solid resin look transparent!
Worth a go, worse case scenario I can spray it black and greens with heaps of varnish if it goes wrong. Wish me luck!

Paul

[scuzzfink85]

mix a clear gloss with paint

[kevtk135]

Lookin' good so far!

[Tiger2]

Hi folks,

This one's been a slow burner due to the day job, but I'm gradually pushing this kit along. It's certainly a test for the old eyes and painting skills. It's official - painting Pred netting and spots really does gives you tunnel vision

I'm on the home straight now, with the main figure just about there, all bar his lower legs. He also needs his shoulder cannon adding and detailing with wires etc. The base is just blocked in with a flat red brown, the dead alien base coated in black ready for final painting. The skulls and feet are finished. Quite pleased with the Alien head, my first attempt at making solid resin look transparent!

So, onto the final painting and assembly, hopefully the next post will look vaguely finished.

Cheers for now,
Paul

[Heavy Metal Spike]

And this is your FIRST Predator

Wow.

The effect on the alien skull is brilliant too.

You've MORE than done this kit justice Paul - amazing work my friend!

Keep it up - not far to go now.

Ian/Spike.

.

[Tiger2]

Many thanks for the encouragement Ian, ramming speed now, the end is in sight!

Paul

[good30]

Paul, great job, hope too maybe see it later in the year!!

Stu

[Tiger2]

Thanks Stu,
Yes, hopefully I'll bring it to the UKGK show in September provided I'm not too knackered, I get back from a week's teaching trip the day before!

All the best,
Paul

[Tiger2]

I've been working on the base and now have it completed, here are few more progress shots. I was inspired by
Joe Dunaway's incredible build of this beast and went for a reddish brown terrain rather than grey rocks as it contrasts nicely
against the blues and greens of the Alien. The Alien was was based in black, followed by washes and dry brushing with greenish blues,
browns and a little silver round the teeth. Might add some drool later with epoxy glue.

The Predator isn't far off now, hopefully I will get him up and standing on his feet soon!

This is the only weak point with the assembly, joining such a heavy figure to the base at the ankles. I think it would
have been better engineering to have his legs complete, with some of the base surrounding the feet as a plug to socket into
larger holes in the base. Joining him at the ankles is quite a balancing act, even with long pins inserted.

Other than that, it's an awesome piece of garage kit art and I'm loving every moment of working on it!

Cheers for now,
Paul

[scuzzfink85]

Excellent...

[tay666]

You are right. That does contrast very nicely.
Helps keep everything in view and not lost in the forest of all those details.

[Apefan]

Another superb job of painting! I especially like the Predator head and the Alien on the base is outstanding.

Can't wait to see the finished product!

By the way, your photos are fantastic as well as they really show off the details.

[revenant]

It's all looking superb so far mate
You've done a fabulous job on that Alien head and as ever your attention to detail is on show in the rest of the kit. I'll look forward to seeing the finished piece when you've got it all done!