The one in which I try something new...

Yes, those are bags of LEDs. For some time, I've been itching to build a model with lighting but I've always felt apprehensive about it because electricity is not my strong suit! However, after pouring over websites and videos about wiring LEDs, I've decided to give it a go because I have a big project coming up soon that I think will look fantastic with lights. In the meantime, I have model on the way that will serve as a testbed for my new electrical endeavors.

The End of 2016; A Retrospective

With 2016 rapidly coming to an end, I figured it would be nice to take a look back at my year of model-making in my first ever end-of-year retrospective.

General Thoughts

All in all, my modeling output was down this year compared to the last. I completed eleven models this year compared to my over twenty models last year. (To be fair, most of the models I completed in 2015 were smaller wargaming models.) What I lacked in numbers, I made up for in size and complexity, including the absolutely massive Super Star Destroyer in completed! I feel that I really grew as a modeler this year and I've expanded my range of techniques to some things I've never tried before.

The Models

• Bandai TIE Interceptor (1/72 scale)
• Bandai Y-wing (1/144 scale)
• Bandai R2-D2 & BB-8 (1/12 scale)
• SithPlanet Super Star Destroyer 
• Bandai T-70 X-wing (1/72 scale)
• Bandai T-65 X-wing (1/72 scale)
• Bandai R2-KT (1/12 scale)
• Bandai Star Destroyer (box scale)
• Bandai TIE/fo Fighter (1/72 scale)
• Bandai BB-8 (1/12 scale)

Looking Forward

If it wasn't already obvious, 2016 was dominated by Bandai Star Wars models, but this barely cracks the surface of my Bandai stash:

This is only a small part of it, too!

In 2017, I'd like to start working my way through these models. Specifically, I'd like to tackle Bandai's 1/144 scale Millennium Falcon and Slave I; they both would look great on display next to one another. I'd also like to finish Kylo Ren and paint the Darth Vader I put together over two years ago (!) because they too would look great on display together. That being said, I think my first personal project of the New Year is going to be my Skyhook Models Planet Express Ship that I bought over two years ago. It's been sitting in my stash for some time and since Futurama is one of my favorite shows, I'd really like to get some paint on it. Another item high on my list, albeit one that is quite a departure from my comfort zone, is the awesome full-size Tom Servo puppet kit I acquired over the summer. I have no idea where I'm actually going put this handsome fellow, but I'll figure something out. I also have a couple of commissions to finish up next month, including some Star Wars Armada ships, a Mansions of Madness miniatures set, and a Bandai A-wing. Once those are done, I probably won't take any more commissions for a while so I can begin to chip away at my mountain of model kits.

As I will be out of the country all next week, this will most likely be my last post of the year, so I would like to extend my warmest wishes to everyone. Wherever you are, have a  Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Studio Update: Dog Days of Summer

Summer in Northern Virginia is finally in full swing! We have temperatures in the 90's and a health dose of humidity to boot. I have a couple of commission projects to finish and then I can start dedicating myself to building some of the many, many models in my personal stash.

The NoVA IPMS monthly meeting for July was held on the 6th and I brought along three models to show off and enter into the contest. I brought R2-KT, Luke's X-wing, and Poe's X-wing. KT managed to snag second place in the "Figures" category and Luke's X-wing took home "Best of Show," making it the second model I've entered to do so!

I think she was worthy of better than second!

Luke was popular at the meeting!

Working on R2-KT was a blast through and through. For one, the subject matter is extremely touching and a stellar example of the positives that come from fandom. All too often we see stories that portray our various fandom cultures in a negative light so to work on something that unifies us nerds is a welcome change of pace. The other benefit was experimenting with enamels, which I have always been a little apprehensive about. After finding that I seem to have a firm grasp on using enamels for weathering effects, I used some AK Interactive Streaking Grime to add some more weathering to the wonderful little BB-8 model I completed earlier this year. The filming prop has a lot of weathering along the orange panels on his "body" and I wasn't exactly sure how to go about recreating that on the model. After talking to another modeler and working on R2-KT, I found that stippling on enamel washes and then feathering them out is the best way to go about it. I'm pretty please with how it turned out and when I have time I'll take some updated pictures of the little guy.

On the commission front, I have two projects in my queue that I need to finish. One is a gigantic resin Super Star Destroyer for a friend of mine that will be used in Star Wars Armada games. I'm currently assembling the behemoth and will hope to get some paint on her in the next couple of weeks. I have another in progress commission for a friend of mine that has to be kept secret because it's gift. It's been challenging so far and I'm having to learn a lot as I go along (it's a subject and scale I'm not very familiar with) but I'm confident that the final product will be among my best work!

I'm really looking forward to having these last commission completed so I can put all of my time and focus into completing personal projects. I have decided to scale back the amount of commission work I do because my schedule just isn't supporting it. I enjoy commission work for the challenge and because it essentially pays for my modeling hobby, but I would like to build and display things for myself for a change! My model backlog is enormous and seems to be growing every month. Among other things, I have a stack of probably twenty Bandai Star Wars models alone that I would really like to get cracking on. However, at the top of my to-do list is Hasegawa's 1/48 scale Voyager space probe. Space exploration has always fascinated me (and it's a big part of why I love science fiction) and I've wanted to build this model for a number of years. I added it to my collection a year ago and I recently acquired the fantastic Eduard photo etch set for it so I look forward to adding it my display cabinet in the months to come.

Studio Update: Space Wolves, Elves, and X-wings

My workload has been pretty substantial as of late: the Space Wolves job is still on going and I am needing to get caught up with a Dark Elves job as well. On the horizon is two small jobs, both are for repeat customers. One is another X-Wing job for the client that I painted the Blue Squadron B-wings for, only this time it will be a Millennium Falcon with a Ford Mustang GT500 inspired paint job, which should prove interesting. The other job is for the same client I completed the Knight-Titan for, only this time around it will be some Imperial Guard (along with some conversion work).

On the personal project front, there has been a steady trickle of packages from Japan bearing Bandai's fantastic, new Star Wars models. Earlier this week, I received both the 1/12 scale C-3PO and the 1/48 scale X-wing "Moving Edition."

The X-wing comes with a motor to open and close the S-foils along with a couple of pre-wired LEDs for the cockpit and engines. Needless to say, it's on the top of my build list and I will start working on it as soon as I find the time!