Tuesday 3 November 2015

Dinovember begins...

...28mm Adèle Blanc-Sec
For the uninitiated, 'Dinovember' is a spot of self indulgent frippery that allows yours truly to enjoy in another month of themed nonsense, this time all things Prehistoric!  If all goes to plan, we should have new dinosaurs, some intrepid explorers, museum visits and a steam lorry. 
 
This was perhaps my most bizarre entry to the 'Vth Analogue Hobbies Painting Challenge and was pure self-indulgent nonsense.  It was something that I had been thinking about for some time and, as I have discovered with this most wholesome of hobbies, if you have an itch then scratch it!  

Inspired, once again, by the work of Luc Besson, this bizarre assemblage is my homage to the unlikely gem that is ‘The Extraordinary Adventures of Adèle Blanc-Sec’.  Based on the French comics by artist Jacques Tardi, I had completely missed the original theatrical release of this ridiculous adventure only discovering it by chance by scanning the television schedule prior to the Christmas break.  Billed as Lara Croft meets Indiana Jones I can safely say that my curiosity was piqued!  Consigned to the flawed masterpiece drum of any celluloid collection, ‘The Extraordinary Adventures of Adèle Blanc-Sec’ is a triumph of style over content, but I have to confess that I enjoy Monsieur Besson’s style, pure escapism rarely looked so good.   Of course the highlight for me is when our eponymous heroine flies over the streets of Paris on the back of a Pterodactyl – I kid you not!

For the record then, the composite parts are as follows: Pterodactyl – The Honourable Lead Boiler Suit’s Pteranodon.  Adèle is made up from a Wargames Foundry Victorian Lady, a plastic Rider of Rohan from Games Workshop and an arm from the Perry Miniatures ACW Zouave command sprue all held together with superglue and lashings of Greenstuff.  As for the base this was a combination of bits and pieces from the ever reliable Fenris Games.
Perhaps a little like the film, this piece didn't quite live up to my expectations and although thrilled to have scooped the award for 'Sarah Choice', I always felt that it lacked a little something.  In my defence this formed one of my last entries to the challenge and came at a time when I was desperately trying to make up for a slow start and, as a consequence, may have missed out on a modicum of the tender loving care that I had shown some of my earlier entries.  Still it remains a fun piece of kit bashing and was hugely enjoyable to do; who knows perhaps one day Adèle Blanc-Sec will ride again.

83 comments:

  1. Hola Amigo
    Magnifico si señor
    gran trabajo en esta escena de modelado y pintura
    Un SALUDO

    ReplyDelete
  2. What absolute nonsense, but what a genius idea!
    Some great kitbashing there sir!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Mike, we do like a bit of nonsense once in a while.

      Delete
  3. And this wasn't up to your standard? Jeez mate I think it's cracking!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, I wanted to do something else with the Pterodactyl, but bottled it a bit.

      Delete
  4. Great job on the famous Adèle Blansec!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Nicely done, she looks the part! I'm a big fan of Besson's work, and liked ‘The Extraordinary Adventures of Adèle Blanc-Sec,’ although I think it could have been better.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you A.J. and I know exactly what you mean, just felt it lacked a little something, hugely entertaining though.

      Delete
  6. WOW! Great conversion modeling, Sir! You have done yourself proud with this one-of-a-kind creation.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. From the maestro of modelling this is praise indeed, thank you Jay.

      Delete
  7. Just superb! A fantastic scenic piece!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Bonkers creation and excellent execution. Kudos. :)

    ReplyDelete
  9. Great stuff Michael, and I for one really appreciate the WIP shots of how you put her ladyship and mount together. Wonderful posting :-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Simon, I think I probably enjoyed the building of this more than the painting, normally it is the offer way around.

      Delete
  10. Astonishingly good job, thanks for sharing the wip!

    ReplyDelete
  11. As one who knows all about indulging in dinosaur related "nonsense", I can fully appreciate the coolness of both the subject matter and it's execution. Brilliant work, Michael! Might have to look at the movie too, as it sounds like the kind of thing I'd enjoy.
    Regards Jez

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you so much Jez, thrilled you like it and do let me know if you manage to watch the film.

      Delete
  12. Quite the kit bash Michael & a wonderful ode to escapism.

    ReplyDelete
  13. That's some good work there Michael!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Francis, good to see her finally posted here.

      Delete
  14. What a great piece to kick it all off with Michael!

    Christopher

    ReplyDelete
  15. " this piece didn't quite live up to my expectations"

    What bollocks, its a great bit of modelling Michael - good job!
    :-)

    ReplyDelete
  16. I remember this from the Challenge and felt it utterly deserved it's place in Challenge history

    Ian

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Ian, certainly glad to see her finally posted here.

      Delete
  17. I'm really impressed by your exellent conversion work and stunning paintjob!

    Best regards Michael

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you very much Michael, that is very kind of you.

      Delete
  18. Marvellous and great conversion for the rider!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Simon, she was fiddly to put together, but worth it in the end.

      Delete
  19. One of my personal favs from your Challenge collection. Good to see her again!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Millsy, I wasn't sure that I was going to get her finished in time though. Now what to dream up this year?

      Delete
  20. Beautiful work Michael, really like the smooth color shift you've achieved on the "birdie"...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, the airbrush came to the rescue on the 'Birdie', but wanted to pick out a few more details.

      Delete
  21. Great conversion on Adele and the Pterodactyl looks very cool perched on the wrought iron fence.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, the fence was a real find from Fenris, great stuff.

      Delete
  22. I enjoyed the movie and your miniature!

    ReplyDelete
  23. A fine piece of conversion work, Michael. Never even heard of the film that inspired it. Have to check it out.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Mr. Finch, do let me know what you think, I certainly enjoyed it.

      Delete
  24. Absolutely brilliant work on that left field creation!

    ReplyDelete
  25. Great idea. Really well done.

    ReplyDelete
  26. Excellent model! Suitably bizarre and with a lot of character. It really was one of the best entries of the last painting challenge!

    ReplyDelete
  27. Mightily impressive combination. You really have pulled off a fabulous piece. I just love the imagination that made it all possible. Well done sir. The final paint job is outstanding.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you so much my good man, it was just one of those silly ideas that had to be done.

      Delete
  28. Very impressive conversion and painting!

    ReplyDelete
  29. Fantastic figure in terms of modelling and conversion. Managed to catch the film in the cinema and it's practically a frame by frame version of the comic books.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Matt, I've not seen the comic books, but fancy see a couple just to compare.

      Delete
  30. That is indeed very impressive Sir!

    ReplyDelete
  31. And I'm just recovering from Zomtober!

    Excellent work, Sir!

    ReplyDelete
  32. Most excellent work, would have never guessed you used a Games Workshop Rohan rider for the legs. Great conversion and paintjob.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, there was much head scratching as to what to use, but eventually the composite parts were unearthed.

      Delete
  33. Very impressive Sir M, you are a clever chap with a bit of greenstuff!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Ray, I have to confess that it is not my favourite material to use, but we got there in the end.

      Delete
  34. Brilliant! Your imagination knows no limits.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Well that's incredibly kind of you Monty, thank you.

      Delete
  35. Fine work Sir Michael! Amazing idea.

    ReplyDelete
  36. I'm late! But it's not my fault. I didn't think you were doing the first post until Sunday so it's a good thing I decided to check in tonight.

    I think she was one of the most unique pieces submitted last year. Will you be doing Dinovember on random days or on a set day? I need to know!!!!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Not a problem Anne, I had planned to do a post each weekend, but the reality is that the day job can be unpredictable at this time of year so I'm going to try and get as many done when I can perhaps midweek and the weekend if I can.

      Delete
  37. Wow! What a fantastic piece, Michael. I never would've suspected it's origins - conversion work. It's perfect!

    ReplyDelete
  38. Beautiful work as usual - I especially like the gradient shades on the pteranodon's wings and beak. Was that airbrushed?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Bill and yes. I am fairly new to the airbrush, tending to use it for terrain and undercoating, but this was one of my attempts at blending.

      Delete
  39. Adèle Blanc-Sec is such a unique looking piece ... sort of like Steampunk meets Jurassic Park. And wonderfully painted too. An orange Pterodactyl shouldn't work but it does here and fantastically too!!!

    ReplyDelete
  40. Some delightful whimsy there. I love it. You really captured her character with the mini, and the painting is top notch, especially the smoothness on the wings.
    I love it, and wish I had one! :D

    ReplyDelete

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...