...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.
Hola Amigo
ReplyDeleteMagnifico si señor
gran trabajo en esta escena de modelado y pintura
Un SALUDO
You are very kind J.D. thank you.
DeleteWhat absolute nonsense, but what a genius idea!
ReplyDeleteSome great kitbashing there sir!
Thank you Mike, we do like a bit of nonsense once in a while.
DeleteVery well done!
ReplyDeleteThank you Sir.
DeleteAnd this wasn't up to your standard? Jeez mate I think it's cracking!
ReplyDeleteThank you, I wanted to do something else with the Pterodactyl, but bottled it a bit.
DeleteGreat job on the famous Adèle Blansec!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much Phil.
DeleteNicely 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.
ReplyDeleteThank you A.J. and I know exactly what you mean, just felt it lacked a little something, hugely entertaining though.
DeleteWOW! Great conversion modeling, Sir! You have done yourself proud with this one-of-a-kind creation.
ReplyDeleteFrom the maestro of modelling this is praise indeed, thank you Jay.
DeleteJust superb! A fantastic scenic piece!
ReplyDeleteThank you Gordon, greatly appreciated.
DeleteBonkers creation and excellent execution. Kudos. :)
ReplyDeleteThank you, just had to be done.
DeleteGreat stuff Michael, and I for one really appreciate the WIP shots of how you put her ladyship and mount together. Wonderful posting :-)
ReplyDeleteThank you Simon, I think I probably enjoyed the building of this more than the painting, normally it is the offer way around.
DeleteAstonishingly good job, thanks for sharing the wip!
ReplyDeleteThank you Luca, entirely my pleasure.
DeleteAs 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.
ReplyDeleteRegards Jez
Thank you so much Jez, thrilled you like it and do let me know if you manage to watch the film.
DeleteQuite the kit bash Michael & a wonderful ode to escapism.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much Terry.
DeleteThat's some good work there Michael!
ReplyDeleteThank you Francis, good to see her finally posted here.
DeleteWhat a great piece to kick it all off with Michael!
ReplyDeleteChristopher
Thank you Christopher.
Delete" this piece didn't quite live up to my expectations"
ReplyDeleteWhat bollocks, its a great bit of modelling Michael - good job!
:-)
That made me smile and thank you Paul!
DeleteI remember this from the Challenge and felt it utterly deserved it's place in Challenge history
ReplyDeleteIan
Thank you Ian, certainly glad to see her finally posted here.
DeleteI'm really impressed by your exellent conversion work and stunning paintjob!
ReplyDeleteBest regards Michael
Thank you very much Michael, that is very kind of you.
DeleteMarvellous and great conversion for the rider!
ReplyDeleteThank you Simon, she was fiddly to put together, but worth it in the end.
DeleteOne of my personal favs from your Challenge collection. Good to see her again!
ReplyDeleteThank you Millsy, I wasn't sure that I was going to get her finished in time though. Now what to dream up this year?
DeleteBeautiful work Michael, really like the smooth color shift you've achieved on the "birdie"...
ReplyDeleteThank you, the airbrush came to the rescue on the 'Birdie', but wanted to pick out a few more details.
DeleteGreat conversion on Adele and the Pterodactyl looks very cool perched on the wrought iron fence.
ReplyDeleteThank you, the fence was a real find from Fenris, great stuff.
DeleteI enjoyed the movie and your miniature!
ReplyDeleteThat's jolly kind of you, thank you.
DeleteA fine piece of conversion work, Michael. Never even heard of the film that inspired it. Have to check it out.
ReplyDeleteThank you Mr. Finch, do let me know what you think, I certainly enjoyed it.
DeleteAbsolutely brilliant work on that left field creation!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much.
DeleteStunning work Michael!
ReplyDeleteThat is very kind, thank you.
DeleteGreat idea. Really well done.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much Rodney.
DeleteExcellent model! Suitably bizarre and with a lot of character. It really was one of the best entries of the last painting challenge!
ReplyDeleteThat you very much indeed.
DeleteMightily 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.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much my good man, it was just one of those silly ideas that had to be done.
DeleteVery impressive conversion and painting!
ReplyDeleteThank you Jonas.
DeleteFantastic 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.
ReplyDeleteThank you Matt, I've not seen the comic books, but fancy see a couple just to compare.
DeleteThat is indeed very impressive Sir!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much Rodger.
DeleteAnd I'm just recovering from Zomtober!
ReplyDeleteExcellent work, Sir!
Brace yourself, more madness to come.
DeleteMost excellent work, would have never guessed you used a Games Workshop Rohan rider for the legs. Great conversion and paintjob.
ReplyDeleteThank you, there was much head scratching as to what to use, but eventually the composite parts were unearthed.
DeleteVery impressive Sir M, you are a clever chap with a bit of greenstuff!
ReplyDeleteThank you Ray, I have to confess that it is not my favourite material to use, but we got there in the end.
DeleteBrilliant! Your imagination knows no limits.
ReplyDeleteWell that's incredibly kind of you Monty, thank you.
DeleteFine work Sir Michael! Amazing idea.
ReplyDeleteThank you Bob.
DeleteI'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.
ReplyDeleteI 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!!!!!
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.
DeleteWow! What a fantastic piece, Michael. I never would've suspected it's origins - conversion work. It's perfect!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much Dean.
DeleteBeautiful work as usual - I especially like the gradient shades on the pteranodon's wings and beak. Was that airbrushed?
ReplyDeleteThank 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.
DeleteAdèle 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!!!
ReplyDeleteSome 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.
ReplyDeleteI love it, and wish I had one! :D
Brilliant!
ReplyDelete