This post is not really prop related, but it will explain why I've been slacking lately on prop and other project progress. I've been busy scanning photos! About three or four years ago, I decided that I wanted digital copies of EVERY Munson family photo I could get my hands on. I gathered everything together, organized both prints and negatives, purchased a really nice high end scanner, and got to work.
Like many other projects, this one saw its ups and downs. It's very tedious work, that is highly repetitive. This is the type of work I loath, and as a result, the project often languished.
However, I got a bug up inside me recently to get it done again, probably due to the fact that my house is now all set up and everything is out of storage. It took a few weeks of pretty intense work, usually anywhere from three to six hours a day.
But as of right now, it's all done!!! yay! Now all I need to do is duplicate the archive to a few different external hard drives or optical media, then distribute them across the globe. That way, all my photos are protected forever! whoohoo!
Saturday, January 7, 2012
Monday, January 2, 2012
Grapple Gun Pins
Just a tiny update on the grapple gun. These are some aluminum pins I cut the other day to hold the different parts of the gun together.
Han In Carbo Panels Progress
Much progress has been made on the side panels, though little has been documented. I will try to catch up here.
Here is where things start. With a coat of primer.
Once the primer is dry, I cover the face with a coat of light metallic grey. This will be the parts that are covered by the masking tape, then revealed later on in the process.
Once all of the masking tape is applied, I spray a couple of light coats of a much darker metallic grey to the panels. This might be a little too dark, but I can always lighten it up a little bit later with some weathering.
Based on a recommendation from a guy in the R2 Builders Club, I'm giving this tape a try for this project.
And here is where things stand right now. I have a few panels that are unmasked, a couple that only have bright silver, and a couple that are masked and painted with the dark grey.
Overall, I'm pretty happy with the frog tape. It's a little easier to manage than the normal blue tape, but honestly, doesn't provide significantly better results. I got some bleed through, but I cannot say for sure if it was more or less than with blue tape. I think it largely boils down to how well you prep the pieces, not so much what tape you use.
For all of these panels, I was drying them under a space heater in the garage. Though it's not "Ohio Cold" out here right now, it's cold enough that automotive paint won't dry properly under ambient temperatures. Without a space heater, it takes on a foggy finish, which is no good.
Another lesson I relearned on this project is regarding patience. When you spray on the second color, it needs a couple of days to fully dry. If you try to remove the masking tape before it has fully dried, you risk the paint peeling up along with the tape. So be patient. Let your paint fully dry.
Here is where things start. With a coat of primer.
Once the primer is dry, I cover the face with a coat of light metallic grey. This will be the parts that are covered by the masking tape, then revealed later on in the process.
Once all of the masking tape is applied, I spray a couple of light coats of a much darker metallic grey to the panels. This might be a little too dark, but I can always lighten it up a little bit later with some weathering.
Based on a recommendation from a guy in the R2 Builders Club, I'm giving this tape a try for this project.
And here is where things stand right now. I have a few panels that are unmasked, a couple that only have bright silver, and a couple that are masked and painted with the dark grey.
Overall, I'm pretty happy with the frog tape. It's a little easier to manage than the normal blue tape, but honestly, doesn't provide significantly better results. I got some bleed through, but I cannot say for sure if it was more or less than with blue tape. I think it largely boils down to how well you prep the pieces, not so much what tape you use.
For all of these panels, I was drying them under a space heater in the garage. Though it's not "Ohio Cold" out here right now, it's cold enough that automotive paint won't dry properly under ambient temperatures. Without a space heater, it takes on a foggy finish, which is no good.
Another lesson I relearned on this project is regarding patience. When you spray on the second color, it needs a couple of days to fully dry. If you try to remove the masking tape before it has fully dried, you risk the paint peeling up along with the tape. So be patient. Let your paint fully dry.
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
Grapple Gun Milling All Done.
After a very steep R&D curve, I've managed to finish up my home made mill, and the slots needed for the Arkham Grapple gun.
The first one took me about 3 days to make. The other two took about five minutes each. Hooray for process improvement.
The first one took me about 3 days to make. The other two took about five minutes each. Hooray for process improvement.
Success With Home Made Mill
After a few attempts, and a of trial and error, I'm now getting really spectacular results out of my home made mill. It's sort of single purpose, and will really only cut THESE slots on this piece, but hey, it's a start!
Friday, December 16, 2011
Thursday, December 1, 2011
RPF 2012 Challenge Coin Is Here!
These turned out great! It's a very simple design, but I think it really embodies the forum. Whoohoo! If you want one, drop me a line. They are for sale.
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
Arkham City Prop Base Finished
I just finished painting this tonight.
I am extremely pleased with how it turned out. I essentially threw every technique I know at it, except for a wash. And I might still do that.
The next video in my Grapple Gun build series will walk through the entire process I used to get it to this point. I'm feeling very proud tonight!
I am extremely pleased with how it turned out. I essentially threw every technique I know at it, except for a wash. And I might still do that.
The next video in my Grapple Gun build series will walk through the entire process I used to get it to this point. I'm feeling very proud tonight!
The Ladies of The RPF Calendar
After many weeks of hard work and steep learning curves, I have finally finished my very first calendar! This one features a number of costume and prop making members from the RPF, who all happen to be women.
Here's the back cover of the calendar, which shows who appears.
If you're interested in getting one, please send me an email at jablonskyexpress ___ at ___ yahoo ___ dot ___ com
Here's a sample of what can be found in the calendar. This is Miss January, Hydra:
Here's the back cover of the calendar, which shows who appears.
If you're interested in getting one, please send me an email at jablonskyexpress ___ at ___ yahoo ___ dot ___ com
Here's a sample of what can be found in the calendar. This is Miss January, Hydra:
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