dks Posted June 12, 2008 Share Posted June 12, 2008 This is what I did with the 2007 sci-fi ReaperCon Sophie. At RCon '07, as people were tossing around ideas of how to paint their Sophies for auction, I made an offhand statement of "pole dancer in the Mos Eisley cantina"... and, well, it stuck. I didn't get around to converting/painting her until April this year, and I used her as my entry for the Masters category at ReaperCon 2008. She didn't place -- since there were at least three better entries! But I hope she'll bring a good price at auction. So, it is "Amateur Night at the Cantina". I don't think I made any blatant copyright infringements on that long-ago/far-far-away series, but I took a few cues from the cantina scene of the first movie: the design of the table and the floor, and even the colors of Sophie herself. She could be the third sister to those two pale brunettes in green jumpsuits and green lipstick whom you see standing at the bar after Ben takes a lightsaber to Walrusman's arm. The conversion and sculpting took about as much time as the painting itself. I removed Sophie's left arm (which was holding a gun, if you recall) and the base, sculpted a new arm and hand to hold the dancing-pole (a brass tube), patched the torso and hair, and pinned her toe to the pole. I built the table out of a paint-bottle top and an inverted round plastic base, with a top surface of clear sheet-polyester over the "illuminated" interior. I sculpted the cracked concrete floor and painted it to be suitably grungy, including a couple of spilled drinks (perhaps thrown at the previous contestant?). And I added some coins that the patrons have already thrown to cheer on our dear Sophie. The back edge of the table includes a stylized "RC07" icon, which you can see in the corner of my picture. As far as the pole-dancing goes, it's all in good fun. Sophie is such a good dancer that she'll keep all her clothes on and still win the prize money, so she can buy the spare parts for her spaceship and fly off that dustball before you can say "bullseye a whomp rat". Enjoy, Derek Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beowulfthehunter Posted June 12, 2008 Share Posted June 12, 2008 Ok if I went to the club and the girl on stage had that much clothing on I would ask for my cover back and leave! If feel like a richard commenting about your paintjob because I cannot even hold a candle to your ability, but let me put my 2 cents in. I think the model adds a nice bit of motion to what you where trying to do, however I would have angled the wings as it stands it looks like she is doing a pole spin, but her wings are acting more like a sail as opposed to cutting through the air. Very cool paintjob, I am in awe....you proved why you are the master! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LunchBox Posted June 12, 2008 Share Posted June 12, 2008 I saw this mini a few weeks before Rcon, and I was impressed. The table top is especially nice...you should show it off! Also, nice use of the RMS paint cap! Oh...do you still have the weapon? I was lucky enough to wrangle an '07 Sophie away from Rcon...and I had an idea... *Sorry...I read your description after posting this...apparently I have my Captain Obvious cape on tonight. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Darkstar Posted June 12, 2008 Share Posted June 12, 2008 Hey looks great, really like her makeup, the base and conversion are fantastic as well! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jabberwocky Posted June 12, 2008 Share Posted June 12, 2008 Wonderfully creative, as always! I love the wings. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LordColdsteal Posted June 13, 2008 Share Posted June 13, 2008 that is fantastic!!! Wonderful set up and the paint job.. outstanding!!! base work is amazing as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nanite Posted June 13, 2008 Share Posted June 13, 2008 I want to steal the heck out of that concept! Great job! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dks Posted June 13, 2008 Author Share Posted June 13, 2008 I think the model adds a nice bit of motion to what you where trying to do, however I would have angled the wings as it stands it looks like she is doing a pole spin, but her wings are acting more like a sail as opposed to cutting through the air. Ah, good point -- thanks. Maybe her wings were tucked for the spin but she has just spread her wings to stop spinning? As I joked with some of the folks at RCon, I didn't go to any strip clubs for "research purposes" ... though I could have written off my visits as tax deductions (to my supplemental self-employment as a mini-painter/-sculptor). LunchBox, no, I don't have the gun anymore. I took my chunks of chopped-off pewter to RCon and threw them into a melt-bucket. I think I hacked it into unrecognizable pieces with my flush-cutters anyway. Derek Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LunchBox Posted June 13, 2008 Share Posted June 13, 2008 LunchBox, no, I don't have the gun anymore. I took my chunks of chopped-off pewter to RCon and threw them into a melt-bucket. I think I hacked it into unrecognizable pieces with my flush-cutters anyway. Derek Selfish much? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mattmcl Posted June 14, 2008 Share Posted June 14, 2008 I really liked this one in person too. The eyes are absolutely amazing. I can't decide if her lips stand out a bit too much or not though. It may be the sculpt, but her lower lip looks really big and her upper lip is almost nonexistent. Killer concept. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DavidVC04 Posted June 14, 2008 Share Posted June 14, 2008 Absolutely gorgeous. Thanks for sharing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
haldir Posted June 14, 2008 Share Posted June 14, 2008 Awesome mini Derek! This was one of three I voted on during RCON (which of the three I can't recall). I love the "lights" in the floor that was neat to see up close. RM Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
olliekickflip Posted June 15, 2008 Share Posted June 15, 2008 Yeah, it was awesome seeing this one in real life! I really liked it! You do awesome work D... a-dizzle Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PurityThruFire Posted June 17, 2008 Share Posted June 17, 2008 Wow, really awesome idea and amazing execution. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gamera Posted June 18, 2008 Share Posted June 18, 2008 Love the conversion idea! Nice paint job too! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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