Ultimate Wolverine vs Hulk Sculpture WIP #9

Hi Everyone,

Just wanted to post up the latest WIP of the Hulk vs Wolverine figure.

 I am really enjoying the chance to sculpt a bigger figure and the arms are one of the fun parts to sculpt, especially with the Hulk. You can see from the photos that I can really get into his musculature and texturing on the skin.

 I spent extra time on the veins on this part, because it is such a dominate feature in the art, I wanted to make sure to reproduce the ferocity and power in his arms that the veins add to the piece. I also added some more underpinning to his face, particularly his jaw line, but I may reduce that again when I get to his head.

 So here he is:

Moving Forward and New Releases

Hello Everyone,

It has been a busy few weeks and I hope things continue to be busy.  As always, we are moving forward with filming and we have several courses in the editing phase. I am hoping to have a few uploaded onto our classroom platform the end of this week, or the beginning of next week.  With every stage, there have been a few hiccups as we worked out the best possible way to get the highest quality on everything.  The good news is that, while it means slow going at the beginning, once all the parameters are set in place, everything will move much faster.  Before the end of February, we are hoping to provide you with weekly releases of the courses.

In addition to the news about the first courses, we have added some new sculpting supplies to our online store at store.f4estudios.com.  The supplies are the F4E Pro Tools that I will be using throughout the courses. Some of the tools are in the sculpting kit so if you have purchased a sculpting kit, you will have many of the tools available.  

The new items are available immediately and are not preorder sales.  They are:

• ·         F4E Pro-Tool Needle Nose Miniature Pliers
• ·         F4E Pro-Tool Flat Nose Miniature Pliers
• ·         F4E Pro-Tool Round Nose Miniature Pliers
• ·         F4E Pro-Tool Undercut Detail Pin Tool
• ·         F4E Pro-Tool Sharp Angle Medium Detail Pin Tool
• ·         F4E Pro-Tool Low Angle Medium Detail Pin Tool
• ·         F4E Pro-Tool Large Detail Pin Tool
• ·         F4E Pro-Tool Medium Detail Pin Tool (Included in Kit)
• ·         F4E Pro-Tool Fine Detail Pin Tool
• ·         F4E Pro-Tool Secondary Sculpting Tool (Included in Kit)
• ·         F4E Pro-Tool Primary Sculpting Tool (Included in Kit)
• ·         F4E Pro-Tool "Green Stuff" (6" Strip) (4 inches included in Kit)
• ·         F4E Pro-Tool Modelling/Sculpting Needle File Set
• ·         F4E Pro-Tool Sculptor Saw 12 Pc. Blade set sizes #1 to #6
• ·         F4E Pro-Tool Sculptor Saw Blades Set, Sizes #0/1 - 0/6
• ·         F4E Pro-Tool Deluxe Sculptor’s Saw
• ·         F4E Pro-Tool Precision 6” Metal Proportion Ruler
• ·         F4E Pro-Tool Sculptors Head Magnifier w/LED Light

And, as already mentioned, the sculpting courses are available on the store for a preorder price.  If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at info@f4estudios.com.

Thanks

James

Ultimate Wolverine vs Hulk Sculpture WIP #8

So I am really excited about the WIP of the Ultimate Wolverine vs Hulk Sculpture. He is coming along really well and I have moved into the torso area of the Hulk.  At this point, you can really start to see how he is going to look when it comes to the overall size and shape.  I still have a lot of detail to add to the figure but that will be done at the end, once all the rest is done on the figure.

As with everything, bulk is added with the final layer of putty.  I play around with how much I add, some areas get less, some areas get more but what I am focusing on is creating the superhero anatomy that is needed for the Hulk.  He is what is known as a brick so the anatomy is slightly different than what you would do for other "regular" and "superhero" anatomy.

I'm also trying to get it as close to the art as possible so I am following the anatomy and details that the artist has in the illustration.  So check out how he is turning out and please feel free to comment with any questions.

Fire For Effect Store has Launched

It has been a very busy month with the holidays, the kickstarter and setting everything up for the company. It has been crazy how much needs to be done still but I am hard at work with sculpting and filming the courses.  And I have a bunch of posts planned for this month that includes some much anticipated WIP shots of the Hulk!

But today, I wanted to announce that the Fire For Effect Studios store is now live.  We are offering all of the courses for a reduced cost, for a limited time.  For those of you who missed out on the kickstarter, this is your chance to get in at a reduced price.  Over the next few weeks, I will be releasing a line of sculpting tools on the store as well so make sure you keep an eye out to see what will be available.

So check out the store at store.f4estudios.com and thanks for all your support as we launch the studio.

Thanks

James

Final Days of Sculpting Course Kickstarter!

We would like to announce that the Sculpting Courses by James Van Schaik kickstarter is entering its final days.  We would like to issue a warm thank you to all of the backers who have made the project successful and James is looking forward to teaching you all in the classroom.

If you haven’t had the opportunity to see the kickstarter yet, it is a series of eLearning courses with the everyday hobbyist and modeller in mind.  The courses are complete guides to sculpting and modelling specific techniques and each course offers a wide range of resources for students.

High definition, non-time lapsed videos will show students exactly what they need to do to sculpt a detail or technique.  In addition, helpful pdf and power point guides will take students through the steps and will highlight important aspects of the technique.  References are provided as applicable and all of the classrooms have an eLearning campus where students can connect with peers and with James Van Schaik himself.  It is more than just a sculpting tutorial; it is an eLearning course that has been designed with the same thought towards curriculum as a college course.

Right now, with the kickstarter, all of the backers will receive savings of up to 75% of what the regular prices of the courses will be.  Plus, they are receiving many free courses and add ons at low prices for as little as a $15 pledge.

So if you have ever held a paintbrush and wondered if sculpting was something you could do, don’t miss out on the opportunity to learn all your modelling and conversion skills from a 15 year veteran of the sculpting industry. 

The kickstarter ends December 9^th so back it now!

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1389554987/modeling-and-sculpting-course-videos-by-james-van?ref=home_location

Only 7 days left of the Sculpting Courses Kickstarter

With only 7 days to go and many rewards that are still to be opened up, there has never been a better time to learn how to convert your own miniatures and models. All of the courses in the core course lists are designed for the everyday hobbyist. If you can paint, you can learn how to do conversion on your models and miniatures.

Fire For Effect Studios and James Van Schaik are happy to announce the “Learn to Sculpt Miniatures” Kickstarter is close to smashing another stretch goal and will be unlocking more great rewards for backers for as little as a $15.00 pledge, and even more rewards at the higher levels.

So spread the word and share the kickstarter with your friends to learn how to convert your miniatures and make them a cut above all the rest. Don`t miss out on once in a lifetime prices on these exciting courses and back the kickstarter today!

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1389554987/modeling-and-sculpting-course-videos-by-james-van?ref=home_location

Drawing a Mascot

Before I became a sculptor, I loved to draw.  I drew constantly.  Actually, as far back as I can remember, I have always had a sketch pad and a pencil lying nearby and whenever I had the opportunity, I would spend my time drawing.  In elementary school, I went to extra art classes and I loved it.

Art was always my favorite subject in school and my dad's miniature company gave me plenty of inspiration when I began painting and finally sculpting miniatures. 

While drawing was my first passion when it came to art, I haven't had much opportunity to draw over the years.  Work, family, ect has cut back on time I can draw and, of course, I do like different R&R time now, such as World of Tanks.

But what am I getting at?  Simply that I took the time to draw Sgt. Grumpy from my logo.  I had planned on hiring an artist to draw him but the more I looked at him, the more I wanted to take the time to draw him myself.  So I set aside some of my free time, sorry WOT, and sketched out this concept art.  I will be sculpting him but for now, I wanted to share the piece.

Over the next few weeks, I will pull out some of my old sketches that I did years...and years ago.  My wife, who hates clutter and actually had a bonfire with collectable cards (a horror story to tell another day and no, it wasn't during or after a fight), refused to let me get rid of them and has them safely tucked away.  When I get a change to scan them in, I will share the pictures with you.

But for now, here's SGT. GRUMPY.

Note:  If I refer to him as Sgt. Stumpy from time to time and don't catch it in edits, just ignore it.  I always think of Sgt. Stumpy who was a war dog in WWI.

And here is an alternate Christmas Version.

Stretch Goal and Pro Sculptor 2 for 1 sale on Kickstarter

Another stretch goal has been reached and to celebrate, Fire For Effect Studios and James Van Schaik have opened up several stretch goals that are free to all backer levels as well as some that are open to select backer levels. What that means is backers get more for their investment and can start earning free rewards with a backing level of only $15.

With the second stretch goal opened up, backers can receive 4 free QuikTec courses that are available to pick 1 and up backers. These courses are quick, mini courses that look at a specific detail techniques, such as sculpting cigars. They are quick to take, most taking no more than 15 to 30 minutes of your time and add a wealth of character to your miniatures and models.

In addition to the free QuikTec courses, backers who pledge at a pick 10 and up level receive 4 free courses. These are complete courses that can be taken on their own or with other courses available by Fire For Effect Studios.  

Finally, Fire For Effect Studios is offering pick 5 and up level backers 7 add on courses for as little as $5 to $20 dollars depending on the course. These are courses that are above the 30 core courses the company had planned on producing. With every stretch goal, the Fire For Effect Studios will increase the number of courses that they will produce.

At the next stretch goal of $10,000, Fire For Effect Studios will be opening up 3 free courses for a total of 7 free courses for level 10 and up backers, another 4 free QuikTec courses for a total of 8 free courses for pick 1 and up level backers and 2 more add ons for a total of 7 add on courses and 2 add on reference figures.

In addition to the stretch goals being reached, Fire For Effect Studios is offering a limited sale on Pro Sculptor courses. These sales are buy the male anatomy pro sculptor course and receive the female anatomy pro sculptor course free of charge. As well as purchase the male superhero pro sculptor course and receive the female superhero pro sculptor course free of charge.

Check out the kickstarter today for more details. http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1389554987/modeling-and-sculpting-course-videos-by-james-van

Fan Appreciation Contest

Wow, it has been a busy two days.  Before I get into the contest, I would like to take a minute to thank my wife. She is the person behind the keyboard who is updating the kickstarter and making everything run smoothly. 

While she has been busy working on the kickstarter and business end of everything, I have been happily sculpting along for my clients.  It is exciting to see the kickstarter doing so well and while I would love to watch the computer, my wife is the tech savvy person in the family so it is just safer if I check on it over her shoulder.  Also, I want to make sure that I get my client's miniatures done and shipped out for them.

If you have a question about the kickstarter, you can email her at fireforeffectstudios@gmail.com and address it to Sirena.  She will have all the answers to your questions.

But right now, I wanted to take my lunch break to announce a fan appreciation contest that we will be running on the Fire For Effect Studios Facebook Page.  This contest will have the following prizes:

Ultimate Prize Win 1 Free Commission: 32mm Figure of any genre.

In addition, we will be raffling off a number of greens, miniatures and copies of miniatures that we have here.  So there should be something for everyone.

What you need to do to win:

For this contest, there are a few things that we will need to do as a community and it is very important.  This contest will only happen if we reach the goal. If we don't, then the draw won't happen.

So, between now and December 9th, we need to raise the number of fans who like our facebook page to 5000 for the Ultimate Prize to be raffled off.

However, if we reach a goal of 1000, 2000, 3000, and 4000 likes, we will be raffling off miniatures and greens, more details to follow.

To enter in to the contest, you must do the following:

1. Like the Fire For Effect Studios Page
2. Like and Share this image and link on facebook.
3. Relax and wait for the draw

And that is it.  No muss, no fuss.

We are raffling off three different types of items.  For warhammer 40k fans, we will be raffling off 10 marines throughout the contest; for heroclix fans, we have super rare, resin preproduction copies of miniatures that I received when I worked in studio; and for fantasy fans, we have a bunch of fantasy greens that I have kept over the years.  Here is a photo of some of the items in the raffle.  More details will follow the closer we get to a draw.

Thanks for all of your support in getting my studio name out there. 

Kickstarter is Live!

James Van Schaik and Fire For Effect Studios are proud to announce the launch of their kickstarter.  It is an exciting initiative that brings the world of sculpting techniques to everyone through comprehensive, easy to follow, sculpting classes.

The courses offered are high quality courses filmed in HD without time lapse on techniques. You see everything as it is done, clearly and concisely, so you can learn the skills you need for adding to existing models and miniatures or sculpting your own. The courses will include a virtual classroom, several modules for each course, PDF quick cheat guides, module notes and references for students. There will also be a course forum for one on one attention from James Van Schaik while you are learning.

These courses are designed for everyone, whether you are new to using putty to enhance your models and miniatures or not. All skill levels, all jobs, learning that is easy and enjoyable.

The kickstarter runs from November 19th until December 9th and we are offering great incentives to backers of the project.  Courses are offered at over 75% off what they will be when released to the general public.  In addition, some great miniatures are being offered to backers including a chance to have your own private commission from James Van Schaik. Stretch goals are planned with the opportunity to receive free courses and special add ons.

For more information on our sculpting courses, you can read the descriptions at http://www.f4estudios.com/f4e_studios_009.htm or back our kickstarter today at http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1389554987/modeling-and-sculpting-course-videos-by-james-van