THE ARCHOSAUR ASYLUM VOL.11: Right Where it Begins- 2023

Hello Ladies and Gents. This is the eleventh installment of the Ancient Era Artistry blog, and the first one of the new year.

If you look forward to this blog, then I sincerely apologize for being MIA lately. I have not been releasing new models because I have been hard at work on a few new things... and one with an important deadline.

I cannot share too much information about said project, but I can tell you a few things. It is a limited edition diorama; the project is a collaboration between a major player in our industry and me. The kits will be of my artwork but manufactured in China. Also, you may have noticed a couple of Acrocanthosaurus miniatures on sale on the website. Let that be a big hint about one of the species involved in the forthcoming diorama.

I have a fast-approaching deadline, but I have no idea when the kit will be released. This is not a sculpt-to-print scenario, so there are many moving parts. I know there will be a 1:20 version, a 1:35 scale version, and the two will be slightly different. Also, there will be a disarticulated kit version and a fully assembled and painted version.

Now offering 1:57 and 1:60 scale miniature versions of "Acro Attack" featuring "Buddy."

Also offering 1:57 and 1:60 scale minis of "Acro Pack Attack" featuring "Buddy" and "Scarsdale."

In other news, our 1:35 scale torosaurus combatants "Right Where it Ends" diorama (on SALE now) has been making some waves. Our most popular kit has found its way to the latest issue of Prehistoric Times Magazine . This is the second time this kit has been in PT. The first time, Editor Mike Fredericks wrote up the kit as it was received, and in this issue, Sean Kotz builds and paints the diorama.

Sean is a PT writer, artist, veteran model builder, and painter. Within, Sean explains how he built up and painted the toro kit. It is a lovely, articulate write-up, and Sean even shouted out Ancient Era Artistry as the best thing to happen to dinosaur modeling in 2022. That's some high praise coming from a fella with Sean's experience.

Winter issue #144

Some shots of Sean's iteration

BADLANDS DINOSAUR MUSEUM:

In addition to a feature in PrehistoricTimes Magazine, "Right Where it Ends" will be on permanent display at the Badlands Dinosaur Museum in Dickson, North Dakota. I understand that the diorama will fit into their ceratopsian display to help discuss the potential for intraspecies conflict and the evolution of horns and frills.

The specific kit requested by the museum is a rendition by artist Javier Peces. If you have been paying attention, I have mentioned Javier before. He built and painted an excellent version of our T.rex walking kit: "Scent in the Air", and he has also painted the 1:35 versions of "Twinning" and "Between Meals."

You can get him to paint your model kits by contacting us, or him directly: On Instagram @dinocomissions or his email: jpkappakun@gmail.com

Here's his "Right Where it Ends" kit:

What else is to come? "Interrupted Meal":

"Interrupted Meal" is a forthcoming collaboration between Javier Peces and myself. Javier created this beautiful illustration of a velociraptor unable to enjoy her meal- for fear of what might be plotting to steal her catch. Javier presented the idea that I make a model of this species in a similar pose. I am just in love with this illustration, so the model better be good!

"Interrupted Meal" by Javier Peces

I have been working on my velociraptor for a while now- on and off, between other projects. It is actually a pretty difficult proposition. It is challenging just because it has fur-like protofeathers and more advanced bird-like feathers. These textures and complex arrangements are difficult to pull off in digital sculpting software. Zbrush (the digital sculpting program that I use) is robust and capable, but it is a real challenge to find the right tools to make the right marks that convince the eye that it is looking at feathers... fur-like or otherwise.

I am hoping to get my velociraptor kit completed soon. As for scale... expect the usual characters, although this girl is small. She would not have been longer than t six feet, including her long tail. So, the 1:35 and 1:20 scale versions will likely consist of a diorama with multiple characters. For the true 3d rendition of "interrupted Meal," I will probably start at 1:6 scale and maybe even make a 1:2 scale version if it seems like a popular idea.

Here are some sketches of the model. These are "photoshopped" iterations of the snapshots of my actual digital model. I am not quite ready to show the whole deal yet. Keep an eye right here for more news shortly.

The ole' "Static Pose" as I call it. Some call it a Neutral Pose." This is the way all digital sculptures start-the pose comes last.

Did I say the pose comes last? Well, technically, that is true, but I usually add a layer sometime toward 75% complete and pose the model to encourage me that it doesn't suck.

It is all the same pose, actually. These are just different angles.

SO, that sums it up for Volume 11.

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Right Where it Ends 1:35 scale- Torosaurus combatants

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Between Meals 1:20 scale Numbered Limited Edition-Subadult T. rex

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