Highlander

Well, I guess this settles it. I suppose one could discern these traits from the models they constructed.

They don't like you anymore?

Sierra Hotel!

Impressive.

Off to a roaring start. The links are up on the Nats website and the link for the Mariott results in a message that the block has no rooms available. A phone call to the hotel results in information that, since the Nats are next year, reservations cannot be made on-line. P.S. A subsequent phone call indicated that the hotel cannot tell me if the room block is sold out. The Marriot web site indicates the room block is sold out. I was advised to call back tomorrow as Mariott reservations are closed for the night. They thought. Maybe.

I really appreciate the transparency. Much better than keeping the dates for hotel registration close held, and then finding out that the block is sold out before one even knows that registration has opened.

Round here, an employee must unlock the cabinet and take it up to the register ... in some stores. In others, the shelves are open and you can handle the can yourself. It is all about tagging combined with shoplifting.

The pearl effect on the scales is very nice. I'll have to remember it.

I'm not much for the garage kit genre, but you have done a remarkable job with this. Kudos.

If you enjoy making models, then you've won. Your work is truly impressive. I'm no scratchbuilder, but we do have some in IPMS. All I can do is marvel.

So, at this point, we have Chattanooga in 2019 and San Marcos in 2020. However, there were no bids for 2021 or after. Correct?

Sorry, but your first model is just not complicated enough. Well, now I have to go shoot myself. Make sure you keep posting photos. So my survivors will know why I offed myself.

OK, I'm on a roll. Recently, I had the opportunity to judge a figure that was not painted at all. The sprues came in different colors so assembly caused it to resemble a pre-painted figure. Or so I am told. Since it was not painted, in my mind, it was not competitive. This lead the judging team to discuss what IPMS will do as pre-painted figures are entered in contests. We are already in that area with 3-D printed models -- the no-construction alternative for challenged modelers. It will be interesting to see how IPMS reacts to the accelerating changes that technology is introducing into what has been a pretty stable hobby.

Let's look at the 2013 Competition Handbook, which is the latest as far as I know. And, I also know, that looking at the rules and pointing out the rules and quoting the rules is a good way to really antagonize a peeved modeler. Shadows should be present when two surfaces meet (e.g. belts over tunics) and on undersurfaces (e.g. between legs and under arms). And-- Headgear shadows should show on the figure's face. Plus -- Equipment such as swords should have a shadow shown on the figure. So, it seems clear to me that the issue of shadows is addressed in the Handbook. I hold that the Handbook is saying that light should act like light acts on any surface ... say, the surfaces of a figure under a consistent light source (sort of). And that shadows and highlights must be painted. BTW, the Handbook does not say: "The Judge should hold the figure under the venue's lights to create highlights and shadows from the actual light that is present in order to present the figure in the best light possible." It also doesn't say: "Shadows and highlights cast by venue lighting should have the same credit given as shadows and highlights painted on the figure." So, when I judge a figure that sits under overhead venue lighting which provides definite shadows over the figure, I use my flashlight to hit the areas where shadows from the venue lighting are evident. If the shadow from the venue's lighting disappears and I can see that the paint job has no shadow whatsoever, I advocate that that figure is non-competitive. As to the OP, no shadows or highlights on a figure's armor removes it from further consideration.

I have that figure and you've done a great job. I might try it with a lighter red. Your choice is powerful and you carried it off.

Congrats! I'm up for Texas. Even if you invaded us three times.

Just registered and found no place for guests ... as we have had in the past. Will my wife have to pay to get in or will she be able to get a name tag and attend with me? P.S. Went back and fiddled around and discovered that one registration screen had the option to add my wife's name and another did not. Although I did not enter my IPMS number, the software added it anyway. So how can I modify my registration to add my wife?

Like it.

Semper Fi, Marine!

That's funny.

That technique produces an incredibly subtle grey skin final effect. Very well done.

Nice handling of all that black.

Ah, this thread scratches an itch I have in laying out long range plans for Nats. As I now understand it, we have the next two Nats confirmed -- but no bidders yet for 2020 or 2021. We hope to have bids for one or both of these years presented at the Phoenix Nats.

Favorite character from favorite movie. Really good work!

Oh, that's gonna make a lot of people happy.