Monday, September 5, 2011

Tomoe Mami Custom Garage Kit

Even though she only lasted for 3 episodes in the anime Puella Magi Madoka Magica, she immediately became my favorite because of she's a combination of coolness, gracefulness and cuteness. I wanted to immortalize her with this kit :)

The original kit used can be found below and the WIP thread can be found here:

9bc193bafc4f58417026e2fa494ff3fa_6.jpg

She's not the best rendition of the character but I did give my best effort to make her. Feel free to offer suggestions and recommendations to help me improve my work. Thanks for looking!

sam2996.jpg
sam2997.jpg
sam2999l.jpg
sam3000.jpg
sam3001l.jpg
sam3002t.jpg
sam3004.jpg
sam3005.jpg
sam3006.jpg
sam3008i.jpg
sam3011.jpg
sam3012q.jpg
sam3013y.jpg
sam3014.jpg
sam3015r.jpg
sam3019h.jpg
sam3020d.jpg
sam3021.jpg
sam3022r.jpg
sam3027.jpg
sam3028a.jpg
sam3032.jpg
sam3033.jpg
sam3034.jpg
sam3035.jpg
sam3084t.jpg
sam3086.jpg
sam3087.jpg

Mami Tomoe Conversion WIP

This is my first real conversion attempt. I want to make this kit look like Mami Tomoe of Magi Puella Madoka Magica. There's a lot of putty work but I am glad that she's slowly taking the shape as I wanted. She's also why I was asking around how to create muskets/ rifles from scratch. It was a rush job but I managed to finish her on the same day she's going to be displayed. I updated this main post with all the things I've done with the kit so far. I will divide the project in four parts for easier tracking and explanation.

konachancom95905sample.jpg
Main Figure

First off, I needed a base figure. I scoured the on-stock items of the site I usually order from and this particular kit captured my attention instantly. The pose, the uniform and the penguin immediately gave me the idea on how Mami will probably look like. I am not familiar with the character but according to MFC, she's Haramura Nodoka from the anime Saki. sam2708.jpg

Next, I needed a hat. I got a perfect hat for her from one of my trading figures. Also, if you noticed, her pigtails are a bit more thicker than the next images. I needed to trim it down to make it as close as the original character design.

sam2721.jpg

Next, I filled her v-neck with some putty and tried attaching a collar from one of other kit's spare parts. I originally planned to use the tie in the image but I opted to use a ribbon instead.

sam2725.jpg

Next, using a mini-grinder, I scratched off some part of the uniform in her arm part to make way for some "skin" underneath. I also need to use putty to shape up the edges.

sam2726.jpg

Next, I spread a thin layer of putty on her legs and shaped it as her high boots.

sam2727.jpg

The shape of her uniform isn't smooth and it doesn't really show her curves so I have to slice some of the lower parts and apply putty as well to shape it up. This process will take several days since I need to sand, prime and re-apply the putty to get a strong, smooth layer around the sliced parts. I've done this also by keeping the lower half of her body attached so I can follow her waist's curves. I used petroleum jelly on the lower half to prevent any putty from sticking on it permanently.

sam2720n.jpg

Then, I placed a line of putty in the middle to form the shape of a part of Mami's costume.

sam2729c.jpg
sam2730h.jpg

For the ribbons, I've used the ribbons that were part of Ori's Asuka kit since I haven't finished her. I bended the ribbons freely by softening them up with a heat gun.
3260753763_54c9d32fb9.jpg
sam2731.jpg

sam2732n.jpg
sam2734.jpg

The photos below will show the progression of the kit as its been painted. I have to repaint a few spots since they got wrinkled during the masking process. Blu Tack really helped a lot in the masking process as well.

sam2769.jpg
sam2770v.jpg
sam2774.jpg
sam2775.jpg
sam2777.jpg
sam2798.jpg
sam2799.jpg
sam2801.jpg
sam2809.jpg
sam2810.jpg
sam2824o.jpg

The "feather" on her hat was not plucked from some unlucky fowl so rest assured that no animals were hurt when making this project. I luckily found a cellphone accessory that has this feather so I bought the whole damn thing for this tiny feather. sam2826eo.jpg Finally, I tried making her eyes more transparent to make them resemble that of the anime but it looked creepy in the end so I just decided to go with darker colors. sam2828b.jpg Charlotte
Charlotte is the witch Mami faced in EP 3 of the anime. It didn't end up well for Mami so I want to immortalize a different scenario by making her subject helplessly to our heroine's arms.
16133221m.gif

So to start off, I smoothed the penguin piece that came along with the original kit, then test fitted it.
sam2735o.jpg
sam2795.jpg
sam2802x.jpg

Next, I needed some extra pieces for the ears and body. That's when I selected one of my older bootleg trading figures to play as the sacrificial lamb. Behold, Aizen of the anime Bleach.

sam2796.jpg
sam2803.jpg

So after mutilating the bastard, his bum and baggy yukata became Charlotte's body while his sleeves became her ears. It will take more puttying to shape them up. Since Mami will be holding Charlotte, I deliberately positioned her right ear to bend to the back.

sam2804.jpg
sam2986.jpg
sam2992.jpg
sam2993.jpg

Muskets
These are pretty complicated if you'll follow the original design. Due to time and material constraints, I just opted for a much simpler design. The final models have missing triggers and aiming sights on the muzzles.

First I downloaded some musket designs and printed the actual size in paper. Next, I procured the base materials: microwavable containers. These are the same ones that E2046 use to ship smaller figures and kits.

sam2818z.jpg

I cut a small sheet first then traced the design on it. Using my hobby knife, I carefully cut through the plastic to form the gun's shape.

sam2817.jpg

Basically, it takes 3 layers to get the favorable thickness that will fit my 1/8 Mami. I used some instant glue and sandwiched the three layers together. It will be preferable if you use the same clips I've used in the image since they fit perfectly and hold the layers securely.

sam2820k.jpg

After the layers have dried, You need to apply a good layer of putty to hide the cracks and smoothen the sandwiched edges. I've sanded the edges then used empty ballpen ink tubes as muzzles. I also used a small iron wire to serve as the watchamacallit-thingy under the muzzle (sorry, I'm not really familiar with gun parts that much).

sam2822.jpg
sam2985h.jpg

Base
I used some insulating foam from refrigerator walls, a CD case, some masonry putty and plaster of paris to create the base.

sam2710.jpg

I wanted to make it float so I acquired one of the older bases from one my trading figures (again)

sam2805.jpg

sam2811.jpg

sam2812.jpg

Once the putty is semi-dry, I started making chessboard patterns on the floor. When it is almost dry, I started adding floor damage by chipping some dried parts and making cracks. After drying, I've sanded it and painted it.

sam2816.jpg
sam2821f.jpg

The Finished Product
Again this was a rush job so I wasn't able to document everything. She's not the best rendition of the character but I'm really happy with how she turned out.

picture004ma.jpg
picture007ym.jpg
picture030ap.jpg

Look, even Woody can't help peeking what's under that very short skirt.

picture028mb.jpg

Thanks for looking! I'll upload some gallery pics after the event :)