My new interview with Paleo-Nerd!
over 2 years ago – Sat, Oct 16, 2021 at 05:33:14 AM

Just a light update today as we approach unlocking the Daspletosaurus (more on that tomorrow!). 

I want to share a really fun interview I had yesterday with Paleo-Nerd that I think you all will enjoy. I talk a lot about Beasts of the Mesozoic, Cyberzoic and plenty of other toy/ dinosaur related topics. 

And as you can see, I have the Dino Riders homage T. rex prototype in-hand, and Yutyrannus later in the interview as well. 

I want to give a big THANK YOU to Paleo-Nerd for setting this up and allowing me to share this with your audience and now with mine. I hope you'll give it a watch!

Talk to you all tomorrow- have a great night everyone!

-David

Final Prototype preview for Tarbosaurus and Daspletosaurus!
over 2 years ago – Sat, Oct 16, 2021 at 04:58:31 AM

As we quickly head toward unlocking that big 'ol Gorgosaurus, I wanted to show a quick preview of two more Wave 3 stretch goal figures!

Tarbosaurus

Aided by some very nice paintwork by Michael Withworth, I took Tarbosaurus a step further in matching it up with the original color design. 

Daspletosaurus

Featuring the great paintwork of Shane Foulkes, I added a bit more of that Beasts of the Mesozoic fare to Daspletosaurus, lining up the final look with the color design and the soon-to-be-revealed package art. 

More photos of these two coming soon. And while we're on the topic of painting... 

Paint Tutorial

Since the new unpainted grey versions of the T. rex figures have been included as add-on options (see last night's update) I've been asked for some tips on how to paint dinosaur figures. My process is pretty simple and has remained the same since I started with the Raptor Series. The paint you use may vary, depending on how bold you need the colors to be. I actually still use a lot of the same paints from my art school illustration classes.  Personally, I don't like to spend much on supplies, so you may want nicer brushes, but I'm fine with the value packs. 

So for those wondering how you might go about painting your T. rex once it's available, or even a BotM figure you own right now, check out this paint tutorial I made a while back for a Build-a-Raptor set as it may help give you some ideas.

The photos begin with the final painted figure (based on the Roadrunner character) and then the tutorial picks up midway through the gallery. This custom figure I did for fun of course ended up being released later as the Saurornitholestes s. 'Runner'. 

That's all for now, but it looks like it won't be long before I make another announcement for the Gorgosaurus unlock, which is very exciting. We're looking strong going into our final week- I have a feeling we're going to see things pick up very soon!

-David

Eotyrannus lengi is UNLOCKED, Plus updates on other Tyrannosaurs!
over 2 years ago – Fri, Oct 15, 2021 at 09:41:31 PM

Catching up now on yesterday's events- the 1/18th scale Eotyrannus lengi has been UNLOCKED! This is now selectable from the 'add-ons' menu to include in your pledge. Add-on price: $32(US)/ $35 (INT)

 Eotyrannus features a new head and thicker neck, but otherwise will share the same body as Suskityrannus.

As with the other 'Body 1' figures,  Eotyrannus measures 8" / 20cm long, with 19 points of articulation including a bendable tail, base. and interchangable feet.

 Once painted, the figure will feature colors inspired by the Red Kite.

 Sculpting

 The head sculpt began for Eotyrannus with yet another amazing skull sculpt by Raul Ramos. 

And again, the printed skull was less than 1 inch in length.

 The actual head sculpt is still in-progress, but I can already see the personality coming through in this one as 'hungry and fluffy.'

Package Art (WIP)

 The package art illustration by Shannon Beaumont, is still in progress, but should be finished soon. Here's the latest update.

Can't get enough of those Tyrannosaurs and their predatory lifestyle. :)

Following Up

 Just wanted to share some follow up progress on a couple of other figures. 

Proceratosaurus

Still working on the head for this one, but I think the proportions/ placement with the neck is looking more natural now.

 It's a bit easier to see it all without the wax color.

Tarbosaurus

 Based on some backer feedback, I went back in to the Tarbosaurus paint and touched up the striping with more gradated colors and less solid shapes. Hopefully I interpreted the feedback correctly, but I do feel like this is an improvement, so thank you for the comments.

That's all I have for now. We're heading toward unlocking the big Daspletosaurus with about $17K to go, so let's keep things going! And I want to give a big thank you to all of you who've been promoting this campaign to your friends on social media in an effort to reach new backers. It's a great help and is very much appreciated.

Take care everyone, we'll talk again soon!

-David

Gorgosaurus libratus is UNLOCKED!
over 2 years ago – Fri, Oct 15, 2021 at 10:59:05 AM

Late last night, the 1/18th scale Gorgosaurus libratus was UNLOCKED! The figure is now selectable from the 'add-ons' menu to include in your pledge.  Add-on price: $117(US)/ $122 (INT)

The Gorgosaurus figure measures 20"/ 51cm in length and features 22 points of articulation, three sets of alternate feet, base, interchangeable standing lower legs, and a bendable tail end.

Congratulations to everyone for this big unlock, it gives us some great momentum toward unlocking the wave 3 stretch goals! Also, for those wanting to add split shipping for wave 3, I'll be including that in the add-ons section shortly. 

For more on the final Gorgosaurus prototype, be sure the check out the previous Gorgosaurus update.

 Sculpting

 Gorgosaurus features more great sculpting work by Jake Baardse (head and neck).

Parts separation was done by Aaron Doyle.

 This sculpt uses the big Body 4 sculpt by Raul Ramos.

We'll be seeing this body again for Daspletosaurus, Tarbosaurus, and Albertosaurus.

 Package Art

 Here's the first look at the final package art for Gorgosaurus by Raul Ramos! This has to be one of the most intense illustrations for the line! I feel bad for that poor little Centrosaurus...

Okay, that's all for now. Eotyrannus is next at $410,000!

Thanks everyone!

-David

Finished Dryptosaurus Package Art, plus WIP previews!
over 2 years ago – Thu, Oct 14, 2021 at 08:40:49 AM

I wanted to give you all a quick update on the package art progress. First, I have a final version of the Dryptosaurus package art by Shannon Beaumont!

Shannon created an elaborate scene with this one incorporating the New Jersey-based Hadrosaurus as the prey and Palaeotringa ( gull-like birds) and Tytthostonyx (albatross-like birds) as they come to pick the scraps from the Dryptosaurus' big meal. The added detail of the flies really completes the feeling of a realistic scene. I imagine that this will make a fitting image for November of the 2023 calendar later on- it somehow reminds me of Thanksgiving, but with more flies. 

Works-in-Progress

 There are also several illustrations that are being worked on right now. Here's a rundown of what's in-progress, each at varying stages of completion. 

Eotyrannus by Shannon Beaumont

 Gorgosaurus by Raul Ramos

 Albertosaurus by Raph Lomotan

And this coming week I'll be revealing the final art for Daspletosaurus as well, so stay tuned for that!

AIPT Comics Interview

I also had a new interview published recently, courtesy of Nick Nafpliotis at AIPT comics. In it I discuss the Tyrannosaur Series, Beasts of the Mesozoic's place in the action figure collectibles industry, and I talk a bit more about Cyberzoic. Check it out!

That'll do it for today- I'll have more to share tomorrow. In the meantime, we'll keep closing in on that Gorgosaurus.

Later everyone!

-David