Finished Dryptosaurus Package Art, plus WIP previews!
about 3 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

Tyrannosaurus rex -unpainted grey versions- are available to Add On now!
about 3 years ago – Thu, Oct 14, 2021 at 08:40:45 AM

In case you all missed the previous update today, there was a discussion regarding the addition of an unpainted grey version for each Tyrannosaurus rex figure, which would look very similar to the fine-cut figures that I've been showing.  

The take way from this conversation was that there is a demand to have the T. rex figures in unpainted grey versions. So, without further delay- these figures are now selectable from the 'add-ons' menu to include in your pledge. 

1/35th scale T. rex- base price $65

Add-on: $68(US)/ $70 (INT) 

1/18th scale T. rex- base price $200

Add-on: $210(US)/ $215 (INT)

Please note that these items do not have a Kickstarter pricing discount like the other rewards- they are available here at the retail price. However, due to the lack of paint work, the estimated delivery time is actually earlier than the other figures, for an April 2022 release. We can consider this to be the 'Preview Wave' ahead of Wave 1. Plus, an additional split shipping fee will not be required when including this with other figures. 

I've had many requests for unpainted figures in the past and many backers have expressed interest in the option, so I hope you all enjoy the opportunity to pledge for these versions. And perhaps this will also help us get a bit closer to unlocking those Wave 3 goodies.

Thank you again to all who gave their feedback on this topic. Have a great night everyone!

-David

Tyrannosaurus rex fine-cut figure update 2: Posing options and... unpainted variants?
about 3 years ago – Tue, Oct 12, 2021 at 09:52:28 AM

I have more T. rex fine-cut photos for you all today- this time I'll be showing some the posing options. And I have a very important proposal for you all today, so please be sure to read this update after the photos.  

Admittedly, the posing for these is extremely limited due to the rigid nature of the fine-cut resin material. It's quite fragile (I've already cracked the knees a few times) and I definitely shouldn't be playing with these. But you all are worth it and luckily the folks at the factory don't follow my Kickstarter so what they don't know won't hurt them! Anyway, on with the photos...

1/18th scale T. rex

 This figure is really testing my ability to shoot proper photos with my usual photo set-up. It really is a massive figure and it being a fine-cut only makes posing that much more challenging. However, I was still able to get these poses without too much trouble, though I did have to replace the foot pins with thicker pins. Good to know, as I can have that adjusted for the final version. (see, it pays to play with your toys.)

 First, here's a walking pose with the standing right leg and toe-standing left foot.

 Next, we have running pose using the left standing leg and the running toes foot. 

 It was hard to show just how big this this was so I included 4" Mando. 

 I really don't think you all will be prepared for the size of this thing. Photos can't really convey the mass that this figure has. I'm happy to say though that I was able to achieve these poses despite the joints being somewhat loose and the resin material being just as heavy if not heavier than the PVC plastic. The final joints will be injection molded which will allow for many more posing options. 

1/35th scale T. rex

 This 14" version was obviously much easier to pose, but still just as rigid. 

 Starting off with a running pose using the standing left leg and right running toes foot

 And here's a walking pose using the standing right leg and toe standing right foot.

 As I showed in the previous fine-cut update, using both of the standing legs at once will allow for posing without the base. But if the articulated legs are used, the base will probably be needed. Can you use both articulated legs with the base? Probably, but I won't know for sure until I have injection-mold joints. But for this fine-cut, it's a no-go. I'm also wondering if perhaps I should have them add in the articulation lines on the standing legs just to keep the legs matching. What do you think?

Should grey model versions of Tyrannosaurus rex be added?

Okay so here's where I'm asking for your input. Ever since I released the Build-a-Raptor customizable figure sets, people have been asking for unpainted figure variants of more recent figures, including these Tyrannosaurs. I am aware that the the campaign has slowed a bit since the last unlock and we still have some ground to cover before we unlock the Gorgosaurus. We could use a boost right now and I don't think another postcard set will do the trick (though that is still coming). So, I want to know- who would be interested in a grey, unpainted versions of these T.rex figures? Not as a replacement for one of the others, but in addition to them. There would be an additional incentive here as the pricing would be lower than the painted versions and since they wouldn't require extensive paint work, I could release them next spring instead of next fall like the others.  The final versions would look pretty much identical to these fine-cuts.

Please let me know who would be interested in this as an additional option- weigh in with your thoughts below. The pricing for these on Kickstarter would be $175 for the 1/18th scale T. rex, and $50 for the 1/35th scale T. rex.  I'm really looking forward to your feedback on this. I'm happy to offer these as long as it seems like there's enough interest. Please let me know in the comments.

That's all for now- talk to you soon!

-David

Gorgosaurus finished prototype gallery
about 3 years ago – Sun, Oct 10, 2021 at 04:30:48 AM

Happy Saturday everyone! The Gorgosaurus libratus painted prototype gallery has been uploaded and can be viewed here.

For those following along on my social media, you'll know that the dinosaur model master Shane Foulkes was kind enough to do the paintwork for this beast, and I posted some of his photos at the time when he first completed this one. 

 I had a to make some minor tweaks to the patterns for the sake of factory production (they're still gonna hate me for this one), but I kept it as true to the original version as I could without offering something that I didn't think could be mass produced. This is likely going to be the most complicated and expensive paint scheme of the line, but considering what they just pulled off with the wave 3 Ceratopsians, I'm confident that my final version of Gorgosaurus will be producible. 

I mainly just tightened up the blue patterns, and added a little more gold yellow. It's also worth noting too that my lighting is making it look slightly different than in the Shane's photos.

 For some reason the art direction in my head for this one has always been 'land shark'. Now that's all I see. 

 Someone recently asked for a shot of each figure size together, so here you go! Even threw in a Mando for human scale.

This body is the second largest at 20" / 51cm long and will be shared with Tarbosaurus, Daspletosaurus, and Albertosaurus. 

I've updated all of the Tyrannosaur Series galleries so far here on my website.

Hope you all like the Gorgosaurus. Remember to keep the conversation going outside of Kickstarter and help us bring in more new backers- we just hit 1,500 which is fantastic! We'll be unlocking this one in no time.

Have a great night!

-David

First look at the Alectrosaurus olseni resin prototype!
about 3 years ago – Sat, Oct 09, 2021 at 08:00:58 PM

 The final figure to be built from the recent batch of resin castings is the 1/18th scale Alectrosaurus!

 Again sharing parts with the 'body 2' design, Alectro features a unique head and hands which sport a speculative third digit. 

 The Alectrosaurus figure is stretch goal #15, just after Daspletosaurus.

 Here it is with another 'body 2' figure, Qianzhousaurus.

 With the larger Bistahieversor... 

  And of course with our stand in 'human for scale', Mando.

That's it for now. Tomorrow I have a new update planned showing the Gorgosaurus prototype gallery.

Good night everyone!

-David