Preparations for my workshops in Augsburg Germany are in full swing as I crank out the biggest batch of hand made tools I've ever done. I've been working for about two weeks on these and I can finally see the end.

32 students over two weekends means 64 total tools! It would be fantastic if they all purchased a set, and I will make sure the opportunity is there, but I will very likely have leftovers when I return mid-May. If that's the case I will make a post here on Patreon with pics and info on purchasing a set.

I fly out on the 1st and return on the 12th, so I have a little under two weeks to finish up prep.

Today is the final day of refinement on the steel tips of the tools and then I'll apply the first coat of tung oil to the wood. Following coats over the weekend and then Monday I begin model prep 🙂.

Bear pelt prototypes are here!!!

As you can see in the pics my friend Ian over at spectral casting has outdone himself on these excellent molds!

He has provided me with different hardnesses marked with ratios on the backs of the molds so I can choose the one that performs the best. I will be putting them through the paces and sharing results when I return from Germany.

I will then give Ian the go ahead to produce the first batch for field testing that I'll be sending to my Thanes.

If this is the first you're seeing or hearing about these bear pelt molds, the idea is this: a rubber mold cast from the positive of a hand sculpted bear pelt by me that I will sell as a product that lets you push putty into the mold to create your own pelt.

The process is one that will allow you to fold, drape, and pose the pelt organically on the model to fit it just how you like. It's very difficult to make rigid plastic or resin pelts to appear naturally in place when kitbashing. My goal is to make it fun and get great results. We're almost there!

A big warm welcome to all the new members. The messages and images you share with me through Instagram, Patreon, and discord enrich my life greatly. Thank you all for continuing to push your skills!

Happy Friday and have a great weekend everyone!

♥️ Val