It’s been some years...

I haven’t kept this blog up to date over the past few years, so who knows whether anyone will see it or not.

With that in mind, I finally printed off the Tantive IV and took some photos. Hope you enjoy!

 

Jawa Sandcrawler Playset - ARTWORK

I've had some nice comments and emails recently which has prompted me to share the following artwork - my Jawa Sandcrawler Playset!

Hope you enjoy printing this off and have fun building your own Sandcrawlers.  The design was made to fit on A3 size paper (a common "larger" paper size in the UK). If you've only got an A4 printer, or U.S. size paper formats, you might have to be a bit 'creative' by printing the designs across two sheets of paper.

I trust the following guide helps you with downloading the images and then importing them into software you can print from. If you're already familiar with graphics software, I'm sure you'll have no trouble working with the images.

If you do go ahead and print off the artwork, please share some photos with me - I'd love to see them. You can contact me via the comments below.


Instructions

The images are exported as .PNG files to keep the filesize small. If all works OK, this should mean that you can:

• Save a copy of the artwork on your computer (right-mouse click on the picture and select the option to 'save image as').
• Then open some software to import the image (e.g. Microsoft Word).
• Import the image. In Microsoft Word 2003, you would need to go to the menu:

• Insert > Picture > From File.
• Locate the saved file, select it and click the Insert button.
  The image is now imported into your blank page.
• Then adjust your page size by going to the menu File > Page Setup.
• On the "Margins" tab, set all margins to "0" and change paper to "Landscape".
• On the "Paper" tab, select "A3" paper.
  (If you have to print on 2x sheets of smaller paper, try fitting the image by left-aligning it to print the left side on 'page 1', then right-aligning the image to print the right side on 'page 2' - You'll then have to match up the two sticker pages like wallpaper).
• Click "OK" to accept your changes.
• Then click on the picture and go to the menu Format > Picture.
• On the "Size" tab, set the scale Height to "29.7 cm" and Width to "42 cm" and click OK.

• Now print! I suggest you print directly on sticky sheet paper and then mount to 5mm black foamboard.
• Trim and fold the design to fit and attach to your playset.

 Artwork below for saving on your computer:

Tatooine Mos Eisley Cantina Playset - CUSTOM BACKDROP DESIGN FOR YOU

I've recently joined a couple of great Star Wars forums where a lot of people have shared some kind feedback on the models in my blog. This has resulted in 3000 views of my blog from across the world! Quite surprised, seeing as I started this as just a bit of fun - thanks for the support.

Having hit 3000 views, I wanted to share back with you my latest custom artwork for the Palitoy Cantina Playset. You may have seen my previous blog post talking about the design - now you too can print off the backdrop.

A couple of people shared the dimensions with me, so that I could update the artwork to reflect the new measurements.

I still have a couple of questions about how many folds should there be to create the curved section and how tall are the 'horseshoe' shaped slots?

• [Update - 13th March: Thanks "MrT" for all the help - I've updated the artwork to reflect the new measurements you shared. Much appreciated, Mark]

Here's the artwork as it currently stands... I've exported this as a .PNG file to keep the filesize small. If all works OK, this should mean that you can:

• Save a copy of the artwork on your computer (right-mouse click on the picture and select the option to 'save image as').
• Then open some software to import the image (e.g. Microsoft Word).
• Import the image.
  - In Microsoft Word 2003, you would need to go to the menu:

• Insert > Picture > From File.
• Locate the saved file, select it and click the Insert button.
• The image is now imported into your blank page.
• Then adjust your page size by going to the menu File > Page Setup.
• On the "Margins" tab, set all margins to "0" and change paper to "Landscape".
• On the "Paper" tab, select "A3" paper or an appropriate size for you to print such as "B ledger 11x17 inch" paper.
• Click "OK" to accept your changes.
• Then click on the picture and go to the menu Format > Picture.
• On the "Size" tab, set the scale Height to "23.5 cm" and Width to "40 cm".
• Finally move the image to the center of the page using the space and return key.

• Now print! I suggest you print directly on sticky sheet paper and then mount to card.
• Trim and fold the design to fit and attach to your playset. 

Please let me know if you make your own Cantina backdrops - I'd love to hear about them.

 Artwork below for saving on your computer:

Update: 20th April...

Ian T, has sent me some photos which he kindly agreed to share via my blog. These take the designs of the Cantina playset and scale them to fit the Kubrick figures. I think these look amazing - really appreciate seeing them. Thanks so much for sharing Ian. 

I'm still waiting on getting a printer (long story on the delay!), so I've been beaten to printing off the artwork and finishing my own model. It's really nice to see it come to life.

Tatooine Mos Eisley Cantina Playset

Recently I came across a very cheap Creature Cantina set. It has most of the parts, but the original card backdrop was missing. So, I thought I'd draw my own...

Like with my previous designs, it was going to be a homage to the original vintage effect, rather than a movie-realistic copy.

This got me thinking further... Just add a couple more walls and I could create another new foamboard model. I'd add inside and outside walls to get the following. Notice, this includes a table top for the bar and some additional 'stand out' detailing.

The other walls include the doorway with 'droid detector' and a seating area for Han to chat with Greedo. Maybe in this playset 'drama' neither Han or Greedo shoot - they both just sit down for a nice cup of tea!

Eagle-eyed Star Wars fans will notice I recycled the door from my Blockade Runner artwork. Check out "Episode IV - A New Hope" - they did exactly the same thing in the film.

 

Fingers crossed on a new printer soon - to bring to life these drawings into 3D models!  Thanks for dropping by and enjoying the artwork. 

Rebel Blockade Runner [Tantive IV] Playset

Remember the first time Darth Vader appeared on screen... The Empire had just captured the Rebel Blockade Runner and were boarding with Stormtroopers. Bang! The door went and through they stormed.  A few minutes after the battle, Vader stepped forward.

Here's my playset for the Blockade Runner. It consists of two rooms - the room on the right, is the one where we see Vader for the first time.  The playset has a wall in the middle with a door through to the second room.  In this second room, here we see Princess Leia load the plans for the Deathstar into R2D2.

I'm looking forward to getting this one printed out and seeing Vader - all contrasted against the white of the space craft. That'll take me back to 1977!

Jabba's Rancor Pit Playset

I was inspired by a great video on the web, taking a light hearted look at the old Return of the Jedi toys... http://www.youtube.com/retroblasting (hope you don't mind me referencing your youtube channel).

So, with this in mind I started to draw out a new model for Jabba's Rancor Pit!  The basic idea for this model is that again, it'll be printed on A3 sticker sheets and mounted to 5mm foam board.

The board has slots in it to join the different panels together (so that it can be dismantled again).

In this design, I wanted to have some detail that stood away from the walls to make it feel more 'cave' like.  I also wanted to include a 'hide away' for Luke... the hungry Rancor can't eat our hero!

Unfortunately, my printer has broken recently and with an upcoming house move, I'll have to wait before I can finish this and the previous Rishi Outpost playsets.  Keep watching this space and hopefully, I'll be able to post the finished playsets soon.

Star Wars 'loose' figures - collection

In my childhood, I had a number of the Star Wars figures - many of them survived in my parents garage! They're all un-boxed loose and in various conditions of 'played' with, but mostly still very nice.

Using online auctions, I've been able to add to the collection to replace missing figures, or one's that I never owned.

To date, my collection includes a total of 55 separate figures. Still 22 to collect! That's not including the 'last 17'.

I'd love to have a full set of the first 12. I'm just missing a nice R2D2 solid dome!

And to complete the first Star Wars '77-'79 figures, I need: Snaggletooth and Luke Skywalker X-Wing Pilot.

I'll have to take a photo soon of all the figures stood together.

Rishi Outpost - The Clone Wars Playset

The Clone Wars "Rookies"

I've really been enjoying The Clone Wars animation series. Just waiting for season 4 to come out on Blu Ray! 

A great episode, early in season 1 featured Rishi Outpost. Here our gallant heroes have to defend the outpost against a droid attack!

This one is probably my most 'accurate' model. I've got plans to build the computer consoles so they have depth. There should be two staircases up the left and right of the model. And finally, there's also the centre console area.

I've been working on the new artwork for this model for a little while now... Just need to get some foamboard, sticker paper and some time... fingers crossed it'll be ready soon!

Here's a teaser pic for starters...

Jabba's Sand Barge Playset

Another model... this time from Return of the Jedi! Again, this was a lot of fun to draw out on the computer and build with sticky paper and 5mm black foamboard - Enjoy!

I wanted to add a range of details on this one, including the Sarlacc Pit and a separate Desert Skiff.

On the top deck is Jabba's Sail Barge canon! Great fun with it's firing rockets. My son falls about laughing when we set it off.

Imperial Walker AT-AT Playset

You just have to love the Imperial Walkers - they looked fab in the film... Here's my tribute to them!

Once again, another slot design model. This time, it has additional detail panels for the legs and also the Imperial Probe Droid.

The artwork had a lot of 'artistic licence' - it was really hard to find a way to fit it on an A3 panel, so a lot of comprise was made with the design.

Overall, it reminds me of the old Kenner "Hoth Ice Planet Adventure" set.

Bespin Cloud City Playset

I wanted to create another home drawn model, this time finding inspiration from Ralph McQuarrie who many will know was the conceptual artist and illustrator for Star Wars and many other films. Sadly Ralph passed away March 3, 2012...

Again, my model uses the same slot design from previous. I tried to capture a variety of room areas from the film, taking in a great deal from Ralph McQuarrie's beautiful pictures. Here's my small tribute to a fantastic artist.

It was great fun drawing out various segments of Bespin. Hope you recognise the "I am your Father!" scene.  There's a platform for carbon freezing. Whereas upstairs, you can see the normal 'civilised' living areas of the city.