Lost in the Necropolis Project Log

Hello all! This is an article I wrote a while back. I plan on posting weekly videos and some companion articles add some insight here and there won't hurt. Take care! 

This piece was a special one for me. They all are but each one takes motivation from somewhere and this one is close to my heart. It is based on a song by the late and great Manilla Road. I've been a fan for a long time and on this project things just seemed to fit. I wanted to create that atmosphere, lost in a labyrinth of death, losing light, and being aware that the challenges which lie ahead a much more than they would seem on the physical plane. 

To set the stage I had a few things in mind, I would need to simulate a great distance by adding a painted backdrop, the world needed to reflect the title of the song, and I wanted to break the boundaries of the plinth. This would add more to the feeling of the larger scene around this piece as well as play with negative space.

Once the base was built and the model was positioned, it was time for paint. This was a little touch and go as more ideas tend to come while I'm working on the piece.

The first run at the skulls in the water didn't come out very well. No problem though, paint over it, start again, I was still having fun.

The second attempt went much better, now it looks metal, getting closer 💀

The model was pretty straight forward, I had been staring at it for months waiting to begin so he was already painted in my mind, now the less interesting part of filling it in was taking place (ha). Manilla Road has a talent for blending the legend of excalibur, viking lore, and atlantis all into one song so it seems fitting to add a nod to the viking part on this dwarf. The vegvesir, a symbol designed to help travelers find their way through bad weather seemed fitting.

To really send it home, this project needed a title, particularly a hand painted scroll to add to that medieval fantasy feel.

Getting closer now and it always difficult not to glue everything in place before completion. And yes, canny observers will notice the UFO flying over head, always be watching the skies.

Finished! My plan was to present this to the band, mainly the lead singer/guiatarist Mark Shelton but sadly, he passed on before it was complete. Rest easy Mark, you are missed.