Welp, I've had ideas for a series for a while and this past month finally got working on it. Witch Cat Lulu is the prime character in a series in my head that I've had in mind for a couple years. She's based on my cat Lulu and I made this image last year for a sticker and banner for when I go to tattoo conventions - Witch Cat Lulu by Doug Hardy, on Flickr I decided that delaying any further because of doubts was pointless, so I sat down and sketched out and then finalized her design as to what I want her to look like. Witch Cat Lulu by Doug Hardy, on Flickr Witch Cat Lulu by Doug Hardy, on Flickr I realized that my sculpting skills probably need a couple years of work to be able to produce something that I'm happy with, so I hired Tim Stephson (Instagram ultimate_skull_and_cobra ) to to the sculpt in Z Brush. He just finalized it last night and I'm hoping to get a master printed within the week so I can start making molds and casting asap! The plan is to have the arms and tail attached with magnets for some articulation, and the staff is removable as well. This is really fun for me as making something that has nothing to do with tattooing is a really great change of pace. I'll post progress here as I make more, and if you are interested you can check her out on the instagram catmagictoys as well! Edit: now with a simpler turntable view
Woot! I just picked up the 3D printed master! I'm super stoked! Witch Cat Lulu 3D Master Print by Doug Hardy, on Flickr Witch Cat Lulu 3D Master Print by Doug Hardy, on Flickr Witch Cat Lulu 3D Master Print by Doug Hardy, on Flickr Witch Cat Lulu 3D Master Print by Doug Hardy, on Flickr
First test pulls on the main body with Witch Cat Lulu's namesake Lulu with the first test pulls of Witch Cat Lulu by Doug Hardy, on Flickr
Sorry if I'm wrong, but are the 3D print lines giving it that "fuzzy" look? Are they going to be sanded down/smoothed/filled in before the final product is released? While I absolutely love the figure, 3D print lines are a huge pet peeve of mine...
Yeah I'm going to cast her in either wax or monster clay and smooth her out to make a better master. I agree with you. Although this was from an industrial print shop, the lines are still visible.
Getting some wax after talking with a couple friends. Hopefully I'll have it by tuesday and will cast and clean up then.
Can't wait! This is one of the few "newcomer" figures I'm actually interested in. It reminds me of a character you'd see on one of those Bikkuriman-style holographic stickers. ...Plus who doesn't love cats?
I'm off to Osaka right now, and the other day I stayed up late painting a prototype to take along with me to show off! Ive glued the limbs and staff into place for now. Magnetic arms and tail will be on production units. Lulu inspecting to make sure I get her colors and patterns correct. Witch Cat Lulu prototype by Doug Hardy, on Flickr Witch Cat Lulu prototype by Doug Hardy, on Flickr Paints finished, pre-clear coat. Witch Cat Lulu prototype by Doug Hardy, on Flickr After clear coat Witch Cat Lulu prototype by Doug Hardy, on Flickr Witch Cat Lulu prototype by Doug Hardy, on Flickr Witch Cat Lulu prototype by Doug Hardy, on Flickr It's been a lot of fun learning as I go along!
Wow I totally forgot to post these- Witch Cat Lulu's Japan adventures! On her way to Osaka from LAX via JAL! Witch Cat Lulu's Japan Adventures! by Doug Hardy, on Flickr I've always loved that the train from KIX to Osaka has leopard print seat covers because it's "Rapid!" haha Witch Cat Lulu's Japan Adventures! by Doug Hardy, on Flickr First night in you GOTTA have some yakiniku! Witch Cat Lulu's Japan Adventures! by Doug Hardy, on Flickr My friend insisted we stop at a Little Witch Academia pop-up cafe as he's a huge fan and wanted to get the coasters for his collection. Topical since Lulu is a witch herself! Witch Cat Lulu's Japan Adventures! by Doug Hardy, on Flickr Although it was late in the season, there were still some great sakuras for viewing when I made it there. Thanks, global warming! Witch Cat Lulu's Japan Adventures! by Doug Hardy, on Flickr Gotta get some oysters from Kurumon Gate's fish market! Witch Cat Lulu's Japan Adventures! by Doug Hardy, on Flickr And sashimi as well! (Did you notice there is a food theme going on here?) Witch Cat Lulu's Japan Adventures! by Doug Hardy, on Flickr "The Summon Dragon Spell was Super Effective!!" Witch Cat Lulu's Japan Adventures! by Doug Hardy, on Flickr Osaka Ukio-E museum has a nifty cat mascot! Witch Cat Lulu's Japan Adventures! by Doug Hardy, on Flickr A visit to the Mizukake Fudo. Nômaku sanmanda bazaradan senda makaroshada sowataya un tarata kanman. Witch Cat Lulu's Japan Adventures! by Doug Hardy, on Flickr Next stop, visiting my friends in Hiroshima! Witch Cat Lulu's Japan Adventures! by Doug Hardy, on Flickr Preeeoowwwwwwww! The shinkansen is faaast! Witch Cat Lulu's Japan Adventures! by Doug Hardy, on Flickr Daikaiju Salon? Yes please! Witch Cat Lulu's Japan Adventures! by Doug Hardy, on Flickr Oh god more meat Witch Cat Lulu's Japan Adventures! by Doug Hardy, on Flickr My friend's co-worker Chapi loved Lulu! Witch Cat Lulu's Japan Adventures! by Doug Hardy, on Flickr Lulu's new friend is more than a little suspicious of the last meal I had before I left... Witch Cat Lulu's Japan Adventures! by Doug Hardy, on Flickr And back to the USA after 2 weeks of visiting! Witch Cat Lulu's Japan Adventures! by Doug Hardy, on Flickr
Thank you for making something that actually looks like a new direction and pus-ridden crap put out by all the other new American makers these days. Looking forward to the release. Kawaii!
Hah! Awesome photos! Really loved this toy's overall design and can't wait to see the different color combos/paint schemes that come of it! However, I do have to ask....How was your flight via JAL? My gf and I are based in NH and have been starting to create a skeleton for our trip to Japan sometime in the near-ish future. We'd love to know your experience on that airline!
JAL and ANA are the only airlines I want to take to Japan, really. They are clean, comfortable (as much as a long flight in coach can be) and have good food. Watch out about booking a JAL flight and then being shoved onto a United flight instead (since they are partners). Also when you book your flights use seatguru.com to make sure you grab seats that aren't shitty.
Whoa, are pointy tooth prosthetics a thing in Japan, or is that just your friend's coworker's unique style? ...because I'm kind of hoping it's a thing, she looks like the person my teenage self would have wished I grew up to be. Man, I feel like I turned out to be a pretty boring adult, haha. Anyway, thanks for sharing Lulu's journey to Japan with us. I wish more people would take fun travel photos with toys! Also, now that the prototype is finished, what's the next step?
This coming thursday I'm making some new molds and then on to make some better figures. Hopefully I'll have the first run of them ready by the end of the month! And Chapi wore those fangs haha. She's got good style. Her Instagram is chapi1225 and her boss' is horibenny
This came out so damn good! I can't wait to see how the new molds / figures come out. Thanks for sharing the process and all the great pics.
FINALLY I have her ready! I'll be debuting Witch Cat Lulu at D-Con this weekend at the Max Toy table in Hall C! IMG_0919 by Doug Hardy, on Flickr IMG_0919 by Doug Hardy, on Flickr IMG_0919 by Doug Hardy, on Flickr IMG_0919 by Doug Hardy, on Flickr IMG_0919 by Doug Hardy, on Flickr
The resin was fun and I learned a lot from the experience, but I decided after D-Con to go with producing the soft vinyl of Witch Cat Lulu as I always hoped I would. I redesigned Lulu to work better in vinyl, including tucking her tail onto her body and making the staff run along her arm. This way it could hopefully be easy to pull from the molds without causing problems. Witch Cat Lulu sofubi redesign by Doug Hardy, on Flickr I've hired TTToy Makino (sculptor for a great deal of the Max Toy figures, including the amazing King Negora) to sculpt her, and the results came out great! Witch Cat Lulu Soft Vinyl start! by Doug Hardy, on Flickr Witch Cat Lulu Soft Vinyl start! by Doug Hardy, on Flickr Witch Cat Lulu Soft Vinyl start! by Doug Hardy, on Flickr Witch Cat Lulu Soft Vinyl start! by Doug Hardy, on Flickr I had Makino San add a few tufts of fur here and there as well, and the final sculpt came out exactly as I envisioned Lulu! Witch Cat Lulu Soft Vinyl start! by Doug Hardy, on Flickr Witch Cat Lulu Soft Vinyl start! by Doug Hardy, on Flickr Today I just got this most recent photo of the wax. It's now at the iron mold factory and they should be finished with the process by the end of next week! Witch Cat Lulu Soft Vinyl start! by Doug Hardy, on Flickr I guess I should move on from this section of the forums for further news. @toothaction @ultrakaiju what say you two? Edit: @joshuajh @TiredChildren I should ask you two as well; where would be the appropriate section to start putting this thread in now? Designed in the States as well as painted here once she's in production, but sculpted and pulled in Japan.
That's really exciting @TattooDougHardy ! You must be amped! Looks good and I can't wait to see the color combos already being dreamed up!
Woot! Molds are viable and test pull is a success! Witch Cat Lulu test pull! by Doug Hardy, on Flickr