Test etches.

After several disappointing efforts with the custom stencils I purchased, a simpler but more time consuming system of printing on standard adhesive labels and cutting out individual stencils seems to have produced better results.

Look what came in the mail today...

One etching kit.
Included were the sample stencil (that'd be the hearts), the two liquids, a cream that makes the etching appear silver-ish and my custom stencil with the 6 standard chess symbols in "white" and "black". They even sent two Q-tips.

The only (small) stumbling block is that a hairdryer is required to dry the stencils to the glass once you apply the adhesive and before you apply the etching liquid. Of course, yours truly doesn't own a hairdryer...

And again, the WHOLE thing.

All 96 figures, displayed by set.

Marvel at the Bottom, Star Wars in the Middle and DC on Top.

Villains on the Left, Heroes on the Right.

I've included a Greybishop to give you a better idea of the scale.

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The WHOLE Thing.

All 96 figures, displayed by set.

Marvel at the Bottom, Star Wars in the Middle and DC on Top.

Villains on the Left, Heroes on the Right.

I've included a quarter on each row (the bottom row has U.S. Quarters, the rest Canadian) to give you a better idea of the scale.

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Chess, Anyone? Part III

The final set in the project, The Marvel Comics Chess Set, complete.

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Marvel Heroes, Complete.

The Marvel Heroes side, complete.

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Marvel Heroes Pawns, Complete.

Marvel Heroes Pawns, complete.

From Left to Right:
Captain America
Wolverine
Dr. Strange
Scarlett Witch
The Submariner
Nightcrawler
Hawkeye
Colossus

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Marvel Villains Pawns, roll call.

I finished this row a while back but forgot to do a roll call for those who might not recognize all the players.

Marvel Villain Pawns, from Left to Right:
Electro
Mole Man
Ultron
The Vulture
Mysterio
Venom
The Scorpion
Green Goblin

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Dr. Strange, complete.

A final touch of black on his hair, moustache and eyebrows, along with a tiny touch of metallic pearl white at his temple and Dr. Strange, Marvel Heroes Pawn AND the final figure in the Marvel Heroes Pawn row AND the final figure in the Marvel Heroes Set AND the final figure in the Marvel Chess set AND the FINAL FIGURE OF THE WHOLE FRIGGIN' PROJECT!!! is complete.

Cobalt Blue and Metallic Pearl White.

Cobalt blue mixed with metallic pearl white, drybrushed on Dr. Strange's leggings.

Gold.

Gold enamel on Dr. Stange's cape edges. The yellow looks patchy until you cover it like this...


Back detail.

Light blue and Cobalt blue.

Tiny light blue touch ups at Dr. Strange's belt and a layer of cobalt blue on his leggings.

Gold.

Gold on Dr. Strange's gloves and belt.

Chess, Anyone? Part II

The DC Chess Set, complete.

DC Heroes, complete.

Ladies and Gentlemen, the DC Heroes Side, complete.

Note the switch of Green Lantern to Knight, demoting Green Arrow to a Pawn.

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DC Heroes Pawns, complete.

The DC Heroes Pawn row, complete.

From Left to Right:

Green Arrow (Sharp eyed observers will note he's been demoted)
Robin
Nightwing
Wonder Girl
The Huntress
Wildfire
Jayna
Zan

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Nightwing, complete.

A final touch of dark blue (accidentally but fortuitously using an uncleaned brush with a bit of steel enamel left in the bristles) drybrushed on Nightwing's costume and Nightwing, DC Heroes Pawn AND the final Pawn in the DC Heroes Set AND the final figure in the DC Heroes Set AND the final figure in the DC Chess Set is complete.

LIght blue.

The tiniest of tiny touch ups in light blue on Nightwing's belt around the yellow.

DC Villains, Complete.

Ladies and Gentlemen, the DC Villains Side, complete.

DC Villains Pawns.

Ladies and Gentlemen, the DC Villains Pawns.

From Left to Right:
The Persuader
The Riddler
Catwoman
The Penguin
Mordru
Poison Ivy
Harley Quinn
Captain Cold

Harley Quinn, complete.

A final touch of black to add her mask and tidy up areas around her collar and cuffs and Harley Quinn, DC Villains Pawn AND the final figure in the pawn row AND the final DC Villain figure, is complete.

DC Villains Rear Rank, Complete.

Ladies and Gentlemen, the rear rank of the DC Villains side, complete.

From Left to Right:
Rook - Giganta
Knight - Mr. Freeze
Bishop - Darkseid
Queen - Emerald Empress
King - Lex Luthor
Bishop - Sinestro
Knight - Joker
Rook - Solomon Grundy

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Mr. Freeze, complete.

A final touch of gloss blue enamel on his gun and Mr. Freeze, DC Villains Knight AND the final figure in the rear rank of the DC Villains set is complete.

Metallic pearl white.

Metallic pearl white on parts of Mr. Freeze's gun and his belt.

Yellow enamel.

Another coat of yellow enamel on Dr. Strange's cape edge and a bit of yellow on Nightwing's shoulder and his belt.

Persuader, complete.

A final touch of gloss blue enamel on the haft of his axe and Persuader, DC Villains Pawn is complete.

Dark blue with Pearl White.

Dark blue, mixed with metallic pearl white on Persuader's breastplate and on Dr. Strange's chest emblem.

Steel.

Steel on Mr. Freeze's gun and on Persuader's axe and helmet.

Gloss Red Enamel

Gloss red highlights on Dr. Strange's cape and on Persuader's gloves and boots.

Red.

Red on Harley Quinn's outfit.


Red on Persuader's gloves and boots. Red on Dr. Strange's cape.

Dark red.

Dark red on Persuader's gloves and boots.

Captain Cold, Complete.

A final touch of gloss blue enamel on his gunsight and Captain Cold, DC Villain's Pawn is complete.

Light grey.

Light grey drybrushed on the white parts of Captain Cold's costume.