Mark Stryker Old West Theme (Characters)

Nice. Thanks. I’ve seen some of those before, and they definitely provide an option — they also give me ideas for false fronts that I could possibly make (at least a portion of some, probably not the entire front).

Ah, thanks for the help. I found this wonderful post again. I have so many favorite characters here that I can't even say which one I like best. Stryker, can you tell me the population? (Of course, surely there are more than just the ones you've introduced?) The bandit is now on the way.....

Oh, and I have to put in a good word for my husband. Of course he was never as arrogant as he looks in the picture. We were in Salzburg with other couples and had these pictures taken there. The other men chose costumes as dangerous outlaws or dashing soldiers. My husband dressed like a dandy to please me. The arrogant facial expression only belongs to the character he portrays.

Revival of the thread! I hope this gives Stryker the energy to go on.


And what a cool pic of you and your husband Eph! I like his pose, he is a very good actor Both of you fit into the Strykerverse
That make me think, we sometimes need more faces behind our avatars to see the real artists behind everything in this hobby

That’s a great photo, Ephi. Very cool. My wife and I have done several of these types of photos, too. And you’re very sweet to bring this thread back to life. I have a few materials to be able to start building room boxes

The population of the “town” is larger than what I currently have. I doubt I’ll be able to make everyone (since I imagine it has about a 100 people). I need a Mayor, a few more Drovers (actual cowboys — the guys who drive cattle), some saloon girls, a few more merchants, kids, etc. gathering the proper clothing is very much a challenge, and gets a bit costly, and it’s one of the things holding me back.

It's always nice to get comments on one's thread and encouragement for one's work.

Ephiane, I'm heartbroken you have a husband, but delighted he is such a good sport, and you make a lovely couple. Prost!

Mark, you might never make every character you wanted, but I'm sure if you take your time and keep making them, you'll discover some new ones that happen organically along the way. And doing this on an ongoing basis might be therapeutic. Of course, no pressure. There are various ways to approach the diorama angle -- personally, room boxes always give me concern in terms of space. But printed backgrounds and customizable walls (whether cardboard or lazerlines, etc) seem most convenient. Consider that as an easier solution.

Adorable photo of you and your husband, Ephiane!

My whole family once posed for a similar photo while on summer vacation many years ago — a fun souvenir to have. :’)

And no pressure, Stryker, I know how busy/stressful/tiring life can be, but I do miss seeing your Western updates.

Mark Stryker and his faithful horse "Joe D. (Diablo)". Most folks just call the horse the Devil, since he's an ornery cuss, who doesn't allow anyone else near him aside from Stryker and his wife (not even the blacksmith, unless ordered to obey by Stryker). Joe D. listens to voice commands, much like a dog would, is very well cared for, and is more like a trusted friend than just a means of conveyance. He'll bite, kick, and stomp on anyone attempting to steal him, touch him, or interfere with his owners.

(I have two versions of Joe D.; one of the thoroughbreds and this one, but changing the bridle and saddle is a massive pain in the butt, so I don't have pics of the tack on the thoroughbred).

They all look terrific Mark! Great stuff. I really like the horse.

Ooooh wow, Diablo looks fantastic with his tack and riders! I'm enjoying his 'characterisation' too. ;D

The riders are nicely posed, I'm sure it's not easy to get both of them looking good on the back of a horse together. But I love how it turned out.


Thank you so much for sharing, it's so nice to see another entry into your 'verse!

The second photo is just adorable. And cool backstory for Joe D.

Lovely photos, Mark. The horse looks great with its rider(s). Hope to see more of what you are putting together for this setting whenever you get to it.

Thanks, Everyone, for the kind words. Joe D. Was an easy character to make a background for, as I’d seen something similar in a couple different old Westerns.

Oh wow, what an amazing horse! And it's so much fun to see those two characters sitting on him. As others have said: nicely done. Great posing! And I love the characterisation, too.

Good work. Great posing.
A backdrop (set) would take it to another level.

ukshaun wrote:Good work. Great posing.
A backdrop (set) would take it to another level.

I have one, I just haven’t had the energy to assemble it at the moment.

Stryker2012 wrote:

ukshaun wrote:Good work. Great posing.
A backdrop (set) would take it to another level.

I have one, I just haven’t had the energy to assemble it at the moment.

That sounds interesting. Looking forward to seeing it.

I envy that saddle. 1/6 western saddles have evaded me in my search efforts. I guess the only way to get your hands on one is to buy a horse that comes with the saddle. I have what I believe is the same horse as Diablo, but in white. The thing is a huge beast! I had to come on OSF and take a peek at how the Western town project is coming along. How close to finished is it now?

Melancholic - You can find 1/6 saddles, you just have to know where to look. Sometimes they are available on ebay. There are also several custom 1/6 tack makers out there. You may have to turn to the model horse community rather than the 1/6 action figure community for help with that side of things.

Faith, I had it made from this place — it’s really the only way to get a Western style at the moment.

https://www.benscustomtack.com/

Stryker2012 wrote:Faith, I had it made from this place — it’s really the only way to get a Western style at the moment.

https://www.benscustomtack.com/

Cool, thanks so much for the information!

skywalkersaga wrote:Melancholic - You can find 1/6 saddles, you just have to know where to look. Sometimes  they are available on ebay. There are also several custom 1/6 tack makers out there. You may have to turn to the model horse community rather than the 1/6 action figure community for help with that side of things.

Thanks for the advice, I guess it may take time until one turns up, then I can snatch it! Or else have it made as Stryker suggested. I have a lonely cowgirl and two horses with English style saddles, lol!

Melancholic wrote:

skywalkersaga wrote:Melancholic - You can find 1/6 saddles, you just have to know where to look. Sometimes  they are available on ebay. There are also several custom 1/6 tack makers out there. You may have to turn to the model horse community rather than the 1/6 action figure community for help with that side of things.

Thanks for the advice, I guess it may take time until one turns up, then I can snatch it!  Or else have it made as Stryker suggested.  I have a lonely cowgirl and two horses with English style saddles, lol!

If you’re using a Mr. Z, and go with Ben’s Custom, be sure to order the 1/6 Large set or package depending on what stuff you want with it. I went with the more expensive option and got the Set, plus ordered additional items.

Melancholic - Stryker's suggestion is a very good one for a quality, realistic custom.

I looked through my things and actually have a spare 1/6 western saddle available if you are keen to have one asap. I'm in the UK though, so some shipping costs would apply, but if interested, PM me.

If you’re using a Mr. Z, and go with Ben’s Custom, be sure to order the 1/6 Large set or package depending on what stuff you want with it. I went with the more expensive option and got the Set, plus ordered additional items.[/quote]

I did go to the site and the price is very reasonable ($148 for large 1/6 with free shipping) and the quality is fantastic! thanks for the tip, I can't remember which manufacturers made my horses but they are huge beasts, so you just saved me a huge headache as I would've ordered the regular 1/6 size. I hope to order next paycheck!

Some cool looking figures, as to dioramas I'm no expert but I guess I can share how I do.

I feel like what helps me come up with diorama ideas (or rather backgrounds for photos) is looking at pictures both of the real world, movies, tv-shows, video games and of course other dioramas set in the setting I wish to build, from there I draw inspiration and do my thing, I don't try to copy or mimic what I'm seeing because well.. usually those people are more skilled than I. The second thing I do is sketch out what I want, sketching stuff helps me visualize how it could potentially look and what stuff I could add to it to make more believable, once the sketch is done and I'm happy with the idea then I move to the foamcore and cut it out then texture it, seal it and paint it then just add the weathering while taking into consideration how the world looks.

For example is there's metal somewhere then chances are theres going to be rust and rust has some interesting colors, likewise concrete gets worn and dirtied by people touching it and leaving their oils on the walls, usually the corners were people like to hold onto, sometimes things get splattered onto a wall could be dirt, oil, blood.... other human liquids... all sorts of things. The location of a splash could be determined by something that exists in the scene but it could also be something that is out of frame or that once was there. Lastly the most recent thing I've done is clutter, homes, offices, places are rarely tidy (unless you are my parents then your house looks like its for sale) and there's usually all sorts of things, likewise cleanliness is something to take into consideration if it's outside then dirty it up, if its inside then try to keep it clean.

In summary
1)Look at photos, from the real world doesn't matter how insignificant it might be look at it and look for the details, draw inspiration from it and do your thing, don't bother trying to replicate it or else you will become frustrated
2) Sketch it out, the more sketches the better IMHO as it helps get rid of problems in the long term or issues that might pop up
3) Weather it, once again real life photos are super helpful for this, pay attention to what get's worn, dirtied, ripped, polished and so on, humans are very grabby and like to hold onto things or touch things that might have an interesting texture and because of that they leave lots of dirt and oils behind, such things are going to add a great deal of realism.
4) Clutter, which is probably the most difficult part, specially period specific clutter but it helps set up a scene or diorama, keep an eye out for smaller scale stuff as it can also help add something.

I'm by no means a pro at this but those 4 things are the things that help me come up with stuff so I hope it helps you too.

Great tips theboo-bomb!

Sounds pro to me! I just buy stuff and find a spot for it in my dioramas!

Great tips, tbb. I’ve been doing a lot of that, as well.

Oh my God, how I love these Mr. Z horses. I only have one myself and a less impressive one at that. But it has already enhanced many photographs. The couple on the horse is a wonderful idea and looks very romantic. I'm always looking for clothing for 1:6 figures that fits authentically. Often the clothing is too rigid and doesn't fit like real clothing. The coat lies on the horse's back like a real one. Fabulous