The Art Blog of Mike Loh

This Site has been Blocked in China

2009-07-15T19:32:00.000-07:00

I've been Blocked by the Commies!

So I can't update this site without going thru massive trouble of using Proxy sites which isn't safe
for passwords and what not.

Please check out my site at http://michaelloh.deviantart.com/

or click on any of the links on the Right side.

Thanks
Mike

UPdate Se7en Skulls=Sculpted + Spinal Dread Rings=Molded

2009-05-14T08:18:00.000-07:00

This Spinal Dread ring thing is done molding. Gonna use about 4 -5 per head. The weight does add up but not too much since these will replace the regular 3 dread ring configuration on the Pred Head.
I'm using a Patented variable core casting method that allows me to "switch" the core creating a bigger hole or smaller. Now I'm using a slight big core for a dread all the way up top and inside has jagged teeth to grab on to the dread so that it doesn't fall down in case you're a Head Banging Hunter. :lol:

OK Been busy the past 2 weeks making these little critters. Its annoying having to create all those plaster rods from cut pvc pipes as a mold then pour 7 times. Then have to cut out pvc pipes to wrap around these rods and epoxy over so it retains a rigid shape for me to sculpt on. Its done and I'm going to mold these dudes.

It was tough and time consuming. Took me 2-3 hours for each skull and uses 4 terabytes of SD-Ram in my brain :lol: :(
Here we see the wrap around and sculpted in Super Sculpy by the way that's why i got the heat gun near the fan thing.
I hand spin it on a lazy Susan while heating it for about 10 minutes blowing the fumes outside for the curing process.

Just added Bone-Hunter Costume Build Link

2009-05-12T19:52:00.001-07:00

Hi There

Long time no Update but I assure you I have been doing a lot of stuff. I've added my Bone-Hunter Costume Build up link to the side panel which u can check out. I update that more than here of course for the purpose of exposure and traffic.

I will post more pics later here if it weren't such a pain in the ass to upload pics.

My costume pieces will be available for sale once they are done of course and it will be in low number castings to ensure high quality. They will be one of a kind pieces.

Best
Mike

Dragons Eye Accessory - Painted

2009-04-15T05:32:00.000-07:00

This is a little Chest strap accessory for Bone-Hunter. These hunters got style so they like to incorporate cool little fossil *Bling* in their armory.

Dragons Eye Accessory

2009-04-13T23:04:00.000-07:00

OK Another small Update. Sculpted, molded and cast Dragons Eye which will be a chest strap plate or a belt buckle head later.
Also took some extra predator tooth and sculpted the tendons to it. This will also be used for jewlery, belt decorations, ear rings etc.

My TV Debut on International Channel Shanghai TV

2009-04-08T20:32:00.000-07:00

My Video:

http://www.vimeo.com/3831765

Shanghai Quest did a special feature about me and what I do best: Making masks!
Shot over 7 days in my tiny apartment - working studio where I had to work everyday to prep for the shoot. Each day I had to finish the entire process of making the mold or next day they couldn’t complete the shoot. It was tiring but worth it in the end considering they did a free promo for my work.

BoneHunter Armor Designs

2009-04-08T20:10:00.001-07:00

Yes I will be making the armor posted here. I will first finish the last 2 Bios for Ghoul Hunter and Dragon Hunter. Then I will use whatever silicone I have left for molding the BH Armors.

Predalien Skull Painted

2009-04-05T20:10:00.000-07:00

Here it is. All Painted. Available for sale as part of your complete Predator Shoulder Armor
Comes with Pads and Elastic straps. Some sewing assembly required. Batteries not included

Predalien Skull

2009-04-03T02:57:00.000-07:00

I'm done casting and molding over the past 3 days. These days are usually the most draining. Casting is the easy part. Gonna Paint 1 over the weekend..

YAAAHOOOOOOO!

2009-04-01T07:26:00.000-07:00

This is an Old piece I made for my wife. We watch this Anime called GeGeGe Kitaro with a bunch of Japanese Demons. This character is called Yaho! The character has a cute voice and acts very silly and my wife loves it. Only one made. Still got the mold to this not sure If I can mold it anymore. Made 2 years ago.

Sculpted with Paper clay
Molded w/ silicone
Resin Cast
Acrylic Paint

I'm a Steve Wang Wannabe

2009-03-25T02:48:00.000-07:00

I'm a Steve Wang Wannabe. This is the Predalien shoulder Bell Skull Armor for BoneHunter. Sculpting the Thigh and Chest Armor next!

Mask Of The Horrors, Yes I make other "non-Predator" masks

2009-03-17T03:10:00.000-07:00

Message to Visitors

2009-03-16T08:02:00.000-07:00

Hi Visitors.

I update more on my Deviant Art page since there's more traffic there and more people see my stuff there. I'm not sure anyone even come here from where... Well leave me a comment.

Oh yes I have made a new mask.

In other news...

Well the truth's out. I was on Shanghai Television. "Shanghai Quest" a 30 minute program about interesting Expats living working in Shanghai. They shot me for 7 days which edited down to 25 minutes. Overall it was pretty good. This is one of the happiest moment of my life and there's not too many. I've worked my ass off making those masks and to date still haven't turned any profit and truthfully still don't know what lays ahead for me. But it was 1 year ago I started making the masks and 1 year later I get to be on TV! So that frakkin awesome. So is this the beginning of my career or am I still going to be some office monkey pushing the stylus? Who knows but keep watching and wish me luck & prayers.

I Thank everyone who's watching me and those I'm watching here. You've all been a great inspiration!

Mini Update on Cthulhu

2009-03-08T07:08:00.000-07:00

Gonna fix up that nose and epoxy in various areas to make it a little better. This weeK I'm also planning on casting more Scuba bios and hopefully can get some decent paint-ups.

Pretty Busy for Unemployed

2009-03-05T02:30:00.000-08:00

Yes, I'm actually too busy to update you guys. Plenty of masks to make. Each cast that is finished isn't really done until you trim it and wash it clean. Then painting it takes a day for a good job. I can usually finish installing the lenses/ LED's after the painting but waiting for the clear coat to dry is important. So never rush.

Anyway the day goes by fast. I hardly even have time to drink water so forget about lunch. I had my lunch 3pm today. I wake up at 8:45am. Have some coffee check my Email and BBS for any orders. People are curious. Anyway its 6:34 now and I'm waiting for the clear coat to dry then the mask is ready. I shouldn't touch it until tomorrow when I get it packed for shipping.

See ya!

My Stats on http://michaelloh.deviantart.com

2009-02-27T17:30:00.000-08:00

Anyone who passes by this blog site should check out my http://michaelloh.deviantart.com site.

It has better layout and you can leave comments plus check out other greater artist.

My stats on Deviant Art:

MichaelLoh has 356 pageviews total and his 35 deviations were viewed 2,233 times. He watches 23 people, while 11 people watch him.

Overall, his deviations received 56 comments and were added to deviants' favourites 46 times, while he commented 64 times, making about 1.67 comments per day since he joined DA. This means that he gave 11 comments for every 10 that he received.

His deviation with the most comments is ')">Sea Hunter Profile shots with 9 comments, while his most favourited one is ')">Bone-Hunter Predator Helmet, with 6 favourites. His most viewed deviation is ')">Bone-Hunter Predator Helmet with 1,257 views.

8 favourites were given for every 10 comments.

Every 1 days he uploads a new deviation, and it's usually on a Tuesday, with 22 (63%) of his deviations.

His busiest month was February 2009 with 35 (100%) of his deviations.

The majority of his deviations are uploaded to the traditional gallery (20), while his favourite category was sculpture>fantasy with 20 deviations.

Comments per deviation: 1.6
Favourites per deviation: 1.31
Views per deviation: 63.8
Comments per day: 1.46
Favourites per day: 1.2
Views per day: 58.4
Pageviews per day: 9.31

Easier than it looks

2009-02-26T06:08:00.000-08:00

I know it looks easy but there's a lot that goes into this little mask. Actually I spent 1 week molding this - preparing all the steps, making the wall, sealing the mold building the mother mold etc. The sad part is the purchase price actually don't reflect the amount of quality back breaking labor that goes into this. The casting, constantly pouring the small batches of resin and soaking it into the fiberglass and pushing into the mold with the brush is a pain in the butt's neck.

So don't let looks deceive you. I didn't even talk about airbrushing and color scheme. I need to go into photoshop and do concept paint ups. So also take huge amounts of time and creativity.

I was filmed for ICS - International Channel Shanghai for the entire week doing what I do best: breaking my back and raising my blood pressure and losing 1 kg of weight while they film me making the molds etc. Luckily it was just little bits, but the rest of the hard work they didn't even capture on camera. But trust me: anyone dumb enough to think they can copy what I do will find out why there isn't too many people willing to sculpt, mold and cast everything by themselves in their tiny apartment. Oh did I mention most of the resin and plaster alone are cancer causing and lung damaging substances?

So beware don't be fooled. Its not as easy as it looks. And for those who constantly think: "oh he must be making tons of money otherwise he wouldn't be making it" I have to let you in on a secret. I make shit money. I am almost break even but in reality if I was a company I'd be bankrupt and asking Uncle Sam to bail me out. The supplies I've bought, excluding the labor as if I were to be paid by hourly wages, alone cost a lot more. The oil clay most of the time gets dirty in the demolding process and gets thrown out or left for other uses- but most of the time its a pain in the ass to clean so it gets "stored."

It's a tiring job alright - very little glory and Fame? Well we will see how I fare after the Show on ICS. But for now thanks for watching and listening. Humble Lohly artist here signing out.

Peace
Mike

Scuba Bio done Painting!

2009-02-25T02:39:00.000-08:00

If you can afford an Iphone You have afford this baby! Email me: Uratz@hotmail.com
Comes with Mirror Lenses plus Tri-Led's

Sea-Hunter Scuba Done!

2009-02-11T04:25:00.000-08:00

Well still got some refining then off to the Molding stage. Pray for me.

Update on Scuba a.k.a. Sea Hunter

2009-02-03T00:22:00.001-08:00

Dedicate this to a Lair Member Sea-Hunter.

My masks!!!

2009-01-22T08:14:00.000-08:00

If you want to see more of my previous works be sure to click on the " older Posts" link and it will go to previous month's worth of works and masks!

Working on my Scuba Predator mask. Starting to get a feeling from it.
Hopefuly it will sell well compared to Bonehunter.

Cthulhu Mask Update

2009-01-16T18:54:00.001-08:00

Here is some update:

Added membrane: Chamois cut and hot glue while wet on mask.

The Call of Chtulhu

2009-01-12T17:16:00.000-08:00

Cthulhu is an ancient old demon created by H.P. Lovecraft and the way wikipedia describe it is " tongue in cheek for extreme horror or evil." Anyway I thought it be interesting to make a mask of it, well my Cool angry face version of it. Why not? since everyone and thier mothers. brothers and sisters in kindergarten is making it. I did a quick sketch in my sketchbook figure out the mechanics roughly and soon it'll be a mask.

Bonehunter + Punisher mask = Cthulhu mask

the chamois tendrils are still wet and soft so its drying out now.

Later I will flip them inside out once the wire frame have been made.

I'll need to epoxy sculp this baby a bit before he can really be called a demon.
Sketched idea for the Cthulhu mask
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Orc Mask Update:

The PVC tubing has been drilled, the eye holes and everything is drilled out
also jsut didn't take any pics of it.

My Eye balls plus stich string came in the mail woo hoo!
The black and brown string is for Orc Hide.
I'll be using hot glue + wet colored chamois to make it stick to the cut out template above.

Death and Frankenstein

2009-01-11T19:31:00.000-08:00

In case of confusion from the blog title let me clear it up, it has to do with masks. I just saw the movie Death Race with that driver guy from Transporter (also another favorite movie for me).
Anyway he takes up the role of Frankenstein a prisoner with exceptional driving skill in a race to the death using cars with weapons to kill other racers on the racing track. Did I mention he wears a mask that look like something I would make? Uh oh guess I'm in love with anything dark, cool and scary in terms of masks. Here are some pics from the Movie. I'll probably be making this in a few... days.

More Orc Hide Helm Update

2009-01-09T05:33:00.000-08:00

Epoxy sculpt on the horn things on the head part plus little fang tooth things for the ear.
Testing the chamois sticking to PVC tube via Hot glue while wet, works pretty good.

ORCDATE - Update on Orc Hide Helmet, not date with an Orc!

2009-01-08T00:31:00.000-08:00

Here's an Update on my Orc Hide Helmet. Not sure about using the Chamois as a skin for the helmet. Got nothing that will glue and hold the skin to the PVC tube frame I'm about to make.
IN the pic is uhm the bent Horn things for the head. I can either be cheap and use hot glue (quick and easy) to create the effects or sculpt epoxy putty (more expensive & take longer to get hard).

The pvc tubing frame I'll have to use my handy dandy Heat Gun and melt to bent it into a mask shape. I made paper templates and traced it over the flat PVC tubing. Its all in the pic. The chamois however I think I can make them into Gloves for an upcoming Prince of Persia Gauntlet project.

Stay tuned.

Here's My card - Take One

2009-01-07T23:39:00.000-08:00

Call me if u need anything out of the ordinary, unusual, supernatural, dark, demonic and mysterious. I am also 3rd Degree Sith Lord

More Ugly Masks - Orc Hide Helm

2009-01-06T22:37:00.000-08:00

Not having a day job has its advantages and disadvantages. Yes I'm jobless as a designer and whut-not, and no steady income but I do have a lot of time to make art. This is my next quick project and also will add to my mask portfolio. Its a 1:1 Orc Hide Helmet from Lord of the Rings.
They only made a 1:4th scale table top souvenir so there's no lifesize scale version. Plus this design looks a lot like Predator. So I'm making it.

In the picture there's the PVC tube which I've cut into 3 cm wide & various length strips and its slightly curved already. A new material which I'm fascinated with is Chamois. Synthetic version seen here was used for drying my 2 dogs (whom I love very much) after their shower, begins to dry and get hard. This is something unique. I should have worked with this stuff long time ago. I can buy new ones, dip it in wet acrylic color that I want, shape it and let dry. It'll be hard and retain the shape of the mask that I want. So I'll be playing with this. I've just ordered a bunch over Taobao and going to make gloves from this material. Can't wait.

Skull Man Demon Helm

2009-01-03T07:41:00.001-08:00

Demon version of Skull Man's Helmet. I realize that this can get even crazier being a demonic design.

Demonizing Bodies - Skull Man Demon armor

2009-01-01T08:06:00.000-08:00

Skull Man in demon armor form. The head will come soon.

Took me all day to render this.

2009-01-01T00:49:00.000-08:00

Got it in the Mail finally & I love it.
All Thanks to my wife for tracking it thru the impossible EMS

Happy New Year and a New Skull Man Helmet Design!

2008-12-31T07:43:00.000-08:00

SIC and "normal" versions of The Skull Man's helmet.

Wish everyone a Happy New Year!

Happiness, Health and Fortune! :)

The Skull Man. Super Imaginative Chogokin Version

2008-12-30T03:46:00.000-08:00

In case you didn't know about my infatuation with toys and especially S.I.C. ~ Super Imaginative Chogokin editions of Japanese action figures, well I'm crazy into it. I'm also crazy about this anime called The Skull Man. He's a superhero-kinda, a masked vigilante no less who slices and dices big bad mutant wolves and monsters. Put the two together and you got someone who's willing to spend his waking hours redesigning this Hero in the S.I.C. edition of an action figure. The art you see below is just the first ideas quickly put together first on my sketchbook then re-draw & rendered again with WACOM and photoshop.

I'm actually ok with this design but I'd like to make push it further and make the armor super crazy plus another Devil Trigger Version like having Nero/Dante from Devil May Cry in their demonic form, except The Skull Man gets to be in demon form. I can't wait! :)

By The Way, I've already order online one of Skull Man's Helmet with light up function.
Can't wait to get it in the mail and will post pics once I get it.
Someday down the road I'm gonna make his costume as designed above. When? You never know. Guess you'll have to check back! :P

Bone Hunter Now with LED's

2008-12-23T23:11:00.000-08:00

Yes they now come with LED's! You want one?
Contact me at uratz@hotmail.com for more info.

Click for larger Picture

Gauntlet Mania - More new stuff

2008-12-23T22:36:00.000-08:00

I'm working on this Predator Bio Helmet right now:
He's #2 of 4 of the Apocalyptic Hunters. So much to do so little time. More below

I actually got more done than whats on here. Here are some images to let you know I've been busy. I've been gathering materials the past 2 weeks for Prince of Persia's Claw gauntlet and will be working on that in the next few weeks. Still looking for the perfect leather brown glove that has long fingers and flexible. Until then gauntlet designs has been my thing lately.

Dragon Head Battle Gauntlet:

Dragon Hunter Predator Series:

Note: I finished all of Dragon Hunter's designs. Because of another fan fiction w/ art posted on http://www.thehunterslair.com/ I don't want to leak out the designs before the story is finished.

Stay tuned!

I'm the only one I know that is me.

2008-12-09T00:04:00.000-08:00

If you've stumbled onto my blog you can probably tell that I'm not the wordy type, well here is my attempt at being the "wordy" type. I'm 32 years old and yes I am approaching "the midlife crisis." Symptoms include questioning about one's life purpose and seeking for adventure and channeling a renewed passion in things. While most other males of my species may become a grease monkey restoring old cars, a cheating husband, or a guy in the NEW red sports car I for one would become, and if a teacher in the classroom would ask "what do you want to be when you grow up?"

I would say "who wants to grow up? I just want to keep on playing."

Why? Cuz playing is FUN and if I could make money after I grow up that would be even better. I've often read inspirational quotes of wisdom regarding Imagination for people who can't dream or have lack of - well I am the one writing those quotes!

If I had 1 cent for every imagining that I've ever had, the money would look like something you see in the safe of Uncle Scrooge who often seen swimming in the vault filled with gold coins that look like the dunes of the Sahara Desert.

My dream job list (that can actually happen in this quantum universe) :
New Lego Creations specialist - Create new and fun Lego sets everyear Minifig + Technic systems.
Futuristic Weapons Designer for Close Combat and power suits - need I explain more?
Concept car/vehicle/boat/planes etc Designer.
Conceptual artist for Games/ Movies/Entertainment industry
Toy Designer - Mostly custom action figures w/ High details (Goldmine)
Rock Drummer - Its what I see myself doing when I listen to MP3's
Crazy Picasso type Fashion Designer - With Crazy masks & Costume
Artist-painter of macabre and drk arts and whatever the hell I fell like painting.
Also Installation arts -thanks to my exhibit design experience i actually got great ideas.

Well that's all I can imagine for now - Even God rested on the 7th day after the creation of the earth and heavens and every damn thing in the universe.
------

Gotta go back on working on my Predator costume. Will Post pics later.

Re: Blade Gauntlet
Many people have asked my about the blade gauntlets and whether If I am going to make them
the answer is yes eventually i will make them. The only problem is making them work. I've been going crazy going over the mechanics of retracting the blades etc. There are already electronic version online from various fans I could just buy from them but where is the fun in that? My challenge is to make a non electronic version that works pretty much like a switchblade. That's why my brain is going crazy. For the blade and gauntlet I can sculpt and mold them no problem, its just that the mechanics come first - otherwise no point to make something that looks pretty and sits there. That's what seperates a Prop from a piece of Art.

Later!

New Bone-Hunter Custom

2008-11-30T04:22:00.000-08:00

Battle Damage added with Dremel tool. I went f-kin crazy on it... in a creative kinda way.
Silver paint with Black brown stains. My wife even thought this was cool :P

New Bone-Hunter Wrist Blade Gauntlet

2008-11-25T04:24:00.001-08:00

Bone-Hunter Power Claw Features Super Slash, Power Punch. Cuts thru hard rock + alien flesh.
You don't want to mess with these.

New BH wrist Blade Gauntlet designs. More Lethal than ever this bad boy has 2 alien bone blades plus retractable scallops on the side.

Current Works in Progress - Concept Art + Story

2008-11-17T00:40:00.000-08:00

The 4 Hunters of Armegeddon - Original Storyline Fan fiction.
Which mean I'm gonna make 3 more masks to complete The Four.
Stay Tuned for works in Progress pics!

Bunch of Other Masks

2008-11-17T00:28:00.000-08:00

Iron Monger, Punisher, Rio from Army of 2, Ancient Predator etc. All life size resin fiberglass casts.

BoneHunter now in white

2008-11-16T23:59:00.000-08:00

This is the Death bone white version. Its more scary i think...

Bone Hunter Custom Predator Helmet

2008-11-16T23:38:00.000-08:00

Totally Original. Sculpted, molded and cast in resin fiberglass.

Hello There

2008-11-16T23:08:00.000-08:00

Howdy ho to anyone reading this.

I'm all new here, to blogging and stuff. Will be uplaoding pics really soon.
well as soon as I get a hang of this blogging stuff. Stay tuned!