Round 2 - The Hunt for Rex Eleven vs. Blossoms

[valleyboy]

Don't know which one to vote for, I need anotehr look and a few minutes I think
Both are really good

[Frank]

WOW! Another two great contributions! This Samurai Fantasy is very interesting. Never saw this before…and I love those trees!!!

[Modhail]

I made the trees from scratch. The secret to obtaining the blossom effect involves spray painting glitter 

Thanks! (Could you give us a tutorial, or just a short description of how you did it? Please?)
Spray painting glitter, now that's hardcore...

[Dr Mathias]

I really should make a legit tutorial, although others (like Frank) have posted really good posts on how to make trees and these aren't too different.

I pretty much use the most common method to make a tree (twisted wire), and instead of a large amount of green flock or leaf substitute, I used a really small amount of light green to represent buds, then my spray painted glitter gets glued on using light pink 'puffy paint' (comes in a small squeeze tube, used for fabric). Dab little dots of paint and then pour on the glitter.

I literally spread white glitter out on a flat surface and sprayed it with flat white. After that dried, I scraped it up and spread it out again as best as possible, then sprayed with satin pink. I had to do this a couple times to minimize the reflective glare intrinsic to glitter and to get the large amount I needed to make seven trees (you can't see them all in the photo). After gluing the blossoms on I sprayed the trees with several coats of flat clear. Don't use iridescent glitter- you pretty much need to start with plain opaque white, which is kind of hard to find. I got mine online, I think it was KitKraft.com. They have several different sizes of glitter. Extra fine is too small by the way. Not having any female children or scrapbooking relatives, I had no idea glitter was such a big industry

While it produces the most realistic Sakura I've seen, it really is a massive pain. Despite every precaution, I've found glitter in every room of the house   

[Heldrak]

Thanks for the tutorial, Dr. M. Beautiful results! 

Next time you make cherry trees you should take some step-by-step photos and post 'em in the workbench for the relief of suffering humanity. 

In addition to the excellent quality of the painting in both entries, I think one of the coolest things is how both enties feature a lone warrior who is outnumbered but not defeated. My favorite match-up of this round.

[Axebreaker]

Another difficult choice on some wonderful entries!

Christopher

[Modhail]

Thank you for the explanation Dr. Mathias! <Tips imaginary hat>

[Hawkeye]

That's my feeling on this one as well, Heldrak - you've put your finger on the sense of narrative that ties both of them together. A lone warrior, surrounded by not defeated - but you get the sense that in both cases, he's about to do some real damage!

[Hendrid]

Difficult choice right enough, but I'm always impressed by someone who can do samurai armour justice which swung it for me.

[chickenbane]

I had to go for those awesome Samurai Orcs, the other entry was cool as well.

[ZuluPaul]

Tough job choosing one entry. Do love the samuri, I can never seem to do justice to them with my crummy painting skills. Good job to both of you!

[Old Coast]

Congrats..Dr Mathias on your clear victory. I tip my hat to you sir!

[Dr Mathias]

Congrats..Dr Mathias on your clear victory. I tip my hat to you sir!

Thanks Old Coast, and good luck on your future rounds. Looking forward to seeing your next entries!