As a long time member of these boards I wanted to share with you a project that I have been wanting to get into for a very long time. Coming out of the past few years I am so honored to say that I’ve decided to take a leap into the world of Soft Vinyl and bring to you my First character concept and jump into this beautiful medium. Let me introduce you to GUS! A Moth Beetle hybrid kaiju from the wild world of my mind. Beautifully hand sculpted by Neil Ewing of Bombastic Plastic. Based on full turn around illustrations created by Me. follow me on Instagram @HardDragon for more Creepy and Cute Creations. I’ll update this thread as production continues. Currently the sculpt has been completed and Gus is going into WAX. Exciting!
I super excited to be collaborating with @HardDragon on this one. It’s been a long time coming. It’s going to be cool to see this buggy boy out in the wild!
Thanks, when I had done the initial illustrations I didn’t want it to come off as a shell directly but allows it to be viewed either way. Soft wings or a hard shell. Or perhaps wings within the shell! Neil has done an excellent job of taking my 2D work and making it come to life. I am so happy to bring him into this world
UPDATE: Hey everyone. I have had an exceptional reception for GUS via Instagram. If you’re not following me please feel free to check out my art page and give me a follow for direct updates here @Harddragon GUS has made his way to wax stage and is well under way to be pulled in Vinyl. I have a Test pull and am waiting for final approval to place a first order for vinyl. I am so beyond excited for him to see the light of day and to share my world with everyone. I’ll be updating this thread again really soon with some of the best pull mages once they are done. GUS - Front Gus - Side Gus - Back Gus - Size (aprox 6 3/4”) thanks for looking!
GUS UPDATE: here he is in beautiful soft vinyl! I received the TEST pulls of GUS a few weeks ago and had some photos taken of him to show off all those little morsels of detail and texture. I am beyond happy to say that I have fully approved him and have placed my first Vinyl order and I’m even more excited to see where GUS takes off to. He is a charmer but watch out he packs a vicious bite. And of course once again thank you to my dude Neil for sculpting this beautiful Bug Boy! I have posted him up over on my Instagram @HardDragon for those on that platform. Thank you for looking. I’m hoping I’ll have release info closer to new years!
I got up close and personal with Gus a couple of weeks ago. Very fun texture on him. View this post on Instagram
Hey eveyone just a little update, GUS is in hand and ready to party! My first vinyl order has arrived and they came in right before Xmas. Every year with the Crawlah Club I run a special Secret Santa drop and incorporate my other works such as stickers, handmade goods and resin figures as well as an annual Ornament release. (These have sense sold out) this year I offered a special 3rd tier option in the form of a Mystery sack of goodies and couldn’t help but drop a couple GUS blanks into the sacks! All recipients have received their packs so I announced the special Holiday figure over on Instagram and wanted to share it with you here. 2024 - Santa Sacks “Christmas Miracle” Gus Cast in Vintage Green Vinyl with GID glitter, glitter is also RED when not UV activated. 4 blanks were added into the sacks. GUS first official Release is slated for February 2025 on Flesh colored Vinyl with a mix of classic color sprays. I’ll make sure to update here accordingly for release info.
Gus First Release is getting closer. Had a ton of fun painting this figure and I already have a few really cool ideas for future runs but this first one is gonna highlight what I do best and how I envision Gus as a whole. Classic Traditional with a bit of a modern twist. Simple and yet chaotic. “Sliced Bread” Gus limited to 10 Pieces. Release info will be shared more in detail over on my Instagram @HardDragon Slated for release 02/14/25
Had a Blast painting up this more Traditional version of Gus. Taking on more classic style overspray and letting that Beautiful Blue Vinyl Base color Breath. Paint Sample for “Iced Earth” GUS Micro Run of 4 - For Grey Matter in Massachusetts
Gus mad his official Convention Debut this past June during 5 points Fest in NY. I painted up a full run of these guys with a very nice Neon Pink Vinyl base. Metallic Green and black sprays with gold hand painted accents. Paint sample shown below. These also have a subtle Glow feature to them activated with blacklight from the base vinyl and n the pink paints used in the eyes as shown on my IG HERE Summer Melon Gus - Full Run for 5PointsFest 2025 Cotton Candy 1 off - for 5pointsfest in NY 2025 Blank Red - Sold during the Sunday Special at 5pointsFest 2025 in NY All items Sold during the show weekend. Thanks for looking. More GUS is coming soon as I gear up for the rest off my summer and Fall shows upcoming to Philadelphia, Massachusetts, Tokyo & Australia. Please give my Instagram a follow for more and upcoming details on show dates and online release info if interested here @Harddragon
