Ceratopsian's custom paints and everything else: new 14 April 2025

[ceratopsian]

Moving right to set C1, Zuul, Diabloceratops, and the bellowing bull Spiclypeus:




Detail of the battered Diabloceratops:


And the wonderful Zuul:


Bellowing bull:


And finally, Set C2: Medusaceratops with troodontids


And just to show you what the full diorama would have looked like if I'd gone for Set C3, with the dead/dying Avaceratops, the troodontids (and a bonus Avaceratops with babies was also included).  (Obviously this is not my photo but a publicity shot used by  Dinosaur Darkroom as he offered the set for sale.)



I'm sure you can see why the diorama appealed to someone with a penchant for ceratopsians.  So much so that I allowed myself to buy a much larger resin than I would normally contemplate.  My photos don't do Martin's work justice either.

[Halichoeres]

This is an absolutely magnificent tableau. I can see why you opted out of the additional troodontids, and I don't think the display suffers for their absence! Wonderful stuff.

[postsaurischian]

  GULP!  What a mindblowing diorama!! Now You're doing the thing properly .
 This is a feast for the eyes! Martin has outdone himself once again.
 I've seen these models here and there in different variations, but this is the most beautiful implementation I can imagine.
 Congratulations! What a treasure and true centerpiece. It is well-received in the right collection.
 _{..... and won't you speak badly of your photographs! I've been enjoying them a lot.}

[ceratopsian]

I was tempted by Davide Ronchi's (Crecy Models) recent print of Rhamphorhyncus after seeing Martin Garratt's 1/3 version on-line for another collector.  That was too big for me, so I settled on a 1:4 print.  Martin at my request gave it a similar scheme as the one he had done previously.  The model proved fragile and reached Martin minus two front toes.  No sign of them in the box.  But it wasn't a problem, as Martin simply sculpted replacements.  I was concerned whether it would reach me intact, but all was well.  I had a fraught time trying to fit the animal on its perch, but it turned out I wasn't aiming at the right section of the support for the hindlimbs.

It's been really dull and dismal here, which doesn't favour my snaps.











There is even an (indeterminate) fish for Halichoeres!  Beautifully painted - but not much of it visible as it disappears down the gullet.

[Halichoeres]

That's a great looking model! Even without the fish that would be true.

[triceratops83]

That model is posed so naturally that if you took a photo of it at the beach it would look like a snapshot of the real thing. Another classy addition to your collection, ceratopsian!

[postsaurischian]

  Bon appétit!
   Really an exceptional model. I like how Rhamphorhynchus' facial expression shows a mixture of delight and greed.

[ceratopsian]

It's too long since I've put any photos up.  But most of my purchases have been PNSO or Haolonggood models for which there have been numerous photographs (and my continuing hand/arm problems make me careful of how I allocate time to tasks).

Two rather different items have arrived recently.  For one of them I owe thanks to T @thomasw100.  I had mentioned on the forum that I had received with my Haolonggood Brachiosaurus the little brown Huayangosaurus instead of the purple one I had been hoping for.  The purple was my favourite of the three versions but it was thomasw's least favourite.  He very kindly offered me his.  I didn't need my brown version, so it went to @Baryonyx here in the UK.  A perfect example of how the forum helps collectors help each other!  The purple is as beautiful as I expected and is currently enjoying pride of place amongst my Haolonggood stegosaurs.

Here he is enjoying the shade on a sunny day, along with his grazing companion.






The second item is a custom paint of Haolonggood's Xenoceratops.  I've always admired Mr. Lang Yu's designer schemes for the firm's models but previously they were sold only through Amazon.com and hence were virtually inaccessible outside the USA.  Once @Halichoeres managed to bag me a Pentaceratops and send it over the ocean, but usually they disappear as soon as advertised.  Also postage from the US to the UK is expensive! 

Recently Haolonggood's representative on Facebook had put up a purchase link for custom paints to an outfit I've never heard of – Wanhatoys.  I took a risk – but not that much of a risk as I was using PayPal – and placed my order.  Wanhatoys was good at communicating.  When I wrote to them, they replied that they are the "official partner design studio of Haolonggood".  They explained that their website is new and they're hoping to get established as a reliable source.  Not surprisingly, they sell only Haolonggood.  My experience with them was excellent.  Ten days travel time.  Well packaged.  And they put in two little free gifts – a pack of the playing cards that came with the Argentinosaurus and a funny little panda medallion – not sure what you're supposed to attach it too!  It reminds me of visiting a panda centre on my 2019 China trip.






(The latter shows what a difference different light conditions can make to the appearance of colour on the same item!)

If anyone wants the pack of playing cards, let me know.  I don't need to two!  (Probably needs to be someone in the UK in view of postage costs.)

[Halichoeres]

I'm glad there's an easier way for you to come by the designer versions now! This one's a beauty.

Also warms the ol' cockles to hear of forum members helping each other out.

[ceratopsian]

Indeed. It might prove an expensive facility though!  But it's good to have the luxury of perusing and choosing the occasional treat. Before it was a bit like peering into a closed shop with my nose pressed up against the glass!  As for forum members helping each other - we're a kindly bunch!

I'm glad there's an easier way for you to come by the designer versions now! This one's a beauty.

Also warms the ol' cockles to hear of forum members helping each other out.

[Baryonyx]

Thank you very much @ceratopsian for the Huayangosaurus!!

The Xenoceratops looks fantastic!

[ceratopsian]

My pleasure, @Baryonyx and thank you!

Thank you very much @ceratopsian for the Huayangosaurus!!

The Xenoceratops looks fantastic!