The Energon Pub

[Jin Saotome]

I ended up with a headless Bumblebee 77 after using its head for the 08 Battle Mask head. What to do, what to do... make a Hot Rod!


More pics!----> HotRod


After making my Camera Bot I needed to do something more than just sticking legs on stuff. I wanted them to actually look like mini robots! Then I thought, hmmm... scaled Real Gear figures? Could it be done? They don't transform but they are articulated.


More pics!!----> RealGearlings

Click on their links to see how I made them and what was used. Enjoy!

[GrimSqueaker]

we are not worthy!!!!

great work dude

[Jin Saotome]

Thanks Grim! And also, thanks again for the rocking artwork. Got Jinkion on the front page of my site.

[GrimSqueaker]

i noticed, i am very proud-ur site rocks-i have been showing off my contribution very chance i get.

anywho the gearlings are deadly, i might have to give those ago myself. I am actually a dab hand at model making, but i seriously lack the patience.

how long do u spend at this stuff daily?

[Cycrolus]

Ohhhhh Friggin Sweet!

[Great Atlas]

Very Nice!!

[Night~GONE]

Man Jin you rock. You are THE BEST Kitbasher/Repainter EVER NO QUESTION!

[Malicron]

You are Primus inncarnate!

[Nugget]

Dang, that is creative. Kudos, again...

[Jin Saotome]

Awww, thanks everyone! I'm not the best, just a contender.

This is actually my job now and I spend about 7 hours a day, with plenty of breaks inbetween doing customs. Basically it's practice for me. I kep hearing people tell me my latest work is my best with every figure I make. I get to look back at the first run figures I painted and make adjustments, add new things (like Ironhide' hip) and generally advance my skills. It's a win-win job!

[theprime8604]

thats something bad!!! jin is the man

[Asepticon]

Amasing work. I was just trying to think of what your best one is. I'm thinking maybe Blackout. I'm in great anticipation on what your Leader sized Brawl will look like. l assume you're doing one because, well, you're Jin and it's leader sized Brawl. I'm gonna do one. I've emailed you about it, but I guess you're busy. Great works though! You do rock.

[GrimSqueaker]

Awww, thanks everyone! I'm not the best, just a contender.

This is actually my job now and I spend about 7 hours a day, with plenty of breaks inbetween doing customs. Basically it's practice for me. I kep hearing people tell me my latest work is my best with every figure I make. I get to look back at the first run figures I painted and make adjustments, add new things (like Ironhide' hip) and generally advance my skills. It's a win-win job!

7 hours a day = 35 hours a week, hmmm if i stop sleeping all together, and take an ass load of coke I o catch up think i might be able to put in 36 hours a week...then itll only take me 4 years to catch up to ya!

Hot dang........screw that, I'll stick to my doodles

Oh nother question, what age are ya dude, or what age were u when u turned obsession into profit?

[Barr!cade]

AMAZING.....i think you should do arcee

[Jin Saotome]

Yep, I'm just waiting to find LC Brawl on the shelf. Biding my time and thinking about what to do with him.

I'm 29, but I started when I was really young. Check out my interview with Toysrevil for a more indepth scoop on me!

http://toysrevil.blogspot.com/2007/08/t ... h-jin.html

[spiritofcat]

That Hot Rod is awesome. So much better than the standard Bumblebee. You're an inspiration to us all.

[Burn]

Something just doesn't seem right about that head to me, but i'll be damned if I can work out what it is exactly.

As for the alt mode, looks great! But man it'd be sweet to see the engine block sticking out like G1/Cl Hot Rod. If I remember correctly, that can't be done with that mold can it?

Oh oh oh! And some twin exhausts running along the sides!

[Asepticon]

AND his signature spoiler sticking up from his back.

[Asepticon]

AMAZING.....i think you should do arcee

Hee Hee, that's what SHE said. He's a TF ninja, he probably did Arcee.

[Dragonslayer]

Bravo sir!

[Deceptiwho?]

Saotome u own no Effing doubt about it u never cease to amaze me with ur skills brother... Also thank u for putting a TF paint tutorial up on ur website Im almost done with my leader Prime I will post pics up soon... Thankx again bro ur the man!

[Dead Metal]

Awesome!
The only thing I dislike about Rody is his stupid feet!
But that's the mold!

I love that phone Gearling! He was my favorit i the movie!

Keep it coming!

[Tom_Servo]

Jin, you've inspired me. I'm finally going to get off my ass and try to sell some customs. The big thing that's standing in my way is the horrible wrenching feeling that I get whenever I think about things that I've crafted leaving my possession- even the Movie Soundwave that I made with the intention of selling! I suppose that this is normal for many artists, but it does make me wonder if you ever feel the same way?

[Sonray]

I do love that Camaro painted up like that, but im a bit disappointed to see no gloss finish. Why didnt you add some gloss to the alt mode paintwork? It would have really made the figure stand out even more.

Im not too sure about the bot mode, the BB mold just really doesnt suit a character like HotRod, mainly thanks to those feet. His head looks a bit tacked on too.

Not trying to put your work down or anything, just trying to add my constructive critique, and seeing as you already have so many people kissing up to you i figured a bit of negativity was needed to keep your ego from getting over-inflated like Grim's.

[Asepticon]

Grimmy's the shisnit!