YO! Welcome back to the final episode of our SLUGME 10 Dinosaur Series!
After months of design, fabrication, sculpting, and problem-solving, it was finally time for my favorite part of any build—the paint phase. Using inspiration from tropical fish, coastal environments, and jungle camouflage, I developed a color scheme of sandy tans, deep greens, and vibrant teals to bring Frank the SLUGASAURUS REX to life.
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Before spraying a single drop of paint, I created a quick concept sketch and gathered additional reference images to help define Frank's colors and textures. 3D LEAN or 3D WHITEBOARD works perfectly for this.
I've always been fascinated by the camouflage patterns found in nature, especially on fish and tropical marine life. After several conversations with Gian and Luke, we imagined Frank living in lush tropical jungles surrounded by endless teal coastlines—a creature equally at home on land or in the water. That vision drove the final color palette: tropical blues, deep greens, sandy earth tones, and natural transitions that would make Frank feel like he truly belonged in his environment.
The first color down was a sandy tan applied to the underside, and almost immediately, all the sculpted texture began to come alive. Next, I sprayed a light teal across the body to establish the primary color palette. From there, I layered in darker teals and black tones, gradually building depth, contrast, and natural variation throughout the dinosaur's skin.
I switched from my large automotive spray guns to my accurate airbrush guns. Layer by layer, airbrushing, weathering, and detailing transformed Frank from a giant sculpture into a living creature. From aged teeth and claws to realistic skin textures and subtle wear, every detail helped tell the story of a dinosaur perfectly adapted to its environment.
During a video call, Luke reminded me not to make everything look too perfect. Nature is rough, weathered, and imperfect. That advice stuck with me, so I spent time knocking back some of the cleaner surfaces, adding wear and subtle imperfections to keep everything feeling authentic. I used an old sponge and some sandpaper to keep my edges looking used and not "Showroom Ready." Thanks, Luke!
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Once the clear coat was cured and the final horns were installed, Frank was finally ready for the road. With Dan's help, we carefully loaded the 450-pound dinosaur into the truck and delivered him to the Waltham Fab Lab.
From there, the talented Fab Lab team took the project to the next level, creating an incredible scenic display complete with sand, tropical plants, dinosaur eggs, and countless finishing details. Seeing Frank fully assembled in his new environment was the perfect ending to an unforgettable project.
I'll definitely miss Frank the SLUGASAURUS REX, but thankfully, he's found a permanent home at the Waltham Dassault Systèmes Headquarters, inspiring others to create the impossible. While it's bittersweet to see him leave the shop, I know I can always stop by for a visit and relive the memories of bringing this giant prehistoric beast to life. What started as a crazy idea on our 3D LEANBOARD became an 18-foot, 450-pound dinosaur—and one of the most rewarding projects I've ever been part of.
A huge thank you to the entire SLUGME community for making Frank a reality. This project pushed us to learn new skills, try new techniques, and prove what's possible when a group of passionate makers comes together to build something awesome.
Remember YOU can create anything!
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