A few years back I was creating the presentation shots for a sticker submission, placing it onto different weapons for context (might have been this one) -- whilst zoomed into the AK47 I had the thought that the wooden forestock looked like a lizards head; I made a note and put it on the backburner. Until a few weeks ago...

After some research and quick sketches I decided the Iguana would map to the AK proportionally but also anatomically, albeit with some cheeky-creative bodges. The bulge on the lower forestock was perfect for a single large cheek-scale. I had to bend the leg to fit for the handle but I’m actually quite pleased with how it looks! Obviously I had to loose the jowls that older males develop. It’s definitely male though based on what the trigger corresponds to…
….(don’t worry, I haven’t).

I wanted to have variation in colour as lizards come in all kinds of wonderful hues; so I’ve attempted to adapt the gunsmith areas of the model so that they gradually shift as an indicator of wear state. As the head, tail and rear legs are non-patina areas the colours would have to complement them -- but also transition gradually and naturally. I settled on Green to Yellow to Orange. Obviously it would be nicer to have the whole Iguana body change colour, but I’ve very craftily worked the idea within the finish constraints.

Another issue I had was the perspective on the spine as its viewed from multiple angles during different animations; I've used the default view as the most important, hence the spikes on the spine are rendered from the left and flop over to the reverse.

As its a horrible lizardy-thing an exquisite wood finish wouldn't gel - I felt it should be more natural and coarse, so I’ve photographed a chopped log and worked it into the rear stock. I know it looks cheaper but we are dealing in novelty here.

Check out the colour transitions, and let me know what you think below.
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