Hello fellow Inquisitors!
Having perused all the lovely self sculpted figures on here and having a lot of free time on my hand after my exams I thought I'd give it a bash. This is just a dry run to get used to the material and tools, it's not gone catastrophically I think....so far anyway...but I'll let you decide!
I'm sorry there not thumbnails but I haven't figured out how to do that yet and wanted to put these up before I forgot!
My inspiration is from this pic
http://s916.photobucket.com/albums/ad4/jerusalem-man/?action=view¤t=DarkEldar.jpg
and these are it so far
http://s916.photobucket.com/albums/ad4/jerusalem-man/?action=view¤t=DSCF5782.jpg
http://s916.photobucket.com/albums/ad4/jerusalem-man/?action=view¤t=DSCF5783.jpg&newest=1
http://s916.photobucket.com/albums/ad4/jerusalem-man/?action=view¤t=DSCF5786.jpg&newest=1
http://s916.photobucket.com/albums/ad4/jerusalem-man/?action=view¤t=DSCF5787.jpg&newest=1
I intend to add sharp spiky detail by cutting out the armour from thin plasticard, and I'm not sure how I am going to approach the cloak which I do plan to have flowing forward as in the picture so it looks as though wind is coming from behind (I'm hoping this will help cover the crappy legs a bit....)
Criticism is more than welcome!
Well, it's certainly a start...
But I fear that you may have tackled a bit of an ambitious project for a first-time attempt. A lot of sculptors find their feet in sculpting by starting with something where mistakes are less obvious, such as a mutant or miscellaneous alien. That way, mistakes are less noticeable, since the creature is quite warped anyway.
And I don't mean to sound like an evil, critical git here, but from what I can see, it looks as though you're intending on sculpting him with three legs. (Is the wire running from the base to his crotch entirely necessary? Normally, people have the armature running up one leg and down the other, so that they don't have an awkward 'third leg' to clip away later, and the clippers could leave toolmarks on the greenstuff when you make the cut.)
By all means, go ahead with this project and learn from it. Experiment a bit, learn what works, and what doesn't. Don't be disheartened when it doesn't come out quite like the image you have in your head. First sculpts rarely do.
But the beauty of sculpting, (and in fact, any skill,) is that every time you try, you get a little better, and a little closer to getting things just the way you want them.
Ambitious...never :P I decided to aim high, and make statutory explanations for his ugly/mutated nature afterwards! After reading through lots of guides this seemed to be a very common armature construction which is why I went for it...though have since mused about its removal....
As I said this is just a trial run and hopefully after a lot of dud runs I'll get my dark eldar god damn it! I will post progress as and when it comes (subject to camera availability)
Sorry it's not prettier!
P.s. I will eventually post pictures of a 60mm Halo Spartan figure that I'm gleefully abusing....
It's not much use to you now that you've started, but I like to use a Necron as an armature for my sculpts, with it being plastic you can cut it and resize it very easily and it just helps get those basic shapes which a wire armature doesn't do for me.
It's not looking too bad so far but you might want to trim the chest down a bit or he might end up a bit bulky which might not work so well for a Dark Eldar.
I've sculpted over wire armatures inthe past, but I usually buy an armature from Historex (which is basically a posable naked figure) and then add clothes, armour etc. That way I can concentrate on the detail without worrying about the basic proportions & shape. By sculpting over a wire armature you'll learn more about sculpting figures but using an armature like the one I use means you can get the result you want quicker and with much less effort... There are advantages to both routes - it's up to you which is better for you.
Thanks for the tips Kallidor and Kaled, given ample funds I would have probably gone down one of those routes but as I don't have so much spare cash it was far cheaper to buy a few metres of wore for a couple of quid, hopefully I can take that approach in the future. Should have some new pictures by the weeks end depending on when plasticard arrives :)
I know what you mean, I only used my 'crons because they were sitting idle. After sculpting a human I made a mould of him although I've only cast the one so not so cost effective so far but it will be, if I ever get around to doing some more!
Look forward to the progress.
Well I shall get cracking again when my materials arrive. If I can collar my mates gf (who I borrow a digicam off) then I will put pics up of the three 2-2.5 inch halo figures I've been butchering.
A flamer, Sniper and general weird halberd/pistol wielding bugger. Though having attempted a cloak on the sniper I have ruined him, alas I lack the skill to remove it and the money to just discard him....black paint shall hide it...yes.
I have plans to buy nine overall and make them into a creepy crime family called the Delacroix's. Hopefully get that up soon as an idea.
God I'm cheap :P
Doesn't green stuff just peel off in layers? Just pull the cloak off and it'll be OK. Probably. :P
What's the Halo model made of?
Go for it though. Sculpting is great fun once you get the hang of it. Try different putties too: Fimo and ProCreate are both materials I've used (though strictly speaking, Fimo's a polymer clay and needs baking). I find they're all good for different things too. Fimo's a great, cheapish material to bulk up a sculpt, though you need a bit of putty around the wire armature for it to stick to. It's also great for blending things together and anything you want a long working time for, but can be difficult to add small details to. Green Stuff's very organic, while I find ProCreate is an excellent substitute with a bit more hardness, allowing it to be filed and hold an edge better. I regularly use all three in sculpts depending on what it is I'm sculpting and what I have nearest at the time!
I may invest in some procreate as I am finding getting hard edges a problem....damn scythe/halberd!
The halo models are made of a semi soft bendable plastic, easy to cut but resistant to filing and smells terrible when you do. The models I bought are articulated at the waist which was helpful in altering pose. Green stuff also seems to adhere to the plastic very strongly.
Nearly finished these three though without paint so shall put them up before weeks end hopefully.
Thanks for all the help.
Hi there, some progress on the sculpt. But first up I must profusely apologise for the crappy pictures and also my crappy beard which sadly is also in the pictures. I have been unable to procure a digital camera so have used the one in my imac which is less than stellar and requires me to hold it up. So sorry about that.
Also completely abandoned the original pic as far too hard, which most of you pointed out. He is still going to have a coat though which will split over his tail (thats right he now has a mechandrite tail!) and cover the horrendous lower legs at the back.
As far as a character I am just seeing how it turns out then going from there. But seeing as he will have a hat/helmet/goggles to avoid attempting a proper face my thoughts at the moment are a glavian pilot who for a bet tried some ridiculous stunt and pulled it off but then crashed which the person he bet with claimed he'd failed and the result of losing bet was he had to get the tail, but now uses it in combat.....perhaps...thoughts welcome.
Anyway picture links for you all! Feel free (nay obliged) to laugh away :P
http://s916.photobucket.com/albums/ad4/jerusalem-man/?action=view¤t=Photoon2010-06-10at0146.jpg
http://s916.photobucket.com/albums/ad4/jerusalem-man/?action=view¤t=Photoon2010-06-10at01472.jpg
http://s916.photobucket.com/albums/ad4/jerusalem-man/?action=view¤t=Photoon2010-06-10at0211.jpg
http://s916.photobucket.com/albums/ad4/jerusalem-man/?action=view¤t=Photoon2010-06-10at02112.jpg
and also here are a couple of links to a converted halo figure to a flamer - pictures also resplendent with crappy beard
http://s916.photobucket.com/albums/ad4/jerusalem-man/?action=view¤t=Photoon2010-06-10at0148.jpg
http://s916.photobucket.com/albums/ad4/jerusalem-man/?action=view¤t=Photoon2010-06-10at01482.jpg
Have fun laughing and browsing, though some serious(ish) feedback would be nice :D
Rob
I hate to say it, but you've got a slug on your lip ;) :P
The self sculpt seems to be coming along but for a human his lower legs seem too short and his torso too long, with the tail he has a lizardlike quality. I do like the tail though, not a feature we often see and it's coming along nicely.
The conversion looks good too, it has a very Rogue Trader era Imperial Army/Guard look to it. Nice.
How very dare you! That is a £20 slug! (£25 if you include the actual piercing :P )
I now what you mean about the lower legs and they are too short, the torso however is actually about the right length for his planned height (which was originally 60mm) as according to Marco (and we definitely shouldn't doubt him!) the torso should be about 2.5 heads long and in a 60mm model a head is 8mm and the torso is 22mm long.
I think its one of those things that is technically right but doesn't look it :( but oh well this is a learning curve model after all. Not sure how I will address the short lower legs, maybe something ingenious when I do the feet. If you wish to be ingenious for me that would be more than welcome :P
Glad you like conversion, there is also a crouched sniper version with a hefty cloak on and a tall striding one that has a scythe and handgun. But they weren't in a photographable quality mood....
The halo models are surprisingly fun to play with and convert.
Rob
I don't know about heads, I work mine out in inches according to what the life size height would be and then convert into mil. With that in mind an average 5'9" person would be about 27" from waist to shoulder or 21.1mm so a 60mm model would be 6'4.6" tall so a head length of 11.1mm and a waist (belly button) to shoulder (top of the shoulder where it meets the neck) of roughly 23mm. Of course these are just rough estimates of heights and lengths based on my own calculations so take it as you will; I know it isn't the standard procedure but I enjoy doing it my own way 8)
For the short leg the obvious thing to do would be to cut it and lengthen it or you could try adjusting the knee height to even it up. You can also try using the metal wire as the very top of his boot rather than the bottom and that way you can add several mil to the bottom of the leg that way instead.
Having pulled him out of his yogurt pot, he has a lot more wire beneath his calfs then I though so i may just be able to extend his lower legs or add fairly high riding boots as you suggest. Woop!
In terms of his coat, do you have any good tips on getting it fitting/flowing well? I seem to remember somebody saying they used a tomato puree tube as a template or something...
Your way of calculating height is interesting, I think I may have a go at using that on a future build :)
Thanks for all the help btw
Rob
(Head length of 11.1 inches, is what I should have put above not mil ::))
The way I calculate lengths is to take the size range, 54mm say, as representing an average height of 5'9". so 69" devided by 54mm gives a ratio of 1.277777778 (put more 7's in and you get a more accurate figure) inches per mm. Then you work out heights, lengths et cetera from there.
Anyway, enough drivel from me.
I have seen people use puree tubes to make coats and capes and whatnot but they don't always get creases and fodls into it that look realistic. Of course you could use the tube as a basic frame onto which to sculpt folds.
One idea I had but haven't used yet is to make a wore frame lattice and then fill it in. This would use fine wire and I get mine from those bag ties you can get, strip the paper or plastic off and that eaves a very fine wire and you can use that to make an armature for a coat or whatever and then put a think layer of putty over it.
At the moment I'm still working on a Great Coat (bottom half and a sleave need to be done) for an ork. I haven't done much on him for months but I used an old leather wallet to make his coat. I've got a leather jacket so I looked at that to make paper templates of the various panels and then cut that out of the leater which had to be stitiched together. Once it's complete I'm going to give it a wash of watered down PVA glue to make it stiff for painting.
If you look at Games Workshop#s robes and tabards, or the trench coats that Delaque gangers wear, they are sculpted very thick so I imagine they use a similar technique to the puree tube covered in putty. I suppose that's necessary when they model is to be cast but on a self sculpt you can try and make it more fine and more realistic. You could always try thin cloth of an old shirt or something; my idea there was to make a wire frame, sticth together sections of the coat say, and then dip that in watered down PVA glue, drape and press into the frame and let it go hard so you have the thin, fine look of a real coat and with texture. Then you have to finish of some sticthing on the model but it doesn't take long.
Quote from: Kallidor on June 10, 2010, 04:16:52 AMI don't know about heads
Well, I always work by it - work out the model's overall height, then divide by 7.5 for the head "height" and use that to scale by. It's a useful enough measurement. The reason I use it is because I use it for my drawing, where I've never got a guaranteed scale to work by.
Quote from: Kallidor on June 10, 2010, 11:33:55 PM54mm say, as representing an average height of 5'9".
54mm to the EYE. Most models are more like 57 or 58mm stood straight. (Consequently, I use a scale of about 1/30 or 1/31)
QuoteI have seen people use puree tubes to make coats and capes and whatnot but they don't always get creases and fodls into it that look realistic.
I've tried purée tubes and I really don't like it. Personally, I use thinly rolled putty, but give it a wire frame to hold the edges in place (which is why the coats of my models usually have trim that hides the wire frame)
Quote from: MarcoSkoll on June 11, 2010, 12:09:20 AM54mm to the EYE.
Well that's a point of contention isn't it. Some people do measure to eye level as a matter of practicality as you can usually see a model's eyes but not always the top of the head. I don't, preferring to scale based on total heights rather than to a certain level but like I say that's just my way of doing it.
Thanks for the help guys, having a lack of both puree tubes and fine wine, I just tried to make it hug a lot and be quite fine. I will get some pictures up tomorrow hopefully with a gun as well.
Thanks again
Rob
Look forward to seeing the progress.
QuoteIn terms of his coat, do you have any good tips on getting it fitting/flowing well? I seem to remember somebody saying they used a tomato puree tube as a template or something...
I'm going to second Marco's suggestion, I was incredibly intimidated at the prospect of doing robes entirely with putty but it's far easier than it appears. Just eyeball the amount of putty you'll use and roll it out in between two pieces of wax paper. Then cut out the shape you like (I generally cut the shape out of more wax paper after approximating what I want it to look like over the model and use that as a guide). After it cures for 30-45 minutes unpeel the section and carefully lay it over the frame you want. Don't go crazy trying to make creases that don't come naturally, you can always add more detail later.
More updates with arm and coat....I'm fairly happy considering it's my first attempt at arms and coat but wasn't confident enough to do something interesting with the arms.
http://s916.photobucket.com/albums/ad4/jerusalem-man/?action=view¤t=Photoon2010-06-11at06352.jpg
http://s916.photobucket.com/albums/ad4/jerusalem-man/?action=view¤t=Photoon2010-06-11at06355.jpg
http://s916.photobucket.com/albums/ad4/jerusalem-man/?action=view¤t=Photoon2010-06-11at06353.jpg
http://s916.photobucket.com/albums/ad4/jerusalem-man/?action=view¤t=Photoon2010-06-11at0635.jpg
I do plan on some cuffs at the end of the sleeves.
On a side note, how well do 40k hands fit Inquisitor?
Rob
Pretty good work on the coat so far. Having it hug the figure is a good idea to start with. If you ever plan to have more free- hanging cloaks etc, I would second Alyster Wick's suggestion with the wax paper. It really quite easy. Also, I really like that tail (as bizarre as it is).
Quote from: Shannow on June 11, 2010, 06:42:23 AM
On a side note, how well do 40k hands fit Inquisitor?
Not very well, I'm afraid. Okay, it depends. I find that Ork arms are great for muscular character in 54mm, and the hands are okay too (though large). Human hands, though, are generally too small, though I have used a space marine forearm/hand for a bionic piece on one character. Using larger 40k hands (for example, I have a heap of 2nd-edition chaos space marine hands) as templates to sculpt over can be helpful if you're not too confident, though.
-Aidan.
Looking really good.
On the hand front it depends what look you're going for. If you want to keep the heroicly sized hands of other Inquisitor models then they will be too small but if you want properly sized hands then they will work okay; if you find my thread with the Penal Legionnaire then you can see how Catachan hands look.
Thank you one and all! Great advice all round again which is very appreciated.
With regards hands I'm having a go at sculpting them, which is on to guns as a solid base, at the time of typing I'm waiting for the first attempt to dry, just need to extend trigger finger a little.
Having said that I am building up a desired bits box order which will now include some catachan arms as I think they looked reet good from what you did Kallidor :)
Have also added cuffs (in a rather piratesque fashion) to generally add to the odd look.
Finally any general tips for feet and heads, the two final and most feared things I have to do? I would quite like to include a wide brimmed hat or some such thing that shadows the upper half of his face if anyone has any specific advice.
Oh yes and also he will be dual wielding pistols but want to give him a rapier. I was thinking on using the point from a paper clip...good/bad idea?
Sorry for the ramble you very helpful lot! I should hopefully get pictures up this evening after the footy :D
Rob
Quote from: Shannow on June 11, 2010, 06:03:55 PM
which will now include some catachan arms
Just to make sure, I've only used Catachan hands, the arm itself is too short but with a little lengthening they'd serve as a great base to sculpt on.
QuoteFinally any general tips for feet and heads, the two final and most feared things I have to do? I would quite like to include a wide brimmed hat or some such thing that shadows the upper half of his face if anyone has any specific advice.
The way I make boots is to use a picture of the sole of a pair of Docs, shrunk down on Paint to act as a template to get some proper boot shaped boots.
As for hats, I've only ever done one and in hindsight I think I would have used plasticard (which I wasn't using then as I didn't know where to get it) to make the brim. File the head bald, and cut a hole in the brim (you could use a compass to get a really circular brim) and fit that over the head. Use putty to make the top of the hat or you could make a cone using Green Stuff and use that as a base to put putty over the top, might help get an nice even look.
QuoteOh yes and also he will be dual wielding pistols but want to give him a rapier. I was thinking on using the point from a paper clip...good/bad idea?
It might be better for a foil as rapier usually have a tapered flat blade. If you don't have any yet I strongly recommend a trip to your local Hobby Craft, which should stock Evergreen plasticard. You can get a bag of strips of plasticard at various sizes; 2mil by 1mil perhaps? Then carfeully shave one edge (the 1mil edge) down to get a taper and the shave the flat 2mil surface both sides to get a really sharp looking rapier.
Then you can end up with something like this:
(http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h81/Sonnilion/sondar.jpg)
First off, that is a fantastic conversion and model Kallidor, the sword is very nice. However I did actually mean foil and also safety pin not paper clip (I was just having a lazy brain moment I think :P), but still I plan to go to get some of the small plasticard today and have a bash at making some stock weapons.
How did you make the hilt on the rapier?
In terms of progress he now has a head and his left hand resplendent with gun!
http://s916.photobucket.com/albums/ad4/jerusalem-man/?action=view¤t=Photoon2010-06-12at1017.jpg
http://s916.photobucket.com/albums/ad4/jerusalem-man/?action=view¤t=Photoon2010-06-12at1018.jpg
http://s916.photobucket.com/albums/ad4/jerusalem-man/?action=view¤t=Photoon2010-06-12at10182.jpg
The head generally went TERRIBLE! This has led to him having bionic eyes and a bandana around his mouth like an old school hijacker :D this thankfully hides all my hideous handy work and the hat will fit in nicely when I manage it.
In terms of background, due to the bandana I think I will make him a disgraced glavian pilot turned pirate? Any thoughts?
Rob
I like how this guy is developing. The head does look a bit odd, but it does give him a nice individual look, kinda post apocalyptic steampunk :).
Glad you like him Myriad, I'm looking forward to starting my next one with this experience under my belt, which will be pretty much straight after as I have lots of material left but can't really afford paint yet :(
Having said that I think I rushed his left hand so have taken that off but have a few pics of him with his hat 'Mark-1' subject to change depending on what you guys have to say!
http://s916.photobucket.com/albums/ad4/jerusalem-man/?action=view¤t=Photoon2010-06-12at1315.jpg
http://s916.photobucket.com/albums/ad4/jerusalem-man/?action=view¤t=Photoon2010-06-12at13142.jpg
http://s916.photobucket.com/albums/ad4/jerusalem-man/?action=view¤t=Photoon2010-06-12at1314.jpg
Having just measured him with the hat on, he is looking to be pretty tall :-\ not sure how much of a problem that will be in gameplay terms. I have to lengthen his calfs as they look odd and I reckon when all said and done he will be 62-64mm high. Would that be an acceptable playing height?
Off out for some super glue now!
Rob
Very nice; i'm rather jealous as I myself am somewhat...unskilled at sculpting. I tried a self sculpt a while ago and... yeah, let's not mention that. Still, you seem to have jumped into it and i think it's shaping up nicely. Should make for a very cool and unique miniature.
Quote from: Shannow on June 12, 2010, 10:27:22 AM
First off, that is a fantastic conversion and model Kallidor, the sword is very nice.
Hold on, that ain't mine, it's by Dragunov over on Work In Progress (http://z11.invisionfree.com/Work_In_Progress/index.php?showtopic=14326&st=0).
Also you chap is looking pretty damn good, very sinister, especially with the hat. He needs some pockets on his coat.
QuoteHaving just measured him with the hat on, he is looking to be pretty tall :-\ not sure how much of a problem that will be in gameplay terms. I have to lengthen his calfs as they look odd and I reckon when all said and done he will be 62-64mm high. Would that be an acceptable playing height?
Quite acceptable as far as I'm concerned-even if he does end up taller than most other models, the imperium is vast enough to accomodate very large variations in height. More importantly, I feel tall would suit the model's current shape, which lends itself well to looking down at lesser mortals from underneath that large hat.
@ Brother_Brimstone - we can call it equal as I am very envious of your painting and conversion skills! :P
@ Kallidor - agree about the pockets and have rectified it, also whoops about the model, I just assumed was yours, thanks all the same!
@ Holiad - glad you'd play against him, having no GW mini's and never having played a game I have not point of reference
Both hands are attached now and pockets on coat also, hand will need some crusty super glue filing off but generally they went on ok, not entirely happy with hands but had no choice but to sculpt them this time. Perhaps not in the future..
Once thats all cured I should be moving on to the feet later tonight (I have lengthened the calfs but don't think you can really tell in pictures) and will get pictures up either middle of night or tomorrow morning :)
Sorry about the flash and poor quality again btw:
http://s916.photobucket.com/albums/ad4/jerusalem-man/?action=view¤t=Photoon2010-06-12at1729.jpg
http://s916.photobucket.com/albums/ad4/jerusalem-man/?action=view¤t=Photoon2010-06-12at17292.jpg
http://s916.photobucket.com/albums/ad4/jerusalem-man/?action=view¤t=Photoon2010-06-12at17293.jpg
http://s916.photobucket.com/albums/ad4/jerusalem-man/?action=view¤t=Photoon2010-06-12at1730.jpg
http://s916.photobucket.com/albums/ad4/jerusalem-man/?action=view¤t=Photoon2010-06-12at17302.jpg
And here is some pictures of 2 other halo model conversions, a pathfinder with sniper rifle and a random weirdo :P
Pathfinder:
http://s916.photobucket.com/albums/ad4/jerusalem-man/?action=view¤t=Photoon2010-06-12at1421.jpg
http://s916.photobucket.com/albums/ad4/jerusalem-man/?action=view¤t=Photoon2010-06-12at14212.jpg
http://s916.photobucket.com/albums/ad4/jerusalem-man/?action=view¤t=Photoon2010-06-12at14213.jpg
http://s916.photobucket.com/albums/ad4/jerusalem-man/?action=view¤t=Photoon2010-06-12at1422.jpg
And random weirdo:
http://s916.photobucket.com/albums/ad4/jerusalem-man/?action=view¤t=Photoon2010-06-12at14242.jpg
http://s916.photobucket.com/albums/ad4/jerusalem-man/?action=view¤t=Photoon2010-06-12at14233.jpg
http://s916.photobucket.com/albums/ad4/jerusalem-man/?action=view¤t=Photoon2010-06-12at14232.jpg
Those two are less than stellar but the figures were very cheap! Sorry for the massive post, hope you make it through all the links and such.
Feedback always great :)
Rob
Quote from: Shannow on June 11, 2010, 06:03:55 PM
I would quite like to include a wide brimmed hat ... Oh yes and also he will be dual wielding pistols
Quote from: Shannow on June 12, 2010, 05:45:04 PM
http://s916.photobucket.com/albums/ad4/jerusalem-man/?action=view¤t=Photoon2010-06-12at1729.jpg
Will he be called Jonathan by any chance, Shannow? ;D
Not that I blame you or anything, he's a great inspiration for a character!
.....I neither admit nor deny anything Simeon..... hehe :P
He is my favourite Gemmell character...then waylander.
He's pretty much finished, just laying on his side as his feet cure then I'll glue him to his base (probably in an hour or so just to be sure) then will whack some pictures up. Feet are a bit big but I plan to add extra decoration to his base to cover this....
Oh yeah and I need to attach a sword to him...I will put a choice of two I have idly crafted later
Rob
All very impressive, the halo figures have turned out really well. Another thing that coat needs is a seam down the back but it's really coming along and looking pretty good indeed.
Ok he's basically done! The feet leave a lot to be desired but I spent ages and several attempts getting them like this...BAH! Lots more practise needed. These are a few shots of him (I apologise for the larger amount of my ugly mug in the shot :P):
http://s916.photobucket.com/albums/ad4/jerusalem-man/?action=view¤t=Photoon2010-06-12at2309.jpg
http://s916.photobucket.com/albums/ad4/jerusalem-man/?action=view¤t=Photoon2010-06-12at23092.jpg
http://s916.photobucket.com/albums/ad4/jerusalem-man/?action=view¤t=Photoon2010-06-12at23093.jpg
The hat still isn't attached and I'm thinking that if I don't glue it on for a while, it could allow for a comical retrieve his hat scenario :D also he is stood on the balls of his feet as he is supposed to be moving forward this (combined with the extra height from hat place him at 67mm tall.....which is quite tall.....
Final things I have to do are possibly a seam on his coat like Kallidor suggested and also a CC weapon of some kind. I'd like it to be a sword and so far I have 2 mocked up and here are some pictures from the front at back with both swords. One is a short rapier like sword and the other is a much longer type (the word for a japanese long sword escapes me wakazashi? or tanto....)
Rapier:
http://s916.photobucket.com/albums/ad4/jerusalem-man/?action=view¤t=Photoon2010-06-12at2311.jpg
http://s916.photobucket.com/albums/ad4/jerusalem-man/?action=view¤t=Photoon2010-06-12at23112.jpg
Long Sword:
http://s916.photobucket.com/albums/ad4/jerusalem-man/?action=view¤t=Photoon2010-06-12at2312.jpg
http://s916.photobucket.com/albums/ad4/jerusalem-man/?action=view¤t=Photoon2010-06-12at23122.jpg
So basically which of those two style do you prefer or do you have a better idea? Any thoughts welcome!
Final point,,,,I've only just realised the imac camera mirrors everything which is quite annoying really >:(
Thanks for all the help that dragged me here too :D
Rob
EDIT: Here's a link for the whole gang!!
http://s916.photobucket.com/albums/ad4/jerusalem-man/?action=view¤t=Photoon2010-06-12at23352.jpg
The feet look find to me. Overall an excellent first sculpt. The rapier looks more swordy I would say although given his sinister look a brace of daggers wouldn't be amiss as well as. Great job.
Thanks very much, I may fiddle around trying to make some nice looking daggers...I have got so Dark Eldar stuff lying around for spikes...
Also I have added a central seam tot he back of his coat :) Now just got to save up to buy some paints! Not sure on what paint scheme to use, so any suggestions are more than welcome!
Rob
Looking good! And naturally, every model that you sculpt from now on will just keep getting better and better - post everything you do up here and you'll get tips and pointers on how to improve.
When it comes to paints, I'd recommend looking at the Foundation paints and the new GW washes - combined together they make painting large models a breeze.
He's looking pretty good. Nice job.
Quote(I apologise for the larger amount of my ugly mug in the shot ):
Don't worry. Nice to have a face to put to the words.
Thanks for the paint advice and glad you all like him. I've been trying my hardest to persuade friends and family that even though my birthdays in october now would actually be a great time to buy me paint as a present ::) .....not going well so far! Hopefully it wont be too long until I can get a bit of colour on to him anyway.
Hopefully you will being seeing my mug in future at any conclave events that time and money allow me to make it to which will be nice :) though first I have to get some experience I feel. I perhaps will practise playing against myself using textbooks as terrain....
It's how I plan to start learning Inquisitor until I can rope some of my friends in.
I wouldn't let lack of experience stop you attending conclave events. We have very competent GMs (or myself when you're unlucky) who in my experience have generally compensated well for newcomers to the game.
I can attest to this. The spring Clave this year was the first event i'd attended and the first 'real' game i'd played (i'd played a couple of games at 28mm with a friend and his cousin but they basically did everything for me, so I had no real grasp of the rules). The other 'clavers were really friendly and helpful, and no one got impatient, even in my first game when i was still trying to work out how calculating damage worked...
Anyway, if there is any point to what i just said it's this; as long as you've read the rules through (which i did in the week running up to the clave), then, in my experience, people will generally be willing to help you put them into practice. I don't wish to speak on behalf of those better acquainted with the game, but that's how I found it to be at my first event.
Well I certainly look forward to playing a game with any and many of you! I may be in contact with you Brother_Brimstone over the holidays...depending on whether I stay at uni flat or go home to Lancaster for the summer. North West for the win :P
Rob
EDIT: Btw I have finished crafting his sword which you can see at
http://s916.photobucket.com/albums/ad4/jerusalem-man/?action=view¤t=Photoon2010-06-17at0202.jpg
and also his stats and story can be found at
http://www.the-conclave.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=815.0
though disregard the daggers :)
That sword has turned out really well.
Quote from: Shannow on June 17, 2010, 01:51:21 AM
I may be in contact with you Brother_Brimstone over the holidays...depending on whether I stay at uni flat or go home to Lancaster for the summer. North West for the win :P
Sure, feel free to get in contact. Although I'm not entirely sure where we'd play seeing as I don't actually have a board...
Following Brother_Brimstones lead I have no wish to inundate the board with my sculpting attempts so will just post all of them here :)
My new WIP is a psyker holding what will be a very large daemonsword, and he/she will end up with big robed sleeves and a hood (as I am still not willing to properly attempt faces :P)
http://s916.photobucket.com/albums/ad4/jerusalem-man/?action=view¤t=Photoon2010-06-18at1234.jpg
Will post some more later tonight with the sleeves and sword hopefully. Btw folds are difficult!
Also @ Brother_Brimstone - hopefully I will get round to constructing a rough and ready board as well as a bit of terrain. Painting it may be a problem though but ohwell!
Rob
Looking good. It isn't always necessary but plasticard cut to shape, or plasticard rod is useful to act as a frame or base to sculpt over to get good folds.
I really need to invest in a plethora of bits and bobs, its just hard to justify it with tight budget (though I did buy a LOT of green stuff and modelling wire, but that was dirt cheap :P)
Thanks for the hint all the same, I am sure it will come in useful before summers end!
I was rooting in my shoe box of magic and found arms from a model I bought last month that turned out to be just to small to use but its arms were fine so I have ended up using those and the rest I made up as I went along! Here is the fruits of my labour:
http://s916.photobucket.com/albums/ad4/jerusalem-man/?action=view¤t=Photoon2010-06-19at02272.jpg
http://s916.photobucket.com/albums/ad4/jerusalem-man/?action=view¤t=Photoon2010-06-19at0227.jpg
and then I added the beginnings of a head and a shoulder pad to balance it a bit:
http://s916.photobucket.com/albums/ad4/jerusalem-man/?action=view¤t=Photoon2010-06-19at02322.jpg
http://s916.photobucket.com/albums/ad4/jerusalem-man/?action=view¤t=Photoon2010-06-19at0232.jpg
Does anyone know where I can buy some fine jewellery chain? As I want to have a couple of lines of that going across the chest, which will also pin in place a cloak with a hood on it.
And finally I was wondering if using 50mm bases was generally acceptable? Just because I'd like a fairly flowing cape on the ground and to add a fair bit of decoration around the model.
Rob
The only bit of chain I've got came off some naff stuff I relative gave me. Off the top of my head I would say that your best bet for getting some fine chain that's reasonably priced might be your local market.
I bought a necklace from Claire's Accessories that was covered in lots of lengths of fine chain. It seems to be the fashion now, or was about 6 months ago. It was cheap, or at least cheaper than any source of plain jewelery chain I could find.
Thanks for the help guys, I had a browse around the city craft shops and nothing great turned up, but I had a quick look on ebay and found
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/2m-Fine-2mm-Gold-Tone-Rolo-Chain-jewellery-FINDINGS-/260536306148?cmd=ViewItem&pt=UK_Crafts_JewelleryMaking_GL&hash=item3ca92c89e4#ht_1708wt_913
which seems ok and very cheap so have invested in that. Will hopefully post an update on model later today
Rob
Sorry to double post but just a quick update on the actual model: He has a heavy cape on now that also hoods his face I think its turned out ok in the very still/creepy/powerful sense that I was looking for, but the back needs some smoothing work on it and a lot of minor detailing is also required which the chain amongst other things should attend to. Anyway Pictures!
http://s916.photobucket.com/albums/ad4/jerusalem-man/?action=view¤t=Photoon2010-06-19at2247.jpg
http://s916.photobucket.com/albums/ad4/jerusalem-man/?action=view¤t=Photoon2010-06-19at22472.jpg
http://s916.photobucket.com/albums/ad4/jerusalem-man/?action=view¤t=Photoon2010-06-19at22473.jpg
http://s916.photobucket.com/albums/ad4/jerusalem-man/?action=view¤t=Photoon2010-06-19at2248.jpg
I also want to give him a familiar probably and have been looking at wyrd miniatures and really like the look of
http://www.artemisblacks.com/wyrd/images/neverborn/WYR4002%20Baby%20Kade%201.JPG
Anyway sorry again about the double post, thoughts always welcome :)
Rob
Coming along very nicely; i like him. He has a static pose, but i would say that actually enhances the model as it makes him look very menacing and brooding.
Look forward to seeing him progress.
Just a very minor update, but one that actually took me a long time to do. Added a blade on his left forearm which counts as a scythian talon which was made using a brass pins point, also added a belt pouch and a rough buckle lump, and aside from that it was just lots and lots of smoothing of various areas, it doesn't show up particularly well but the cape is miles better and though I find it hard it's certainly getting easier.
Few links anyway:
http://s916.photobucket.com/albums/ad4/jerusalem-man/?action=view¤t=Photoon2010-06-22at0118.jpg
http://s916.photobucket.com/albums/ad4/jerusalem-man/?action=view¤t=Photoon2010-06-22at01182.jpg&newest=1
http://s916.photobucket.com/albums/ad4/jerusalem-man/?action=view¤t=Photoon2010-06-22at0119.jpg&newest=1
http://s916.photobucket.com/albums/ad4/jerusalem-man/?action=view¤t=Photoon2010-06-22at01192.jpg&newest=1
Sorry its not more of an update but I can't really finish him till the fine chain arrives, which will be added to his breastplate, though ebay notifies me that this was posted yesterday so hopefully by thursday will be done and dusted and on to the next one which I'm hoping will be a tad more exciting!
Rob
You need to get yourself a proper camera! Webcams do cruel injustices to wonderful models :'(
A proper camera would be fantastic this is true, but I just don't have the money to buy one or have one available to borrow sadly :( damn poor life of a student!
Having said that I will again apologise for the quality of the pictures I put up, at some point I will hopefully be able to give a few decent pictures of each model but not looking likely in the near future.
Finally finished model, just a bit of extra chain to his chest, bit of bling-bling :P the link I gave earlier for the ebay item I bought for the chain was extremely good value and their store seems to be worth a look for odds and sods. It was 1.79 inc postage and I got 2m of fine chain:
http://s916.photobucket.com/albums/ad4/jerusalem-man/?action=view¤t=Photoon2010-06-22at17112.jpg
Anyway here are a couple of pictures of the model:
http://s916.photobucket.com/albums/ad4/jerusalem-man/?action=view¤t=Photoon2010-06-22at1719.jpg
http://s916.photobucket.com/albums/ad4/jerusalem-man/?action=view¤t=Photoon2010-06-22at1725.jpg
So again apologies for the picture quality! I have started my third sculpt today, though not at a stage worth taking pictures of and he is planned to be an Ex-commissar wearing a top hat, with a shock-cane and a stupidly large revolver :D
Rob
That cahin turned out looking good and this second model really does look the business.
Good stuff, I like the detailing on the body with the chain and the sort of 'ribbed' section around the waist. All in all an impressive sculpt; I especially think you did a good job on the folds of the robes.
The folds ended up being done by dragging my thumbnail through green stuff :P I have a mass excess of chain now and am being tempted to add it into my next planned sculpts.... As I have considered making my Ex-commissar character a waistcoat, I think a pocket watch is definitely in order :D
Thanks for the kind comments Kallidor and Brother_Brimstone, I may be getting some money returned from taxation soon so paint will hopefully be forthcoming much quicker than I had anticipated!
Rob
Beginnings of Ex-Commissar 'Crazy Long-legs' Cleberman. His names derives from the fact that I have sculpted the legs too long..... Unlikely to use him as a playing model because of this but still going to play around with him anyway, so updates will probably be much less frequent....
http://s916.photobucket.com/albums/ad4/jerusalem-man/?action=view¤t=Photoon2010-06-23at0124.jpg
http://s916.photobucket.com/albums/ad4/jerusalem-man/?action=view¤t=Photoon2010-06-23at01242.jpg
http://s916.photobucket.com/albums/ad4/jerusalem-man/?action=view¤t=Photoon2010-06-23at0125.jpg
Efforts will be made to lengthen the torso and make it more in proportion but that would make him a giant of a man probably 72mm if he was stood up (and I'm giving him a ridiculous top hat), even more so than my other sculpts who are 62mm and 67mm (though he is stood on tip toes and wearing a hat). Ah well, I find sculpting very therapeutic anyway so its nice to just do a project!
Rob
Wow, those really are some crazy long legs, what do you plan on having him look clothes-wise if he's ex-commissar?
Really liking your sculpts so far, makes me want to dabble in it aswell
James
When I said infrequent updates I underestimated how little I had to do with the rest of my day, and today included watching all 118 sets of the Mahut vs Isner final set!
@ Dumdeedum - I'd really recommend having a bash at sculpting especially with all the great examples that are available on here by the likes of Kaled, Kierkegaard, Ynek and MarcoSkoll to name a few (Marco in particular has some really helpful measurements and step by step pictures of his sculpting that are immeasurably helpful). I'm planning to dress him in a waistcoat with a tailed back and a white shirt underneath and paint his trousers pinstriped black and yellow. I quite like the idea of him being actually crazy so I want to paint him black and yellow hazard themed and have him devolved to lead a Hive Gang which his is convinced is the remnants of his Imperial Guard regiment that was wiped out or something like that..........oh yeah and a massive top hat (see pictures!)
Updates anyway, I've lengthened the torso, added a helmeted head using an ork stormboys as a base, bulked up his arse and upper thighs and crafted a top hat.
http://s916.photobucket.com/albums/ad4/jerusalem-man/?action=view¤t=Photoon2010-06-24at0007.jpg
http://s916.photobucket.com/albums/ad4/jerusalem-man/?action=view¤t=Photoon2010-06-24at0008.jpg
http://s916.photobucket.com/albums/ad4/jerusalem-man/?action=view¤t=Photoon2010-06-24at00082.jpg
http://s916.photobucket.com/albums/ad4/jerusalem-man/?action=view¤t=Photoon2010-06-24at00083.jpg
AND with a top hat!
http://s916.photobucket.com/albums/ad4/jerusalem-man/?action=view¤t=Photoon2010-06-24at00084.jpg
http://s916.photobucket.com/albums/ad4/jerusalem-man/?action=view¤t=Photoon2010-06-24at0009.jpg
http://s916.photobucket.com/albums/ad4/jerusalem-man/?action=view¤t=Photoon2010-06-24at00092.jpg
AND this is him minus hat next to a piece of card that is 54mm tall (as I have no GW or other 54mm models)
http://s916.photobucket.com/albums/ad4/jerusalem-man/?action=view¤t=Photoon2010-06-24at0013.jpg
Still to do - smooth down all the leg areas, add boots, bulk up the upper chest and smooth down body, add clothing detail, add bionic arms (tau battle suit arms), add weapons (shock cane made from match + greenstuff and a stupidly big revolver - to be scratch built)
Again sorry for the picture quality! I would give you better if I could!
Rob
I like him, am definitly a fan of top hats and like to see it modelled. Are tau battlesuit arms the right size for 54mm in general or just for your monster of a man?
Well I'll definitly get round to sculpting at ome point, probably around mid juy (my birthday) when I actually get modelling equipment.
Looking forwards to seeing crazy as he progresses
James
Plethora of piccies! Though sadly still of the low quality kind :( @ Dumdeedum - I think the tau battlesuit arms are a good size fit actually, perhaps a little small for this model but then I have done it to a larger scale so I reckon they're a nice addition to a bits box!
And here are the pictures:
http://s916.photobucket.com/albums/ad4/jerusalem-man/?action=view¤t=Photoon2010-06-24at2235.jpg
http://s916.photobucket.com/albums/ad4/jerusalem-man/?action=view¤t=Photoon2010-06-24at22352.jpg
http://s916.photobucket.com/albums/ad4/jerusalem-man/?action=view¤t=Photoon2010-06-24at22353.jpg
These ones include his hat:
http://s916.photobucket.com/albums/ad4/jerusalem-man/?action=view¤t=Photoon2010-06-24at2237.jpg
http://s916.photobucket.com/albums/ad4/jerusalem-man/?action=view¤t=Photoon2010-06-24at2238.jpg
http://s916.photobucket.com/albums/ad4/jerusalem-man/?action=view¤t=Photoon2010-06-24at22382.jpg
http://s916.photobucket.com/albums/ad4/jerusalem-man/?action=view¤t=Photoon2010-06-24at22383.jpg
http://s916.photobucket.com/albums/ad4/jerusalem-man/?action=view¤t=Photoon2010-06-24at22384.jpg
I know he's dodgy in almost every aspect but heyho its just a bit of fun! :D Should have his feet and the tails for the back of his waistcoat/jacket done by tomorrow I expect.
Rob
EDIT
(http://i916.photobucket.com/albums/ad4/jerusalem-man/Photoon2010-06-24at22384.jpg)
Mwahahahaha I have just figured out how to insert pictures!
I do love that top hat, and those arms work surpisingly well. I have a few battlrsuits lying about so might see what use I can put them to.
Also like the use of Gemmell books :)
James
He's really developing some character there, certainly. The writing on all the Gemmell books seems to be back to fron though, which I'm finding distracting :).
Apologies for the distraction there, annoyingly my imacs webcam mirrors everything, so its actually the left knee raised and left handing holding the staff etc etc....don't know why they chose it to operate like that!
Pretty much finished now, he has swayed massively from an Ex-commissar though, so I think I will leave that concept until I am better at sculpting. With that in mind I gave him a needle pistol and a feather in his hat :D I present.... 'The Entertainer'
(http://i916.photobucket.com/albums/ad4/jerusalem-man/Photoon2010-06-25at21583.jpg)
(http://i916.photobucket.com/albums/ad4/jerusalem-man/Photoon2010-06-25at2159.jpg)
(http://i916.photobucket.com/albums/ad4/jerusalem-man/Photoon2010-06-25at21582.jpg)
(http://i916.photobucket.com/albums/ad4/jerusalem-man/Photoon2010-06-25at21592.jpg)
(http://i916.photobucket.com/albums/ad4/jerusalem-man/Photoon2010-06-25at21593.jpg)
(http://i916.photobucket.com/albums/ad4/jerusalem-man/Photoon2010-06-25at2158.jpg)
And I accidentally made up to much greenstuff at one point, so one thing led to another and I began making a cyber-snake with a human head....
(http://i916.photobucket.com/albums/ad4/jerusalem-man/Photoon2010-06-25at2201.jpg)
Still have various bit of smoothing and such to do, maybe add detail to the back of his coat or something. Though he is an odd and often badly sculpted mish-mash of different stuff, I actually really like how he has turned out.
Hope you enjoy anyway
Rob