The Conclave

The Ordos Majoris - Hobby, Painting and Modelling => Painting and Modelling => Topic started by: MarcoSkoll on November 18, 2009, 12:38:40 AM

Title: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on November 18, 2009, 12:38:40 AM
Okay, so I've not done much modelling in ages. Most of my recent "art" has been drawing.

And so, I need something to kick me out of this. This means it's project time!

I could return to the sculpting of Marco's warband and finally get the converted stand-ins off the table, but over time I've become less happy with that early sculpting. For one thing, Marco is short compared to what I originally wanted.

So, I'm starting from scratch on a set of five models. Some of these, if things go well as far as rearranging my schedule, are models I'm hoping to use as an IGT warband (If they're not ready in time, there are of course other options.)

As of now, I have five armatures that look more or less like this. (http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb122/RagnarokEOTW/IMG_2258.jpg)
I'll not give you a link to each one individually. They currently differ in little but height and intended gender, as they're not yet posed.

The three that will become a warband in their own right will all have appearances based on various different pictures that have caught my eye over the last few months.

Inquisitor Lyra Joandra Rhodes will be based on this piece (http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb122/RagnarokEOTW/GarthCameronGraham.jpg), by Garth Cameron Graham (http://www.gcgstudios.com/) - the artist behind a couple of webcomics I quite like.

An as of yet unnamed Stormtrooper Sergeant will be based on this piece (http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb122/RagnarokEOTW/kasrkin.jpg), which caught my eye in the last IG Codex. I've tried in the past to pin down which GW artist was responsible and failed - so an answer would be much appreciated.

And the last member is being based on a tweaked version of person D in this piece (http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb122/RagnarokEOTW/MackSztaba.jpg) which was posted on Ordo Illuminatus by Mack Sztaba (http://www.mackart.ca/).

Of the others, number four is Frost. (http://ragnarokeotw.deviantart.com/art/In-the-Shadows-Revised-140155061)

The last has an appearance based on my own. For the most part, it'll be used as NPCs when extras are needed.

With all that said, there's little more to report, but I'm getting this out there so perhaps you lot can cajole me at appropriate times.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: Adlan on November 18, 2009, 07:48:53 AM
good luck, looks good.

Inquisitor Lyra Joandra Rhodes, looks a lot like eoliths vamire huntress, in pose and clothing.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on November 18, 2009, 02:03:03 PM
Quote from: Adlan on November 18, 2009, 07:48:53 AMInquisitor Lyra Joandra Rhodes, looks a lot like eoliths vamire huntress, in pose and clothing.
I'm not planning to keep the pose of the picture for anything but the Storm Trooper (and even that's likely to get a little tweaking).

In this case, the pictures are just being used for general character design and clothing (also, equipment in appropriate cases) - the stances will be adjusted to more dynamic ones that won't look too out of place in combat.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: Tyrant on November 18, 2009, 03:46:23 PM
Certainly looking forward to seeing this progress, although I dont think i've seen any of your previous work, Starting with armatures is not something I have the confidence in doing myself.

Nathan.

P.s. I can only assume Frost is based on David Jason?  ;)

Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on November 18, 2009, 08:10:33 PM
Quote from: Tyrant on November 18, 2009, 03:46:23 PMCertainly looking forward to seeing this progress, although I dont think i've seen any of your previous work
There hasn't been all that much previous work. I got to this point (http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb122/RagnarokEOTW/IMG_1272.jpg) on a model of my namesake, but other than a few 28mm scratch sculpts there hasn't been much else.

QuoteStarting with armatures is not something I have the confidence in doing myself.
It's not quite as hard as I initially thought. It's not much harder than knowing the basics of anatomy, finding some tools/materials, then jumping in.

As far as anatomy, I've been trying to learn drawing on and off over the last three and a half years, so I've got a good horde of reference books for that... it's easy enough to turn them to the task of sculpting.

For tools, you can get away with as little as a sculpting tool*, some cheap small brushes, files/clippers/a craft knife, some wire (paper clips work, but brass wire is better), and the putty.
*I have to say I much prefer the older, more (for lack of a more convenient word) feminine sculpting tool GW did - the current one they sell appears to have been poorly welded together from several blocky pieces. (Fortunately, I have two of the old ones, including one I went about Teflon coating)

And jumping in is hardly difficult. This is actually one of those things where it's a GOOD thing to start at the deep end.
If you feel like starting, then I'm perfectly willing to give hints (and I'm sure others will be too).

QuoteP.s. I can only assume Frost is based on David Jason? ;)
You know, with that smiley, I'm not entirely sure if you're joking or not. If you're not, you may want to follow the link I left.

Aside from the fact that my Frost uses an alias that is the same as the surname of a character that David Jason has played, they share little - not even their gender.
There's no reference intended in Frost's alias. I just chose it because it sounded like a cool name for what I originally thought would be a mostly off-table character in my Inquisitor's network.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: Tyrant on November 18, 2009, 08:59:59 PM
Quote from: MarcoSkoll on November 18, 2009, 08:10:33 PM
Quote from: Tyrant on November 18, 2009, 03:46:23 PMCertainly looking forward to seeing this progress, although I dont think i've seen any of your previous work

QuoteP.s. I can only assume Frost is based on David Jason? ;)
You know, with that smiley, I'm not entirely sure if you're joking or not. If you're not, you may want to follow the link I left.

T'was a joke. poor but still..
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: TheNephew on November 19, 2009, 12:02:26 AM
Quote from: MarcoSkoll on November 18, 2009, 08:10:33 PM
(Fortunately, I have two of the old ones, including one I went about Teflon coating)

Note: I am aware that I'm saying this on a forum devoted to playing with toy soldiers.

Marco, you do some damn strange things with your spare time.

Still, I look forward to seeing how this goes. Especially your self-portrait, as I'd imagine that's working with a rather stricter aim than most do when sculpting a face.
Are you going for the hat and hair on Rhodes and Person D respectively?
If so, how are you sculpting the hair, and how're you planning on doing the hat brim?
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on November 19, 2009, 01:57:10 AM
Quote from: TheNephew on November 19, 2009, 12:02:26 AMMarco, you do some damn strange things with your spare time.
Indeed I do.

But, weird or not, putty doesn't stick to a polished and Teflon coated sculpting tool - and unlike using Vaseline, the putty will still stick to the model afterwards.

QuoteEspecially your self-portrait, as I'd imagine that's working with a rather stricter aim than most do when sculpting a face.
It's going to be tricky, I know. I doubt I'll get it quite right.

Fortunately, it'll get a little backup, because I have a few "trademark items" - the rather odd combination of a heishi necklace, a braided silver ring and a leather bracelet. Including these should help associate the sculpt with myself. Okay, I'll never be able to exactly paint the Celtic patterns of the bracelet on a model that's two and a bit inches tall, but I'll do what I can.

QuoteAre you going for the hat and hair on Rhodes and Person D respectively? If so, how are you sculpting the hair, and how're you planning on doing the hat brim?
Yes to both the hat and hair.

I guess I'll do the hat brim by cutting and pressing it from brass sheet, which would allow for it to be that thin and wide without any trouble trying to prop a GS version.

The hair - I'll have to improvise a bit, because replicating that exactly from GS will be near impossible. I guess a general shaping, then pull at parts of the fringe with fine tweezers. There's a possible call for some of the fine wire I've got so he'll still have the loose fringe. We'll see.

Quote from: Tyrant on November 18, 2009, 08:59:59 PMT'was a joke. poor but still..
Well, fair enough.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on November 19, 2009, 02:25:13 PM
Bit of an update.

Basic shapes of left legs and abdomen all in place. I'm intending to get the upper torso and right legs all sorted this afternoon to allow me to do last minute tweaks to the details this evening.

The start of detail work will probably come tomorrow.

Firstly, from the left - Lyra; "Person D", who's going to be an Illusionist psyker; and the Stormtrooper:
*Changed to a link* (http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb122/RagnarokEOTW/IMG_2287.jpg)
Eventual heights for these three will be about 53mm, 57mm and 60mm.

Frost; and myself.
*Changed to a link* (http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb122/RagnarokEOTW/IMG_2288.jpg)
Eventual heights will be 51mm and 62mm.

Those people who fret too much over 1/35 models should take note that in the latter picture, both Frost and myself are to the same ~1/30 scale*. People can easily vary that much - while she's about 5' tall (in the background at least), I'm about 6' 2".
A 1/35th model in amongst everything else (indeed, Frost is about the height a typical 1/35 model is) would be perfectly reasonable for a short character.

*1/30 is about what I reckon Inquisitor to be. It places a 5' 9" person as a model that's ~58mm to the top of the head, which as both are typical heights (for UK males and Inq models), is about right.

Also, a somewhat messy test run on Frost's coil rifle that needs cleaning up:
(http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb122/RagnarokEOTW/IMG_2252-1.jpg)

It's obviously made from various 28mm parts and brass strip. I did it to about 1/24 because of the tendency for Inq's weapons to be a little generous size wise.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: Simeon Blackstar on November 19, 2009, 10:47:40 PM
That coild rifle is so stolen!  ;D

Some good sculpting going on here.  It looks like Inquisitor is getting a lot of people learning how to do it.  I'm very much looking forward to seeing the end product, though to my knowledge you still need to finish Marco and Silva, who I'm also hoping to see finished soon - and if you have done them, where can I see them? 
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on November 19, 2009, 11:38:01 PM
Quote from: Simeon Blackstar on November 19, 2009, 10:47:40 PMThat coil rifle is so stolen!
I hesitate to ask from where, lest I fall foul of missing a joke again...

Quote...though to my knowledge you still need to finish Marco and Silva, who I'm also hoping to see finished soon - and if you have done them, where can I see them?
I mentioned that briefly in the first post - I made various mistakes in the production of those two. (Notably, height. Both are supposed to be above average height, but both models fall short of norm.)

I feel I can do much better than those early attempts, mostly because I've learnt more about art and anatomy in the intervening time.

While Marco's model is far enough done and has enough redeeming features that I'm likely to try and recover some of the effort that went into his model (although, possibly not to use as Marco), Silva's model was hardly started and will likely get a clean restart.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: Inquisitor Cade on November 20, 2009, 07:23:26 PM
Quote
QuoteThat coil rifle is so stolen!
I hesitate to ask from where, lest I fall foul of missing a joke again...

I think he means he intends to imitate it, an I can see why, it is a very nice looking gun. My only qualm would be that the powercell is very obviously a lasweapon thing, so I'd suggest disguising it a bit to be a more generic powersource.

Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on November 20, 2009, 09:55:33 PM
Quote from: Inquisitor Cade on November 20, 2009, 07:23:26 PMI think he means he intends to imitate it, an I can see why, it is a very nice looking gun.
Okay then... I was wondering if I'd managed to accidentally steal it from somewhere.

QuoteMy only qualm would be that the powercell is very obviously a lasweapon thing, so I'd suggest disguising it a bit to be a more generic powersource.
Actually, that was deliberate choice on my part. A coilgun needs electrical power from somewhere, so why not make it use what's already a widely available, standardized, high capacity and high power battery?

Okay, that may be attributing a little too much modern engineering sense to the Techpriest that created the rifle design - but my old habits die hard.

...also, when I was doing the drawing (http://ragnarokeotw.deviantart.com/art/In-the-Shadows-Revised-140155061), I was trying to make the coilgun a weapon that was inarguably Imperial in design, so I stole a heap of design elements from various different Imperial weapons and bolted them together. Still, the lasgun powercell was something I'd decided in advance.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: Inquisitor Cade on November 20, 2009, 11:26:04 PM
Well I perscribe to Precinctomega's theory that a lasgun fires more than just light. I don't believe that a lasgun could run off a wall socket at simmilarly don't think that a lasgun powercell could act as a power source for other appliances.

So I'm against the lasgun style powercell, but I have no evidence to back me up on it.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on November 20, 2009, 11:49:52 PM
Quote from: Inquisitor Cade on November 20, 2009, 11:26:04 PMWell I perscribe to Precinctomega's theory that a lasgun fires more than just light.
While there's weight to PO's theory about a combined laser/particle device (not that it's the only way for lasguns to work), that doesn't necessarily mean that the magazine carries any more than electrical power.
A Cathode Ray Tube is basically a particle accelerator (if a simple one), and those work on no more than electrical power - with the right particles (electrons), there's no need for any complication.

And as far as I know, canon suggests that they ARE purely electrical cells.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: Simeon Blackstar on November 21, 2009, 01:14:24 PM
Sorry, yes, I meant that I'm going to use that design myself, not that you'd copied it from elsewhere.

From what I've gathered, the cells used in lasweapons are just the generic energy cells used by the Imperium as batteries in lots of things.  I can't personally think of a (stock) model where they're used as anything else - though this might be because the stock models are all military - but I'm sure I've read it in a number of places.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: Inquisitor Cade on November 21, 2009, 02:11:55 PM
I still disagree, I believe that a powercell for appliances and a lasgun powercell would not be interchangeable, though you are supported by the fluff that powercell can be charged, though degradingly, by leaving them in a fire or even in sunlight.

I don't like the idea that lasguns run of the equivalent of household batteries. This seems gimiky and to cheaped the imperial guard.

It looks like you might be right though.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: Tyrant on November 21, 2009, 02:16:01 PM
Quote from: Inquisitor Cade on November 21, 2009, 02:11:55 PM
I still disagree, I believe that a powercell for appliances and a lasgun powercell would not be interchangeable, though you are supported by the fluff that powercell can be charged, though degradingly, by leaving them in a fire or even in sunlight.

I don't like the idea that lasguns run of the equivalent of household batteries. This seems gimiky and to cheaped the imperial guard.

It looks like you might be right though.


I think thats a bit over the top..
Even if its not a lasgun cell, all magazine clips look fairly simular, its more than likely that power cells would also look pretty much the same.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on November 21, 2009, 03:11:29 PM
Quote from: Inquisitor Cade on November 21, 2009, 02:11:55 PMI don't like the idea that lasguns run of the equivalent of household batteries. This seems gimiky and to cheaped the imperial guard.
I never said they were an equivalent of household batteries. There are many different types of power cell out there.
In the same way that you don't run a starter motor off two triple-A pen cells, or a TV remote off a truck battery, a lasgun cell is not what you'd use to run an average torch.

I imagine the use of powercells to be somewhat like that of Lead-Acid batteries. Not something you use for everything, but very useful for medium to large sized high power applications.
Anyway, even if the specific shape/size of cell that lasguns accept isn't used for everything, the coil rifle is one of the things that use that size.

Quote from: Tyrant on November 21, 2009, 02:16:01 PMEven if its not a lasgun cell, all magazine clips look fairly similar, its more than likely that power cells would also look pretty much the same.
Magazine clips!?

(Heck, even using the term "lasgun magazine" is pushing it as far as definition)

Quote from: Simeon Blackstar on November 21, 2009, 01:14:24 PMSorry, yes, I meant that I'm going to use that design myself, not that you'd copied it from elsewhere.
Cool. ;D
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: Tyrant on November 21, 2009, 04:40:57 PM
Quote from: MarcoSkoll on November 21, 2009, 03:11:29 PM
Quote from: Inquisitor Cade on November 21, 2009, 02:11:55 PMquote]


Quote from: Tyrant on November 21, 2009, 02:16:01 PMEven if its not a lasgun cell, all magazine clips look fairly similar, its more than likely that power cells would also look pretty much the same.
Magazine clips!?

(Heck, even using the term "lasgun magazine" is pushing it as far as definition)



I mean that magazines look like each other..... and that a power cell would like other power cells
the fact they all perfrom the same job means that they will be designed in a simular way

not that a magazine looks like a triple A!

lol.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on November 22, 2009, 02:14:12 AM
Well, I've been working more, but I'll have to upload photos (and a bit of a ramble I've got running around my head) tomorrow, because I'm not going to subject you to poor and noisy photos - which is what will happen if I try taking photos in low light when tired.

Other legs are finished, basic shapes of upper bodies largely sorted out. What needs to happen now is smoothing over any errors in that, then I can get on with the start of the actual "upper layers".
Downside is that I've realised I've cocked up and accidentally swapped the psyker's and Stormtrooper's armatures. Not critical (I'll only end up with the psyker the taller of the two), but not what I wanted.

@Tyrant: Most people on the forum know this pet peeve of mine by now, but anyway, this is the point I was making. (http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb122/RagnarokEOTW/51840105.jpg)
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on November 23, 2009, 12:37:55 AM
And pictures...

Lyra, Psyker and Stormtrooper:
*Changed to a link* (http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb122/RagnarokEOTW/IMG_2297.jpg)

~~~~~

Frost and myself.

*Changed to a link* (http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb122/RagnarokEOTW/IMG_2299.jpg)

~~~~~

Firstly, I recognise Lyra's right breast is wonky and needs fixing - I'll get to that later tonight.

Secondly, that last one was first because I'm used to dealing with enough perverts that it's force of habit to get that kind of stuff out the way at the beginning.

Thirdly, I also recognise the relative lack of neatness (and presence of fingerprints) at this stage. I'm not going to spend extra effort getting layers which won't be visible perfect.
Similarly, there are a couple of anatomical mistakes here. I've not taken the time to fix the ones that remain, because they'll be adjusted or hidden later on.

Actually, since I took these photos, I've progressed onto the start of some of the "upper layers" - various footwear mainly, but also some armour plates on the more heavily armoured of the two (Frost and the Stormtrooper).

But I'd like to get more done before I show you how that's going.

~~~~~

Anyway, I believe I promised a ramble.

This warband is particularly unusual for me, because while I've done models based on other people's art before, these are the first characters I've done based on other people's art.

I'm normally used to having a very fixed idea in my mind of what a character looks like, and largely a character is begun with personality/traits ahead of appearance.
I might occasionally steal a few ideas here and there for appearance or draw inspiration from things...

Indeed, some of you may recall that Frost's armour was somewhat inspired by Nova from Starcraft:Ghost, the Elf from the Warhammer Online trailer, and the Bounty Hunter from the Old Republic "Deceived" teaser.

...but taking an appearance someone else designed, then bolting a personality to it - that's very unusual for me.

It takes a very rare piece of art to strike that kind of chord with me where I can immediately conceive the character that goes with the appearance.

Unfortunately, my brother will want the computer soon, so I'll continue the ramble in a later post.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on November 25, 2009, 09:51:33 PM
One update for you....

Still working on names for the Psyker and Stormtrooper, but I've got ideas about those.

The modelling, at least, is advancing.

Lyra, Psyker and Stormtrooper (http://s210.photobucket.com/albums/bb122/RagnarokEOTW/IMG_2308.jpg) - Rear (http://s210.photobucket.com/albums/bb122/RagnarokEOTW/IMG_2309.jpg)

Frost and myself (http://s210.photobucket.com/albums/bb122/RagnarokEOTW/IMG_2310.jpg) - Rear (http://s210.photobucket.com/albums/bb122/RagnarokEOTW/IMG_2311.jpg)

Still a little messy in places, but cleaning up will be being carried out as I go. Anyway, if I keep on track, I think I can be sorted with enough time to spare.

Anyway, I would say more, but I need to eat dinner.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: Tyrant on November 26, 2009, 11:31:35 AM
I'm impressed with how quick they go from being vaguely humanoid to actually developing a stlye, I thought it looked fairly clean already. nice.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: RobSkib on November 26, 2009, 12:23:10 PM
They're really coming along nicely Marco! I have to say, I was sceptical this project would get even this far, so kudos!

I havn't got much to note at the moment other than what little GS skill you've demonstrated far outstrips my own, and I particularly like the work on the rear of Frost's armour. Keep going amigo, I want to see what these guys look like when they're done!
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: Hadriel Caine on November 26, 2009, 08:07:07 PM
Quote from: MarcoSkoll on November 25, 2009, 09:51:33 PM
Anyway, I would say more, but I need to eat dinner.

Good man.

They are really beginning to take shape aren't they! looking forwards to more progress.

Adam
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on November 27, 2009, 02:05:01 AM
Thanks for the various compliments. As far as speed of production, I have to work fast for them to be a potential choice if I make it to the IGT... actually, as it is, I think my speed still needs stepping up.

I learnt quite a lot from the half finished work on Marco's sculpt, and my art skills in general have improved*, so it's been less work than the earlier efforts.

*Although I still dread to see what the paint-job on this lot is going to turn out like. I've not painted in a while, and it's not my strong point.

~~~~~

Well, I've done a few basic things today.

Firstly, I think I have a name for the Stormtrooper, unless I later take a dislike to it - Kai Gillmore.
The Psyker is a little more resistant, and although he's got a personality and skill set, he continues to remain anonymous.

Sculpting-wise, I've done a couple of plates on the Stormtrooper, and a little more "framework" on the Psyker... but neither makes a very interesting photo, so I'll spare you that one.

However, I've tried to sort out some of Frost's scale armour, and some of the models have started to gain weaponry (my own model used for example): Just the front today (http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb122/RagnarokEOTW/IMG_2315.jpg)

The scales turned out to be relatively easy after my earlier doubts on the matter - I simply cut some brass strip into a pointed shape and pressed it in to the GS in an appropriate pattern (although I suspect it would have been possible with just the conventional sculpting tool).

To respond to RobSkib's coments about the back of Frost's armour, I very much enjoyed designing this version of said armour. Being the engineering type I am, I like creating designs to fit whatever criteria, and finding the different ways to try and create armour that offered lots of protection without hindering movement unduly was a great way for me to spend those few hours.

~~~~~

Weapons for the most part are going to be made from 28mm scale weapons, because although I'm not working to a completely "true" scale, these models aren't quite to Inq's heroic scale either and I think that most INQ weapons are going to be clumsily large.

I've put together a few weapons (sorry, no photos just yet) in a similar way to Frost's coil rifle - Lyra's revolver has been cut together from parts of an IG grenade launcher and one of the Lasguns from a Chimera, and the Stormtrooper's hellpistol is just a regular lasgun without the stock and a few pieces swapped around.

I might, if I had more time and patience, do weapons out of brass rod/tubing... but I'm not much blessed with spare seconds or the necessary persistence.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on November 30, 2009, 01:06:31 AM
So, an update.

Little done on Lyra or my own model, but the other three have seen advancement.

Basics of Frost's leg armour have been laid down (not the right lower though), detail on the Psyker's front has been started (with parts of the back to be done tomorrow), and Kai is down to needing little more but the straps and various equipment (which, for the most part, has been liberated from my bits box)

Anyway, pictures...

Frost, Psyker and Kai - Front (http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb122/RagnarokEOTW/IMG_2320.jpg)
Frost and Kai - Rear (http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb122/RagnarokEOTW/IMG_2321.jpg)

... I figure I may even be able to get this lot sculpted and painted on time, although a step up in pace by adding a morning sculpting session may be needed, given I missed some sculpting time yesterday trying to write up the RIA.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: Hadriel Caine on November 30, 2009, 12:09:16 PM
wow. simply great work Marco. the detail is so crisp! something I just can't seem to do with GS.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: Myriad on November 30, 2009, 02:31:20 PM
What Adam said.  Shaping up nicely.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on November 30, 2009, 03:14:01 PM
Quote from: Adam Cunis on November 30, 2009, 12:09:16 PMThe detail is so crisp! something I just can't seem to do with GS.
Well, I pretend to be no more than an amateur, but my personal advice on the matter of sculpting is to keep the tools wet, not limit yourself on what counts as a tool (heck, make a new tool if you need one), and have around some cheap brushes to help smooth the putty.

Right. Now for a late lunch... and then more sculpting.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on December 06, 2009, 12:17:09 AM
Believe it or not, Marco is still doing something, all though I did end up losing a couple of days from my schedule because of various problems. Nothing fatal, but not ideal either.

Anywho, the psyker now goes by the name of Renatus Neuvler. And regards actual modelling... some pictures.

Lyra, Renatus and Kai - Front (http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb122/RagnarokEOTW/IMG_2341.jpg) & Back (http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb122/RagnarokEOTW/IMG_2342.jpg)

Frost and Myself - Front (http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb122/RagnarokEOTW/IMG_2344.jpg) & Back (http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb122/RagnarokEOTW/IMG_2345.jpg)

I have to apologise for the imperfect photos, but I only realised the brightness and contrast wasn't great too late, I haven't got my laptop to apply a digital fix, and I can't be bothered to try to argue with the camera.

As is no doubt clear, Kai is easily the furthest along. (And also standing on his cork stand somewhat wonky)

Plans are to start any missing arms tonight and get said arms finished... probably sometime tomorrow or early Monday, I guess. Depending on difficulty and requirements to sculpt hands from scratch, of course.

Heads... well, we'll see what happens there...  ;)
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: Hadriel Caine on December 06, 2009, 04:01:50 AM
lyra and kai look incredible mate. nice use of plastics to support your own work.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on December 06, 2009, 08:27:48 AM
The plastics seemed the easiest way to sort out weapons and stuff without actually having to make each individual piece myself.
For the most part, it's stuff one could find in an average bits box, or at least negotiate with a mate for. Space Marine parts, IG from when I got into Kill Team and Necromunda (It was so much easier to use plastics...), but there are a few things I've dug out I can't really pin down.

I find GW's 54mm weapons oversized (actually, 28mm scale weapons too, but it's excusable there, because they'd be too small and fiddly). So scaling back to a more modest size prevents models being totally cluttered by what's actually a perfectly reasonable amount of equipment.

The 28mm parts seem to work well size-wise for my sculpting proportions. The 28mm pistol holsters are believable for an average pistol, Kai's hellpistol is a hacked around lasgun (shortened a bit, moved handgrip/magazine well forward) and obviously, the coil rifle from earlier in the thread is largely 28mm parts.

~~~~~

If I'm going to ramble for a bit anyway, I'll admit I'm not entirely happy with Renatus. There are flaws in the proportions that can't easily be more than mildly tweaked. Given how far I've gone, and with a need for a model, I'll still finish it, but I'll be looking for a replacement.

This is at least in part because while I like both the concept (of a pskyer centred around illusions) and the appearance, I'm not sure they're a perfect match for one another.
I'm used to background coming first, then developing appearance from that, so force of habit has started to give me ideas that don't fit the model. Doing it this way around, it wasn't hugely surprising that one of the characters might not match brilliantly.
(And it's not too surprising that that Renatus was the newest concept and appearance, without the benefit of the time the others had been stewing in my head)

I've run across another picture which I quite like which I can see fitting the concept (although this time it's female), and what I'll likely do is a model of that, transplant the basics of the character across, then recycle Mack Sztaba's drawing into a different character.

... But those models will have to be a future project.

Anyway, things to meet, places to do, people to be.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: Molotov on December 06, 2009, 11:51:20 PM
Really nice work thus far, Marco. Looking forward to seeing these completed. :)
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: Adlan on December 07, 2009, 10:27:40 AM
Sweet!

The stormtrooper is gonna look awesome.

Only criticism is one the model of your self, your calf sheath looks to be hanging a little low, actually touching the ground. Dosn't look quite right to me, a smidgen higher and it'd be great.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: abhorsen950 on December 07, 2009, 01:03:17 PM
Theyve come on really well.

Stunning
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on December 07, 2009, 03:07:15 PM
Quote from: Adlan on December 07, 2009, 10:27:40 AMOnly criticism is one the model of your self, your calf sheath looks to be hanging a little low, actually touching the ground.
It isn't actually like that - it's a trick of the camera angle.

~~~~~

Anyway, preview... Kai's head (http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb122/RagnarokEOTW/IMG_2353.jpg)

Not perfect, but for only the second face I've ever sculpted (and given the first was only earlier today...), I'm content with it. It's still slightly workable, so I'm going to attack a couple of things that I see in the photo now...
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: phil-o-mat on December 08, 2009, 07:17:35 PM
your work is AWESOME!!!
i specially like your stormtrooper. if i had more talent in sculpting, i would try to do one myself, but forget about that...
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: Kaled on December 08, 2009, 07:32:21 PM
Quote from: phil-o-mat on December 08, 2009, 07:17:35 PM
if i had more talent in sculpting, i would try to do one myself, but forget about that...
Well, the best way to learn is to give it a try and keep practising...  Your first few might turn out looking like mutant mud men, but you'll soon improve.

Kai's head is looking good, but did you really want to add an indentation for his pupils?  Usually you'd paint them on wouldn't you?
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on December 08, 2009, 09:01:51 PM
Quote from: phil-o-mat on December 08, 2009, 07:17:35 PMIf I had more talent in sculpting, I would try to do one myself, but forget about that...
I will be the first to admit to not being particularly artistically skilled.

I have but a small scraping of talent, and for the most part, my successes come from motivation, persistence and not leaving anything alone until it's right.

If you take my most recent drawing (http://ragnarokeotw.deviantart.com/art/Deviation-142319289/) (mildly NSFW), then actually look at the scan before it gets any post-production (http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb122/RagnarokEOTW/SilvaCorset2nopostprod.jpg), it reveals just how much I can change my mind. You can see shadows of the first draft of the basic "skull" for the skeleton somewhat to the left of where the head eventually ended up, as well as a whole horde of other moved lines. (You can also tell that I put excessive detail into my sketched skeleton...)

Really, the only way to learn is to start. It pays to get a grip on anatomy first, as it'll offer a real shortcut - and you may have to learn not to be disheartened, but in the end, you're not going to be able to do it any other way.

These are only the... 5th to 9th models I've sculpted (or at least got a respectable way through). I admit to a head start because of my drawing (and to some extent, my shooting - I have pretty steady hands as a result) but equally, anyone whose handwriting is actually legible to anyone but themselves would have an advantage I didn't.

Quote from: Kaled on December 08, 2009, 07:32:21 PMKai's head is looking good, but did you really want to add an indentation for his pupils?
That was part of the way I was doing things, a visual aid for while I was sculpting. I've learnt it from drawing that eyes can look fine until you add the pupil, then it can't look right whatever you do.

Given I didn't want to write off the head, I did it on the first couple of heads until I started to get things a little more controlled. Said indents are to be filled in.

I didn't of course apply my other usual trick with drawing pupils. As can be seen in my more recent drawings, my preferred technique is to do them as an L shape.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: phil-o-mat on December 08, 2009, 09:22:07 PM
ok, i`ll try it!!! but don`t expect too much.

i`ll post some pictures of my first attempts.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: Kaled on December 08, 2009, 09:47:49 PM
Quote from: phil-o-mat on December 08, 2009, 09:22:07 PM
ok, i`ll try it!!! but don`t expect too much.
Why not try one of these (http://www.historexagents.com/shop/hxproductdetail.php?ProductCode=FR54)?  It'll mean some of the hard work of proportions and basic anatomy is done for you and will let you concentrate on sculpting the detail.

Apologies Marco for temporarily derailing your thread.  BTW, that first link in your last post is file not found.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on December 09, 2009, 12:58:27 AM
Quote from: Kaled on December 08, 2009, 09:47:49 PMWhy not try one of these (http://www.historexagents.com/shop/hxproductdetail.php?ProductCode=FR54)?
They're not a bad idea for a beginner and take out quite a lot of the work (they definitely kill "size creep" dead) , but they are a little costly, and don't allow size variations.

Something to start with maybe - but eventually, I'd recommend people make their own armatures.

QuoteApologies Marco for temporarily derailing your thread.
No problem. I'm perfectly happy to inspire and help people.

QuoteBTW, that first link in your last post is file not found.
Oops. Evidently my understanding of dA's linking system is flawed. Fixed.

I should note that I'm very cruel to Silva. That's a price she pays for being my favoured original character.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: Aidan on December 10, 2009, 05:31:51 AM
Well, aside from gawping in awe at your work, (which has become rather a habit of mine. I should find a shorthand way of expressing it.) I feel the need to give a little more solid feedback - most all of it still positive, mind.

Kai's armour (which initially looked rather messy) definitely has the look of Kasrkin-style carapace now. Well done getting crisp corners on greenstuff, that always takes a lot of time (and a great deal of cursing) for me. I would say that some of the 28mm bits look a little small for Inquisitor (especially his hellpistol), but I've taken to using them more and more myself, though I've not used lasguns at all.

Frost is probably my favourite, I can definitely see the resemblance to the concept drawings you posted of her way back. Good work on the scale armour, the realistic chestplate, and on keeping to the small stature you established the character as having. I guess that is one of the benefits of sculpting your own models, though.

Renatus is looking good, for the most part, but his arms (particularly the right one) seem disproportionately long. Is this intentional (and mentioned somewhere that I've missed), or are you going shrink it down somehow later?

Not much to say about Marco yet, except that he's strikingly tall next to Frost, which I understand to be intentional. Also, I'd like to ask what that slab on his chest is intended to be, or what it will turn into.

Very good work on Lyra's*clothing, too - about on par with Frost for excellence in sculpting and style. (Maybe I just have a thing for the chicks?). I do hope that that force field mentioned in another thread will be able to keep her safe, though, 'cause that blouse 'ent going to be stopping any bullets.  I am wondering what is holding that pouch/holster to her right hip, though.

*Instinctive name recognition works completely the wrong way for me in this context. Gives me a 'wierd feeling' I can't get over. Not your fault, though.

- - - - -

I also love the picture of Silva (and the original, 'not to her liking'). Nice artwork, great joke; that corset is so completely 'not her style' that it's hilarious ;D. I might also mention that of all the characters I've seen on this forum (besides those belonging to me or my gaming buddy Dust King), yours - Silva in particular, with Frost a close second - seem to stay with me the most. Hence I can attribute a personality to the name and face and get the joke. Brilliant.

Look forward to seeing the completed models.

-Aidan.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on December 10, 2009, 02:53:03 PM
Quote from: Aidan on December 10, 2009, 05:31:51 AMI would say that some of the 28mm bits look a little small for Inquisitor (especially his hellpistol)
They're small, yes, but if you compare to the image I'm working from, then it's plain enough that 54mm parts would turn out too large. As it stands, the weapons actually fit the scale I'm working to quite reasonably.

QuoteFrost is probably my favourite, I can definitely see the resemblance to the concept drawings you posted of her way back.
Frost's model has been paused for the last few days. Her model isn't as immediately important as Lyra, Kai and Renatus (who will form an IGT warband), and I rather need the spare time for them - either way, I'd rather not rush the model through unnecessarily.

I had a half plan that she might act as an NPC in my IGT scenario, but I've moved on from that idea.

QuoteRenatus is looking good, for the most part, but his arms (particularly the right one) seem disproportionately long.
The arms have been shortened since the last picture, but they are still slightly on the long side, because I figured it was better for them to look a little long than have the wrong forearm/upper arm balance.
As I haven't the time to get them fixed before the IGT, I'm going to leave them. As I've already explained, the model has other issues that are beyond an easy fix, so I'm calling the model a learning experience and will change it out at some point in the future.

QuoteNot much to say about Marco yet, except that he's strikingly tall next to Frost, which I understand to be intentional. Also, I'd like to ask what that slab on his chest is intended to be, or what it will turn into.
It's not Marco. It's a model of myself - David, Ragnarok, Diablo... whichever of the names or nicknames the twit sitting at this keyboard has gone by in the past. It'll serve mostly as an NPC - after all, what better NPC than the GM himself? :P

Although, that said, Marco is supposed to be around the same height as myself. He's a little over 6 foot, she's a little over 5 foot, so the comparative heights of Frost and Marco will be pretty much the same.

The "slab" is part of some torso armour. It's not meant to be all that sophisticated, because it's meant to be able to pass as various different armours depending on how "hard" an NPC it's acting as.

QuoteInstinctive name recognition works completely the wrong way for me in this context. Gives me a 'wierd feeling' I can't get over. Not your fault, though.
Yeah, I recall the whole "Dark Materials" thing being mentioned at an earlier date, but it's a name that just wanted to work for me.

QuoteI might also mention that of all the characters I've seen on this forum (besides those belonging to me or my gaming buddy Dust King), yours - Silva in particular, with Frost a close second - seem to stay with me the most.
Well, that's a great honour.

For a character who was originally created by accident, I'm sure Silva will be delighted to hear that's she's proving popular.
Actually, both of those two were something of an accident - while Silva came about because of my limited drawing skills, Frost was originally a casual line in Marco's background that I never really intended to be more than a background NPC.

It's only because I was fishing around possible characters for "The Heresy of Magos Veleron" RP that she ever got developed beyond vague ideas. I hadn't really thought about it before, but she owes a lot to Koval. If he hadn't expressed dislike for the first character concept I pitched, she wouldn't have received the attention that made her the character she is.

Actually... it goes beyond that. It was as a result of trying to put an appearance to her that I got back into drawing. Absolutely sod all of what's on my DeviantArt account would be there but for that.

Odd how you realise how various events in your life depend on tiny details.

There was a whole swathe of music I got into because of a small comment I posted on a Youtube video about a Lego Crossbow...

... and I probably wouldn't be here at all but for the fact a mate of a mate did a webcomic, another mate had made a mistake in a drawing, a Maplin store had internet access, and my mother teaching at the particular school she does...

It really does makes me wonder where I could have been if things had been slightly different. For the want of a nail indeed.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on December 11, 2009, 12:05:53 AM
When I started this thread three weeks ago, even I was somewhat sceptical that this post would be coming...

Kai is finished:
(http://s210.photobucket.com/albums/bb122/RagnarokEOTW/IMG_2385.jpg)
Left (http://s210.photobucket.com/albums/bb122/RagnarokEOTW/IMG_2386.jpg), Back (http://s210.photobucket.com/albums/bb122/RagnarokEOTW/IMG_2387.jpg) and  Right (http://s210.photobucket.com/albums/bb122/RagnarokEOTW/IMG_2388.jpg)

...I told you my painting wasn't great.
I might tidy it up a little if time can be found to spare, but I've got the more pressing concerns of finishing Lyra and Renatus. Not that I can't finish them tomorrow, but I am really down to the wire.

Actually, this makes Kai my first completed Inquisitor scale sculpt. And for something that was a collection of brass wire, green stuff and paint less than a month ago, I'm happy. Evidently I can meet sort of meet deadlines every now and again.

As far as thoughts on the model, I know it's a little less bulky than the original image (http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb122/RagnarokEOTW/kasrkin.jpg), has a somewhat lighter colour scheme and a few errors in the sculpt - but the phrase "Good enough" exists for a reason.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: Inquisitor Cade on December 11, 2009, 01:00:26 AM
Nice work. What did you use for the laspistol barrel/flash supressor? Is it from a 40k las weapon, because they always seemed too small, but it looked fine on him.

I'd suggest a second wire from the pistol to the pack, if possible and giving the grenades the customary green body. I'd also have done the chevrons on his leg a different colour to the camo.

Why don't you imbed images in the post, maybe not all of them but at least the front?
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on December 11, 2009, 01:06:23 AM
Quote from: Inquisitor Cade on December 11, 2009, 01:00:26 AMIs it from a 40k las weapon, because they always seemed too small, but it looked fine on him.
The whole hellgun is just a cut down 28mm lasgun.

QuoteI'd suggest a second wire from the pistol to the pack if possible
I considered it, but the wire I had that was fine enough was a little frail.

QuoteI'd also have done the chevrons on his leg a different colour to the camo.
Fair enough. I'll see if there's time to tweak it.

QuoteWhy don't you imbed images in the post, maybe not all of them but at least the front?
Mostly so people (particularly if on a lesser connection) don't have to load the thing each time they try to read the thread. If they want to look at it again, they can find the link.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: Kaled on December 11, 2009, 07:35:51 AM
Nice work Marco - he certainly brings the original image to mind.  His face turned out extremely well for a self-sculpted one - I only hope I can achieve similar results.  And in general the painting's not bad at all - a little flat in places, but generally neat, so you're in a good position to start working on your shading and highlighting techniques in future.

Are you going to do anything more with his base?
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on December 11, 2009, 10:47:09 AM
Quote from: Kaled on December 11, 2009, 07:35:51 AMNice work Marco - he certainly brings the original image to mind.
<mrburnsvoice> Excellent. </mrburnsvoice>

;D

QuoteHis face turned out extremely well for a self-sculpted one - I only hope I can achieve similar results.
It was a whole heap less difficult than I expected it would be. For the most part, I find drawing faces somewhat challenging - in part because of perspective, which of course is less of an issue on a 3D model, but even so, for a head that's a mere fraction of the size I draw at, it didn't come across as something that would be easy.

Not that it was a total breeze - it still took 6 different tools (Sculpting tool, Scalpel, Wicking needle*, Fine tweezers, a small brush and some 3/32" brass tubing) - but for the most part, the results were far from the horrible mess I expected I was going to be left with.

*For the pittance it cost, actually one of my best tools, especially for fine work.

I guess it depends on how you go about it, but each method will work for someone different. Whichever way you choose, it's a good idea to have a reference photo (or at least something realistically rendered) - you may not meet it exactly, but it gives you something to work for.

The work on the face for "Mini-me" (not shown yet) is probably the best of the set, mostly because the reference was something I was particularly familiar with - I've had enough years to learn the details and asymmetries in my face. For example, my right eye is fractionally higher than my left, something which I subconsciously compensate for by tilting my head (until they're roughly level), instead giving an illusion my nose slants slightly. It's various details like that which people see but don't notice - a whole world of fun for artists, trying to learn to see what's there, not what you think is there.

QuoteAnd in general the painting's not bad at all - a little flat in places, but generally neat, so you're in a good position to start working on your shading and highlighting techniques in future.
The colour and shading suffers partly because it's a known weakness in my art (for the most part, I do lineart - colour is usually an afterthought, if applied at all), and partly because I'm not known for mixing colours - and unfortunately I discovered that in storage, a few of my paints had kicked the bucket.

With my armies including blue Space Marines, an Eldar army with lots of Dire Avengers (so more blue), a red and yellow Empire army,  and a white and blue High Elf army, I wasn't using the full range of my greens - so a few of them were still in the old style pots, which seem to dry out more easily. (And given how long that style of pot went out, they've had a long time to dry up.)

What do is I'll run up a list of the colours which I'm short on or which need replacing and buy them at WHW - well, those that are still in the range. They seem to delight in cutting the colours which I'm without.

QuoteAre you going to do anything more with his base?
Possibly, if there's time, but it'll be something low-key and generic. For the most part, I keep my Inquisitor bases reasonably plain - I'm not sure why a "grass" base on a "concrete" table bothers me more at 54mm than 28mm, but it does.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: Sneak on December 11, 2009, 12:34:59 PM
[jealous]That guy looks awesome, approx how tall is he? Its strange to see a character with normal human proportions instead of the obscenely large hands/chest/arms/head of the 'heroic' scale :p[/jealous]

my only (very minor) issue is his colours are quite light. I imagine a war veteran from the grim dark future would be, well grim and dark :p but tbh he still looks amazing. Maybe just give him designerstubble or something :p

Xmas money arriving soon means Im going to have my own sculpting project to start, do you have any advice on faces, also roughly how much should I set aside for  tools, which are the most important/useful? I had a few but I lost them aaages ago.

Thanks

p.s. ... jealous
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: Kaled on December 11, 2009, 01:49:08 PM
Quote from: MarcoSkoll on December 11, 2009, 10:47:09 AM
so a few of them were still in the old style pots, which seem to dry out more easily. (And given how long that style of pot went out, they've had a long time to dry up.)
Which pots do you mean when you say old-style ones - because I have some old paints from about 199o when GW paints game in round pots with white lids and they're still as good as the day I bought them.  I also have quite a lot in the hexagonal pots with white lids that are perfect as well.  The ones from brief period when GW put their paints in small hexagonal pots with black screw tops all dried up ages ago, and the ones in the current style of pots also seem to dry up a lot quicker too.  Not sure if the pots are the sole factor, as I believe GW changed their paint supplier, but when I've mixed up batches of new paint and put it in the old pots it's lasted longer than the paint that was left in the original pot.

QuoteFor the most part, I keep my Inquisitor bases reasonably plain - I'm not sure why a "grass" base on a "concrete" table bothers me more at 54mm than 28mm, but it does.
I admit I do like it when my warband's bases match the table I'm playing on, but I've never understood people who leave their bases black because people don't wander round on concrete with a circle of grass at their feet - neither do people wander around with a black (or grey/green/brown/<insert preferred base colour here>) circle at their feet either.  I realise it's a personal preference thing, but I do think that a nice base finishes off a model properly.  Yes it can look a little strange on some tables, but I think it's worth it for the times when it matches the table.

Quote from: Sneak on December 11, 2009, 12:34:59 PM
Xmas money arriving soon means Im going to have my own sculpting project to start, do you have any advice on faces, also roughly how much should I set aside for  tools, which are the most important/useful?
For conversions, I'd suggest a good knife and a couple of cheap ones for rough work, a razor saw and a jewelers saw (are they the proper names?), a set of needle files, and a drill.  For sculpting, you can buy a set of sculpting tools, but I rarely use mine and often improvise with cocktail sticks, bits of sprue etc.  One thing I do use a lot when sculpting are clay shapers - I find them invaluable.  You can spend whatever you want on tools really - I tend to go for decent quality ones as I find that cheap ones can be more trouble than they're worth.  Heresy do a good line in modelling tools - there's a link in the 'Modelling Resources' sticky.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on December 11, 2009, 03:37:04 PM
Quote from: Sneak on December 11, 2009, 12:34:59 PMThat guy looks awesome, approx how tall is he?
56mm to the eyes. He's supposed to be a little taller than average (which would of course be 54mm to the eyes).

QuoteIts strange to see a character with normal human proportions instead of the obscenely large hands/chest/arms/head of the 'heroic' scale
In its own way, it is. I'm hoping the set won't be too out of place amongst the heroic models, but there are enough people who use more normally proportioned models from other manufacturers in amongst their collections without particular issue.

Quotemy only (very minor) issue is his colours are quite light.
Like I say above, some of my paints have copped it. A restock will be carried out tomorrow while I'm at the IGT, and there'll likely be some repainting after that.

QuoteDo you have any advice on faces?
Some, yes - although more than can be easily explained in text alone.

Given the number of people who have expressed difficulty with faces, I'm considering writing up an article on how I do it. As I've been told by the nice people at the computer company that my laptop will be returned on Monday, I'll be in a good position to start.

QuoteAlso roughly how much should I set aside for  tools, which are the most important/useful?
Currently, I'm getting by on an old GW sculpting tool (don't bother with the new one, it's useless), a set of cheap brushes (not my painting brushes), a couple of pieces of 3/32" and 5/32" brass tubing, and a wicking needle. (... well, other than the standard clippers, files, pin vice and assorted stuff you'd expect to have on a modelling table anyway.)

I have been considering adding more tools, possibly one of Heresy's sets (http://www.heresyminiatures.com/tools.htm).

Quote from: Kaled on December 11, 2009, 01:49:08 PMWhich pots do you mean when you say old-style ones
Hexagonal, Black Screw top - design prior to the current one unless I'm mistaken.
I find they're less reliable than the current design at keeping paint fresh. Perhaps there are even older designs that work better, but that design was mostly hindered by the fact that paint on the screw threads could stop the lid going on properly.

QuoteFor sculpting, you can buy a set of sculpting tools, but I rarely use mine and often improvise with cocktail sticks, bits of sprue etc.
I sometimes improvise tools (I cut one to do Frost's scales), but for the most part, I use the proper tools.

Primarily because I'm a cheeky bastard who Teflon coated his main sculpting tool to stop the putty sticking to it the whole time.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: phil-o-mat on December 11, 2009, 03:46:37 PM
how did you manage to coat your tool with teflon?
and how does it work?
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: kierkegaard on December 11, 2009, 04:56:35 PM
Well, he looks a bit skinny, and the head looks a bit large, but that is a hell of a good self sculpted model you have there. Very well done. Looking forward to seeing the rest of them.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: Sneak on December 11, 2009, 05:16:47 PM
Quote from: MarcoSkoll on December 11, 2009, 03:37:04 PM
QuoteDo you have any advice on faces?
Some, yes - although more than can be easily explained in text alone.

Given the number of people who have expressed difficulty with faces, I'm considering writing up an article on how I do it. As I've been told by the nice people at the computer company that my laptop will be returned on Monday, I'll be in a good position to start.

I will be waiting at my computer screen with bated breath. Look forward to seeing it. Ive found a couple of useful guides for sculpting bodies in natural positions and with the right proportions but either I fail at looking or the world fails at producing useful in depth head tutorials beyond "the eyes go here, the mouth here and dont make it too big/small/round/square or it will look stupid"

Edit: Just looked at Heresy Sculpting tool prices and for my needs I shouldnt be looking to spend more than I have, which makes me smile. Thanks for that
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: Hadriel Caine on December 11, 2009, 06:45:28 PM
I'd echo the call to have at least the 'front' image embedded, nearly missed it in my confusion and that would've been a crying shame cos Kai looks AWESOME. I'd have gone for a darker scheme myself (armour wise to contrast the pale skin) and used some washes but it really works how it is. Don't change anything if you don't want to!
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on December 14, 2009, 04:03:56 PM
Well, as the various photo albums around the forum have shown, they made it to the IGT.

We have Lyra:
(http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inquisitor%20Models/IMG_2459.jpg)
Left (http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inquisitor%20Models/IMG_2460.jpg),Back (http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inquisitor%20Models/IMG_2461.jpg) and Right (http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inquisitor%20Models/IMG_2462.jpg).

And Renatus:
(http://s772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inquisitor%20Models/IMG_2466.jpg)
Back (http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inquisitor%20Models/IMG_2467.jpg) and Right (http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inquisitor%20Models/IMG_2468.jpg).

The work on both was a bit rushed towards the end. I talk further about that below.

Also, what I have here is an assortment of unpainted photos:
Kai and Renatus (http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inquisitor%20Models/WIP%20Models/IMG_2377.jpg) - Left (http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inquisitor%20Models/WIP%20Models/IMG_2378.jpg), Back (http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inquisitor%20Models/WIP%20Models/IMG_2379.jpg) and Right (http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inquisitor%20Models/WIP%20Models/IMG_2380.jpg)

Lyra (http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inquisitor%20Models/WIP%20Models/IMG_2392.jpg) - Left (http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inquisitor%20Models/WIP%20Models/IMG_2393.jpg), Back (http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inquisitor%20Models/WIP%20Models/IMG_2394.jpg) and Right (http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inquisitor%20Models/WIP%20Models/IMG_2395.jpg)

Others may have their own favourite, but I'm personally convinced that Kai is the best of the set so far. We'll see if Frost gets around to dethroning him. (I should note though that I'm taking a bit of a break from the modelling, given the madness that made up the last three weeks).

Quote from: kierkegaard on December 11, 2009, 04:56:35 PMWell, he looks a bit skinny, and the head looks a bit large
The first point is hardly surprising. I made the models to more anatomically correct proportions than is typical for Inquisitor models, so they will appear somewhat "lanky" compared to GW models.
There was lots of measuring done to get the sizes of the ribcage and pelvis right on the basic armature, so he's pretty close to what a human really should be.

The second point - I'm more surprised. An 8mm head on a 60mm total figure comes out at the standard artistic norm of 7.5 heads to the body. Compare most GW Inq models, and they're typically closer to 6 heads to the body. But I guess you might be seeing something of an optical illusion relative to other Inq models due to the relative skinniness.

Overall, the proportions come out as roughly correct for a normal human.

Quote from: phil-o-mat on December 11, 2009, 03:46:37 PMhow did you manage to coat your tool with teflon?
Much the same way as you would coat anything with Teflon - in this case, I used an air drying spray I use for various other things. I didn't see the need to go for a tougher baked coating.

Quoteand how does it work?
Pretty well actually. Comparing two otherwise identical tools, the coated one makes it noticeably faster to get smoother results.

Quote from: Adam Cunis on December 11, 2009, 06:45:28 PMI'd have gone for a darker scheme myself (armour wise to contrast the pale skin) and used some washes but it really works how it is.
As I say above, I admit rushing a bit in order to meet the deadline of the IGT. The current plan is to strip the paint off Lyra and Kai, fix a couple of minor sculpting mistakes (which may include a re-sculpted head for Lyra), then repaint both of them in a less rushed manner.

I'm ordering in a load of paints to fill gaps in my collection, and hopefully with more time, I'll be able to do them more of the attention and care they deserve.

Renatus is unlikely to receive the same treatment - as I've already said, the model is flawed. Also, as I explain in the character thread I like both the character concept and the image that was used as a basis for the appearance, but I don't think they work that well together - so, what I'm planning to do is split the two off.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: Inquisitor Cade on December 14, 2009, 07:29:51 PM
QuoteTeflon - in this case, I used an air drying spray I use for various other things.

Giving your aircannon faux Armour piercing potato slugs?
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: judge-minos on December 14, 2009, 08:00:58 PM
First of all I want to thank you for the inspiration. Since I saw your post I started sculpting a couple of models myself but I am really slow at it. As soon as I feel ready I will share them with the conclave together with few new models I am finally painting. Renatus could be reused as a different character and Kai is really looking good, especially the head, I am impressed, my first try was not half as good.

QuoteThe current plan is to strip the paint off Lyra and Kai, fix a couple of minor sculpting mistakes (which may include a re-sculpted head for Lyra)

I actually like her, the face seems good on the picture and I love the outfit, especially the hat.
The only thing a little off is the wrist holding the gun, it looks like she is having a problem holding it up, like it's too heavy.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on December 14, 2009, 10:18:25 PM
Quote from: judge-minos on December 14, 2009, 08:00:58 PMSince I saw your post I started sculpting a couple of models myself but I am really slow at it.
Better slow than rushed really. There's no credit for "speed sculpting" - do it too fast, and you'll just end up with a lesser quality model.

I admit I did some parts of these guys too fast because of the deadline, and thus there are a few things I want to change before they're all tied up.

QuoteAs soon as I feel ready I will share them with the conclave together with few new models I am finally painting.
Sounds good. Looking forward to it.

QuoteRenatus could be reused as a different character...
That's much the plan for Renatus. He may get some adjustment, and I'm not sure quite who he'll end up as, but the model isn't going to be wasted completely.

QuoteKai is really looking good, especially the head, I am impressed, my first try was not half as good.
The heads aren't the easiest part by any means. In my case, I've spent a lot of time learning proportions of heads for my drawing, so I'm not attacking it from scratch.

QuoteI actually like her, the face seems good on the picture and I love the outfit, especially the hat.
The only thing a little off is the wrist holding the gun, it looks like she is having a problem holding it up, like it's too heavy.
I'm not entirely certain yet that I'll change her head, but I'm not convinced with the current attempt - female faces are much harder work than male ones, and it's not quite right.

Quote from: Inquisitor Cade on December 14, 2009, 07:29:51 PMGiving your aircannon faux Armour piercing potato slugs?
Joking aside, you're along the basic track. One of the uses for it is as a coating on low drag projectiles.

The projectiles are however not potatoes - they're subsonic armour penetrators designed to punch through 1/2" RHA steel (equivalent to most APCs) at up to a quarter mile.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: Inquisitor Cade on December 15, 2009, 09:39:37 AM
QuoteJoking aside, you're along the basic track. One of the uses for it is as a coating on low drag projectiles.

The projectiles are however not potatoes - they're subsonic armour penetrators designed to punch through 1/2" RHA steel (equivalent to most APCs) at up to a quarter mile.

Are you saying that it does help penetrate armour? I though that was a myth, and they were only used to reduce barrel ware for the gun.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on December 15, 2009, 02:36:00 PM
Quote from: Inquisitor Cade on December 15, 2009, 09:39:37 AMAre you saying that it does help penetrate armour? I though that was a myth, and they were only used to reduce barrel wear for the gun.
For the most part, the PTFE coating on those projectiles is to reduce skin drag on the projectile so that it loses as little velocity as possible making it out to that range. Making a subsonic projectile effective out to that range does take keeping as much of the velocity as you started with as possible.

In more typical firearms, PTFE coating on the projectiles can improve penetration - but this is by reducing friction between barrel and bullet, and thus resulting in a higher muzzle velocity.

However, you are right, between two otherwise identical projectiles impacting armour at the same velocity, PTFE doesn't improve penetration - the coating is far too fragile and the energy lost to friction relatively insignificant anyway.
But under most conditions, the PTFE bullet will impact faster (higher muzzle velocity, reduced drag) and will better penetrate as a consequence of that.

So it's a bit of both really. From the same firearm, they will better penetrate (because they're going faster), but the myth is that the coating improves the efficiency of penetration, which it doesn't.

...Anyway, I'm rambling.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: DapperAnarchist on December 15, 2009, 03:09:19 PM
Yes, but interestingly...
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on January 05, 2010, 01:09:45 AM
I promise I'll be back to sculpting the last two models soon, but I'm a little tied up with paint stripping experiments right now.

Anyway, I shouldn't really be spending more money - but I've been very badly behaved today, and I put in an order on Heresy Miniatures.

I've bought more sculpting tools - while I'm managing with what I've currently got, what I've got is not a very wide range, and there are areas where I'm having to work harder because of the limits of what I have.
I may not end up using some of them that often, but I'll have them for when I want them.

Aside from that, I've taken a bit of a leap of faith, and instead of stocking up on my usual green-stuff, I bought a supply of ProCreate instead.
Although I've never actually used anything other than green-stuff thus far, I've heard enough good things about ProCreate that I thought it was worth at least trying it. My own thoughts will be given as and when I've used it.

~~~~~

Before I go, a ramble on what I'll be doing next. The plan is for a set of 6 models, to be complete before the Spring Conclave - and no, I don't intend on using all of them at once.

It's finally time to replace the models of Marco and his warband. While the models that currently represent them on the table are alright, I always intended for him and his entourage to be sculpted - and I've decided it's been otherwise for longer than it should, so I intend to deal with it.
I'll be starting preliminary sketching in the not too distant future. While Marco and Silva pretty much have fixed appearances (and only need pose decided, although I'll likely swipe the ones I was going to use before), I want to do some redesign and concept work on the other three.

The thing is, while two of them (Giovanna and Arden) already have models, they weren't models of the appearances I had in my head for them. Giovanna wasn't that badly represented (by a conversion of Barbaretta), but Arden drew a short straw and was made up out of parts I had left over (part Eldar ranger booster pack, part Slick Devlan, part Sgt. Stone).
Jax has never been modelled, but will need some design work. He's a stable mutant, and I want to avoid resorting to random asymmetry and/or tentacles as a result of that. However, on the flipside, I don't want him mistaken for Xenos. The sketchpad will have to decide.

Anyway, that makes up 5 of the 6 - and model #6 will be Maya Eshkeri (working name), the revision of Renatus Neuvler.

But that lot will require me to go and pick up some more brass wire - the last set of armatures cleaned out my collection.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: Molotov on January 05, 2010, 01:15:21 AM
Interesting concepts - and I look forward to seeing where you go with them. Do you have pictures of the current generation of models? I've not, thus far, seen Skoll and I'm interested to do so.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on January 05, 2010, 08:52:14 PM
I don't have any pictures of the current generation of models - I only ever intended them to be temporary stand-ins until I could replace each with a sculpt that fit the mental image I had of them.
I hadn't expected they would last this long (I was expecting to have the various sculpts done by mid last year), and quite frankly, I'll be glad to see the back of them.

They're not bad, as such... but I'm just not happy enough with them to want to share the results.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on January 06, 2010, 03:58:40 PM
Heresy order arrived this morning, bringing with it a couple of packs of procreate, a dozen wax carvers and a set of clay shapers.

I really want to start forging ahead into sculpting the next set of models to explore the possibilities of ProCreate (I intend to finish the current project with green-stuff, because I don't need to be trying to learn a new putty this late on) and my new tools, but I can't - firstly, I need to be finishing the current set of models, but more importantly, I still need more brass wire for the armatures and to get the concept designs sorted.

I guess I feel more like drawing than sculpting right now, so I suppose it's time for an appointment with the sketchpad then.
I may also start concepts for the various support staff that Skoll has around (Enginseeress, Navigator, Astropath). They're not combat characters, but that doesn't mean they'll never see the table.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: Hadriel Caine on January 06, 2010, 04:22:56 PM
Quote from: MarcoSkoll on January 06, 2010, 03:58:40 PM
I guess I feel more like drawing than sculpting right now, so I suppose it's time for an appointment with the sketchpad then.

Well then. I demand pictures. Demand will surely galvanise you into situation. :)

Be good to see an update matey.

Adam
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on January 07, 2010, 02:15:30 AM
Ask, and you shall receive. One rough concept sketch of Marco:

(http://fc03.deviantart.net/fs70/f/2010/006/3/3/Marco_Skoll___1st_Concept_by_RagnarokEOTW.jpg)

This is a bit of a redesign, with a deliberate attempt to try to mix a little more 40k imagery into Marco, but without taking him a million miles from his original appearance - which was rather heavily inspired by Mal from Firefly.

I intend to play with this a little further - perhaps adding a trinket or two hanging by a long chain, which seems to be a common theme in 40k.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: catferret on January 07, 2010, 02:22:25 AM
I like mixing Procreate and Greenstuff together.  It's not too sticky, has some elasticity but holds an edge pretty well.  Cures very quickly, which is both an advantage and disadvantage (it's working time is about 30min from mixing the two types of putty together).
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: Hadriel Caine on January 07, 2010, 03:20:57 AM
Marco (the sketch) is looking good! inexplicable trinkets are what 40k is about. Gotta be excellent if he's based on Mal.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on January 07, 2010, 04:07:56 AM
Quote from: Adam Cunis on January 07, 2010, 03:20:57 AMGotta be excellent if he's based on Mal.
Appearance at least (personality is somewhat different) - He's lost a certain amount of it in this revision because of the additional 40k elements, but in something of a trade-off, I've put in more direct lifts like the holster belt: Link (http://www.firefly.withoutshadow.com/gallery/promos/mal/images/mal03.jpg)

The eventual colour scheme will tie in as well - I suspect that Marco's body armour (half visible beneath all the belts and coat) might change from being green as it currently is to a dark red instead... but that depends on how much I decide to draw on Mal's appearance.

Anyway, I seem to have forgotten some of the details. Marco is to be one of the taller models at 6' 1" - 6' 2" equivalent, which completely coincidentally (I had honestly chosen the number before I knew) is also Nathan Fillion's height.

Now, I shall have to go to bed, or I'll descend into madness. Tomorrow... perhaps I'll add more 40k to Silva. But I don't want to go bonkers there - I like her the way she is, even if that way isn't entirely 40k.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: Adlan on January 07, 2010, 12:28:39 PM
It's Mal... with a sword!

Does he know which end to hold  ;D
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: RobSkib on January 07, 2010, 01:42:39 PM
Nice concept, have you any idea of the pose of the actual sculpt or are you going for a fairly neutral stance like the sketch?

I would say, however, I'm not entirely convinced by his '40kness'. I know you've mentioned it, but with just a couple of small additions you could easily bring him into the 41st milennium, and I know you're a bit of a stickler for Background Builds the Model (I am the other way around), but how about giving him a bionic eye, or some wires/ports leading into the back of his head/ears? Pads work wonders as well, especially if they're not symmetrical. Maybe a single kneepad, or a leather double-shoulderpad? You've mentioned 40k gubbinz, which is a good way to go so I shan't further that. How about little skulls here and there? Maybe an Imperial Eagle along the scabbard or around the hem of the boots.

A great start, and a few more 40k touches will make him perfect.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on January 07, 2010, 05:02:02 PM
Quote from: RobSkib on January 07, 2010, 01:42:39 PMNice concept, have you any idea of the pose of the actual sculpt or are you going for a fairly neutral stance like the sketch?
The sketch is just to sort out appearance without pose yet. Trying to do both in the same sketch could cause issues - obscure angles on some of the details, etc. Likely, I'll copy the pose I was going for with the last sculpt.

QuoteI would say, however, I'm not entirely convinced by his '40kness'.
This is a first revision, designed to start him in the right direction and spawn more ideas in my head. I've not done 40k art in a while, and it's taking a while to get back into the right way of thinking.

I need to start thinking more assorted gubbins, and perhaps extra asymmetry. 

QuoteI know you're a bit of a stickler for Background Builds the Model
Very much so. It's part of the reason why I got into the whole idea of sculpting, because I didn't really want to have to compromise on what I wanted in the model.

I just ended up going further than I originally thought I would. At first, I was expecting to sculpt some replacement parts for converting models from the normal range, but for some reason, I then decided I was going to do the models pretty much from scratch.

Quote...but how about giving him a bionic eye, or some wires/ports leading into the back of his head/ears?
I don't particularly want to give him a bionic eye, because it would cause one hell of a lot of conflicts within the background.

But wires leading into the back of his head... I like that idea. His character sheet includes a psi-booster, and that sounds like a very good way of representing it on the model.

QuoteHow about little skulls here and there? Maybe an Imperial Eagle along the scabbard or around the hem of the boots
Well, I've already started on the skull idea with the sword, swapping in a skull design for the pommel.
I'll think about some Imperial iconography, but I don't want to overdose him with it, because Marco often relies on not appearing to be all that important in the ranks of the Imperium at first glance.

Quote from: Adlan on January 07, 2010, 12:28:39 PMIt's Mal... with a sword! Does he know which end to hold.
Yes, although he's not a truly fantastic swordsman. He gets a good, but not masterful, WS of 64 - the threat he poses in combat is more a matter of the damage of his Rune Sword.*

*A blade which is actually more powerful than Marco knows. While he knows it's an astounding example of force weaponry, the truth is that it's far older and rather more potent than he thinks.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on January 08, 2010, 04:30:03 PM
After the completion of my paint stripping experiment, Kai has been cleaned up - few bits of paint in small crevasses, but the undercoat will cover that up fine
It's now time to fix a couple of minor sculpting errors, and I guess I'll start repainting tomorrow.

This evening however, will largely be spent on drawing Marco Concept #2.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: RobSkib on January 08, 2010, 05:39:09 PM
Quote from: MarcoSkoll on January 08, 2010, 04:30:03 PMThis evening however, will largely be spent on drawing Marco Concept #2.

Needs more shoulderpads! I havn't seen the sketch yet, but I can guarantee it doesn't have big enough shoulderpads :P
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on January 09, 2010, 01:05:09 AM
Unfortunately, it seems to be a case of "Marco does nothing" after the earlier post.

I seem to have picked up a dose of the flu (or at least something similar) a couple of days back, it kicked in yesterday, and I've been battling it today.
While I want to get on with things, I'm not really up to sculpting, and my mind's a bit too incoherent to be able to extract concept art from it.

But I have a damned good immune system. Normally, if I catch anything at all, it's normally mild symptoms and I tend to shake things off in about half the normal time - which probably means I'll be alright tomorrow.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: Ynek on January 09, 2010, 08:41:45 AM
I had something similar to flu about a week ago, so I know what you're going through. It was pretty rough.

Hope you feel better soon, man.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on January 11, 2010, 04:17:41 AM
Anyway, symptoms largely shaken off, I've got the sculpting on Kai sorted. If you're wondering what work was needed, you can see the main problem area on the inside of his right arm (the one with the sword) in some of the earlier pictures. Somehow, I missed the area completely first time around.

For convenience, I cut the arm off in order to reach the area better. I was considering trying out my new clay shapers, but for consistency, I did it as I had before, using 3/32" and 5/32" brass tubing as tools to create the creases and folds. It's a technique I discovered by coincidence halfway through Kai, but I like it.

In something of a flurry of modelling, I've also started breaking down and stripping some older models I don't use any more - they'll get put into a pot of parts, and I'll remake them into newer characters over time.
One of them is an Eldar Ranger model that was previously a mysterious cloaked character who was pretty much a tool by which I could exact divine wrath upon poor play when I was GMing (He was a veritable walking armoury, hauling around a shotgun, lasgun, autopistol, stubber and power rapier) - but the need for him has waned, and I think better things can be done with the parts (heck, he was carrying around most of a weapons booster pack by himself!)

On the note of sculpting, I seem to be afflicted with a problem called "too many ideas". I have a vast number of models I want to make, with the actual count running way beyond the six I've told myself is already pushing the number I should be trying to do at once. I've easily got enough ideas to fill another run of six after this one.

Even if I manage the rate I was sculpting before (and that was pushing it), it's going to be sometime before I'm without models I want to be making. And that's probably a good thing - I like having things to do.
But I will almost certainly need to order in another load of putty before I'm done with them.
(Could be worse. As I figure it, at typical prices, there's not a lot more than a couple of quid worth of putty in each sculpt. The time spent is by far the most demanded resource in these projects.)

... anyway, I still need to upload photos of the current progress of "mini-me". It's still bald, as I don't know what hairstyle I'll be giving it (or indeed, whether it may simply have a hat). I'm currently thinking about growing out my hair, and whether or not I decide to will obviously affect what the model will have. The shoulders also need a little fixing, but that's minor work.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on January 11, 2010, 06:15:06 PM
Oh fiddle. I seem to have found some spare Terminator heads.

That's going to mean a little more delay on Kai while I use them to add a rebreather. I particularly like the reference image, and while I couldn't find the parts before, I'd still like to reproduce that picture reasonably faithfully.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on January 24, 2010, 12:16:39 AM
Okay, no major developments, but some minor tweaking from the last sketch:

(http://fc04.deviantart.net/fs70/i/2010/023/0/6/Marco_Skoll___2nd_Concept_by_RagnarokEOTW.jpg)
DeviantArt Link (http://ragnarokeotw.deviantart.com/art/Marco-Skoll-2nd-Concept-151490870)

I know, the changes so far are fairly minor - trim around the coat, head wires, a few more buckles - but the fact is, I want to work on the principle of Marco being someone you could believe was an Inquisitor, but not someone you'd immediately expect was.
But this is a drawing in progress - I've started by redrawing it somewhat larger and neater so I can develop it better.
Still some trinkets to be added - possibly a hexagrammic compass (although I'd have to decide if his former mentor would have passed it on, and to some extent, how it would work in-game).

I'm also thinking about possible patterns over the coat's trim. I don't want it to be too fancy, as it was formerly his father's (and given his origins, it's therefore not going to be a fancy nobleman's coat). Any ideas?
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: RobSkib on January 24, 2010, 12:33:34 AM
Quote from: MarcoSkoll on January 24, 2010, 12:16:39 AMStill some trinkets to be added - possibly a hexagrammic compass (although I'd have to decide if his former mentor would have passed it on, and to some extent, how it would work in-game).

If your warband is required to roll to determine which board edge they arrive at, they can re-roll the dice?

Quote from: MarcoSkoll on January 24, 2010, 12:16:39 AMI'm also thinking about possible patterns over the coat's trim. I don't want it to be too fancy, as it was formerly his father's (and given his origins, it's therefore not going to be a fancy nobleman's coat). Any ideas?

I think a simple celtic pattern would suit him nicely - lots of right angles and straight lines.

Your sketch is really nice too - it's clear you've studied anatomy quite in-depth! My only problem is his face (something I'm sure you'll rectify) - he looks like he belongs in a boy band, not the 41st millennium. I'm not fully clued up with your warband I'll admit, but he looks awfully young to be an Inquisitor. He needs to look angrier, rough his face up a little bit - somewhere between Edward Olmos and the surface of the moon.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: Inquisitor Cade on January 24, 2010, 12:34:40 AM
He looks like a 9 year old boy*
A facial scar, Bionic eyeball or more sober hairstyle would make him look like a more believeable Inquisitor.


*hyperbole taken from the film 'In the loop' which I recommend.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on January 24, 2010, 03:39:25 AM
Quote from: RobSkib on January 24, 2010, 12:33:34 AMIf your warband is required to roll to determine which board edge they arrive at, they can re-roll the dice?
Well, the principle behind a hexagrammic compass as I've written it is that it's much like a normal compass, except that one of the arms of it is inscribed with a tiny psychic ward. This has much the same effect as a weather vane - the ward shifts away from psychic sources, thus leading the other end of the compass to point towards the centre of any psychic disturbances.

As far as rules, I'm considering treating it as a form of crude auspex which can be used to track particularly powerful psykers, daemons or warp anomalies over a short range.

I might include some rules for Marco's own psychic nature corrupting its result, but I'd have to work out what the basic rules are in the first place!

QuoteI think a simple celtic pattern would suit him nicely - lots of right angles and straight lines.
Interesting idea. I'll try twisting it a bit to Norse knotwork instead - works well with the Norse themes I've put into Marco's background.

Won't be easy to paint, but whoever said I did things because they were easy?

QuoteMy only problem is his face (something I'm sure you'll rectify)
Unfortunately, faces are not a strong point of mine. Usually, I'm lucky if I can get something that doesn't look completely wonky before I've managed to rub the surface off the paper with my repeated corrections.
I'll see if I can do some fixing, but in this case, the face is a complete and utter place-holder. I've already decided who's going to be the reference I use when I sculpt his head.

However, Marco isn't supposed to be particularly old - admittedly, older than this picture makes him, but he's only in his early forties and has only held the rank for a brief few years. So yes, young for an Inquisitor.
As a character, I'd decided that I wanted him to feel somewhat out of his depth - not enough experience yet.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: Adlan on January 24, 2010, 01:14:16 PM
Considering it's a semi-self portrait model, the drawing is very good. Particularly the face.

Marco does have a bit of juve vibe to him, looks younger than he sounds on the boards (it's all that math).

But if it's marco age 40, give him a few more lines and weathering. What you'll look like with another two decades infact.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on January 24, 2010, 02:22:53 PM
Quote from: Adlan on January 24, 2010, 01:14:16 PMConsidering it's a semi-self portrait model, the drawing is very good. Particularly the face.
The face isn't good - I don't kid myself. Unless I'm working on a decent scale, I can find them even more problematic than feet. And I hate drawing feet.

Marco as a model isn't all that based on my own appearance. While there are a couple of similarities, I don't want him to be thought of as "who I'd be in the 41st millennium" - after all, where's the sense in roleplaying yourself? I've already added a major parallel to myself with his background in ballistics, and I don't want to go much further than that.

In the end, it's wonderfully confusing. There's Marco the character, Marco the twonk with a keyboard, and models of each.
Talking of which, I still owe you lot that picture of where the model of Marco the twonk has got to.

(http://s772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inquisitor%20Models/WIP%20Models/IMG_2483.jpg)

His right upper arm and shoulder need adjustment (not that the left shoulder is great). I wasn't really paying attention when I did them, and it shows.
The face isn't perfect either - while it works as a face, it's not exactly my face. But, as I did his face before I even did Kai's, that makes it the first 54mm scale face I ever sculpted, so it could be worse.
He remains bald at the moment, because I can't decide if I'll be giving him a hat or not.

QuoteWhat you'll look like with another two decades in fact.
Which will probably be worryingly like my father...
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: RobSkib on January 24, 2010, 04:52:01 PM
Wow, that face is incredibly well done - I havn't seen many scratch sculpts that have successfully tackled a human head without resorting to "eeerrrr.. he's a mutant", but considering that was your first face sculpt then kudos! I couldn't even begin to pretend I can sculpt faces that well.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on January 24, 2010, 05:10:28 PM
Quote from: RobSkib on January 24, 2010, 04:52:01 PMI haven't seen many scratch sculpts that have successfully tackled a human head without resorting to "eeerrrr.. he's a mutant"
It was a point I was rather worried I'd fall down on and have to quit out on the basis of.

Of the four I've done, I'm pleasantly surprised with two of them - this one, and Kai's. Renatus' head didn't get all that much effort, as I knew at that stage I was only finishing the model because I didn't have time to start over again before I wanted to be using it, and Lyra's... well, it's not completely appalling, but I will almost certainly be redoing it.

It seems rather bizarre that I can get an 8mm tall head to look passable, but that they can be 5 or more times the size on paper and be far more hit and miss.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on January 26, 2010, 07:18:06 AM
Gentlemen. If you were in any doubt as to my insanity, I offer further proof.

Inspired by the Ordo Illuminatus KWSG, what you are looking at here is the start of an attempt at speed sculpting - I'm hoping to have this sculpt finished before the end of the current sketchgroup next Monday.

(http://s772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inquisitor%20Models/WIP%20Models/CommissarSmall.jpg) (http://s772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inquisitor%20Models/WIP%20Models/Commissar.jpg)

It's going to be a female Commissar. Don't know anything else about her yet - just because I usually do the character first doesn't mean I have to every time!

I'm also doing it to start to get a feel for ProCreate as a sculpting medium. Anyway, by the time you read this, I may well have started the next stage - it's going to need several a day to make it in time, so I've broken out a makeshift putty oven to bring down curing times.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: RobSkib on January 26, 2010, 11:32:47 AM
Quote from: MarcoSkoll on January 26, 2010, 07:18:06 AMjust because I usually do the character first doesn't mean I have to every time!

Liberating, isn't it? :P
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on January 26, 2010, 12:32:57 PM
Quote from: RobSkib on January 26, 2010, 11:32:47 AMLiberating, isn't it? :P
I've told myself I wanted to do a female Commissar for a while. It just happened that I woke up this morning with one of my attacks of artistic drive.
I don't often get them, but when they do happen, they have the approximate momentum of a freight train.

I spent this morning telling myself that trying this was a silly idea and I had other things to do. Next thing I knew, I was posting pictures of the first stages on the internet.

Anyway, next instalment:

(http://s772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Commissar2Small.jpg) (http://s772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Commissar2.jpg)
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: Inquisitor Cade on January 26, 2010, 03:20:14 PM
Ambitious, best of luck to you.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on January 26, 2010, 03:48:49 PM
Somewhat ambitious, yes.  But, I did manage three models and most of two other models in the three weeks before the IGT. The time taken is mostly curing time. With the heater I've got set up, I can cure an individual stage fast enough that I could theoretically be doing half a dozen or more stages a day.

Not that I've worked quite that fast today - I'm currently using my time with a sketchbook. I've had some alternate ideas for a couple of areas of her appearance that I want to put down on paper to compare.

Either way, I should have the basic shapes of her model sorted by the end of today, and a clear plan of what exactly I'm going for. All goes well, it should allow me to plough straight into clothing tomorrow.

Provided I keep at it, I think it's a manageable goal.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on January 26, 2010, 07:32:57 PM
In conversation with Gideon Sterne/Gen.Steiner over on Warseer, I've been pushing around ideas for where this is going to go.

I've decided that she's going to be a Commissar who's assigned to political duties, keeping an eye on Governors, politicians and other servants.
As I put it on Warseer, I see this as a far more passive role than you might expect of a Hereticus Inquisitor (or similar) - while an Inquisitor hunts trouble, I see her character as someone who mostly deals with the day-to-day stuff and things that just aren't important enough to need an Inquisitor. This involves quite a lot of official meetings, paperwork and generally little excitement. Of course, she's not to be thought of as a total slouch - she did still train at the Schola Progenium...

This will make her the centre of a warband in her own right - it seemed more appropriate than tagging her on to someone else's entourage.

Anyway, with that in mind, here's a rough sketch of how I'm planning for her to be dressed:

(http://fc01.deviantart.net/fs70/f/2010/026/c/d/Commissar_Sketch_by_RagnarokEOTW.jpg)

Yes, a knee length skirt is not exactly practical for combat, but she dresses for official business, so the order of the day is presentation rather than practicality. I thought that was quite well summed up in a parade uniform look, so that's what I've gone for - polished boots, brass trim and all those gubbins will eventually be included.

I also thought it would make a nice contrast with the energetic pose of the model - if there's heresy to be fought, you have to do it regardless of whether you're wearing a skirt or not.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: RobSkib on January 26, 2010, 09:52:14 PM
There are skirts in the 41t milennium?

You've made a good start - she's nice and chunky. I like a woman with a bit of flesh on her ;) I hate models that are based off the ever-impractical Lara Croft body shape, and I think a woman in 40k who trained would end up with plenty of meat on her bones, so to speak.

Still, I'm not overly sold on the skirt...
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: Myriad on January 26, 2010, 11:48:11 PM
Would a skirt ever be sanctioned by the commisariat?  As far as I know, their uniforms are a bit of a grey area, so I guess we can allow it since he's explained it.  I like the idea of a genuine 'political officer'.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on January 27, 2010, 10:47:20 AM
Quote from: RobSkib on January 26, 2010, 09:52:14 PMThere are skirts in the 41t milennium?
I can't see why not. Depends on whether you really want to draw a line between skirts and dresses on that front, but I'd cite Jena Orechiel as one example of a dress - and enough people have used Steve Buddle's Anastasia without complaint.
One example of a strict skirt is the woman in the Last Chancer's set, but I don't know how much you can take a penal trooper to be much of an example.

Admittedly, there isn't much evidence for skirts as part of dress uniforms, as a combined factor of so few females in the GW range and most models being "battlefield" oriented - however, it happens in the real world.

As for Myriad's query about whether skirts would be sanctioned by the Commissariat... aside from the typical "big galaxy" argument, I'm looking a different area to the normal realms of the Commissariat - they may make some allowances/changes for those Commissars who don't have a part in military life.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: Molotov on January 27, 2010, 06:22:06 PM
Really can't say I'm too much of a fan of the skirt, but I'm keen to see how the model unfolds.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on January 27, 2010, 08:06:57 PM
Well, on the matter of the skirt, I've already started to put various stages of it in place, so I'm planning on forging ahead with it. But if I should decide it just doesn't work, while it'll be a bit of a setback to my schedule, I'm no stranger to breaking out the craft knife.

In defence of it, she should feel a bit different and perhaps a little out of place. She's not really expected to be in combat in the first place - as such, I don't want her model to look as if she should be.
She'll be armed of course*, but she wouldn't be much of a Commissar if she wasn't - she does need at least the ability to execute any traitors to the Imperial cause.

*Not heavily - most likely a Laspistol and some form of melee weapon, possibly a short sword.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: Inquisitor Cade on January 27, 2010, 09:21:15 PM
The skeleton seems interestinlgly dynamic for a 'non-combatant(ish)' commissar. I'm about as far from an expert on skirts as it is possible to be, but my understanding was that they weren't great for running in.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: N01H3r3 on January 27, 2010, 09:25:13 PM
Quote from: MarcoSkoll on January 26, 2010, 07:32:57 PM
I've decided that she's going to be a Commissar who's assigned to political duties, keeping an eye on Governors, politicians and other servants.
As I put it on Warseer, I see this as a far more passive role than you might expect of a Hereticus Inquisitor (or similar) - while an Inquisitor hunts trouble, I see her character as someone who mostly deals with the day-to-day stuff and things that just aren't important enough to need an Inquisitor. This involves quite a lot of official meetings, paperwork and generally little excitement. Of course, she's not to be thought of as a total slouch - she did still train at the Schola Progenium...
Background wise, I don't actually see the sense in that. I've no issue with female Commissars - I'm certain they exist, though due to the graduation/deployment policies of the Schola Progenium, I imagine that they're rare as most suitable candidates would end up in the Adepta Sororitas instead.

First and foremost, Commissars in the Imperium are a distinctly military group - the Commissariat is part of the Departmento Munitorum, and oversees the loyalty and discipline of the two primary branches of the Imperial military: the Imperial Guard and the Imperial Navy. Saying "this is my Commissar; she oversees politicians and other civilian authorities" is essentially akin to saying "this is a school teacher; he delivers the mail" - the character is essentially doing someone else's job, rather than operating within the remit of her organisation. This isn't simply "a little out of place"... it's a lot out of place.

Secondly, the role you're describing does actually exist - the Orders Famulous of the Adepta Sororitas perform those sorts of duties, and it's their job to do so. Being Adepta Sororitas, they're not exactly incapable of combat either (Schola Progenium training, plus time as a Novice before being selected for an Order result in a healthy talent for destruction), but their specialist training and duties make them skilled negotiators and advisers and tend to result in people with a strong understanding of high-level Imperial politics and society... to the point where they're highly valued by the Ordo Hereticus as Acolytes.

Of course, to each their own where interpretation of the 40k universe is concerned. It's just that this particular concept seems to clash so significantly with my understanding of the setting that I felt I had to speak up...
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on January 27, 2010, 10:24:55 PM
Quote from: N01H3r3 on January 27, 2010, 09:25:13 PM... is essentially akin to saying "this is a school teacher; he delivers the mail"
Actually, I do know a postman who used to be a school teacher. Admittedly, he's never done the two simultaneously, but it's a rather amusing coincidence.

In response to your point, the idea is admittedly a rushed one - it's wont to happen when trying to design and model a character from scratch inside a week.

If you think it would work any better, perhaps she's a political liaison for the Commissariat.
It would still put her in contact with the same kind of people (leaving her in the setting I wanted), although it would change exactly why she was there.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on January 28, 2010, 12:54:30 AM
(http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inquisitor%20Models/WIP%20Models/Commissar3Small.jpg) (http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inquisitor%20Models/WIP%20Models/Commissar3.jpg)

... for a model that didn't even have an armature 48 hours ago, a reasonable result.

Her torso may look a little small, but bear in mind that I haven't added the shoulders yet.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: RobSkib on January 28, 2010, 11:30:42 AM
I don't know why, but for some reason this reminds me of a certain someone... (http://www.kinoweb.de/film2000/ChickenRun/pix/cr-7.jpg)
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: Adlan on January 28, 2010, 12:25:33 PM
I like it.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on January 28, 2010, 12:41:17 PM
Might be the whole "boots and skirt" thing. Still, any similarities probably won't persist long after I start adding other features. (And I seriously hope they don't persist after I've painted her!)

Anyway, I'm perhaps a little behind schedule today, because I've been checking the pose. I've changed my mind a little from what I had envisioned originally, so I've had to cut and reposition the torso a little...

(http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inquisitor%20Models/WIP%20Models/CommissarTestPoseSmall.jpg) (http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inquisitor%20Models/WIP%20Models/CommissarTestPose.jpg)
(Yes, the "tassels" on the end of the sash fell off while I was working. I'll be refitting them later.)

Not planning on her having those weapons eventually, those are just two pieces that I fished out of my bitz box as placeholders for a pistol and a sword.
That said, I do think the short chainsword is a kinda cool look, but I don't know whether I think it's justifiable with the direction I'm going with the character.

The 40mm base is also a bit of a placeholder at the moment as well - it's just in between the cork sculpting base and her feet (with her feet pins running through it) to see how it looks.

I'm trying something a bit new with this sculpt - I'm using tubing as the armature for her shoulders, because it allows me to put in the shapes of the shoulder and upper arm in (it's a pig trying to plan clothes around a shoulder that isn't there yet), but without the trouble of having full length arms getting in the way. I'll be able to come along later and add the armature for the rest of the arm without having to drill a new hole up the arm for it - so no, the wire that's currently inserted up the tubing isn't glued in place.

That said, that isn't all I've done so far today. I was playing around using Blu-tac to see how I wanted her coat to be moving - it's not in these pictures unfortunately, because I had to remove it to start fitting the shoulders.

I also worked out how I wanted to be doing the frogging for the coat. Very fine wire, twisted together in groups of 3 seems to be the way to go about it.

Quote from: Adlan on January 28, 2010, 12:25:33 PMI like it.
Woo, a vote of confidence! ;D

Anyway, if you'll excuse me, I do now have to go and start shaping her shoulders.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: Kasthan on January 28, 2010, 01:40:22 PM
The boots are awesome. I was like others doubtful about the skirt but it works nicely.

Weapons wise it is traditional for a chainsword and bolt pistol, not a las like you've suggested giving her. However its your model and background.  The plasma pistol she's got at the moment looks good (Hark like).

Keep up the good work.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: Myriad on January 29, 2010, 01:54:33 AM
Plenty of commisar models (I think), and commisar Cain, do have laspistols.  They are, after all, the most commonly available sidearm and a commisar more concerned with ceremonial & political duties would probably not be assigned anything especially heavy by the munitorium.

The extent of commisarial authority is fairly vague, but the imperial military is hardly distinct from politics.  Most planetary governers fit into the command structure somewhere so there's some justification available for a commisar to fill less of a battlefield role.

I like how the model is progressing - the skirt looks good and doesn't seem too impractical. 
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on January 29, 2010, 09:35:05 AM
While the bolt pistol is the standard fare in the current Imperial Guard codex (or so I believe), the last version gave Commissars a laspistol as standard, so it's not as if it's always been a hard and fast rule.

I don't see any real reason why the most common sidearm in the Imperium can't be justified for a Commissar. (Heck, you'd have to work hard to find someone who you couldn't justify a laspistol for - even mutants could probably get their hands on one if they tried.)

Anyway, my thoughts on bolt weapons on the Inquisitor table have been recorded enough times - they're large bulky weapons which would be impractical to carry around all the time. They should be pretty rare, and particularly so for a character who's not a dedicated "hard nut".
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on January 29, 2010, 11:23:54 PM
I feel I need a ramble.

She has advanced further, but I'm currently too tired to feel up to taking decent photos, cropping and compiling them, then uploading, so you'll have to wait.
She does have most of her coat sculpted now, although I'm leaving the collar until I've got her head in place.

And on that note, I wanted to have her head done before I went to bed tonight, but earlier my brother insisted that I got involved with a completely nonsensical tug-of-war, which then left my hands aching to the extent that I was unable to sculpt finely enough for that.
Female faces are tough at the best of times, and I really didn't need the extra challenge. He will be tortured for the act of hindering the work of one of the Emperor's Inquisition.

...okay, I'll probably just poke him with soft cushions or something.

I might find it somewhat hard making the schedule, as I have party to be at tomorrow, which will eat up quite a a large chunk of my time.
Or maybe I'll take my sculpting to the party - they all know I'm weird anyway. ;D
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on January 30, 2010, 08:38:42 AM
Anyway, the pictures as promised:

(http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inquisitor%20Models/WIP%20Models/Commissar4Small.jpg) (http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inquisitor%20Models/WIP%20Models/Commissar4.jpg)

The coat may look as though it's moving weirdly around her right hip, but there will be a holster there eventually.
And now, I have to go and get back on with it...
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on February 01, 2010, 11:55:05 PM
... a little less than a week later, a mostly finished model.

(http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inquisitor%20Models/WIP%20Models/Commissar5Small.jpg) (http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inquisitor%20Models/WIP%20Models/Commissar5.jpg)
(Wonky on base because the pin in her left foot broke off earlier. Nightmare to work around, but there wasn't the time to fix it.)

I've got a few things to tidy up in the next day or so, but I'm happy with what I've managed - most of a model less than a week after I decided I was going to start.

I decided to go with the chainsword in the end - it was just cool enough in the long run, and I've not got any chain weapons in my collection at the moment (yes, I know, heresy).

Anyway, now I need to go and work out who she is...
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: Myriad on February 02, 2010, 02:00:38 PM
Looking good.  Nice clean, dynamic pose.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on February 12, 2010, 03:11:03 PM
To come back to this, I've been doing a little clean-up work on the Commissar before I get started on any painting, and adding a truckload of skull emblems at the same time.

... however, I'm not here to talk about the modelling.

I'm thinking through colour schemes. Obviously, the standard colour scheme for Commissars is black with red trim (see Imperial Guard HQ category (http://www.games-workshop.com/gws/catalog/armySubUnitCats.jsp?catId=cat1300107) for examples). However, I've also seen some Commissars with yellow/gold trim and rather like it as an effect.

Thinking through the various options, I've come up with some possibilities.

1) Bog standard black on all main areas with red trim. Coat lining in black. Red Sash
2) Black with red trim - trim further edged itself edged in yellow. Coat lining probably black. Red Sash
3) Black as normal with yellow trim and either a)red or b)black coat lining. Red Sash
4) Reversed - Dark red on main areas, black trim. Sash... dunno.

As far as these options, 2 and 3 are my currently preferred options (possibly with 3 as an outright favourite). I've mocked up 4 in photoshop and I'm not too convinced - and while I can live with 1, I'd like to be a little more creative than that.

Any feedback?
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: Inquisitor Cade on February 12, 2010, 11:41:46 PM
I've painted a couple of commissars and my favorite scheme was black with a beige (bleached bone) trim and sash with anything even arguably appropriate in gold.

But of these options, I'd minimise the amout of yellow.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on February 15, 2010, 09:04:00 PM
Well, I'd hoped for a bit more feedback than that... but I can live with it.

After some delay, I've got both the Commissar and Kai more or less done. I'll be doing a few last fixes tonight, and will probably commence painting tomorrow. To show you where the Commissar is...

(http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inquisitor%20Models/WIP%20Models/Commissar6Small.jpg) (http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inquisitor%20Models/WIP%20Models/Commissar6.jpg)

Alternatively, there's also now a deviantART link, with much larger photos (http://ragnarokeotw.deviantart.com/art/Commissar-sculpt-154257916).

And she still needs a name!
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: Vermis on February 16, 2010, 01:31:08 AM
Nice work!  That's an impressive amount of detail. :)
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on February 16, 2010, 01:45:43 PM
Right, minor issues fixed, undercoating about to commence.

I'm planning on painting her on the cork base, and mounting her to the 40mm base afterwards. The reason being there are a number of angles that will be quite tricky to get to if she's permanently fixed down - stuff like the underside of the coat and parts of her upper legs.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: Simeon Blackstar on February 17, 2010, 03:31:37 PM
Marco, your sculpting is really improving quickly - if you keep up this rate of progress I can't imagine the models you'l be doing this time next year!  The face looks nice from what I can see, and I really like those boots.
My one criticism is the chainsword looking a bit small for her in the pictures, though like you say the original concept had a short sword.

Regarding the laspistol, in the IG codex they get bolt pistols automatically.  However, if a laspistol is good enough for Commissar Holt (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LOi3CzZjV0M), it's good enough for anyone!
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on February 17, 2010, 04:27:05 PM
Quote from: Simeon Blackstar on February 17, 2010, 03:31:37 PMMarco, your sculpting is really improving quickly - if you keep up this rate of progress I can't imagine the models you'll be doing this time next year!
Actually, I still reckon that Kai is the best I've managed yet! The re-painting I'm currently doing is making a big difference to his model.

As far as the Commissar's weapons, I didn't want big hulking battlefield weapons. The chainsword is going to be  be a smaller model (as you'd imagine, it being borrowed from a 28mm IG sergeant)... I imagine something like Reach 2, Damage 3D6-1 (or possibly 3D6) and PP -20%
Still quite nasty, but less so than a full size version. In the end, her weapons are mostly for show (and some intimidation factor) - it's not expected that they'll see regular use in combat.

Outside of painting, I'm looking at getting back to the concept drawings.
Rather than waiting to have them all the drawings done before I start the set of models, I'm going to sort out about half of the designs, then start on the models for that lot (at the same time finishing off "Mini-me" and Frost), and start the other models as and when their concepts are done.

Doing it that way should make scheduling less of a rush. Also, I've realised I don't actually have enough cork bases to do all of the models I have planned at the same time. As a plus, it'll also mean I'll have models at different stages of production - I don't have to spend a day doing similar bits on different models, and left over putty can get better used for basic bulking out.

Might even let me get more models done.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on February 18, 2010, 11:56:55 PM
A WIP on Kai.

(http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inquisitor%20Models/WIP%20Models/IMG_2548small.jpg) (http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inquisitor%20Models/WIP%20Models/IMG_2548.jpg)

Firstly, I have to apologise for messing up the photo. I took the photo with a light source from the right... failing to realise that would make his arm cast a shadow across his chest. By the time I'd realised the gaffe, my camera was insisting that I recharge the batteries. Next time, I'll actually set up the photo "booth" properly.

Secondly, I know some of the highlights on the armour plates are a bit messy - didn't really notice until I took the picture, but it was clear enough at that point. I'll go back to them on my next session and tidy them up.

Thirdly, although it's taking a lot of effort, I'm glad I went back to redo him - I'm no master of the brush, but I can still do better than the total rush of a paintjob (http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inquisitor%20Models/IMG_2385.jpg) I slapped on before the IGT.
I've been comparing the photos alongside each other, and quite aside from the extra effort applied, the darker colour scheme really has made a big difference. That extra range of colours almost even justifies the money spent on the full Mega Paintset!

As a result of the work, (I hope) he's lost the "possessed maniac" look he had before - but hopefully still manages to look like a battle hardened veteran who is both able and willing to really mess up your day.

...or perhaps Vin Diesel, I'm not entirely sure. ::)

I've had to revert from my normal practice of next to no colour mixing - I think I've mixed at least two shades for each area. It's years since I last did any blending, and I'm rather out of practice (not that I was fantastic in the first place), so I've had to compensate with extra layers instead.
Obviously a lesser technique, but while I'd like them to be awesome display pieces, the reality is that these are are tabletop models, not Golden Demon entries - and Sod's law means that if I do put in all that extra effort, it'll only get damaged.

Anyway, until next time.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on February 22, 2010, 12:44:57 AM
Hmm. I'd kinda expected more response.

I've not done much on Kai in the last couple of days (applied a few base colours), as I've been at the sketchpad trying to work out what I want to do with Silva. Not entirely the easiest thing I've ever had to do - I've long been firm on the rule that the only changes I make to her appearance are because there was actually something wrong. As I'm not changing what she looks like, I'm trying to work out clothing and equipment that still feels entirely like her character, but which works in 40k as well.

It's going to take a bit more fixing. I've been considering trying to take some cues from the Catachan imagery, but when I've done that on previous occasions, people haven't necessarily thought it was 40k enough. ::)

Anyway, when I've got her design fixed, I'm going to get started on the models for her, Marco, Maya (the replacement for Renatus) and possibly...

... well, as if I didn't already have enough models I was supposed to be doing, I've managed to end up enamoured with another piece of GW art - this Sororitas picture (http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Reference/SisterofBattle.jpg) which appears in various different places.
I'm not certain yet, but I'm considering getting to work on a model of her as well.

You know, if I keep getting compulsions to sculpt things, I'm going to end up with a lot of models - and possibly quite good at sculpting as well. ;D
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: Alyster Wick on February 22, 2010, 03:56:00 AM
Kai's much improved over the old paint job (the old one made his face look like the puppet from the Saw films).  The camo is coming along very nicely and I love the addition of the facemask/rebreather. 
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: RobSkib on February 22, 2010, 01:42:33 PM
Kai is looking much better than he did, although I must say I'm mildly curious at your choice of white for the undercoat for such a dark model.

I'm also a fan of that Sisters picture and as much as I know you like sculpting, I think you could do much worse than looking at the daemonhuntress, if only for a basis for the arms and legs, it has quite nice armour and I have a fellow player who made a cool sister-superior from one.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: Myriad on February 22, 2010, 03:24:26 PM
I agree Kai is looking much improved, especially the camo patterning which is much sharper. 
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on February 22, 2010, 06:40:46 PM
Quote from: RobSkib on February 22, 2010, 01:42:33 PM...although I must say I'm mildly curious at your choice of white for the undercoat for such a dark model.
It's just what I tend to do - it's one thing to paint dark colours over a light undercoat, but quite another to try and paint light colours over a dark undercoat.

I learnt to paint that way, and while I've tried black undercoats, I prefer working from white - admittedly, white can't act as the base shading layer, but black can make it harder to work out the details on the model.
And on the whole "if you miss a spot, black looks better" issue... yeah, but it makes it easier to miss those spots in the first place.

Sometimes I spray a model white, then give it a black wash (or two), which makes for a good best of both worlds solution - the wash gives the base shading layer, the detail is nicely thrown into contrast, but without a black overwhelming all the lighter colours.

However, this time around... I just went with white. It works for me, and as they say, don't fix what ain't broke.

QuoteI'm also a fan of that Sisters picture and as much as I know you like sculpting, I think you could do much worse than looking at the daemonhuntress.
I do actually have most of a Daemon Huntress in my bitz box. I had considered using her as a base, but she's a bit on the spindly side comparatively, and as I'd want to change the kneepads, I'd end up losing quite a lot of the Huntress under putty or to the modelling saw.

As I don't think it's really worth losing a model which could be used for a future conversion for the few bits that would still be visible on the surface (and certainly not worth it as filler*), I think I'll probably leave it in my bitz box to wait for me to come up with an idea that uses it more "neat".

*I use about 8-10 grams of putty in a model on average. As ordering two 70 gram packs of ProCreate from Heresy comes in at about £16 after shipping, that means it's perhaps £1 worth of putty in a model. Consequently, using parts of an £18 model as filler would be pretty daft.

Quote from: Alyster Wick on February 22, 2010, 03:56:00 AMI love the addition of the facemask/rebreather.
That's something I'd wanted to add the first time around (as the original image does have one), but I didn't have either the time or the Terminator head I was looking for as a base.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: Alyster Wick on February 23, 2010, 02:22:34 AM
QuoteSometimes I spray a model white, then give it a black wash (or two), which makes for a good best of both worlds solution - the wash gives the base shading layer, the detail is nicely thrown into contrast, but without a black overwhelming all the lighter colours.

I've done this a couple times and find it really is the best of both worlds (I tried the white and love the ease of applying lighter colors, but I am very, very bad at missing spots).  It is also the most time consuming prep method though.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on February 23, 2010, 02:46:10 AM
Quote from: Alyster Wick on February 23, 2010, 02:22:34 AMI am very, very bad at missing spots
Well, I don't worry too much. I'll spot those mistakes eventually, and while it might be annoying until I actually get it to the painting table, any mistake that's been missed for that long is unlikely to be a completely glaring one.

QuoteIt is also the most time consuming prep method though.
Unfortunately. It takes a while for the spray to dry, and the washes - well, I've had washes take hours to dry.

But it does tend to make up for that.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on February 26, 2010, 12:26:46 AM
Every now and again, I'm going to continue muttering about potential models - mostly to see what people think.
It's entirely probable that some of these won't happen, and even those that do will probably have to wait - but plenty of ideas can't be a bad thing.

This is an interesting one. I was looking at the unreleased models thread on Warseer, and came across a Necromunda bounty hunter that was apparently sculpted, but never actually sold.


(http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Reference/NecromundaBountyHunter.jpg) (http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Reference/NecromundaBountyHunter2.jpg)

Do some adjustment on the pose, few other tweaks and scale it up - should fit right in. Not sure what I'd use it for, but could always act as a GMing tool for harassing players until he gets a proper home.

~~~~~

On the continuation of the theme of unreleased models, although rather less likely, is the possibility of resurrecting some of the missing Inquisitor models, such as "Bloody Paulus" (http://www.collecting-citadel-miniatures.com/wiki/index.php/Image:Unreleased_-_Inquisitor_54mm_Stone_Conversion.jpg), the Sgt Stone variant who appears a few times in the rulebook. These models would be built off their appropriate base model, with me just attempting to reproduce the unreleased conversion pack.

The problem is that I can't see as much reason to do this set. Yeah, it would be neat to nearly have models that were never released... but in the end, I feel like I'd be doing them because of that, rather than because they were models I hugely liked or had any plans for.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: Necris on February 26, 2010, 09:02:20 AM
Interesting I've seen that model with a different head and weapon combo, possibly holding an auotgun if memory serves me well.

It is one of the nicest minis I've seen from the whole range and would have made a nice basis for a Cadian Special operations guy.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: Vermis on February 26, 2010, 02:00:29 PM
Quote from: MarcoSkoll on February 26, 2010, 12:26:46 AM
... a Necromunda bounty hunter that was apparently sculpted, but never actually sold.

Discarded prototype?  Probably wouldn't have been the finished sculpt, with all those plastic bits.

Still, it looks like a great concept.  I'm looking forward to see what you do with it.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on February 26, 2010, 05:44:32 PM
Quote from: Vermis on February 26, 2010, 02:00:29 PMDiscarded prototype?  Probably wouldn't have been the finished sculpt, with all those plastic bits.
Final "sculpts" can have a lot of plasticard and plastic bits in them. It doesn't make sense to sculpt a new boltpistol, or work your fingers to the bone trying to get a flat plate of an even thickness every time you need one when you can just grab a pre-made piece.

Anyway, I have to apologise for my current lack of activity. I've been occupied for the last couple of days because on Wednesday my father ejected from a pushbike at some speed and in the process, fractured both his elbow and pelvis, so a lot of time has been dedicated to dealing with that.
If time presents itself, I'm going to try and get some armatures made this evening, although I doubt they'll go further until later this weekend... whenever I find the time to get back to the sketchpad and tidy up the concepts.

However, I did pick up a new modelling knife yesterday for the purpose of doing some of the really fine details.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: Molotov on February 26, 2010, 07:40:34 PM
To echo Marco, final studio sculpts can end up incorporating large amounts of pre-made bits. (This was certainly the case with the most recent Space Wolves sculpts, for example.) If you're interested, you can see on this page (http://www.games-workshop.com/gws/content/blogPost.jsp?aId=8100041a) some of the Tyranid greens (also currently in the cabinets at Warhammer World) and they include plastic components, if only because it saves sculptors time and improves consistency.

As a long-time Necromunda fan, I'd certainly be intersted to see your rendition of that model. In its own way, trying to replicate some of the conversion packs would also be an interesting challenge that I'd like to see you pull off, too!
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: Vermis on February 26, 2010, 10:22:12 PM
My bad.  I was thinking 'vulcanised mould'.  Then I went and found out GW make resin master casts.

Flippin' GW would have to be awkward about it... :P ;D
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on March 04, 2010, 04:00:04 AM
I knew there was a reason I kept a deviantArt account, because it couldn't be to host the scrawls I call art.

Cover for the upcoming Black Library book "Enforcer" (http://omen2501.deviantart.com/art/Enforcer-155944705) - while I had an appearance for Gianna set out in my mind, that picture... just works. It'll need a little adjustment to relate to her specific equipment (or vice versa), but I can completely see Gianna looking very like that.

Anyway... if you'll excuse me, I have to go and stop abusing my sleep patterns.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on March 21, 2010, 03:54:58 AM
Uh... I seem to be neglecting this somewhat. But in an attempt to fix that, I've been at the drawing pad.

One of the complaints in Silva's thread was that my drawings of her didn't actually demonstrate her bulk and muscle - drawing muscular women that look "right" is difficult, so normally, I keep to more conventional body types.

But today, I've tried to do it better justice. There are some problems in the art that I intend to fix, but what I've got so far is enough to give the idea of a "more accurate" Silva. Truth be told, I would take it a bit further if I thought I could do so and still keep her looking vaguely female, but I just don't have the artistic talent for that.

(http://fc03.deviantart.net/fs71/i/2010/079/c/b/I_still_haven__t_found____by_RagnarokEOTW.jpg)

That is of course not how her model is going to be dressed. Minimalistic attire is one thing for drawing muscle references, and quite another for wearing into combat.

I realise there are probably going to still be some people who'll say that her muscle strength still seems lacking. There's good reason for her modest muscle definition.
In any woman who actually still has a healthy amount of body fat, muscle definition is naturally limited. The muscle definition on body-builders is dependent on losing most of the obscuring/smoothing layer of fat that lies over muscle. As Silva has not developed her muscle for show competitions, that layer of fat is still there, and she's not going to look like she's a body-building contestant.

For one thing, she still has breasts. Almost without exception, the breasts on female body-builders who are at "show level" are implants - no body fat means no breasts either.

So, in short, she's not going to look like a body-builder, because a) she's not one (her muscle and fitness mostly derive from martial arts training) and b) I find the whole body-builder look unattractive.

Now, in response to one of RobSkib's comments, we can see a return of the bionic wiring and such to her head - I was planning on putting it back eventually anyway, but I suppose he speeded me that way.
I would note that what is there is more extensive than what you see, but the fact that her hair is drawn back from the right side of her face, but not the bionically repaired left, is not a coincidence.

She might weigh 298 lbs and only have half her original limbs left, but she is not entirely without vanity.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: Kasthan on March 21, 2010, 09:25:50 AM
looks good, could be a bit more "40Ked" on the bionics (just a couple of odd wires and bolts).

The muscles look fine (may be a little big, women who do martial arts or other strength/stamina sports e.g. climbing are very toned but have no huge muscles).

I like her face, can't wait to see you sculpt that.

Over all it is great.

Just what is she going to be dressed in?
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: RobSkib on March 21, 2010, 10:56:27 AM
Looking much, much better. I'd say that sketch justifies the stats you gave her - she looks like something much more dangerous rather than a pretty girl with a wolverine claw. What will she be wearing?
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: TheNephew on March 21, 2010, 11:58:21 AM
I have to say that I think the bionics are looking a little smooth and nice for 40k, but otherwise she looks fine - the metal and muscle balance pretty well.
I like the hair covering the bionics as well.

For the bounty-hunter resculpt, how far were you thinking of editing it?
Or are the plans not yet that concrete?
I really like the Splinter Cell style of the model as it is, and the pose is a nice change from the norm (even more so at 54mm).
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on March 22, 2010, 03:20:33 AM
Quote from: Kasthan on March 21, 2010, 09:25:50 AMThe muscles look fine (may be a little big, women who do martial arts or other strength/stamina sports e.g. climbing are very toned but have no huge muscles).
It's not all that easy to draw comparisons to normal women here. Silva is naturally going to be more muscular than normal, as she's doing all these things while encumbered by the weight of her bionics. Although they have their own servos and mechanical strength, her natural muscles are still going to be called upon to take that weight at times.

Given her constant encumbrance and a refusal to accept being physically unable to cope (she wouldn't have lasted very long if she wasn't physically up to it), she would be more than just "toned".

Quote from: RobSkib on March 21, 2010, 10:56:27 AMLooking much, much better. She looks like something much more dangerous rather than a pretty girl with a wolverine claw.
Which is pretty much as it should be. The background stories I've got largely describe her as borderline intimidating - someone you could tell from a distance was not to be messed with.

She should really have scars in amongst all of that, but I haven't actually mapped those out yet - although the pattern across her bionics is usually consistent - so not this time. That's not to mention that I'd want to sit down and work out where, when and from what she got each of them, a task that is currently beyond the limits of my spare time.

QuoteWhat will she be wearing?
Still working on the exact details. It's a little hard to know with female attire in 40k, because most of what's in GW art is designed to enhance the character's femininity - which is not a trait I'd describe Silva as having an abundance of, nor much desire to enhance.
But, at the same time, I don't want to make her gender ambiguous with the normal approach of the male characters, where the main choice seems to be lots of layers that completely obscure the body shape. Well, there is another option, but that appears to be far less clothing than any woman with modesty would wear.

It's a tricky question to answer, but I have been thinking. Unless something changes my mind, I'm going to angle towards the Catachan look (http://www.games-workshop.com/MEDIA_CustomProductCatalog/m2530073_99120105040_IGCatachanJungleFighters_873x627.jpg)*. Provided I pick one who's actually wearing a shirt, it seems to suit here. Bare arms, reasonably simple in design.
*Although, I should note her regiment was a city-fighting one equipped with pretty heavy armour - but that was 14 years ago for her now. Her circumstances have changed.

Although short sleeved shirts are an uncommon sight in GW art, I might however find reason to give her one. You can't really see it in the drawings, but her bionic shoulder might prove too complicated to sculpt - it fits together like the bones of a normal shoulder, metal shoulder-blade and all. It'd look cool, but that doesn't make it possible.

I am planning to keep the asymmetrical trouser leg style from the drawings. While it doesn't perhaps quite make sense for a character who half hides the bionics on her face, I call artistic licence on that one - she's stuck as a character in my art because I liked her design, bionics and all. I'm not about to cover up the things that made the character for me.*
*There's another character I first drew around the same time (before, in fact) who goes by the name of Sean. He was rather less visually distinctive and never really developed as a result; I haven't drawn him in years.

Quote from: TheNephew on March 21, 2010, 11:58:21 AMI have to say that I think the bionics are looking a little smooth and nice for 40k, but otherwise she looks fine - the metal and muscle balance pretty well.
Well, that's been the way of her bionics since before I started using her as an Inquisitor character. I changed the design a certain amount last year for practicality reasons (the old designs couldn't offer a full range of movement), but I didn't change them much more than I had to.

As it is, she's a far cry from the early drawings of her back in July 2006 (of which this is probably the least bad (http://ragnarokeotw.deviantart.com/art/Silva-from-2006-119943032)), and as I would rather that she wasn't devoid of any resemblance to her early incarnations, I'm reticent to just change everything.

They did originally have assorted power cables, but it quickly became apparent that those were more trouble than they were worth.

QuoteI like the hair covering the bionics as well.
Ah, you see, I think through my characters and their various quirks...

... either that, or I end up doing something by mistake, decide I like it, and just stick with it from then on. Given that's how the character started in the first place, I'm not really sure how much credit I can take for the carefully thought out character traits I've since given her. ::)

QuoteFor the bounty-hunter resculpt, how far were you thinking of editing it? Or are the plans not yet that concrete?
Not all that concrete yet. I like him as is, but a pose that low to the ground could have issues with things like working out line of sight. Whether or not I'll change it is a bit of a dilemma between coolness and practicality.

... wait, what am I talking about? This is 40k - coolness always wins. :P
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on April 21, 2010, 03:54:26 AM
Marco's modelling guidelines

#392 (New Entry): When checking a pose, do not use a chain-sword as a place-holder weapon. There is a high risk of character sheet amendments.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: Myriad on April 22, 2010, 04:02:37 PM
I don't understand - this is meant to be bad?
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: kierkegaard on April 23, 2010, 04:44:53 PM
Quote from: MarcoSkoll on April 21, 2010, 03:54:26 AM
Marco's modelling guidelines

#392 (New Entry): When checking a pose, do not use a chain-sword as a place-holder weapon. There is a high risk of character sheet amendments.

Posting guidelines:

Don't update a thread entitled 'Marco does something' WHEN YOU HAVEN'T DONE ANYTHING! >:(
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: Kaled on April 23, 2010, 04:46:30 PM
Yeah, I was disappointed not to see some piccies too...

Oh well, I guess at least I'll get to see them tomorrow.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on May 10, 2010, 03:03:41 AM
Ugh. I'd wanted to try and do something to patch up the rushed painting I did on these guys before I posted them up, but I've been occupied with other things, and it's been two weeks since the Spring Conclave, so here they are in their less than perfect forms.

(http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inquisitor%20Models/IMG_2618.jpg)
Right (http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inquisitor%20Models/IMG_2619.jpg) Back (http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inquisitor%20Models/IMG_2620.jpg) Left (http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inquisitor%20Models/IMG_2621.jpg)

(http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inquisitor%20Models/IMG_2622.jpg)
Right (http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inquisitor%20Models/IMG_2623.jpg) Back (http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inquisitor%20Models/IMG_2624.jpg) Left (http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inquisitor%20Models/IMG_2625.jpg)

At some point, I'll get back to them and do them better justice, then accompany that with better photography, but for now, that's what you're getting.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: Kaled on May 10, 2010, 05:34:42 PM
For self-sculpted models, these are really good - your sculpting skills are improving with every model and have resulted in some very unique models.  I know the painting was a bit rushed, but it does let them down a bit.  It looks like you could do with some practice in neatening up some of your edges between areas of different colours - one thing I tend to do that would help tidy up your painting is to get a fine brush and some dark brown ink and paint a thin line around everything.  Using brown rather than black means you don't get such a harsh black-lining effect, and using ink means it naturally runs into the gaps between parts and thus defines them nicely.  I'd do the same thing on the bionics to sharpen up the plates that make up the arm and leg.  Even a normal wash of black and/or brown would help define your metallic sections which are a bit flat.

It also looks like you'd benefit from a few more layers in your highlighting - a wet pallete is great for this as it helps keep the paint nice and thin so you're forced to use more layers and get a more gradual highlight.

Since you can sculpt and draw to a pretty good standard, I'm confident the above suggestions are all within your ability given a little practice, so I hope you don't mind me making a few suggestions.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: DapperAnarchist on May 10, 2010, 05:58:19 PM
They're all good, but they seem to move in quality in a clockwise movement, least to my opinion...
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: Myriad on May 10, 2010, 07:14:11 PM
I find that's a problem with rush painted or half painted models - they go to the back of the queue in terms of priority.

I'd echo Kaled's comments about the sculpting - I still am a big fan of the commisar and I was impressed by Marco at the spring conclave.  The photography is being a bit unkind I think by highlighting the details, since I recall they all looked pretty good in game.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on May 10, 2010, 07:38:55 PM
Quote from: Kaled on May 10, 2010, 05:34:42 PMI know the painting was a bit rushed, but it does let them down a bit.
It was more than a bit rushed - the problem is that while I'd originally left myself quite a lot of clear time on my schedule, two major "four sigma events"* arose, which ate up the excess time I'd left as well as some that wasn't intended to be spare.
*For non-mathematicians, "four sigma" = "exceptionally unlikely".

As a result, the days I'd planned to spend on each model turned into only hours - and as DapperAnarchist suggests, they suffered in what equates to a roughly clockwise order.

Note to self: Next time, leave more spare time.

QuoteSince you can sculpt and draw to a pretty good standard, I'm confident the above suggestions are all within your ability given a little practice, so I hope you don't mind me making a few suggestions.
Well, the thing is that I've naturally got good three-dimensional visualisation. I'm not so good on shading and colour, which is why my sculpting and lineart come out reasonably, but my painting less so.

However, I know I should be able to apply the hand/eye coordination to better painting - providing I'm not rushing it. ::)

Eventually, I'll get around to a re-paint, but right now, I'm working on some drawings (including a pilot for the sequential art fiction which I mused about here (http://www.the-conclave.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=445.msg5692#msg5692))  and the basics of a sculpt for Maya Avens, given that Lyra's warband is a likely candidate for me to bring to the next Conclave.

Ironically, for a warband that I originally wrote to be a bit more tempered than Marco's, I think Lyra might have done better at the Spring Conclave. Mind you, Maya has developed into a much more formidable psyker than Renatus ever was.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: kierkegaard on May 11, 2010, 07:14:55 PM
Excellent work there Marco. My favourite is the guy holding the pistol in both hands (a pose that isn't seen enough, considering how much it improves accuracy.)

I have to say again that I think the heads are bit big. I know you'll say something about proportions, but proportions are based on bodies, not clothed and armoured figures. I'm sure you look bigger than you are when you put on a heavy coat, and if you add armour to that, well... you do the math.

Still, very cool models, and excellent sculpting.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on January 13, 2011, 04:23:24 PM
I would blow the dust off this topic, if I didn't think that would probably send everyone in the forum into a coughing fit.

Anyway, I was in my local toy store. It's a rather dismal place, but I needed to buy more poly cement. Completely by chance, I noticed the Airfix section a couple of shelves down, and to my surprise, they had some of the 1:32 soldier sets. Now, if you wave the makings of 14 NPC grunts under my nose for only £6, I'll probably bite (although I really should stop biting people).
While the options were a bit limited, they had a couple of the sets I'd earmarked as "possible Guardsmen" when I'd been perusing the Airfix site the other day, so I walked out a few minutes later with a box of WWII British Paratroopers.

Back home, and box opened, I took a quick tally:
(http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inquisitor%20Models/WIP%20Models/CIMG1096-512.jpg) (http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inquisitor%20Models/WIP%20Models/CIMG1096.jpg)
One each of the two chaps in the front row. Two each of the first, third and fifth guys in the second row, and three each of the second and fourth gentlemen. (Which was actually exactly as the back of the box pictured, despite the "Quantities of each pose may vary" disclaimer).

First impressions are that the quality/detail is pretty decent for only 43p a model - there are some mould lines/flashing/injection marks to clean up, but that's easy work.

Scale-wise, they're perhaps a hair smaller than I'd've liked at 54-55mm from the foot to the top of the helmets (so ~50mm to the eye). It wouldn't be hard to fix this, but I may not bother - nothing wrong with the NPCs being a bit less imposing than the actual heroes/villains. (And perhaps their regiment is from a planet where people are shorter)
Also, I tend to find from the player's "bird's eye view", any height differences in models are less noticeable than they might seem from the "level".

Anyway, I'd recommend them for the basis of a grunt squad - cheap as chips, more than adequate quality and while a bit small, not TOO small.

I've not yet managed to do any work (I've been left to look after the dog, who cannot be trusted around modelling) but the plan is to:
- Clean up the castings
- Dissect some of the multiple models, then do some "part" swaps so they don't all look the same.
- Find the putty and plasticard. Start swapping those Lee Enfields and Sten guns for lasguns (and the odd special weapon), and add more armour. Things like Tri-dome helmets and shoulder pads, although I think the one-piece castings rule out flak vests.

After that, we shall see what else needs doing...
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: Myriad on January 13, 2011, 04:28:47 PM
Looks like a good basis to work from.

My only reservation is that those guns need bulking out for guardsmen, but I notice that's on the to do list.  When running a campaign I've certainly found myself wishing I'd made some grunt NPCs myself - Evandon's body double has died twice now.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on January 13, 2011, 06:03:10 PM
Quote from: Myriad on January 13, 2011, 04:28:47 PMMy only reservation is that those guns need bulking out for guardsmen, but I notice that's on the to do list.
That's always going to be the case with non-GW models, because GW gives their models such large weapons.
But I've already worked out how I think I'm going to convert the Lee Enfields into lasguns. Of the others, they might get special weapons - melta or plasma guns probably.

QuoteI've certainly found myself wishing I'd made some grunt NPCs myself
You can never have too many mooks for your PCs to shoot. I almost bought two boxes actually, but then told myself I didn't need to make a full 25 man platoon. Still, maybe after I've finished this first lot.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: RobSkib on January 13, 2011, 07:12:59 PM
Quote from: MarcoSkoll on January 13, 2011, 06:03:10 PMI almost bought two boxes actually, but then told myself I didn't need to make a full 25 man platoon.

You could always make some traitor Guardsmen :)
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: gwrulz on January 14, 2011, 12:53:14 PM
Quote from: RobSkib on January 13, 2011, 07:12:59 PM
Quote from: MarcoSkoll on January 13, 2011, 06:03:10 PMI almost bought two boxes actually, but then told myself I didn't need to make a full 25 man platoon.

You could always make some traitor Guardsmen :)

Someone had to go to the Dark Side  ;D
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on January 18, 2011, 03:50:44 PM
Right, because I can't decide what damn warband I'm making for the IGT (Three options and no fething idea) , more NPC work in between doing the art I'm supposed to, scrawling down rules and character background.

(http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inquisitor%20Models/WIP%20Models/CIMG1105-512.jpg) (http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inquisitor%20Models/WIP%20Models/CIMG1105.jpg)

These are all the doubles/triples who've been cut up, recombined and reposed. It's messy rough work to check the poses before I clean up the cuts, pin, glue and GS them back together, but I think I like them so far. (I would note that the guy on the very right, will have the grenade in his outstretched hand replaced with a pistol).

The others may will get some reposing too - I fancy doing the "Sergeant" with a pistol/sword combo. (Although he may not be a Sergeant ultimately. I like the idea of him having a peaked cap, but that's only available for ranks above sergeant in the Guard.)
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: DapperAnarchist on January 18, 2011, 04:22:24 PM
In the Guard that follows Cadian standards... He could be from a Regiment that follows Mordian standards, or it could be something he acquired on the battlefield, or a homeworld tradition...
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on January 18, 2011, 05:46:40 PM
Checking my old IG codex again, it is occasionally the case that in veteran regiments, lower ranks sometimes wear them - but it's to the disapproval of the officers and Commissars...
Well, I guess there are reasons, but as these guys are generic NPCs, I'd rather not give them a whole load of quirks - tempting as it is to give everyone in the squad a name and a couple of paragraphs of background.

But to that end, I guess it doesn't really need explaining either. He's a sergeant, he wears a peaked cap. Doesn't really matter why other than it being a shorthand to make him obvious from the rest of the squad (in my version of the NPC rules, Sergeants are a bit tougher than their squad, so need to stand out slightly).
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: DapperAnarchist on January 18, 2011, 06:24:05 PM
I stick by my trust Codex Imperialis, which pushes the "most varied army in the galaxy" idea quite heavily... But yeah, if you start making them super special, they end up as PCs before you know it.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on February 02, 2011, 07:47:44 PM
As I got a fresh stock of plasticard today, I finally had enough to start some more projects.

Can you tell what it is yet?

(http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inquisitor%20Models/WIP%20Models/CIMG1129.jpg)
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: Stormgrad on February 02, 2011, 08:25:27 PM
Really excited about this know ive been talking to you for the past few days about it, i know i mentioned a razorback but how about one with psycannons ? just a thought i had earlier
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on February 02, 2011, 08:46:02 PM
I'm planning on doing a turret plate that can be swapped in for the top hatch, so it should be easy enough to account for Razorbacks, Predators, Whirlwinds, and even things like the Damocles. A Repressor body kit would be more work, but that'll be a future project.

So it should be possible to do a wide range of weapons fits, although for the sake of my sanity, I don't think I'm going to try and make the side doors swappable with sponsons. I think a Predator's main gun alone would be scary enough for Inquisitor, let alone one that can fire in several directions at once!
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: Tessio Niri on February 02, 2011, 10:14:15 PM
Nice to see another rhino being made. Should really get round to painting mine.

T.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on February 02, 2011, 11:02:28 PM
Yeah. A Rhino seemed a good start - a fairly simple design (METAL BAWX!) so it shouldn't be too hard to model, and versatile in that it's put to use by most Imperial organisations, so lots of excuses to use one.

Also, I have some in my old SM army which I could use for reference. Although, as has been said for years, it is underscale, so I have to use a factor of 2.2 on the 40k measurements to reach the size stated in Imperial Armour. (As opposed to most 40k models being more than half the height of an Inquisitor model).
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: TJ-Flames on February 03, 2011, 08:14:25 AM
Ive built a normal sizes 28mm land raider before.
I think it will be awesome, might try it myself when I move over to 54mm.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on February 03, 2011, 06:01:57 PM
A bit more work on the Rhino today, but the stage isn't finished (I'm adding thickness to the armour plates by shimming them with plastrip and rings of PVC pipe), so I'll leave a photo update for the moment.

However, more stuff arrived.
(http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inquisitor%20Models/WIP%20Models/CIMG1131.jpg)
A box of Africa Korps to use for RobSkib's traitor guardsman suggestion somewhere down the line.
And no, they're not Germans because they're "bad guys". They were one of my two preferred Airfix lines to build Guardsmen from, and as I already had some British Paratroopers turning into loyalist guardsmen, I wanted my traitors to not all fall into the same design and poses.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: RobSkib on February 04, 2011, 11:13:36 AM
Quote from: MarcoSkoll on February 03, 2011, 06:01:57 PM
And no, they're not Germans because they're "bad guys". They were one of my two preferred Airfix lines to build Guardsmen from, and as I already had some British Paratroopers turning into loyalist guardsmen, I wanted my traitors to not all fall into the same design and poses.

Yeah yeah, any excuse :P You should see if you can pick up a mutation sprue cheaply from Battlewagon Bitz or eBay - it will pay dividends when converting them. None have to be particularly mutated, just subtle conversions here and there. A Tentacle hand here, a horn protruding from a chest there, a few extra eyes never hurt anyone either.

Oh, and if you need any screaming guardsman heads, please PM me, I have about a dozen at last count and I can't seem to get rid of them!
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on February 07, 2011, 07:49:59 PM
Rhino update. Things are going a bit slower than I wanted, but I'm trying to pick up the pace.

(http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inquisitor%20Models/WIP%20Models/CIMG1147.jpg)

Apparently, a 40k Rhino (being used for reference. It's completely blue because I resprayed it years ago and never got around to actually finishing that job) will fit in the back. For now at least - when I put the seats and interior in, it probably won't.

I'm using PVC overflow pipe as a spacer for the track sections. At pittance per metre, it's a good solid shim that should give a lot of strength for little time and effort. The only downside is that it won't stick with poly cement, but Loctite's plastic superglue (with the primer pen) seems to provide a good strong bond a lot quicker than epoxy would.
Well, that is if you don't try and test its load strength, then try to re-glue it, because it doesn't stick as well the second time unless you clean it up really properly.

There are a few things to do before I can affix the outer panels - I need to run the wiring for the headlights and build the fans to go inside the engine air intakes first (those three "slots" at the back) - but I hope that's not going to take long. I've got a lot of things to finish before the IGT, and this is only one of them.

Lastly, that thing across the bottom left corner of the photo is the start of the tracks. It's not that bad making each link individually, but it takes a while (and I haven't even added the tread patterns yet).
They're numbered, because there isn't a whelk's chance in a supernova they'll go together in any other order.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: DapperAnarchist on February 07, 2011, 08:13:20 PM
The idea of a Rhino that carries other Rhinos (Mother Rhino?) is so tempting...
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on February 07, 2011, 08:32:58 PM
I was thinking "Russian Rhinos", but I didn't have an Epic Rhino to go in the back of the 40k one, unfortunately.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: DapperAnarchist on February 07, 2011, 08:41:19 PM
quick! PM me, I have a pile of unwanted ones...
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on February 08, 2011, 02:31:39 PM
Nah, it's not like I'll reach the end of my life and feel it was wasted because I never did "Russian Rhinos".

Planning out interior. I'm making a couple of tweaks from completely "scale" to make it so that five 40mm based models can fit in the back. I can easily see how 10 Space Marines would fit in something of this size, but those round bases do horribly reduce packing efficiency.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: Heroka Vendile on February 08, 2011, 04:53:43 PM
Quote from: MarcoSkoll on February 07, 2011, 08:32:58 PM
I was thinking "Russian Rhinos", but I didn't have an Epic Rhino to go in the back of the 40k one, unfortunately.

Then you could have the three of them inside THQs DoW Rhino :P

A Rhino within a Rhino within a Rhino within a Rhino, hang on a moment, that's Rhinception!

Apologies, couldn't resist the meme.

Looks like it's coming together really well Marco.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: Frostspear on February 08, 2011, 05:22:14 PM
Memes, eh? What about:

"Yo dawg, I heard you like Rhinos, so we put a Rhino in yo Rhino so you can transport while yo transport"

Hehe...anyway, can't wait to see the finished item.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on February 08, 2011, 07:56:33 PM
Oh dear, we've turned into a meme.

Anyway, seeing as Robey seems to like mysterious teaser images for IGT scenarios, here's one for mine (provided I get the work done in time):

(http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inquisitor%20Models/WIP%20Models/CIMG1136.jpg)

That is all.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: DapperAnarchist on February 08, 2011, 08:19:08 PM
Russian Rhinos would be a great meme...

Are you going to predict murders at the IGT?
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: Heroka Vendile on February 08, 2011, 09:48:34 PM
I predict Indiana Jones style giant rolling ball of death? Like the one that was in the lovely but short-lived FW Inquisitor terrain set. :P
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: kierkegaard on February 09, 2011, 12:03:45 AM
That Rhino is looking great.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on February 09, 2011, 01:13:48 AM
Quote from: DapperAnarchist on February 08, 2011, 08:19:08 PMAre you going to predict murders at the IGT?
Yes, I predict the horribly gruesome death of anyone who doesn't finish their turns swiftly or who goes to the toilet during my scenario.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on February 09, 2011, 08:28:59 PM
Some of the interior, despite the fact the exterior still needs work. Thanks to my earlier planning, five 40mm based models can fit in here (although the 40k Rhino will not any more), provided they're not overly dramatically posed.

(http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inquisitor%20Models/WIP%20Models/CIMG1152.jpg)

(http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inquisitor%20Models/WIP%20Models/CIMG1154.jpg)

Most of the wonky rivets/etc have been fixed as you read this.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on February 13, 2011, 10:52:22 PM
Every day, this plastic bawx starts to seem slightly more huge than the scale picture I started with:

(http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inquisitor%20Models/WIP%20Models/CIMG1170.jpg)

Anyway, progress report: Most of the remaining work is the roof, detailing, doors and weapons loadout. (Although the tracks are currently held together with electrical tape. ::))

Most of the electrics for the headlights and interior lighting has been soldered, although not all is of it yet in place.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: Heroka Vendile on February 14, 2011, 05:31:13 PM
looking great inside & out marco  8)
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on February 15, 2011, 11:32:31 PM
Detailing one of the tracks is complete:
(http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inquisitor%20Models/WIP%20Models/CIMG1259.jpg)

It's "mallet quality" (i.e. good enough to appease the casual eye, and if anyone bends down to take a closer look, you clobber them over the head with a mallet), but if you've got to make 15 pieces for each of 60 different track links by hand, to do it with uniform precision would take patience and time I haven't got.

I still need to do the other track, as well as apply the "teeth" to the inside of them, but the extra detail has had a profound effect that really makes it worth it.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: Ynek on February 16, 2011, 08:20:45 AM
Quote from: MarcoSkoll on February 15, 2011, 11:32:31 PM
Detailing one of the tracks is complete:

Yikes... that's a lot of fiddly little bits. Kudos for having the patience to work your way through all that!

Although, couldn't you have saved yourself a whole bunch of time by just making a singular link, and casting it hundreds of times?

However, that said, I'm very impressed with the rhino so far. It's certainly been a labour of love which puts my paltry efforts at Inq-vehicle-making to shame.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on February 16, 2011, 08:05:30 PM
Quote from: Ynek on February 16, 2011, 08:20:45 AMAlthough, couldn't you have saved yourself a whole bunch of time by just making a singular link, and casting it hundreds of times?
Maybe, but I've got no former casting experience, and I didn't really want to have to rely on successfully casting 60 different links.

Anyway, it's not so much time and effort as being slightly tedious doing the same things over and over...
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on February 17, 2011, 05:16:20 AM
Double post, I know, but it's something different!

The first of the NPC guard is on the way - I give you Sgt. A. R. Fix:

(http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inquisitor%20Models/WIP%20Models/CIMG1269.jpg)

Obviously, he's not done yet, but this was mostly pointing binocular man (http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inquisitor%20Models/WIP%20Models/CIMG1096.jpg). After cutting away the binocular arm (not an easy task, and one that earned me a nick in the end of one of my fingers), he got one of the arms from the grenade throwing models and a head reposition.

The hands are from Chaos Warriors (I find they work well as unarmoured hands for non-heroic models, given the WoC models are slightly bigger than most, even if they do need modifying to hold a gun), the chainsword the standard trick (although I discovered that the SM one is deeper than the IG one, which is why I now need to fix some slightly overzealous filing on the upper half) and the bolt pistol... well, for a 28mm piece, it works fine on this model.

And then some putty. The flak body armour nicely covered up the cutting work that removed the binocular arm, and his beret turned into a peaked cap (even if it is against Cadian-standard doctrine for a Sgt.).

For what was a 43 pence model, I think he'll be convincing enough after I've added the extra flak plates, some more trinkets, and, yes, drilled out the bolt pistol. I'm actually almost disappointed he's being relegated to an NPC role.

*And no, I'm not apologising for that name. The others will be worse.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on February 17, 2011, 05:01:36 PM
In the absence of any responses, triple post.

Still a little more clean up to do somewhere down the line, but here's a relatively complete Sgt:

(http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inquisitor%20Models/WIP%20Models/CIMG1271-1272.jpg)
(http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inquisitor%20Models/WIP%20Models/CIMG1273-1274.jpg)

I don't think his origins will be at all obvious once he's painted, so I'm prepared to call it a success as far as 40k-ifying him. Now for the other thirteen.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: RobSkib on February 17, 2011, 07:28:59 PM
Wowee, can't wait to see the other guys if they're all going to look this good!

You're probably already aware of this, but in the bottom right picture it appears there is a mould line running down the back of his right arm, I'm sure it would be no problem to file it off. I think maybe the wrists are too skinny as well, I think a sausage of GS should sort that out no problem.

I can't put my finger on it, but I think he's missing something. I think he needs something interesting on his face to set him apart from the mooks in his squad, either a waxed-up soup-strainer or some kind of bionic eye would round this model off nicely, and give you something interesting to paint when it comes to his face.

Are you planning on having some kind of heavy/special weapon team in the squad?
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on February 18, 2011, 12:36:31 AM
Quote from: RobSkib on February 17, 2011, 07:28:59 PMin the bottom right picture it appears there is a mould line running down the back of his right arm
Yeah, the mould lines on these guys are a bit oppressive. You think you've cleaned them all up, then you find another one. Still, you get what you pay for, and they were deliciously cheap (yes, cheap has a flavour).

Good call on the wrists too.

QuoteI think he needs something interesting on his face to set him apart from the mooks in his squad
Another good idea. I had been considering some sort of comm head set, because I think the left side of the face isn't as good than the right, and could do with something to sort of trick the viewer into thinking that's why it's asymmetrical. That said, a bionic eye could do the same...

... Although I do rather like the idea of him with a 'tache. I shall experiment.

QuoteAre you planning on having some kind of heavy/special weapon team in the squad?
Yup. I've already started converting one guy to have a meltagun, and the Bren guns are held in such a way to make them pretty impossible to remove, so I'm anticipating one with a heavy stubber (possibly with "Radio guy" converted to be the loader), and the other converted into a flamer (if a lengthy one).
And there may be a fourth special/heavy weapon, depending on what ideas I get (grenade launcher or plasma gun are possibles).

That is quite a lot of firepower, but it'll be swapped in and out as needed (I expect there'll always be at least a couple of them on the bench, so to speak) and I wasn't going to pass up a chance to finally make some of the heavier weapons.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on February 19, 2011, 07:51:31 PM
Sneak preview of my IGT characters! You're not getting much, as most of it's being saved for a DM article, but here's a slightly rough sketch.

There are no prizes for working out what this weapon will be called. But you do get a clue - it's carried by a woman with a four letter name:
(http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Sketches/CIMG1275.jpg)

Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: Hadriel Caine on February 19, 2011, 08:16:08 PM
is it... Kate? :P Great sculpting work on the commissar. The work put into the rhino is staggering as well. Fantastic detail.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: precinctomega on February 19, 2011, 09:41:35 PM
Bob?

Quote"mallet quality"

Totally tweeted.  And if anyone asks, I came up with it first.

I love AR Fix.  Can we get a scale shot?

Your work on the Rhino is putting me to shame as I still have Gav's old cardboard Rhino sitting in a box awaiting my attention.  If I can earn myself a breather from Precinct Omega work, I might see if I can do something with it for the IGT.

R.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on February 19, 2011, 10:48:28 PM
Quote from: precinctomega on February 19, 2011, 09:41:35 PMI love AR Fix.  Can we get a scale shot?
... Ugh, the dreaded scale shot. I've got so few actual GW Inquisitor models in one piece any more, and using my sculpts for scale doesn't much help.

Whelp, an Eldar Ranger I've just put back together after stripping it of an awful old paintjob, and a Slick/Stone conversion that's been sitting around in the blu-tac stages for about... ooh, three years.

(http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inquisitor%20Models/WIP%20Models/CIMG1280.jpg)

The Sgt's base is shimmed with 1mm plasticard not to make up model height, but base height (it's one of the thinner bases from Heresy).

~~~~~

Also, no, the gun is not called Kate or Bob.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: RobSkib on February 20, 2011, 12:02:41 PM
Vera? ;)
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: kierkegaard on February 20, 2011, 06:30:04 PM
Quote from: MarcoSkoll on February 19, 2011, 10:48:28 PM
Also, no, the gun is not called Kate or Bob.
Quote from: RobSkib on February 20, 2011, 12:02:41 PM
Vera? ;)

WTF?  ???

Nice model, by the way.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: Adlan on February 20, 2011, 06:43:08 PM
Quote from: kierkegaard on February 20, 2011, 06:30:04 PM
Quote from: MarcoSkoll on February 19, 2011, 10:48:28 PM
Also, no, the gun is not called Kate or Bob.
Quote from: RobSkib on February 20, 2011, 12:02:41 PM
Vera? ;)

WTF?  ???
My issue L85A2 is Vera.

Browncoats Rise Again!
Firefly reference. A brilliant sci-fi western series

Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on February 20, 2011, 07:18:18 PM
Vera* is the woman with the four letter name who owns it. And no, aside from me deciding I wanted her to have "the best damn gun made by man", and being named for it, she has no particular resemblance to any Joss Whedon character.

*And her surname is "Canton", for absolutely no reason whatsoever.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on February 21, 2011, 11:21:58 PM
Well today, I decided that I'd been dawdling a bit on the Rhino because I was a bit tired of the fiddly work, so I gave myself another project to split the time between.

It's not much, but here's what little I've managed since this morning. The start of some Sentinel legs (thus far devoid of fine detailing), and the basic shape of the autocannon it will eventually mount (although it will also eventually have the option for Power lifter arms).

(http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inquisitor%20Models/WIP%20Models/CIMG1285.jpg)
(http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inquisitor%20Models/WIP%20Models/CIMG1282.jpg)

Now, I've also realised that I've got too many ideas and not enough action. And I like building things, so that is bad.
So, after whichever of the Sentinel or Rhino gets done first, there'll be a Land Speeder Storm. Thanks to a suggestion from Stormgrad in a Skype conversation a while back, the plan is for that to be crewed by servitors (rather than Astartes Scouts), which should make it a possible resource for most human warbands.

Still, I'll be away from my big workbench for the tail end of this week, so updates after tomorrow and until Sunday will be themed towards whatever I can fit in my luggage (either NPC guard, or perhaps some of the non-IGT models in my sculpting run).
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: phil-o-mat on February 21, 2011, 11:41:44 PM
the idea of using wood is exellent! never seen that before (exept on several scenery projects). i will steal that idea!

can`t wait to see the sentinel finished!
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: precinctomega on February 22, 2011, 08:57:25 AM
Excellent start on the Sentinel!

QuoteMy issue L85A2 is Vera.

Oh, for heaven's sake...  Adlan, you should be ashamed of yourself.  Americans name their rifles.

R.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: RobSkib on February 22, 2011, 12:36:16 PM
Dear oh dear. I can't work out whether you need to get out more (to give you something to do with all your spare time) or get out LESS (so you can finish all these awesome projects) :)

I guess I better start putting together some lascannon cultists then!
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on February 23, 2011, 01:46:35 AM
Well, now at my destination, I realise that I have failed to bring all the plastic bitz I carefully dug through my bitz box for, so the NPC guard are going to have to wait for some of their webbing and equipment.

Fortunately though, I managed to remember my modelling pencil case, as well as finding some space in my luggage for some plasticard and tubing (both styrene and brass), so all is not lost.

Quote from: RobSkib on February 22, 2011, 12:36:16 PMI can't work out whether you need to get out more or get out LESS
Some people have suggested I try and find a girlfriend, but I personally think that having to put up with me would be highly cruel on the poor thing...

QuoteI guess I better start putting together some lascannon cultists then!
You might need to. If I build even half of the things I've got ideas for, then I'll be running quite a few vehicle based scenarios at future Conclave events...

Quote from: phil-o-mat on February 21, 2011, 11:41:44 PMthe idea of using wood is excellent!
Dowelling is very useful - cheap, easily worked, available in a wide range of diameters and unlike plastic pipe, solid the whole way through (so it's much easier to mount things to the ends).
You can also see a couple of little wooden balls for the ankles (although rather smaller than the one in the picture a few pages back). Also useful, pretty cheap in the small sizes, and much easier than trying to find extruded polystyrene balls (all most searches find is the expanded "styrofoam" version).

Two words of warning on wood though:
- Watch for grain patterns if they're going to show up in bad places. Me, I'm sanding the wooden bits as I go.
- It does splinter and crack if you work the wrong way to the grain.  I had to do some repairs to one of the ankle joints when I was drilling it (which was so I could join it solidly enough to the leg - it does need to be a strong joint).
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: Adlan on February 23, 2011, 09:15:43 AM
Quote

Oh, for heaven's sake...  Adlan, you should be ashamed of yourself.  Americans name their rifles.

R.

Not my fault. It was a direct order.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: DapperAnarchist on February 23, 2011, 12:40:48 PM
What you need, Marco, is a Nerd Girl.

That, or 48 hours in every day to do everything.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: precinctomega on February 23, 2011, 07:33:36 PM
Then your skill-at-arms instructor needs to get out more and stop spending his evenings watching Full Metal Jacket.

I shall now return you to your regularly scheduled thread.

R.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on February 28, 2011, 11:51:32 PM
Not a very informative update, but the first video update to this thread nonetheless. Timelapse of sculpting one of the heads for my IGT warband: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PAy6jmGglao

(It turns out I forgot to lock the shutter speed, so that's why the lighting appears to be flickering.)

I've not quite got the hang of sculpting female heads yet, so I take a lot longer for quite an androgynous face. But you don't learn if you don't try...
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: kierkegaard on March 01, 2011, 01:49:49 AM
I would have liked a shot of the finished product...
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on March 01, 2011, 02:34:00 AM
Oops - mind like a sieve, me.
You don't get to see everything (that's for the DM article, remember?) but I'm not such a horrible tease as Aurelius, so here's a picture at a very unflattering size :

(http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inquisitor%20Models/WIP%20Models/CIMG1601.jpg)

I'm going to hurriedly point out that this is still WIP, with only one stage so far. I prefer to do it mostly in one, but it's still going to get a little more work to sharpen it up and fix a couple of oddities.

~~~~~

In other news, I've finally ordered myself a butane soldering iron - that part's perhaps not so interesting, but it comes with a hot knife attachment, which should make some of the vehicle building less of a total dog.
I've found a lot of the cuts where I'm trying to cut a hole through a panel (for example, the Rhino side doors) are a right nightmare, because you can't score it and break it nor just try to cut all the way through, because the card can't move so the knife can go through.

A hot knife should make those cuts a tiny fraction of the effort. And as an added bonus, the kit's also got a hot air blower, which should make bending plastic tube easier too.

When it arrives - hopefully tomorrow, my recollection is that Rapid Electronics live up to their name, even when it's their free delivery service - and I've had a chance to try it, I'll report back and tell you if I think it's worth having in a modelling kit.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: Heroka Vendile on March 01, 2011, 01:28:32 PM
excellent sculpting there Marco  :)
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: Alyster Wick on March 01, 2011, 09:59:55 PM
Great sculpting job.  Even before it's completed I'll go ahead and say I think it's the best looking one I've seen you do (all of them being superior to the blobs I've attempted).  I checked out that time lapse you had, really drove home the time and care it takes to produce something at that level.  Looking forward to seeing it complete, are you willing to reveal what it will eventually be or is that a closely guarded IGT secret?
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on March 02, 2011, 05:45:52 PM
Quote from: Alyster Wick on March 01, 2011, 09:59:55 PMall of them being superior to the blobs I've attempted
I hear a lot of people talking about ending up with mutant blobs. As I've said before (and likely in this thread too), it's not as big a challenge as it really seems.

Most veteran modellers have the technical skill (and most of the tools) required, their problem is that most people's perceptions run on subconscious recognition of the face, not an actual understanding of what a face looks like. Anyway, I've already had an extensive "five in the morning wiffle"* on the matter of skull shape and facial anatomy here (http://www.the-conclave.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=1268.msg16919#msg16919), so I won't repeat it here.
*I get wordy when I'm tired.

QuoteI checked out that time lapse you had, really drove home the time and care it takes to produce something at that level.
It takes some care, but the time is more because I'm not perfect technically - I usually can't get it quite how I want it until I've taken several attempts at each individual detail.

QuoteLooking forward to seeing it complete, are you willing to reveal what it will eventually be or is that a closely guarded IGT secret?
I'm keeping most of the specifics of what I'm doing for the IGT under wraps.

It's probably obvious that the NPCs and vehicles may be used in some way (depending on the table and players I get), but beyond that and the back-story given in Inquisitor Ares' message (http://www.the-conclave.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=352.msg15673#msg15673), all I'll saying is that my general theme for this IGT is "Unexpected, yet familiar".
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: kierkegaard on March 06, 2011, 10:57:14 PM
Awe inspiring work there Marco. One of the best self sculpted faces I have seen.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on March 07, 2011, 01:35:14 AM
In the absence of recent updates, some of the NPC guard prior to putty work.

(http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inquisitor%20Models/WIP%20Models/CIMG1623.jpg)
(In case you think the models look out of scale with each other, that's actually two photos rather crudely stitched together.)

The left hand model has one of the Bren guns modified with some 28mm flamer parts. I know it wouldn't be very advisable to hold a flamethrower like that in reality, but it's a one piece moulding and every repose is an extra chance to check my fingers still have proper circulation (the most recent test says yes).
His helmet has been cut back so it's not in the way of sculpting a new Cadian pattern one over the top.

And the right hand model was the radio operator, now demoted particularly messily to loader/spotter for the squad's heavy stubber (the other Bren gun that came in the box).
The messiness is mostly because I had to cut away two heavily integrated parts - the radio and entire right arm. Most of this was all to be sculpted over anyway (as are his headphones), so I'm not too worried. And he'll get a new GS right arm once the torso is done (the armature and ammo box are just there temporarily to check the pose and are not glued).

There probably will be a squad vox caster, but he's not going to be it. His WWII radio wasn't 40k enough, so one of the other models will get one of the 28mm plastics left over in my bitz box.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on March 09, 2011, 03:12:35 PM
Slightly sad news, I am afraid. I scheduled pretty poorly for my IGT projects, not building in enough time for setbacks and delays.
Because I don't want to compromise on the quality of the work, the project related to the earlier teaser image is almost certainly not to appear at the IGT.

This is not a huge issue as regards my scenarios, as they were designed to work without it (it wouldn't've fitted on some tables, so I had to make it non-essential), but it is a disappointment.
However, I promise it will appear eventually - it gives me an excellent excuse to run an event this year. And indeed, ideas are already running through my head.

While I think Ruaridh has first shout on the Summer Conclave (because he didn't get to run his "Antonine Amulets" event last year), I am determined to let it off its leash at some point.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: RobSkib on March 09, 2011, 04:14:22 PM
SO out of the bazillion projects started in this thread, which will actually get to the IGT? I'd like to see the rhino and more of the guardsmen, considering how much effort you put into each one. The head sculpt is very, very good, hats off to you sir. There is one thing that is very eerie about it, and that's how much it looks like you... o_O
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on March 14, 2011, 10:21:01 PM
Quote from: RobSkib on March 09, 2011, 04:14:22 PMSO out of the bazillion projects started in this thread, which will actually get to the IGT?
Sorry, I managed to completely miss your question.

Aside from my own warband, likely attendees at the IGT are:
- A number of the NPC guard (although perhaps not all 14)
- Ideally both the Rhino and Sentinel - but possibly only one, in which case, more likely the Rhino.
- Maybe the Sororita I've been working on (but as an NPC, rather than her eventual PC role).
- Another of my warbands that I've offered to lend to a player who hasn't currently got a 54mm warband. (Possibly a little unorthodox, but even if Kaled vetoes it, the person is happy to be there as a spectator.)

Of course, not all of these pieces will necessarily feature in my scenario - it will depend on the available table.

The Jubilee Project will definitely not be appearing - it will have to wait for the Autumn Conclave (which seems to be when I'm going to be running my event), but it should be better for the extra time.

In other news, I'm planning to take advantage of heading up to WHW and get myself a new Sgt Stone so I can finally do that reconstruction of the unreleased 'Bloody' Paulus model. Yeah, I could just mail order one now - but as I see it, I haven't got the time to do it beforehand, so it seems better to wait and add weight to our "Inquisitor hasn't been forgotten" day.
Heck, if anyone else has plans to buy new Inq models, it wouldn't hurt if you did it at the GT as well.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on March 31, 2011, 04:22:19 AM
Two things:

1) My stuff has been recovered from its unexpected holiday. I will put each model up in this thread as and when it's finished - now I have plenty of time, I have no intention of rushing the work.

2) Could someone with a Kroot Mercenary give me a measurement for how tall it would be if stood more or less straight?
Now I have some of Gav's Tau models to work on, it seems like there's also an excuse to have a Kroot and I'm not really up for paying GW for one, tightwad that I am*.

*The Sgt. Stone I bought for my Bloody Paulus project is the only Inquisitor model I've bought from GW in perhaps five years or more. The lengths I will go to for maximum authenticity...
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: RobSkib on March 31, 2011, 04:29:50 PM
*borrowed from a previous thread*

He's quite tall, not really sure on measurements though as the model is on the other side of the country atm, sorry.

(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e58/RobSkib/Inquisitor/JD500228.jpg?t=1301592763)
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on March 31, 2011, 05:10:20 PM
Music festivals? I think you've posted the wrong picture.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: Myriad on March 31, 2011, 05:21:46 PM
The Kroot's a big model.  From the heel of the foot to the top of the head I reckon to be 80-85mm.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: DapperAnarchist on March 31, 2011, 05:56:59 PM
Kaled's DM piece on his models has a picture of a Kal-based model next to a Kroot, that might help... its possibly taller than a Marine...
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: RobSkib on March 31, 2011, 06:33:44 PM
Hurr durrr... copy and paste has failed me once again -_-
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: Heroka Vendile on April 01, 2011, 12:49:45 AM
*grabs tape measure* *grabs kroot used in official booster pack pics (as painted by Mark Bedford)*

~84mm to quill top
~71mm to eye level
~36mm inner leg length
~34mm torso length
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on April 01, 2011, 02:51:21 AM
I knew it was big, but I didn't think it was quite that big! Well, that'll be fun!
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: Hadriel Caine on April 01, 2011, 09:38:40 AM
I love the Kroot. Can't wait to see your interpretation of them Marco.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on April 01, 2011, 04:54:39 PM
You'll have to wait at least a bit! I'm not in a rush to add more unfinished projects to my list.

My current to do list includes:
- Finish painting of Katlien and her warband
- Paint Maya's model
- Finish sculpting Jax, Gianna and Arden for Marco's warband. Consider adding "Alpine".
- Finish sculpting the Sororita.
- Get the first 15 NPC guard finished (Yes, there were 14, now there are 15.)
- Paint the Rhino.
- Continue Sentinel assembly (the legs are mostly finished, body needs to be cut and assembled).
- Keep working on the Jubilee.

After that:
- Work on my half of the trade for Shannow's carnosaur.
- Make some grox.
- Make Bloody Paulus.
- Get working on a Tau Warband (which will probably mean the standard fare of a Fire, an Air, a Water, an Earth and a Kroot, although I may later add a low ranking Ethereal. I have the start of the Air and Water already from Gav).
- Work on the Traitor Guard.
- Cast 10 sets of Guard helmet, rebreather, flak armour, rifle and shoulder pads, to act as a base for sculpts to expand the NPC guard to a platoon of 25.
- Make Eldar Guardian base model. Cast copies and convert at least one warrior from each of the Eldar Aspects, including the new FW Shadow Spectres.
- Make a Warlock and Wraithguard (probably out of the plastic Wraithlord), for the heck of just having some very powerful Eldar models.
- Finally get around to making Hotblack Desiato and his warband (which will probably include the above Paulus).
- Make a 54mm copy of that cancelled Necromunda bounty hunter.
- Make a model for Inquisitor Byssus.
- Make Fischer Monkshood and his warband.
- Continue work on 54mm motor pool, possibly including, but not limited to: Land Speeder Storm; Chimera (and parts for its variants); Leman Russ (and variant parts); Variant parts to for the Rhino to be a Razorback, Predator, Whirlwind or Damocles; Valkyrie; Variant parts for a Sentinel power lifter. I'm also tempted by the idea of a Deathwatch Dreadnought and a few other aircraft. I'm still talking myself down from making a Land Raider.

I'm going to have to get busy, I think. I'm also going to have to buy at least two big model cases.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: Ynek on April 01, 2011, 05:38:27 PM
Certainly a big to-do list...

And I thought I had it bad with my epic necron army, Thaddeus's warband, and a few semi-commission sculpts to finish...
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: Stormgrad on April 02, 2011, 12:22:04 PM
Lol Marco is always way to busy for me to keep up with, the Guard equipment that your planning on, chance of it somehow making its way into enterprising individuals hands in exchange for our services or cash
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: Molotov on April 02, 2011, 01:10:04 PM
That's a great list, Marco. I have to admit that, though I've seen Rhodes (et al), I'm not sure I've ever seen your miniature for Skoll himself. Do you have a picture of him?

I like your enthusiasm, and I can't wait to see many of the items on your list come to fruition. What I find interesting is that it includes a number of characters that would seem more at home on the 40k battlefield rather than the Inquisitor tabletop. Many of the Guardsmen, the Fire Warrior, Eldar Aspect Warriors, Wraithguard, a Predator, a Deathwatch Dreadnought...?

I appreciate that many of them you're making for pleasure, and enjoyment - but it's interesting how INQ28 players often get criticised for including such models. Would you ever consider bringing those figures to the Inquisitor tabletop, or are they simply a modelling exercise?


(I'll bookend that thought by saying that I appreciate there is an argument that it's far harder to bring a 54mm Dire Avenger to the table than it is a 28mm one. I appreciate that you're also an experienced Inquisitor player, but I just found it interesting.)
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: Kaled on April 02, 2011, 01:54:26 PM
I kind of agree with Molotov - it's a bit of a strange list for Inquisitor. Much as I'm excited to see all those 54mm versions of 40k models, I'd much rather see some that fit more with the Inquisitor ethos. So rather than all those Aspect Warriors I'd prefer to see a small community of Exodites. Or instead of all those military vehicles I'd rather see a whole load of civilian or industrial ones instead.

Of course, I can't really talk as I did build a Valkyrie & Arvus...
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: Swarbie on April 02, 2011, 01:58:22 PM
Quote- Finally get around to making Hotblack Desiato and his warband (which will probably include the above Paulus).

Now that's something I want to see . . .
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: axiom on April 02, 2011, 02:29:58 PM
Quote from: MarcoSkoll on April 01, 2011, 04:54:39 PM
- Make Eldar Guardian base model. Cast copies and convert at least one warrior from each of the Eldar Aspects, including the new FW Shadow Spectres.
- Make a Warlock and Wraithguard (probably out of the plastic Wraithlord), for the heck of just having some very powerful Eldar models.

To be honest, I'd love to see any and all from that list, but 54mm scale Eldar really teases my interest! (Whether it's a fit with Inq or not :) )
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on April 02, 2011, 05:02:50 PM
It's not as "not Inquisitor" as you might think.

The actual PCs like Byssus, Monkshood, Hotblack (and their associated companions), the Bounty Hunter... these are going to be a sizeable chunk of the work. Hotblack, being a Rogue Trader, will have a few weird and wonderfuls in his warband - I've got plans to develop at least one new xeno race to aid him in his quest for glory.

The power armoured Sororita? Yeah, I've yet to decide on her exact home, but I have ideas about her being in a missionary's warband - partly as a bodyguard, partly as a recognisable emblem of the Ecclesiarchy.
It was the best solution I could think of to the "Power Armour problem" of being incredibly unsubtle - they don't want to be subtle! I had considered her serving a Monodominant in the Hereticus, but I felt the agents of the Ecclesiarchy had been less done in Inquisitor (and it's easier to justify the rest of the group being a bit less upgunned to compensate for her). So there's probably also an Ecclesiarchy warband in the works.

Or maybe I'm just making excuses to use what I thought was a nice picture as a model, but I'd like to think I didn't need too many excuses for that.

~~~~~

The vehicles... well, many Imperial vehicles have their basis in one of the few STC designs. The Rhino is ubiquitous, and after I've built the basic frame, it seems like a triviality to add the bits to make it into its variants. The Razorback, Predator, Whirlwind and Damocles are summed up by: Make a turret plate to replace the top hatch (one of which would serve for all of them), then make a new turret/radar dish. Well, maybe sponsons for the Pred, but that's not that much work either.
A Repressor would be a bit more work, but a natural fit if the Arbites are involved.

The Leman Russ also comes in the Atlas tractor variant, the Chimera also has the Trojan, the Sentinel power lifter... while their battlefield variants might not be all that Inquisitor friendly, these variants can comfortably find a home in Inquisitor. There isn't that much variation between the military and the industrial in 40k.

The Dreadnought is admittedly much harder to find a home for, but it's going to be further down the to-do list and more an exercise in modelling than anything else. If one day, it finds an opportunity to act as a GM controlled objective/ally/nuisance, then great.

One thing that I missed off the list is that I would like to make a Tauros (probably with extension pieces to also be the Venator) - there are a few odd shapes that would be hard to do in plasticard, but it seems perfect for Inquisitor otherwise. As the FW description says: "a common sight on many frontier worlds within the Imperium, where it is used as a utility vehicle" - however, presumably without the big guns on the back.

~~~~~

Yes, the NPC guard don't need expanding to a cast of 25, but it's always going to nag me if I don't make them into a full platoon. (As per the British Army's three squads of 8, plus a platoon Sergeant).

I don't plan on them being used in full force except on rare occasions, but when I do (obviously with very simplified rules, if any at all) - it'd really help get the massed manpower of the Guard across.

~~~~~

The Eldar... again, GM controlled antagonists (or allies, if they're in a good mood for once) - I have no intention of them being PCs. The thing is, when you start thinking about making one model in the standard Eldar armour design, it becomes easy work to cast copies and convert up the Aspects.

The deal is that I'm an Eldar player in 40k, and a big fan of the model range. I'll eventually do some more Eldar - possibly Exodites, possibly Pirates (Yarr!) - but when Eldar hit my mind "Let's do one of each of the Aspects, they'll make good NPC enemies" takes a lot less time to make it into a fully fledged plan than "Well, what about some Eldar PCs... Well, I'll want an X. What's he/she going to be like? How are they going to be armed? What have they done before.... etc, etc, etc. What about the next person, etc, etc, etc."

(And obviously, with Guardian bases, converting some Corsairs like FW are working on wouldn't be a big challenge.)

In short: More Eldar on the way, but I haven't yet decided exactly what they're going to be.

~~~~~

The Tau and the Fire Caste: If I'm doing Tau, why not start with one of each Caste? Anyway, any expedition would have some protection, and I imagine there's more to the Fire Caste than just what GW has put onto the 40k table.

Quote from: Molotov on April 02, 2011, 01:10:04 PMThat's a great list, Marco. I have to admit that, though I've seen Rhodes (et al), I'm not sure I've ever seen your miniature for Skoll himself. Do you have a picture of him?
Here (http://www.the-conclave.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=354.msg9598#msg9598) - and I still haven't fixed the sloppy paint job. Add that to the list as well.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on April 03, 2011, 01:38:45 AM
Whoops - forgot this earlier. I would make it an edit, but I usually miss those if they're not made fairly quickly, so:

Quote from: Stormgrad on April 02, 2011, 12:22:04 PMThe Guard equipment that you're planning on, any chance of it somehow making its way into enterprising individual's hands?
Maybe, but bear in mind, it's only going to be the equipment (I'll be sculpting the bits of model in between) and it's going to be scaled to match Airfix models, not the bulkier Inquisitor range. So a rather "advanced modeller's kit", really.
However, I might have some "Space Elves" available at some point for anyone who can see a use for that kind of thing.

If you're looking for booster pack thingies, I may do some at some point, but it will depend on the successes of casting things like the Guard and the Eldar.
Possible projects there include a set of hands, some generic weaponry (possibly including some of the things I cooked up for the Revised Armoury), that sort of thing. Maybe heads (if I make some good ones), but I think 54mm heads are quite well catered for by ranges already out there.

I'm still torn on whether I should try and make Paulus into a kit. Aside from the legal side, I feel a bit mean making him and not offering the parts to others - but on the flipside, part of the charm is that he will be unique.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: Stormgrad on April 03, 2011, 12:23:12 PM
i was indeed thinking along the line of a bits pack, I know how much you like the shadow specter models i thought they where very pretty too and as NPC's i can see them being a formidable force, maybe even forcing two opposing warbands to join up in order to deal with the threat they pose
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on April 11, 2011, 07:23:39 PM
Well, I said my laptop was broken, so I've been working on some models I brought on this trip instead.

Apologies for the unsophisticated nature of the pictures, I hate Photobucket's editor (and refuse to use it) and I lost Photoshop with my laptop, so there is no neatening of crops or contrast tweaking.

Anyway, the Sororita I've slowly been working on:
(http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inquisitor%20Models/WIP%20Models/CIMG2448.jpg)
Back (http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inquisitor%20Models/WIP%20Models/CIMG2449.jpg)

It's (possibly obviously) based on this piece (http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Reference/Sister_Of_Battle_Adepta_Sororitas.png) I've had a liking to for a while - the only planned change is to add a hand-to-hand weapon somewhere (even though I do tend to treat characters with power armour as having armoured gauntlets). Maybe a Gears of War-esque chainblade attachment for the bolter, because that's sufficiently hilariously non-feminine.

So, after this, the next stage is to work on the underbust corset that makes up Sororita power armour.

And yes, I know Sororita power armour normally has a second cloth to cover the backside (a la a loincloth, but for the bum - insert the proper name here), but that'd make undercuts that were hard to paint, so I'm going for callipygian buttock armour instead.
It seemed appropriate, given how many other features of Sororita armour are better described by the adjective "shapely" than "practical".

~~~~~

And someone I think will end up in Hotblack's crew - Gav's Techpriestess. Except there's been a bit too much oestrogen around my modelling desks recently (of the PCs I have in some state of work, all but one of the other 10 are female), so she's had a mastectomy and sex change.

(http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inquisitor%20Models/WIP%20Models/CIMG2450.jpg)
Side (http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inquisitor%20Models/WIP%20Models/CIMG2451.jpg)

I want it to look a bit different to the other versions (be they male or female), so I started with a bitz bash to make a big implant tool, and I'm in the middle of deciding on either a hood or data cable dreadlocks - although if I don't do the dreadlocks, I have another character planned they'd be great for.

~~~~~

In other news, I'm thinking about a slightly weird arch-militant for Hotblack (and they may push Paulus into another warband). It's not hugely original, but the idea is a character with two additional arms (perhaps bionic, perhaps vat grown), so they can wield even more weapons.
I have this vision of them drawing four different pistols in the same instant to simultaneously shoot a different assailant with each one - and I'm sure a Rogue Trader could find a job for a man like that.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: judge-minos on April 11, 2011, 07:48:36 PM
Love it, nice start on the sororita. I always wanted to replicate that image too, it's one of the best pictures ever  made of a battle sister.

Like the mechanicus as well.

Good job.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: Molotov on April 11, 2011, 10:17:49 PM
Yes, the Battle Sister is a lovely job thus far, really keen to see it progress.

Gav's Tech-Priest is very nice, too!
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: biggreengribbly on April 11, 2011, 10:18:18 PM
Quote from: MarcoSkoll on April 11, 2011, 07:23:39 PM
the only planned change is to add a hand-to-hand weapon somewhere (even though I do tend to treat characters with power armour as having armoured gauntlets). Maybe a Gears of War-esque chainblade attachment for the bolter, because that's sufficiently hilariously non-feminine.

So, after this, the next stage is to work on the underbust corset that makes up Sororita power armour.

And yes, I know Sororita power armour normally has a second cloth to cover the backside (a la a loincloth, but for the bum - insert the proper name here), but that'd make undercuts that were hard to paint, so I'm going for callipygian buttock armour instead.
It seemed appropriate, given how many other features of Sororita armour are better described by the adjective "shapely" than "practical".

Erm... isn't the Sarissa essentially a GoW-esque Chain-bayonette?

Also, aren't undercuts generally a Casting concern? ;)

Quote from: MarcoSkoll on April 11, 2011, 07:23:39 PM
In other news, I'm thinking about a slightly weird arch-militant for Hotblack (and they may push Paulus into another warband). It's not hugely original, but the idea is a character with two additional arms (perhaps bionic, perhaps vat grown), so they can wield even more weapons.
I have this vision of them drawing four different pistols in the same instant to simultaneously shoot a different assailant with each one - and I'm sure a Rogue Trader could find a job for a man like that.

.. Must....resist...urge.....Bucky O'hare...theme......
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on April 12, 2011, 12:53:51 AM
Quote from: judge-minos on April 11, 2011, 07:48:36 PMI always wanted to replicate that image too, it's one of the best pictures ever  made of a battle sister.
Indeed, it's excellent. There is one issue I have with it however - the armour follows the curve of both hips, and hard armour plates can't and won't reshape like that! So while I did say I'd only made one change, I have also made some allowances to try and make the thigh armour more plausible. There's no "hips" in the upper leg plates any more, but there is now a ribbed joint so it can curve femininely.

Quote from: biggreengribbly on April 11, 2011, 10:18:18 PMErm... isn't the Sarissa essentially a GoW-esque Chain-bayonette?
Well, quoting from the Witch Hunters codex: Sarissa: These vicious, spiked combat attachments are used by the Adepta Sororitas to add lethal close combat utility to their standard issue bolter.

All in all, the description makes them feel more like a bayonet (particularly as they need the charge to work). Although I will probably call it a Chain-Sarissa, yes.

QuoteAlso, aren't undercuts generally a Casting concern? ;)
Yes, but they're also a "After I've glued this to a base, I can't possibly get a paintbrush in at that angle" concern.

But on that note - while I feel a bit miserly to say it, it's unlikely I will cast her. I try to go to the effort of making my models different and unique, so it seems rather counter productive to sell copies of anything I intend to use as a PC.

~~~~~

I was out for a pub meal this evening, so not much has been done, but here is a thought. I've got a few 28mm Space Marine backpacks in the "mini bitz box" I put together for the trip (my normal one was too big to be practical), and I'm wondering if I'm just going to take the easy route here: Front (http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/CIMG2480.jpg) & Back (http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/CIMG2481.jpg)

It's a tiny bit small scalewise, but it's not far off what it should be - add some spike studs to the exhausts, cut off the skull on the back and sculpt on a Fleur-de-Lys, and it'd pass very admirably. (And no, you can't buy SoB backpacks separately, I've just checked). Similarly, the 28mm bolters are also a good match for size. Making both from scratch is going to be a lot more effort, and I can't see that it's going to be a huge leap in result.

So, GW's 28mm range continues to prove to be a good size match for non-heroic 54mm models.

~~~~~

I'll need to plan out the rest of the warband she'll be joining, but as I've said (in the to-do list, I think), I'm going for an Ecclesiarchy warband.  

The "leader" will be some sort of missionary. He takes the Emperor's light to the dark - and, as is sometimes the case, he occasionally has need of a powered armoured woman with a seventy-five calibre automatic grenade launcher to explain the finer points of the Emperor's creed to the people he finds there.

When he's preaching to the slightly less unenlightened (i.e. the not trying to kill him) however, she is an obvious emblem of the Ecclesiarchy. Who would hide their righteous cause from the masses? The Emperor's chosen should not be crawling around in the shadows - wherever they walk, they should be a beacon!
Unlike the Inquisition, I can't see a missionary and his entourage being inclined to sneaking around and clandestine meetings with shady contacts, so her sticking out like a sore thumb wouldn't be a disadvantage in the same way.

After the missionary and her, I might have a penitent of some sort; or some form of book carrier/savant who can immediately seek out passages for the Missionary to read to the masses (not that the Missionary wouldn't know extensive reams of scripture by heart); or maybe I can think of something a little more unusual and unique.

Either way, I'm expecting to cut back on the military might of the rest of the warband to compensate for having a Battle Sister in there.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: Molotov on April 12, 2011, 05:06:31 PM
It strikes me that these (http://www.forgeworld.co.uk/Warhammer-40000/SPACE-MARINE-BOLTER-PHOBOS-PATTERN-X10.html) bolters are the closest to the Godwyn-De'az - They certainly would complete this model.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on April 12, 2011, 06:47:13 PM
Oh dear - I've already been trying to resist putting in a Forge World order (I only managed to resist buying a squad of the Shadow Spectres while I was up at WHW because the Exarch wasn't out yet), and then you show me something that even has the chain-blades in it.

I guess I probably will (and I think I'll have to try and placate my love of the Shadow Spectres with the idea of making a 54mm one), but I'm away on a boat holiday right now, so I'll have to use one of the regular plastic ones I've got as a stand-in until I can order some fancy new ones.

Unfortunately, I see my MarcoSkoll photobucket account is on a server they're doing maintenance on, which means I can't show you the even the rather unspectacular scale of the work I've done so far today.

The thing is, I wasn't very impressed when I took the pictures yesterday, because they showed up a load of imperfections that weren't immediately obvious to the naked eye. So I've not exactly advanced onto new and glorious additions, but I've been trying to sharpen and straighten edges, smooth down armour plates, and generally improve the quality of the work I've done so far. Hopefully, it'll help make the end result a bit more professional. It at least looks better in pictures - still a bit patchy, as it remains a mix of Green Stuff and Procreate*, but better.

*I find Procreate a bit too stiff. It holds edges well, but for most work, I prefer Green Stuff. But when I'm doing general bulking, I use ProCreate - partly because it's cheaper, partly because I welcome the extra stiffness when applying putty to a wire armature. (I do use Milliput for some things, but it's harder to work with, so I only use it in certain cases.)
So, sometimes ProC shows through the top GS layer (where I've cut it back, where I've decided not to build it up, etc.) which gives quite a few of my recent models the appearance of having some miniature form of reverse vitiligo.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on April 23, 2011, 03:12:07 PM
Sorry, updates are slower than expected. I've looked at one of the models I was doing for Katlien's warband and decided I was going to start over, so the Sororita got the short end of the stick.

Still, she has had some more work done. Basic shape of the corset, some of the studding and the start of the Ministorum's symbol.

(http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inquisitor%20Models/WIP%20Models/CIMG2776.jpg)

The rest of the studs will wait until after I've corrected the stupid mistake... yeah, no lacing for the corset. ::)

Still, and I had to switch to the other camera for this one because it's the only camera I have which will focus at less than inch, here's an incredibly unflattering close-upof the work on the corset.
(http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inquisitor%20Models/WIP%20Models/IMG_4701.jpg)
Neither camera picks this up very well (it's more obvious in real life) but you can just about see the crude shapes of the corset bones underneath the crumples and crinkles of the corset material.

As I said before, I've been trying to smooth the various surfaces and plates. This one makes it very obvious that I need to deal with the space around the top of her greave, but it does show that it's at least smoother than in the last set of photos.
(http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inquisitor%20Models/WIP%20Models/IMG_4702.jpg)

~~~~~

In other news, Katlien's warband isn't even finished yet, but I still have plans to add to it.

It started with a basic three character formula - an Interrogator (Nyi Laysen, the model who I've decided I need to redo) and a Drill Abbess (Vera Canton)...

... but I've decided I love the picture on p392 of the RT RPG book (the lady with reams of parchment for a dress), and she's going to be conscripted (if downgunned a bit from that bolter), hopefully in time for Van Helser's event in July.

I'm thinking she'll be the pilot for Katlien's personal shuttle, another individual the Inquistrix has recruited from the employ of the many rogue Inquisitors Katlien has "removed" over the years.

Katlien is occasionally known for granting the more useful acolytes/servants of such heretics a chance to earn absolution for their involvement with their former master's taint. And that's what I'm thinking for the parchment dress - the reams detailing a list of the crimes she committed against the Imperium in the service of her previous Inquisitor, each sheaf ended with a writ of penance.

No name yet though.

EDIT: Here's that picture. (http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Reference/CIMG2781.jpg)
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: Tessio Niri on April 23, 2011, 11:59:14 PM
Wow this looks like a masterpiece in the making. Loving the work so far. Keep up the great work.

Regards T.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: precinctomega on April 24, 2011, 08:48:53 AM
Excellent work on the Soroitas, there.  Can we see a scale shot?

R.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on April 24, 2011, 09:57:17 AM
Well, I am away from home and most of my collection, but then I remembered I had the half built Paulus, as well as the spare bits from Stone in my bitz pot, so one precariously balanced head later, here you go...
(http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inquisitor%20Models/WIP%20Models/CIMG2799.jpg)
Again, sorry about photo quality, I'm down by my normal laptop and can only edit with the camera's built in functions.

She'll be about 57mm when done (if you include the heels on her armour). A bit taller than average, but I'm sure I've done the "varied heights and why I use 1:30 scale" speech enough times by now.

Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on April 24, 2011, 08:15:31 PM
Fething fiddly work, but the backpack is on its way.

(http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inquisitor%20Models/WIP%20Models/IMG_4717.jpg)

It still needs some lots of clean up, some studs around the bands on the globes and assorted rivets, but it's not too far off being done after this stage has hardened.

I admit that I only realised after I had done it that there are normally four ridges around the top - it's ages since I last saw an SoB backpack, so you'll have to excuse that one. But it's not exactly completely official in shape anyway, given I've been lazy and based it off an SM backpack - and in this case, I think the three ridges fits this backpack shape better, so I'm not planning on fixing it.

So, it's not quite right, but I'm just going to call it a Ione pattern backpack. It's a rare variety sometimes seen in the Segmentum Pacificus, and known to be used by some Covents in the Carthax sector. Local production of the pattern is on the Sollemne forge-worlds.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: Hadriel Caine on April 24, 2011, 09:13:36 PM
This is going to be awesome. Incredible sculpting mate.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on April 25, 2011, 07:57:00 PM
Two terribly unflattering macro photos. However, unflattering is good, because I look at the pictures and go "bleh, that's horrible" and then go and try to neaten it up, so I think it it's going to improve the end result.

Sorry in advance - They both really needed a wash and a go with an old brush to shift the plastic and putty shavings, but I'm short on time before I have to start getting ready to head out this evening.

So, holes for the corset lacing. Pelvis armour needs the edging neatened, but it's on the way.
(http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inquisitor%20Models/WIP%20Models/IMG_4724.jpg)

Backpack. Still needs a touch up with the Dremel, but now has rivets and studs - LOTS of rivets, but it does help disguise its origin as lazily converted from an SM backpack.
(http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inquisitor%20Models/WIP%20Models/IMG_4725.jpg)
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: Molotov on April 26, 2011, 01:55:32 PM
She's shaping up to be an exceptional model.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: Dolnikan on April 27, 2011, 03:45:47 PM
She looks really good, the armour looks nice and the backpack looks convincing, hardly anyone would notice the difference without being told about it.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on May 04, 2011, 06:13:29 PM
Sorry about the lack of updates. I've been involved with other things, so no actual sculpting has gone on.

However, for the sake of blogging...

For now, I'm planning on holding off on a Forge World order. Much though I love the Phobos bolters, I think I'm going to try out the plasticard before spending £11.42 when I only need one bolter. The bitz sites also seem to be a bit short on Forge World parts right now, so that's not an option either. Maybe I'll get some stuff when I'm next at WHW, but the prices are "generous" even without adding postage on top.

However, my Heresy order arrived today, which included some of their weapons sprues - they should work for my "unheroic" scaling, at least after a little conversion. I also got myself a set of Size 2 Clay shapers to go with my size 0 set, a new pin vice to replace the much hated one I currently have, a hundred 40mm bases and a lot of green stuff.

My order of brass rod (a hundred 12" lengths of 1/32" rod, mostly for armatures) and aluminium mesh (mostly for vehicle building projects) hasn't yet turned up, but hopefully will soon.

Current plan of action:
- Tidy my room so I have the space to work properly.
- Finish the Sororita and Katlien's warband for the Summer 'Clave. Considering calling Katlien's pilot Evelyn.
- Try and get the Stormtrooper "commission" done so its owner has the option to use it for the Summer 'Clave.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: Molotov on May 05, 2011, 07:36:39 PM
I found two of the Phobos bolters on eBay for £2.25 each - which I don't think is too unreasonable.

The link should be here (http://shop.ebay.co.uk/i.html?_nkw=phobos+bolter&_sacat=0&_odkw=inquisitor&_osacat=0&_trksid=p3286.c0.m270.l1313).

Looking forward to more progress with this unique model!
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on May 05, 2011, 09:33:31 PM
Ah, eBay. The option that never occurs to me. Yes, £2.25 is indeed much better money for the one bolter I need, and there are even a few other parts I could use on his store.

While looking around, I also ran across the Mk IV backpacks (http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/260770020016/) which would be a "good enough" approximation of an SoB power pack if you cut the "cones" off the power pack exhausts, but I'll stick with the one I've already spent hours butchering.

QuoteLooking forward to more progress with this unique model!
Well, it's obviously unique on the basis I'm making it (mostly) from scratch, but in a more general sense, I am a little surprised there aren't more 54mm Battle Sisters.

The Daemonhuntress would seem like an easy candidate for conversions, but perhaps it's just that finding a backpack and bolter to fit her is difficult. (28mm is probably too small, and Artemis' far too big).

EDIT: Bitz bought. Also got some of the Elysian weapons and other odd bits (Grey Knights swords mostly).
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on May 11, 2011, 12:33:37 AM
Right. The FW bitz arrived today. Had to straighten one of the Elysian sniper rifles with application of hot water, and the Phobos will need a little clean up, but that's easy work.

~~~~~

I'm afraid that's not much of an update, but I haven't got on with much recently because I've been doing things ranging from writing the Autumn Conclave/my segment of the VoIP DH campaign/more Ad Vitam Aeternam, rebuilding air rifles, dog training, plus I told myself I had to clean my bedroom so I can actually model in there without working on top of old junk.

However, tidying has still yielded some interesting results.

I have a shoebox basically filled with a job lot of parts I got from an acquaintance who played GW long ago, but found some leftover stuff he thought I could use, some of it actually going back to 2nd Ed 40k. This box has actually been in my room for a few months actually and while I organised the bitz a few months ago, I'd forgotten most of what was in it.

Going through it again, I picked out some of the stuff I thought I could put to use. One of the things was an Avatar that... well, I haven't many compliments of the painting, but he must have been younger than when I got into the hobby when he did it:
(http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inquisitor%20Models/WIP%20Models/CIMG2849.jpg)

The arms are missing, but with the paint stripped and the legs lengthened (they're proportionally short, and the model isn't quite tall enough for Inquisitor), I think it could serve as a good basis for that Warlock I was musing about.

There were also these:
(http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inquisitor%20Models/WIP%20Models/CIMG2848.jpg)

They seem familiar, but I can't actually name where they're from. Or for that matter, figure quite how they fit together. I can get them to stack vertically, but I suspect I may be missing some parts to clip them together side-to-side. Still, even if they're missing bits, there's still 12 panels that I should be able to combine with some plasticard to make a small building.

However, both are low priority until my stuff for the Summer (assuming there is one) and Autumn Conclaves is done. I'm afraid I'm only really presenting them to provide some content for the thread until I can get back to the more interesting stuff.
Still, having said that, you're probably all breathing a sigh of relief that Marco isn't about to go off on another tangent and thus not finish what he's currently working on.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: Molotov on May 11, 2011, 01:35:09 AM
Those are Necromunda bulkheads. They were never supposed to sit properly next to one another because the Necromunda buildings weren't designed that way. Nice find, though!
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on May 11, 2011, 02:02:01 AM
Of course. I never really got into Necromunda until well after GW was only marginally interested in the SGs any more, and ended up mostly using Catachan conversions for my gang anyway.
It seems that they're a reasonably popular OOP item, so I might have to do something slightly less crude than was my original plan, but as I said, a future project, so plenty of time to think about it.

Whichever way, good to know that them not fitting together wasn't me being stupid.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: Hadriel Caine on May 11, 2011, 08:43:50 AM
I made an SoB character using the damonhuntress years ago. Used the INQ heavy bolter on her. Not sure if I have a pic now though...

(background in this image http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc305/AdamCunis/Inquisitor/DSC01967.jpg)

I think yours is going to look fantastic.

Good job realising the proportion issue with the Avatar, I knew there was one but hadn't figured it out exactly- had planned something similar before.

Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on May 19, 2011, 03:30:35 AM
Today, a special treat. A "Marco does something" where Marco has actually done something.

Firstly, a WIP Godwyn-Deaz with Chain-Sarissa:

(http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inquisitor%20Models/WIP%20Models/IMG_4729.jpg)

I originally had thought about just using the FW chainblade attachment as is, but as I was contemplating it, it seemed like it would be ill balanced on the model and I went to a silly amount of trouble to try and closer replicate the Gears of War Lancer. It still needs more work, but it's looking okay so far.

Sculpting a pair of 2mm tall fleurs-de-lys is going to be all different kinds of not fun, but needs must.

If you're wondering why the magazine is missing, it's because she kept messing up her bolter drills so badly she had to be sent to flagellate herself. However, the poor girl has no arms yet, so it both explains why she kept dropping the magazine and will limit the degree of self harm she can inflict, so all is good.

More sensibly, it's because what isn't obvious on the FW site is that only right side of the magazine has an open window, the left is just blank. Based on the picture I'm working from, that's not going to do, so I'm going to have to procure a replacement.
Unfortunately, its magazine is bigger than the open-sided ones from the Chaos Marine bolters. I might be able to find a storm bolter which I can cut down in my bitzbox, but I'm anticipating that I may simply have to scratchbuild one.

I also did a very little with the Sister herself, adding the basic shape of the backpack's attachment point and sharpening some details with a Dremel, but it's not much and the pictures came out badly, so you'll have to wait for me to do something interesting enough that I'll take pictures again.

Second, some new armatures, unposed as of yet.
(http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inquisitor%20Models/WIP%20Models/CIMG2864.jpg)

From left to right: a Stormtrooper; Nyi; and Evelyn.

In order...

The Stormtrooper is... well, he's a Stormtrooper. I don't know much about him, because he's not my character.
He's part of a trade where I offered up a sculpt in exchange (which is not likely to be a regular deal, so stop wondering if you've got anything I want. Except 3rd Edition Howling Banshees, then I'd consider it.), and the eventual owner told me that he'd like his green stuff to be Stormtrooper shaped.

Based on the reference image I was given, he's going to be an excuse to give the Masq-mini tube tools I've ordered a real workout.

Nyi... this is the second attempt at her, as I hated the way the first one was turning out. I had an idea that seemed great, but it started to feel less like it had a place in 40k as I went.

I managed to get GIMP and my graphics tablet working well enough on this computer to let me work with some small files. I can work on the sketches of the DH characters, but the Amalathian cover is too much for this poxy machine - but this time, I scrawled the basics of a new concept image (not the final pose).
(http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Sketches/Nyi.jpg)

It's bad drawing and not a complete design, needing things like a design for the shoulderpad, but it's a start.
I've borrowed a certain amount from the fact I've been listening to Van Canto (a Metal a cappella band) on Youtube recently - some of the ideas come from what Inga Scharf was wearing in one of the videos, but I intend to remain unapologetic for that, as I love the idea of an Aquila choker. Not so sure I'll love it when it comes to doing it on the model, but... wait, I've already made this joke, haven't I?

Evelyn:
To be based on this one (http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Reference/CIMG2781.jpg) from the RT RPG book, as I said before.

There's a good chance that if I can find an excuse to show enough of her ankle/foot so her footwear is obvious, she'll get something based off the Portal 2 long fall boot. (I have to admit, it's a game I've yet to play - the decision is based off the promotional videos I've been watching while I wait for the price to come down a bit.)

I've got a few reasons for why she wears fancy high heels brewing in my head, but it's stupidly late, so you'll need to let me be slightly more coherent before I decide on which one. Whichever it is though, it'll probably come down to Catfall or something based on it.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: greenstuff_gav on May 19, 2011, 06:21:06 PM
Quote from: Molotov on May 11, 2011, 01:35:09 AM
Those are Necromunda bulkheads.

i may have scans of the necromunda card sections (i've just gotten hold of a load of these) if you wanted to recreate 'em in plasticard  :)
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: Dolnikan on May 20, 2011, 08:45:58 AM
A nice way to attach the sarissa, it even makes sense which is a dangerous thing for them.
Of course the other three models look very good as well. :)
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on May 21, 2011, 01:40:11 AM
The Sister as she is now, and the first big update on the main chunk of the model in most of a month, I think. However, I'll hopefully get my pace back soon.

(http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inquisitor%20Models/WIP%20Models/CIMG2879.jpg)
Rear (http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inquisitor%20Models/WIP%20Models/CIMG2880.jpg)

The most recent stage hasn't set yet, so hasn't been neatened in post-production (i.e. tidied with the craft knife), so apologies for that.

You can see some of the Masq-mini tubing around the neck (only the inside one is ribbed, the other is plain) - seems a simple enough process, and looks pretty professional for what was only a few minutes work.

Still lots to do, even ignoring the obviously missing stuff like the head or arms, but there's still six weeks before the Summer 'Clave, so I'm not too screwed for time if I actually remember to stop procrastinating.

Quote from: greenstuff_gav on May 19, 2011, 06:21:06 PMI may have scans of the necromunda card sections if you wanted to recreate 'em in plasticard
Wouldn't say no.

Quote from: Dolnikan on May 20, 2011, 08:45:58 AMOf course the other three models look very good as well.
I think you should reserve judgement on those guys... :P
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: Dolnikan on May 23, 2011, 08:39:14 AM
I love how the sister looks, the tubing is a very nice addition to her. I look forwards to seeing more of how she develops.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on May 23, 2011, 04:54:44 PM
When I started on the Battle Sister, I knew I was going to have to cheat on the beads for her chaplet. It would be a 'mare to sculpt, it wouldn't look right and it just wouldn't be possible to do that across the large mid-air gaps either. They also just don't do jewellery beads or chain small enough (and chain wouldn't have fit the background anyway). So I figured I'd probably use fine brass wire and some careful painting to produce the illusion of it being a chain of beads.

I am very glad to tell you I was utterly wrong. I've only done part of it so far, but...

(http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inquisitor%20Models/WIP%20Models/IMG_4741.jpg)

The Masq-Mini TubeTools have just hit this one straight out of the park, producing a chain of tiny beads barely half a millimetre across. Try doing THAT with guitar wire.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: Dolnikan on May 24, 2011, 08:32:40 AM
Wow, that looks very good, it looks very realistic especially considering their size.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on June 17, 2011, 04:59:55 PM
Oh dear. I've been a bit busy with other things, but I hadn't realised how long it was since I'd updated this thread.

With the Summer Conclave approaching, I think it's time to put on the pace and keep updating regularly...

So, without further ado:
(http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inquisitor%20Models/WIP%20Models/CIMG2940.jpg) (http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inquisitor%20Models/WIP%20Models/CIMG2940.jpg)

Usual caveats about the photos showing up mistakes that I've got to fix, of course. Click for full size, it seems the forum is auto-resizing them.

Aside from neatening up, this is most of the GS work on the body done (as the kit on her belt will probably be plastic bits mostly). The only real remaining stuff is, if I think I can, the Fleur-de-Lys necklace/chain (for your convenience, the original image (http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Reference/Sister_Of_Battle_Adepta_Sororitas.png)).
I'd like to, but the Ministorum symbol in the middle of her chest is a bit oversized, so it's going to make sculpting a chain in an area crowded with that and the Fleurs-de-lys on her breasts a little challenging.

We'll see. You may also notice the chaplet beads are missing here. I got thinking about durability, so I took them off and will be redoing them with a core of fine brass wire to give them a bit more strength.

Anyway, the head is in progress separately, and I'm debating how best to do the arms.

And the back:
(http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inquisitor%20Models/WIP%20Models/CIMG2941.jpg) (http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inquisitor%20Models/WIP%20Models/CIMG2941.jpg)

...without the backpack in the way (currently only pinned, it's not being glued until after painting:
(http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inquisitor%20Models/WIP%20Models/CIMG2942.jpg) (http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inquisitor%20Models/WIP%20Models/CIMG2942.jpg)

I debated other ways of doing the bow for her corset, but eventually I decided that anything relying on greenstuff "thread" would be very frail, so that is a tiny reef bow tied in 0.3mm brass wire. Slightly fiddly.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: Shannow on June 17, 2011, 05:45:16 PM
Simply stunning I do hope she makes it to the igt all done mare! She'd be a pleasure to play!
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on June 17, 2011, 09:42:28 PM
QuoteShe'd be a pleasure to play!
Weeeeeell... I expect she'll only get used in one game.

This isn't going to be her normal warband, and because she's a pretty formidable character, I don't want to end up putting her out with the more fighty of Katlien's allies. So there's only a certain three games on the day (I may end up GMing one), putting the Sister out twice would mean I'd get to put Vera out only once. And Vera is going to be fun. ;D

But I do want a chance to get the Sister on the table sometime soon.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: Damon on June 17, 2011, 10:07:56 PM
Incredible green stuffing. I can't wait to see the finished model
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: Zakkeg on June 18, 2011, 09:16:58 AM
Christ on a cracker - you have improved, haven't you? She'll be absolutely stunning when finished, I've no doubt. If I had a cap, I'd doff it.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on June 19, 2011, 02:46:58 AM
Today has been rather slow, and I've not got half as much done as I'd like (much time wasted trying to do chaplet beads with a brass wire core), but here's something nonetheless:

(http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inquisitor%20Models/WIP%20Models/CIMG2947.jpg) (http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inquisitor%20Models/WIP%20Models/CIMG2947.jpg)
(Again, click for full size)

Slightly rough work at the moment (I've yet to smooth the armour plates, and some reshaping to do), but this is the start of the Stormtrooper whose armature I posted on the last page.
I'm playing it a bit loose with the reference image I was given, going for more square and angular armour plates - partly personal taste, but also because I fancied practising flat areas and hard edges some more. (Not many of them on the other models I'm working on at the moment).

Quote from: Zakkeg on June 18, 2011, 09:16:58 AMChrist on a cracker - you have improved, haven't you?
I try.

If only I can now avoid wasting all the effort by smothering it with a sub-par paintjob. My brushwork really needs practice...
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: greenstuff_gav on June 19, 2011, 10:29:01 AM
Quote from: MarcoSkoll on June 19, 2011, 02:46:58 AM
If only I can now avoid wasting all the effort by getting them cast up

fixed ;)
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on June 19, 2011, 04:15:38 PM
She's really not designed for casting. For example, the corset bow, loincloth, parchment knot...

Also, I don't particularly want to make copies of my PC models, because it would lose the uniqueness I've tried to give them. (By copying official GW art, yeah, I know)

However, if I feel my skills are up to it, I will probably do a range of models for casting at some point in the future.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on June 28, 2011, 04:24:09 PM
Rightyho.

Good news is that the sister is almost finished.

(http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inquisitor%20Models/WIP%20Models/CIMG2957-1.jpg) (http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inquisitor%20Models/WIP%20Models/CIMG2957-1.jpg)
(Click for larger version. Sorry it's a bit rough in places, but I haven't yet polished out all of the filing/knife marks yet.)

She needs her sleeves, a left hand and her chaplet, there's a little more to do to the bolter (which takes longer than everything else, because the resin won't take the heat of trying to cure the putty faster) but her shoulder pads are on the way (http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inquisitor%20Models/WIP%20Models/IMG_4750-4751.jpg). Hopefully obviously, that edging is a rough framework, not the end result!

Sculpting should more or less be finished by this evening or early tomorrow, which should give me some time to tidy it up and then do a hopefully not awful paint job...

... but, bad news time. I haven't been able to do a head I'm happy with for Nyi, and given she's very important to the dynamic of Katlien's warband and that I'm no longer prepared to horribly rush models, Katlien is again getting pushed back to another event.

Sorry. But I do have another new model on the painting desk who I would love to get on the table, so I do have reserves.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: Hadriel Caine on June 28, 2011, 07:46:34 PM
Marco you're great. The improvement of your sculpting over the last few years is as incredible as it is encouraging. She looks wonderful. Can't wait for you to finish it!
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on June 28, 2011, 09:35:21 PM
Slightly more assembled (with generous amounts of blu tack), and the elbow joints made - just so there's some detail underneath the edges of the sleeves.

(http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inquisitor%20Models/WIP%20Models/CIMG2973.jpg) (http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inquisitor%20Models/WIP%20Models/CIMG2973.jpg)
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: Alyster Wick on June 28, 2011, 11:29:43 PM
That looks seriously fantastic. The progress you've made with your sculpting abilities is an inspiration to the rest of us to just keep trying. You really brought the image to life.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: Shannow on June 29, 2011, 11:02:15 AM
Not much too add to alysters post except that the face is truly fantastic, ever considered it as s career!
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on June 29, 2011, 12:19:58 PM
Yeah, it is funny to think the thread is only a little over a year and a half old. Neat, in its own way too - it's going to be interesting to see where the next year and a half takes me. Maybe there is a potential career in it, if I can stop myself getting side tracked along the way.

Right now though, this thread is the sidetracking culprit. Still got a bit to do for the sister, and finish the tweaks to Lyra (it seemed like a shame not to sharpen a few details and fix a few mistakes while her paint was stripped, particularly as you've all been talking about how much my skills have improved).

So... Dosvedanya!
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: DapperAnarchist on June 29, 2011, 12:31:38 PM
Its great!

But, to be constructive - 1) the Icon in the middle of the chest is a bit off? or is that photo angle? 2) the elbows could do with some cleaning up, they're not as good as the legs. Thats about all the constructive critique I can offer - the design is great, and the execution is lovely.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on June 29, 2011, 01:08:00 PM
The elbows are being cleaned up, but I'm not going to put as long into them as the legs, because almost all of that is going to be covered up by the sleeves.

The icon, however, I will check.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on July 12, 2011, 02:51:53 AM
Firstly, I have to apologise. I appear to be missing any pictures of the Battle Sister in this thread. I know many of you did see her at the Summer Conclave, but for the rest of you, I'll take some pictures when the sun is up tomorrow. Probably after fixing some of the sloppier freehand.

She is missing her chaplet for the moment, but that's because it was taking longer than I had spare before the Summer Conclave to get the beads right, and it was going to be easier to add it later if I hadn't tried to shoehorn in a "make do" that I'd have to get rid of again.

In other news, I'm probably going to make another one. This deviantART piece (http://fav.me/d20zjkw) caught my eye while I was working on the last one, and I think the Daemonhuntress I've got around is close enough that she won't need too much hacking to make into that - I know I didn't want to use her before, but she might as well get used for something.

Two Battle Sisters is probably slightly potty, but then again, so is deciding to make a 25 man Imperial Guard platoon, both genders of all but one of the Eldar Aspects and several vehicles.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: axiom on July 12, 2011, 11:11:39 AM
Tremendous sculpting work on the Sister - what I particularly like is that the pose looks really neat, natural and elegant. Great result!
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on July 12, 2011, 10:24:11 PM
One Battle Sister, currently using the name of Rhian unless I think of a better one.

(http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inquisitor%20Models/CIMG3098.jpg) (http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inquisitor%20Models/CIMG3098.jpg)
(Click for a size much less kind to my painting).
Left (http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inquisitor%20Models/CIMG3099.jpg), Rear (http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inquisitor%20Models/CIMG3100.jpg) & Right (http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inquisitor%20Models/CIMG3101.jpg)

As said on the last page, yes, her chaplet is missing. I won't repeat why all over again.
And the base is plain at present because I haven't decided on a scheme for the warband she'll eventually join. She'll be rebased when I know what that's going to be.

~~~~~

More stuff too.

The reworked Lyra:
(http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inquisitor%20Models/CIMG3089.jpg) (http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inquisitor%20Models/CIMG3089.jpg)
Left (http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inquisitor%20Models/CIMG3090.jpg), Rear (http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inquisitor%20Models/CIMG3091.jpg) & Right (http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inquisitor%20Models/CIMG3092.jpg)

Not perfect, but there was only so much I could do with the time I had and that old model. Compared to how she used to look (http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inquisitor%20Models/IMG_2459.jpg), there's been some minor rebalancing of her pose, I've narrowed the waist and fixed some of the other dodgy anatomy, details have been sharpened, and I'm less unhappy with the face (actually still the same one as she had before, but with a lot of carving from a hobby knife). And she now actually looks vaguely feminine, so yay.

I also changed her weapons. Revolver from the Heresy weapons sprues, and a new shock maul to replace the old one (partly because the old one was a bit crude, partly because Orla Riall destroyed the damn thing in Lyra's first game). I think the head is cut out of an Ogre Kingdoms standard, and the handle... that might be a Chaos warrior standard.

And of course, new paint and base.

Kai, more repainted than reworked:
(http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inquisitor%20Models/CIMG3093.jpg) (http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inquisitor%20Models/CIMG3093.jpg)
Left (http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inquisitor%20Models/CIMG3094.jpg), Rear (http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inquisitor%20Models/CIMG3096.jpg) & Right (http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inquisitor%20Models/CIMG3097.jpg)

The underlying model isn't much different to how he was at the 2009 IGT. Only an added rebreather, a slight adjustment to his feet, and a rebasing from before.
(EDIT: Might as well link to the old version. (http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inquisitor%20Models/IMG_2385.jpg))

By the way, sorry about the overall quality of the photos, but I forgot to get pictures while the sun was up, so I had to resort to the flash and diffusers.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on July 14, 2011, 03:07:28 PM
I don't buy 54mm models that often. If you don't include the two boxes of Airfix WWII models, it's a sum total of three since I first joined the Conclave not quite three years ago (10th Aug 2008), all of which were actually within the last four months.

Sgt Stone and Gav's Techpriestess (both at the IGT), and as of this week, a Yedharo Virgo off Kierkegaard.

Now, I'm not sure who else has this model, but as far as I know no-one has yet posted a scale shot of this apparently very tall model, I guess it's down to me.

The tallest model I currently have (excluding Artemis) is Marco, who roughly rivals RobSkib's "Big Mack (http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e58/RobSkib/Inquisitor/mack4.jpg)" for height.
So, line him, her, and the return of the unfinished Bloody Paulus up, and... well:

(http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inquisitor%20Models/WIP%20Models/CIMG3119.jpg)

This girl is a quite staggering 66mm tall. Some of that is down to her heels, but she's not exactly the 54mm she's sold as. By 1:32 scaling, that's about 7 feet tall.

I'm not complaining - personally, I think it's great; I like my models to be all sorts of different heights. In fact, I may even deliberately exaggerate it further by finding ways to add an extra couple of mm here and there.

But for those of you who are less keen on such things, she might be one to give a miss.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: Alyster Wick on July 16, 2011, 04:22:35 PM
The tall slender female model that you have is an absolutely perfect Eldar. She's slender, well built and with a certain ethereal quality about her (though that may just be the color of the material used).  Either way, I'd definitely love to get my hands on one, I'll have to google Yedharo Virgo.

Oh, and your minis are only getting better. Kai's new paintjob looks great as does the reworked Lyra. As for the completed battle sister, well done. It's a mini I'm sure many of us would be happy to purchase (though I definitely understand your not wanting to cast it up).
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: DapperAnarchist on July 16, 2011, 05:07:04 PM
And with that armour, she's a Dark Eldar waiting to happen...
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: Shannow on August 05, 2011, 12:07:50 AM
I can think of no better way to return to the clave after a break by commenting on how amazing your sister of battle looks.

And rather aptly I am listening to pink Floyd as in type this:p the final cut if your interested.

Stunning work
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on August 10, 2011, 06:58:25 PM
More on the matter of the Avatar to 54mm Warlock conversion:

All the cuts made to the Avatar:
(http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inquisitor%20Models/WIP%20Models/CIMG3512a.jpg) (http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inquisitor%20Models/WIP%20Models/CIMG3512a.jpg)

Like I said some posts back, the legs on the Avatar are proportionally too short so those have been cut to be lengthened, but I'm also adding a little in at the waist and neck, because I want this guy to have the height and slender appearance the Eldar have in my mind (He'll up end somewhat over 60mm tall)

And what it looks like with the basic lengthening and bulking done:
(http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inquisitor%20Models/WIP%20Models/CIMG3511a.jpg) (http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inquisitor%20Models/WIP%20Models/CIMG3511a.jpg)

Once the GS is set, I may well decide to recut it to bring the legs closer together. I'm expecting him to look alien and there is going to be more bulk added to the inside thighs, but it still may be a bit too out of place.

EDIT: Also recently picked up a Lady Jena on Ebay. Still trying to decide on how I'll convert it, but its a model I've long liked but never actually bought...
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: Inquisitor Octavian Lars on August 10, 2011, 08:05:00 PM
[ShockHorror]I thought Marco didn't buy GW 54mm models[/ShockHorror]
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: biggreengribbly on August 10, 2011, 10:42:53 PM
Quote from: Inquisitor Octavian Lars on August 10, 2011, 08:05:00 PM
[ShockHorror]I thought Marco didn't buy GW 54mm models[/ShockHorror]

So long as he still makes a point of not buying them *from* GW, I think he's safe ;)
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: Heroka Vendile on August 10, 2011, 10:52:18 PM
Quote from: biggreengribbly on August 10, 2011, 10:42:53 PM
Quote from: Inquisitor Octavian Lars on August 10, 2011, 08:05:00 PM
[ShockHorror]I thought Marco didn't buy GW 54mm models[/ShockHorror]

So long as he still makes a point of not buying them *from* GW, I think he's safe ;)
and yet I spy with my little eye something beginning with Citadel Cutting Mat :P
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: Stormgrad on August 11, 2011, 12:06:08 AM
There is the possibility that these where bought before his boycott or before his skills reached the point where he was able to say right no more
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: Heroka Vendile on August 11, 2011, 12:55:30 AM
either way I should probably stop making fun at the expense of our current DarkHeresy GM, might end up with a vendetta against my character. ;)
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on August 11, 2011, 01:42:13 AM
I have no vendetta for your character. I mean, you even had someone arrive just in the nick of time to save you from the man who didn't want his truck stolen.

The fact he broke his face and needed to be rescued by a girl in the first place isn't a vendetta, it's just hilarious.

~~~~~

Now, I see we've gone a bit off topic...

In summary: Jena - bought unused, but second hand. Avatar - from a box of late 90s stuff a mate gave me (and anyway, would have been Finecast if bought recently). Cutting mat - actually the last thing I ever bought from GW,  around about a month before I started my boycott.

All perfectly legit by the rules I set - i.e. Neither GW or a direct supplier has been handed any of my money.

~~~~~

Anyway, more on topic, I've reassessed the Warlock, and those legs aren't quite as weird as they look in the photo, so adjustments will be minor.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: RobSkib on August 12, 2011, 01:08:43 PM
I will be very interested to see how this chap t urns out. Will he be weilding a singing spear or sword 'n' pistol combo?

Also.. what happened to those guardsmen? :P
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on August 12, 2011, 03:44:47 PM
Either a Singing Spear or some Eldritch staff - they're more distinctively "Path of the Seer" than sword and pistol combos.

I'd like to leave some of the base model visible without hiding it all under robes - which, as it's something of a break from what Seers normally look like, will need other visual cues to reinforce that it's a Warlock.
A traditional wizard pose with the "staff" clenched in one hand and the other hand outstretched to cast will get that into player's minds nice and clearly, I think.

Also, it will suit the model better. The Avatar has a raised left shoulder, so really needs a raised left arm (and will naturally look right), and that works better to have that arm raised to grip the haft of a spear than flailing a sword around in mid air.

QuoteAlso.. what happened to those guardsmen?
They got left mostly finished at a mate's house shortly before the IGT. I didn't get them back until afterwards - at which point I didn't have any immediate need for them, so I was working on more important things instead.

They should appear at the Autumn Conclave.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on August 13, 2011, 12:50:13 AM
Going off on yet another tangent (but that's me for you)...

(http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inquisitor%20Models/WIP%20Models/CIMG3614.jpg) (http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inquisitor%20Models/WIP%20Models/CIMG3614.jpg)

This one has been sat around blu-tacked for years now, so I've gone and pinned/glued it all. It still needs GSing, but I'll have to work out what hair he's having (if any at all).

Unusually for me, this is a model who I haven't the foggiest of who it might be, but I had a pile of what used to be old characters and these bits just looked good together. Probably not very original given it's a simple combination of two early models (if you ignore the Kal Jericho laspistols, relics of when they still did bitz), but I like it.

But I have to say - at this stage, having had to make many different cuts and holes in most of the numerous whitemetal models on my modelling desk, I am only being reminded why I largely tend to sculpt rather than convert. Green Stuff takes far less work.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on August 14, 2011, 01:11:45 AM
The half Slick and half Sgt. Stone, who is currently being referred to as Sgt. Slock:

(http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inquisitor%20Models/WIP%20Models/CIMG3681.jpg) (http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inquisitor%20Models/WIP%20Models/CIMG3681.jpg)
Back (http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inquisitor%20Models/WIP%20Models/CIMG3679.jpg)
He got unlucky - no hair, just a beret. Traveller did this to a Slick recently and I liked it, so yoink. Unfortunately, a brainfart had me forget which way military berets "flop", so that's probably going to have to get redone.

~~~~~

And now, another Sgt. Stone - finally getting on with Bloody Paulus again.

(http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inquisitor%20Models/WIP%20Models/CIMG3680.jpg) (http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inquisitor%20Models/WIP%20Models/CIMG3680.jpg)
(http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inquisitor%20Models/WIP%20Models/CIMG3675.jpg) (http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inquisitor%20Models/WIP%20Models/CIMG3675.jpg)
(http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inquisitor%20Models/WIP%20Models/CIMG3677.jpg) (http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inquisitor%20Models/WIP%20Models/CIMG3677.jpg)

Unfortunately, I only know of five pictures of the original Bloody Paulus (three in the rulebook, one from the 2002 Catalogue and one in Exterminatus 10 - the last of which I don't have with me), and they don't show him from very many angles. Particularly annoyingly, unless Exterminatus 10 shows an angle I don't remember, the rear right quarter is going to be mostly guesswork.

Still, it's proving good fun. I like making models that never were.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: precinctomega on August 14, 2011, 08:23:07 PM
Not "Sgt Schlock"?

He would make an awesome INQ character!  In fact, I can imagine running games of INQ using the background and characters from Schlock Mercenary really easily.

R.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: Adlan on August 15, 2011, 01:39:06 PM
Quote from: precinctomega on August 14, 2011, 08:23:07 PM
Not "Sgt Schlock"?

He would make an awesome INQ character!  In fact, I can imagine running games of INQ using the background and characters from Schlock Mercenary really easily.

R.

There are actually some 28mm minitures for some of Schlocks Characters. I painted one up for my dad's birthday. Might be good for Inq28, but Schlock is a Powergamers dream.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on August 15, 2011, 04:26:10 PM
Sergeant Schlock is indeed the inspiration for the nickname. The worrying thing is that said nickname will probably stick in one spelling or the other.

The other worrying thing is now I want to do a character with a plasma gun that hums ominously.

QuoteHe would make an awesome INQ character!
I'm not so sure. Like Adlan says, he's not exactly balanced. Fast, strong, and anything short of vaporising bits of him is just temporary damage.

It wouldn't be unlike treating the T-1000 Terminator as a good Inquisitor character. Perhaps as a GM antagonist, but it's just too powerful to be a player character.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: Hugh Jarse on August 15, 2011, 08:30:55 PM
Quote from: MarcoSkoll on August 14, 2011, 01:11:45 AM
Unfortunately, a brainfart had me forget which way military berets "flop"

Your OK either way mate as its country dependant, British and yank put the teddy-bear ear above the left eye, French Foriegn Legion, amongst others, above the right..... or you could go down the Frank Spencer route  :-\
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: Adlan on August 16, 2011, 11:05:02 AM
Quote from: MarcoSkoll on August 15, 2011, 04:26:10 PM
The other worrying thing is now I want to do a character with a plasma gun that hums ominously.
In my head, all Plasma guns hum ominiously. Either ominious for you or the guy your are gonna shoot.  ;D

Are you going to put a Cap badge or any insignia on the Beret?
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on August 16, 2011, 05:11:12 PM
I don't know. I need to decide if I'm redoing it first - it's not essential, but I probably will if I mix up too much GS at some point.

However, good question. I might see if any of the FW brass Imperial eagles I have are small enough. I don't think so, but we'll see.

~~~~~

On the note of Schlock, it occurs to me that while he might be a questionable Inquisitor character, many of the plots involved would be good ones for a Rogue Trader adventure - the first Credomar story, if it were adapted for 40k, would be a good one for RT.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: Easy E on August 29, 2011, 03:33:53 AM
Quote from: MarcoSkoll on August 13, 2011, 12:50:13 AM

But I have to say - at this stage, having had to make many different cuts and holes in most of the numerous whitemetal models on my modelling desk, I am only being reminded why I largely tend to sculpt rather than convert. Green Stuff takes far less work.

Couldn't agree more. 

This is a fun log.  Keep up the interesting work. 
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on August 29, 2011, 12:38:41 PM
Well, as this topic has been kicked...

I'm afraid the work has been delayed because my green stuff has gone funny on me. It was reasonable when I started this trip, but it's been left in a hot place or something and it's gone stiff and rubbery.

Fortunately, I have three rolls stashed in the freezer at home, so all should be well when I get back (Wednesday, most likely) but it's still a bloody nuisance right now.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on September 09, 2011, 04:40:07 PM
I'm largely mired in secret stuff for the Autumn Conclave now, so you can't see that - but here's something else instead*.

(http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inquisitor%20Models/WIP%20Models/CIMG4710.jpg) (http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inquisitor%20Models/WIP%20Models/CIMG4710.jpg)

Obviously a lot of it is just crude bulking, without the upper layers added, but it'll give you a feel for the end result.

The only reasonably detailed work so far is some of the work on the helmet (which isn't quite as scrappy as it looks in the photo) and the work on the "ribcage". For some reason there were four ribs on the left flank but two on the right... so I added some more, which also helped straighten up the pattern on the chest (on the Avatar, it's only hung around his neck and is wonky, but here it'll be an integral part of the rune armour).

If you're wondering about scale, he's a tall one - 60mm to the eye.

*Not that there's no chance this guy will appear at the Autumn 'Clave - I may run an Eldar based scenario if the mood takes me. The wonderful thing about Eldar is you can have them poking their nose into anything for no apparent reason.

~~~~~

In unrelated news, I can't find where I've misplaced my Daemonhuntress. Damn, an extra sister for the Autumn 'Clave would have been useful.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on September 28, 2011, 01:41:29 PM
Well, I've just bought two kilos of lead shot for the Jubilee. Fun for all the family, as long as you don't eat it.

One thing I'm having trouble with though is finding small-ish quantities of fine (paint grade) aluminium powder. eBay is a no-go, as it's banned under their pyrotechnics rules, and most of the sites I've found are selling it in eye-popping quantities, asking stupid money or don't give any indication of the fineness of the powder. Has anyone got any good recommendations?

(And before you ask, it does need to be powder as opposed to just metallic paint.)
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on October 10, 2011, 05:10:48 PM
I'll take that as no-one knowing about the aluminium powder. Different question then:

I'm considering buying a cheap canned-air airbrush to make painting things like the Rhino and Sentinel a little easier. Worthwhile, or just a complete waste of time and money?
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: Trasher on October 11, 2011, 09:06:10 AM
Well Marco, wouldn't a big brush be sufficient, and cheaper, than the airbrush if you'll only paint the Rhino and Sentinel?

But on the other hand, can you see any other use for it? For example painting terrain or a whole table perhaps?
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on October 11, 2011, 02:08:14 PM
I will be doing more vehicles in future, so it's not only the Rhino and Sentinel.

I'm not really looking for the cheapest option - I'm looking for an easy one.
Title: Marco does something small
Post by: MarcoSkoll on January 02, 2012, 06:25:06 AM
MODERATION EDIT: From this point, I've merged my 54mm and 28mm threads. Posts originally in the INQ28 thread will be titled "Marco does something small".

ORIGINAL POST:
I know that just about all of my modelling has gone into the "Marco does something" thread, but I'm making a separate thread for the 28mm Inquisitor stuff I'm working on so it can be kept separate.
I've already been running this thread for a short while on Ammobunker, but much as I dislike trying to run threads on multiple forums, I've decided to put it here as well.

Anyway, as I said, this is Inq28. I started writing an article for Carthax a while back discussing the pros and cons of each scale (and I still intend to finish it) but what I realised quickly was that most of my assessment of INQ28 was somewhat secondhand, extrapolated from other 28mm work and my experiences with 54mm Inquisitor.

So, after a while, I have now actually got around to earning my own perspective. As a plus, it gives me an opportunity to buy some models I've long wanted to, as well as opens up the possibility of playing Inquisitor at 28mm events too. (As and when there's actually one I'm allowed to, dangerous 54mm dissenter that I am).

So, moving on. At this point I should point out that a lot of these ideas are only half formed, which isn't my normal method for making characters or warbands, but this is all about trying new approaches. In Marco language, I'm winging it.*

~~~~~

Alyx Paige:

(http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inq28/Inq28-WIP/IMG_4773.jpg)
Left (http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inq28/Inq28-WIP/IMG_4774.jpg), Rear (http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inq28/Inq28-WIP/IMG_4775.jpg) & Right (http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inq28/Inq28-WIP/IMG_4776.jpg)

Originally started to represent my assassin for PO's Dark Heresy adventure, this Lelith Hesperax conversion was sidelined by a transfer to Skype. However, I still want to finish her - and as the character I originally envisioned.

However, I'm not planning on nicking everyone else's characters from the RPG, so the plan to give her a home is to put together another one of Inquisitor Rhodes' acolyte teams, which she can be assigned to as the mood takes me.

~~~~~

An as of yet unnamed Daemonhost:
(http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inq28/Inq28-WIP/IMG_4785.jpg)
Right View (http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inq28/Inq28-WIP/IMG_4788.jpg)
Close-up of hands (http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inq28/Inq28-WIP/IMG_4787.jpg)

Converted from the Heresy Miniatures Tunnel Priest, this guy was a natural Chaos nasty. However, I bought him with plans for him to become a Sorcerer, but quickly decided upon his arrival in the mail that he'd be a better 'host. Aside from anything else, there aren't enough warbands lead by daemonhosts.

The base of the Priest's staff looked much like an incense burner, and that's what inspired what we have here. The idea of a daemon sculpting smoke into weapons, animals and other nasties was too irresistible, so that's what I've started. There will ultimately be a snake lunging out of the smoke, but that's a little fiddly until I get my hand back in.

The host itself will be able to vaporise into smoke, allowing it to pass through air vents, keyholes and the like (although not completely solid matter), as well as having a defence not entirely unlike the "Ghost Twins" from Matrix:Reloaded (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SjQkP1kpUGQ#t=1m0s).

~~~~~

This is the most intact idea at present. The plan here is to make a warband that can be used at WHW if needs me (i.e. GW models or scratchbuilds), so I started with a list of GW models I liked and tried to see which could be found second-hand on eBay.

So, in keeping with the winging it, I found the Wood Elf Highborn with Great weapon, Brettonian Damsel/Sorceress and Escher with shotgun, and shamelessly nicking the core of an idea Kaled's proposed...

The Highborn is a noble from a medieval world (an icy/snowy region, because I saw one very nicely done up in a snow colour scheme) who was recruited about 30 years ago by an Inquisitor.
Bringing along his manservant/squire (model TBA), an off-worlder who had been sold into labour for a trivial debt, and one of the many Sisters Famulous who had their part in the standing of his family (the Damsel), the expected dynamic between the three continued for sometime.

However, over time, the manservant's more technologically advanced upbringing, wider experience and hard working attitude proved him far more valuable to the Inquisition, eventually earning promotion to Explicator, then Interrogator and was finally sponsored to full Inquisitorial rank.
Taking his former master and the Sororita as the start of his organisation, the former squire has been growing his reputation and allies for the last decade.


That's the start of the plan, and it allows me to use quite a wide range of technologies in the warband, with characters like the Highborn alongside more tech-savvy characters.

The original idea has already twisted slightly. I had planned to use the Escher with shotgun (http://www.collecting-citadel-miniatures.com/wiki/images/d/d7/Escher_with_shotgun.jpg)** as the warband's tough guy girl, but I quickly decided I really wanted to get this one with a Lasgun (http://www.collecting-citadel-miniatures.com/wiki/images/a/a9/Escher_with_lasgun_2.jpg)** as well, so the plan quickly changed to twin sisters who had grown up constantly looking after each other. Cohesive and tough, the pair were excellent hired help for the (relatively) new Inquisitor.
It sounds like a good enough reason for two similar models in a warband to me, at least.

(**Sorry for the outside links, the models are bought, but still in the post ATM.)

Modelling progress on this so far has been giving the Damsel a haircut:
(http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inq28/Inq28-WIP/IMG_4798.jpg) (http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inq28/Inq28-WIP/IMG_4804.jpg)
Additional photos: Left (http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inq28/Inq28-WIP/IMG_4803.jpg) & Right (http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inq28/Inq28-WIP/IMG_4805.jpg)

It seems I have a habit of giving metal models radical haircuts (which may well continue with the Eschers).

~~~~~

I've also got Autumn, Kaylee and Si'Rene from the Spyglass range around, as well as Heresy's Jessica Rae (bought for something I later abandoned).

I'm not sure on Autumn, Kaylee or Jessica yet, but Si'Rene is settling in my mind as a tribal swordswoman - a chief's daughter whose father traded valuable ores for some of the finer examples of technology such as mono-weaponry, digi-lasers and conversion fields. The anachronism seems more fun than sticking firmly to the normal assumptions about simple technology being more "noble" - and quite justifiable, all in all.
I'm thinking that perhaps she'll be one of Rhodes' acolytes.

~~~~~

Anyway, I'm not expecting much input, but I'm putting this here for the sake of it.

*Fortunately though, I'm very, very good at winging it.
Title: Re: Marco does something small
Post by: Dolnikan on January 02, 2012, 05:00:04 PM
The models look very good, I especially like the damsel so far, it's a lovely model. And I really like the subversion of the old noble becomes an inquisitor and takes his old squire with him.
Title: Re: Marco does something small
Post by: MarcoSkoll on January 05, 2012, 03:31:08 AM
I can't take much credit for that, as it's largely nicked from Kaled's post here (http://www.the-conclave.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=1539.msg20404#msg20404), but I'd like to think I can conjure up a way to make it my own.

~~~~~

Also, new post: (This was mostly written for Ammobunker, so if anything seems slightly out of place, that may be why.)

Today's news is that more stuff has arrived from eBay.

The two Escher:
(http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inq28/Inq28-WIP/IMG_4808.jpg)
As you can probably see, there has already been a bit of cutting and filing. (Amongst other things, I much prefer that shotguns don't look like the magazine is another barrel, which is one of GW's regular faux-pas)
Definitely more to come though. Possibly more of the hairdressing.

And the Highborn (again, a bit of cutting and filing):
(http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inq28/Inq28-WIP/IMG_4809.jpg)
Based on the amount of superglue I had to clean off around the hand joints, I'm not surprised the previous owner had lost the sword (hence getting it cheaper) - it can't have been glued at all properly!

So, the branch (mostly) and plant life removed, this guy is going to be the noble. He's going to need a sword (or quite possibly swords plural, as I did quite like the dual wielding look when I broke out the bits box and the blu-tac) of course, but the big question is whether I want to keep the bow that's slung across the model's back.
It'd be nice to give him a bit of an opportunity for ranged combat, but I worry if this would risk leaving the model "too fantasy".

Beyond that, various changes are needed to make the model a bit less elven. Obviously the ears, but body shape, boots and (perhaps) some of the armour design need changing.

~~~~~

Beyond that, I'm looking for at least one more warband member, and a psyker seems tempting. I already have an idea for that model, as I have a Mordheim Elf Mage (an easy psyker) who I bought years ago for my High Elf army - but these days I can see he doesn't really fit with the aesthetic of the army, so I want to replace with an Avatar of War figure.

However, the big question of the Inquisitor remains... and it wouldn't be a proper warband of mine without at least one model made from the ground up.
It happens that I was reading the Radical's Handbook the other day and got rather attached to the Lady Inquisitrix here (http://www.fantasyflightgames.com/ffg_content/dark-heresy/images/FFG_WH40K%20DH08_Chap%205%20Factions_HRF.jpg).

This may require a bit of fudging around with the initial concept, as it's not the normal thing for a Lord's chief servant to be a woman, but then again it's a big galaxy and it could add an interesting level to the whole relationship.

1) If we assume the noble brought the servant along out of some sense of superiority, believing that it was his place to be waited upon (and perhaps he had even chosen a woman servant for the sense of misogynistic power?), then it's an opportunity for extra conflict - not only has he been bested by his servant, he was usurped by a woman!

2) Alternatively, perhaps the servant came along with the noble because the two were lovers (secretly or otherwise). Maybe they still are, maybe they aren't. I quite like the idea of two ex-partners still working together as friends (perhaps with occasional old fights bubbling up) even if they are no longer "together together".

Again, more intra-warband relationships. (This is the kind of thing I love about Inquisitor, the fact the multiple character format gives you all that extra creative freedom.) I think option 2b (former lovers) appeals best, as for one thing I've done both option 1 and 2a in some form before and, for another, the grudge in option 1 seems like it could be too extreme to work - too unstable and dangerous to last. Mind you, all options to be considered, and opinions welcomed.

(You can probably also tell why I'm working on different models a bit at a time, rather than just flying through them one by one - I'm developing their characters bit by bit as well.)

~~~~~

As a curious aside, that combination for the warband would mean that none of the characters were based off a WH40K model. Not exactly important, although it does play into my "thing" for showing GW that their less popular games/ranges are still appreciated.

In other news, I've got a smallish order coming in from Maelstrom, probably tomorrow (and by tomorrow, I mean "Today, but I haven't been to bed yet") with various models in it that should be of use. Privateer Press (Rutger Shaw, a good desperado type), Corvus Belli (Reverend Custodier, looks like a potential Techpriestess) and a couple of Wyrd (Sonnia Criid and Viktoria - both potential Interrogators, perhaps even an Inquisitor in Sonnia's case). I know some of those have been used by other INQ28ers, but they're nice anyway. I will, however, try to avoid bothering you with too many of those yet and actually instead get on with what I'm already working on first!
Title: Re: Marco does something small
Post by: Dolnikan on January 05, 2012, 02:26:59 PM
Ah, the wood elf with great weapon, mine loses the sword all the time, it somehow never holds for long when it is transported.
I like the idea of former lovers, especially when one of them used to have power overthe other and that aspect of their relationship was overthrown, perhaps he couldn;t stand her superior position and that lead to a breakup?
Title: Re: Marco does something small
Post by: MarcoSkoll on January 05, 2012, 05:47:03 PM
No, I think that I'd like them to have had a healthier relationship and less selfish breakup than that.
There should definitely be the potential for the two to have their differences, but they can't be so serious as to get back to the question of why the two are actually still around each other.
If he actually resented her that strongly for it, then even an Inquisitor in love would eventually have to concede buying him a ticket back home.

Instead, I think it's perhaps best to go for the simple ideas - an Inquisitor having such an obvious weakness as a lover is an incredible risk, so perhaps it was the work that forced them to break up.
I can still build in the ideas about how her success affected him, but I wonder if he necessarily needs to be entirely negative about it... after all, if they genuinely loved each other (as opposed to some flimsy "relationship"), perhaps he's even glad to have seen her succeed?

Not sure on that though. It would be a mix-up of the original concept, but it could still include various factors about how it has affected their perceptions and interactions with each other - and, of course, I did want to put my own twist on the idea!
Title: Re: Marco does something small
Post by: MarcoSkoll on January 06, 2012, 12:16:40 AM
After Molotov asked about what I was going to "do to differentiate them from everybody else's Escher models",
I've parted Ms Shotgun from her hair (Ms Lasgun is going to be more work), and arranged blu-tac on her head in various styles. You'll have to phorgive the fotography, as it was only a quick test, but here we go:

(http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inq28/Inq28-WIP/IMG_4812.jpg)

In normal reading order, we've got a bobcut, free hanging long hair, long hair over the shoulder, and a less crazy ponytail than she had before. (Or maybe a braid instead, although that might be what I do for the Famulous.)

I think I'm most keen on the two on the bottom line (it'll be down to the personality I want to go with) and least happy with the top right, but if anyone has their own opinions or different suggestions, I'll take them.
Title: Re: Marco does something small
Post by: Dolnikan on January 06, 2012, 11:28:46 AM
I think that the ponytail looks very good, it even seems a bit practical and the flow fits well with the head.
Title: Re: Marco does something small
Post by: Prasmatis on January 07, 2012, 04:47:11 AM
I agree with Dolnikan, go with the ponytail.
Title: Re: Marco does something small
Post by: Keravin on January 07, 2012, 02:14:16 PM
Ponytail as well for me.  I think it frames her face better as well.
Title: Re: Marco does something small
Post by: Herald on January 07, 2012, 03:21:41 PM
To buck the trend I prefer the loose, long hair as it seems the most feminine and therefore differentiates the model most from the original Escher. The ponytail is my second favourite though if you decide to go with the majority.
Title: Re: Marco does something small
Post by: MarcoSkoll on January 07, 2012, 08:39:48 PM
My own opinion was mostly towards the ponytail, and it seems most people agree. It's got a practical side but is still reasonably feminine, so it fits with the "tough girl" personality that's probably appropriate.

There are a couple of people (including Ammobunker) who said the bottom left option, but the "most different" reasoning seems to have factored in that - and while I want her to look different, I don't want that to be the deciding factor in any choice. While covering her from head to toe in static grass would make her very different, but that doesn't mean looking like a green wookie would be a good option.

Now I need to check what works for the other twin and decide whether I want to tie them together with the same style or differentiate them with different ones.
Title: Re: Marco does something small
Post by: Draco Ferox on January 08, 2012, 10:29:47 AM
Quote from: MarcoSkoll on January 07, 2012, 08:39:48 PM
While covering her from head to toe in static grass would make her very different, but that doesn't mean looking like a green wookie would be a good option.

^ This would save enormously on painting time ^

On the models, I think I prefer the long hair over the shoulder, but if you sculpt one with the ponytail, why not give the other one the hair over the shoulder? In the pictures, it looks like the ponytail goes over her shoulder, so this would tie the models together without being too similar.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on January 17, 2012, 01:39:47 AM
Man, it's been ages since I updated this thread.

Anyway, working on stuff for the IGT. Redoing some of Katlien's warband (yes, again...) in the hopes of improved P&M scores.

As it always is though, the problems only ever come out when it's been photographed, so...

(http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inquisitor%20Models/WIP%20Models/IMG_4838.jpg)

... which looks really rubbish up on the screen. Lots of scruffy areas, the chin needs straightening, I'm not happy with the right eye (although, as this is Katlien's head v2 and I'll be fitting a bionic over that eye, I'm debating whether I'm just going to accept that or whether I think it's going to upset the balance of the face) and she looks too cheerful.

Mind you, as this is 7mm rather than the 8mm heads I've done before (which was perhaps a mite large, even at the slightly larger 1:30th scale I use), there's perhaps one victory to be counted there.
Title: Re: Marco does something small
Post by: MarcoSkoll on January 21, 2012, 05:29:46 AM
Finally got on with some 28mm work in between 54mm work and Infinity, and still forgetting that I need to mix a lot less putty for 28mm than 54mm, particularly if I'm not sculpting the whole damn thing from scratch. Mind you, there's always an armature or two around that needs bulking out.

~~~~~

The shotgun twin.

(http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inq28/Inq28-WIP/IMG_4844.jpg)
(Sorry about the focus in the bottom right picture.)

Eventually settled on the ponytail. It generally came out on top in the voting, and it seemed the right mix of feminity/practicality for the character. Sure, she had a ponytail before, but it was whackier and came with a mohawk.

Other than that, remodelled shotgun, various detailing and a slight resculpt on her chest (some of the Escher do look like they've got oddly shaped breasts. Seems even Jes can make the odd mistake now and again.)

There's more to do though. Not sure exactly how much, as like I said before (or think I said) I don't want to completely mess with the model, because I don't want to risk losing what I liked about it.

I'm still planning on that sling for the shotgun, maybe a few more trinkets and depending on whether I decide it's a pump or a semi-auto shotgun, maybe an ejecting shell - as, being a bit of a firearms geek, I can't help but notice that the pump would be at the bolt rear position.
[small](Before anyone mentions shotguns like the NS2000/RMB-93 and their forward-back action, the design here is all wrong to be a fixed breech shotgun , which usually have the barrel underneath the magazine - firmly fixed to the pump - and wouldn't have a conventional ejection port like this.)[/small]

That said, I think she's already got a feel rather different to the original model.

~~~~~

The lasgun twin has had the basics of a haircut:

(http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inq28/Inq28-WIP/IMG_4848.jpg)

She's sporting something of a Phantom of the Opera look at the moment, the early stages of an attempt to re-sculpt the face underneath the removed hair. I find 54mm faces fiddly enough, so this might be a bit of work...

You can also see how much repair is needed here - there were three ponytails to remove, including one between her arm/lasgun/body, which is going to need her entire left flank and upper arm resculpted. Fortunately though, there was a good angle to cut between the lasgun and the body to minimise the repair elsewhere.

~~~~~

I'm still looking for their names. The combo attack of trying to satisfy my habits for mythological/themed/meaningful names by looking for mythlogical twins only turns up one pair of female twins, Helen and Clytemnestra (strictly quadruplets to Castor and Pollux). Not sure how I feel about those. Maybe.
Title: Re: Marco does something small
Post by: Dolnikan on January 21, 2012, 04:40:43 PM
The ponytail came out looking very good. The rest of the work looks good as well, it makes the model look nice.
Title: Re: Marco does something small
Post by: Necris on January 22, 2012, 08:52:47 AM
You could try something like the Damask brothers from the Boom comic exterminatus

they are the 2 in the background

(http://clzimages.com/comic/large/5a/5a_190509_0_Warhammer40000Exterminatus2A.jpg)
Title: Re: Marco does something small
Post by: Dolnikan on January 22, 2012, 12:01:38 PM
I can't think of many female twins but there are other classical sisters you could name them after, perhaps some of the daughters of Actaeus(Herse, Pandrosus, Agraulos) or perhaps you could name them after the wives of Amphion and Zethus, Thebe and Niobe.

O the joys of a classical education.
Title: Re: Marco does something small
Post by: MarcoSkoll on January 23, 2012, 05:29:01 AM
Quote from: Necris on January 22, 2012, 08:52:47 AMYou could try something like the Damask brothers from the Boom comic Exterminatus
Assuming you're referring to my "Phantom of the Opera" comment, that was a reference to the model's current two-faced appearance, not any plan to have her like that in the end. That said, the idea has been squirrelled away for later use.

Also, a minor update.

Firstly, I decided to swap the hilt on the Escher's knife for one of the plastic Space Marine ones.
(http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inq28/Inq28-WIP/IMG_4853.jpg)
Not the kind of thing you'd normally even notice, but I've always liked that eagle head pommel.

And the Highborn... In the process of reducing his bandy-leggeded pose, it turns out that his body is really more like 35mm scale than 32mm. His original legs were short for the body, so now I'm redoing them, he's going to end up a little taller than most of the other models. That works for me though, as it will tie in quite well with his draft background and skill-set.

Here's a rough sketch of the plan (yay graphics tablet):
(http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inq28/Inq28-WIP/IMG_4852.jpg)
Only rough, with three major caveats.

Firstly, the boot design was a total placeholder (Drawing feet is not a strongpoint, so as this was only a pose sketch, I went with what I found easiest). It'll either be armoured boots or maybe some kind of arctic boot to tie in with the winter theme I had in mind.
Secondly, I'm considering having the left sword held across in front of the body.
Thirdly, he'll be standing on something more interesting. Again, placeholder. But I'm looking for something distinctively sci-fi to help drive home the anachronism (and make him look more like he's in 40k without arbitrarily giving him a bionic eye or something, which I may be doing with the Famulous anyway).

On other notes, he's going to keep the bow. Aside from the fact it'd be a challenge to remove cleanly, it works with his background and I'm not going to have many other chances to have a character use one.

In other news, I also need to decide what I'm doing with the psyker. I think I should perhaps do something Blanchian, as I don't do that enough.
Title: Re: Marco does something small
Post by: Dolnikan on January 23, 2012, 08:17:52 AM
That pommel remains a great piece.

PErhaps the highborn could stand on something like a small power unit, including some wires etc. That should look scifi I guess.
Title: Re: Marco does something small
Post by: MarcoSkoll on January 30, 2012, 11:16:20 PM
No modelling worth showing you at this point, but on the note of trying to go Blanchian with the psyker, here's a possible concept.

(http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inq28/Inq28-WIP/IMG_4856.jpg)

This would put the remaining parts of the Heresy Tunnel Priest's staff (which the Daemonhost isn't using) to use. Hopefully the GW staff won't notice.

Colour scheme will need to be reds, yellows and blacks to mimic John's sketch style.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on January 31, 2012, 12:14:30 AM
I've been struck by a very strong desire to completely change my warband for the IGT. And my alternate suggestion is going to need a lot of servo skulls (at least half a dozen, I'd say).

I may just decide to sculpt one myself and make a mould, but does anyone know a source for decent 1:32, 1:35 or 54mm scale skulls that won't cost through the nose?

Internet searches turn up either models where the sculptor's reference was (apparently) a gorilla/Homo Erectus/Neanderthal (although some of them are possibly fixable) or which are just more expensive than they're worth.
Title: Re: Marco does something small
Post by: Dolnikan on January 31, 2012, 07:54:40 AM
He looks properly Blanchian. I look forwards to seeing a model based on this design.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: Knobby2 on January 31, 2012, 09:20:58 PM
The kroot IQ model has a human skull on it, if your short of one I do have one you can have
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: greenstuff_gav on January 31, 2012, 10:16:03 PM
(http://buildyourimagination.co.uk/minis/files/54mm_skulls.JPG)

I don't know the first one; base tag says WK 01 .. thought it Black Cat but can't find it  :-[
next is one of Spartan Games' 40mm skellies (http://www.nobleknight.com/ViewProducts.asp_Q_ProductLineID_E_2137423147_A_ManufacturerID_E_2145084348_A_CategoryID_E_0_A_GenreID_E_276) .. ask your LGS, they maybe able to order 'em .. but £10 for 3 skulls maybe pricey (i'll poke around in the bin tomorrow if i get chance), Covenant for scale, then the Kroots' skull piece (wouldn't have thought of it without Knobbys' suggestion!) :)

so, like Knobby, i has 1x kroot and maybe 3 / 4 40mm skellie ones knocking about if that's of use!
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on January 31, 2012, 10:50:46 PM
3 for £10 is on the pricey side. That'd be pushing it as an overall budget for the 6-8 I might need, because past that point it's really more worth my time and money making/moulding them myself. (However, the idea of looking for whole skeletons might work.)

And while I thank the offers, I don't really want to empty everybody's bitz boxes of skulls. They're useful things and my sculpting heavy method means I just don't have many bitz to trade in return.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: Knobby2 on January 31, 2012, 11:13:14 PM
the other option is I have a friend who does very good green stuff cast's, I can price up a few copies of the kroot skull if you'd like and see what he'd do for ya, probaby inc. postage a total of £%
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: Nevermore2010 on January 31, 2012, 11:48:22 PM
You know Marco I would think a scupltor of your quality could probably make a bit of money sculpting skulls for conclavers to convert into Servo skulls. I know i would pay good money for a decent sprue of Skulls. And its not like there would be any copywrite issues for basic skulls.
Title: Re: Marco does something small
Post by: MarcoSkoll on February 14, 2012, 12:16:54 AM
Well, I've not painted anything in months and I'm far from the best 28mm painter, but here's a minor PIP update:
(http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inq28/Inq28-WIP/IMG_4861.jpg)

Mostly done with the skin (it seems I need to be slightly more generous with the watering down though) and I've basecoated the hair. (She and her twin are going to be redheads to help create a family resemblance.)

I probably went a bit over the top with her eyes though, as that reflection in her irises is not the photo lighting.
Title: Re: Marco does something small
Post by: Dolnikan on February 14, 2012, 08:10:36 AM
She is starting to look very good. I really like the skin tone. How are you going to do the red hair? I've been trying a few things but it never worked out the right way.
Title: Re: Marco does something small
Post by: MarcoSkoll on February 15, 2012, 03:16:58 AM
I'm afraid I can't get a photo that actually shows the colours properly without waiting for daylight, but I tried the following sequence:

- Dark Flesh
- Dark Flesh + Vermin Brown
- Dark Flesh + Vermin Brown + Blazing Orange
- Vermin Brown + Blazing Orange.
- Blazing Orange
- Wash (possibly x2) with Gryphonne Sepia with a dash of Baal Red.

My attempt had a bit too little in the mid-tones, so I need to be a bit less generous about the shading and highlighting next time, but I'm nonetheless happy. While definitely towards the redder end of the scale, it's distinctive and not actually that far off a girl I used to know!

If you wanted a more muted red-brown, omit the pure Blazing Orange.
Title: Re: Marco does something small
Post by: Dolnikan on February 15, 2012, 07:40:04 AM
Thanks a lot, I'll give it a try sometime soon.
Title: Re: Marco does something small
Post by: MarcoSkoll on February 15, 2012, 07:39:27 PM
Here we go:

(http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inq28/Inq28-WIP/IMG_4888.jpg)

Not perfect - as I said, not enough of the mid-tones showing - but I'm happy.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on February 23, 2012, 02:50:00 PM
I can never get these things to look as good on screen as they do in real life (all the flaws at fifteen times the size doesn't help), but here's my latest attempt at improving my female faces.

(http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inquisitor%20Models/WIP%20Models/IMG_4909.jpg)

The shape of the top of the skull isn't done yet of course, I need to sort out the eyeballs and there's a few other imperfections I may not be able to resist trying to fix, but I'm sure you're since bored with my "Ugh, it's not good enough" routine, so I'll go now.
Title: Re: Marco does something small
Post by: MarcoSkoll on February 23, 2012, 03:00:15 PM
Some slight evidence I've been doing some INQ28...

(http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inq28/Inq28-WIP/IMG_4913.jpg)

I promised at least one 32mm sculpt, and here you have the basic frame for Inquisitrix Corvus. There's a couple of anatomical oddities to fix, but cut me a break on that one.
It's barely more than half my normal scale, and given my only attempt at a 32mm human so far was a Chaos Warrior that was meant to be about 35mm but turned into a 42mm model due to scale screep, this is really my first 32mm sculpt.
Title: Re: Marco does something small
Post by: Dolnikan on February 23, 2012, 03:59:51 PM
It looks professional, it doesn't show that this isn't your usual scale, I wonder how it will look in the end.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on February 24, 2012, 11:10:32 PM
Okay, not interesting enough to comment on, I see. How about on its model then?

(http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inquisitor%20Models/WIP%20Models/IMG_4921.jpg)

100 Throne Gelt to anyone who recognises the reference image this time around (offer not valid to the heretic scum I told on Skype last night).

Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: Dolnikan on February 24, 2012, 11:19:01 PM
It is somehow familiar but I can't quite place it. The model however looks very good. I love the hair and her clothes. The thing I think is a nose piercing is very nice as well, it really adds to her.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: Draco Ferox on February 25, 2012, 09:29:28 AM
If I trawl your DeviantArt profile, will I find the answer? Cos, y'know, I really need some throne gelt so's I can pay off the starship my inquisitor insisted on gold-plating (I told him not to, but he wouldn't listen).

I like the model, the oultine of the knife tucked into the belt is excellent, and the hair looks..... unusual, but hey, as long as it ends up an outragous colour, I won't complain.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: greenstuff_gav on February 25, 2012, 09:32:24 AM
she looks great!
any chance of more views?
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on February 26, 2012, 02:04:20 AM
Quote from: Draco Ferox on February 25, 2012, 09:29:28 AMIf I trawl your DeviantArt profile, will I find the answer?
No, this particular warband is based entirely on official GW or FFG art (which usually seems to result in my best sculpting work).

Hmm. I had expected someone to get it, but I guess it was rather delphic clue, particularly as the model is only half complete.

Quotethe hair looks..... unusual, but hey, as long as it ends up an outrageous colour, I won't complain.
Based on the reference image, outrageous means blonde. But, hey - at least we know they still have hair gel in the 41st millennium.

@Gav: More pictures will be on the way at some point, but I need to work out what's wrong with her arse and fix it first.
This is sort of a hybrid of trying to boost my P&M scores and working out if I think I have the skill to go semi-pro and start casting, so there's no half measures this time around.
Title: Re: Marco does something small
Post by: MarcoSkoll on February 29, 2012, 05:15:36 AM
An incomplete continuation of Sister Kerrel (you see, she's got a name now too*):
(http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inq28/Inq28-WIP/IMG_4923.jpg)

Afraid that, despite three attempts, the front photo didn't come out very well, but this was only a quick WIP shot, so I couldn't be bothered to do it really properly.

The head piece is supposed to be vaguely reminiscent of a nun's wimple without actually directly copying one, so while it's not all that clear at this stage, there's a metallic band that holds a cloth covering over some of her hair (although some hair is visible around edges).
Added shoulder pads (of course) and some form of rebreather apparatus. The wand hand is to be converted to hold some kind of holy item - which might be the wand itself converted, or something more involved. Not sure yet.

~~~~~

*Actually, they all have at least part of their names:

Inquisitrix: Asandrea Corvus
Noble: Lord Markus Karlmunn
Twins: Cerys and Sian (I took Molotov's suggestion of Karis as a cue to go Welsh with their names), respectively the twin with the shotgun and the lasgun. Surname pending.
Famulous: Kerrel. Surname also pending.
Psyker: Epsilon-47. His true name, however, has been struck from all records and is now known only to Inquisitrix Corvus and her (encrypted) personal logs.
Title: Re: Marco does something small
Post by: Dolnikan on February 29, 2012, 10:32:36 AM
There are two central parts of any dress code in the 41st milennium. Skulls and shoulder pads.:)

I really like the thing on her head. It looks very good. The rebreather apparatus is a nice touch as well.
Title: Re: Marco does something small
Post by: MarcoSkoll on March 08, 2012, 12:21:18 AM
Some stuff that happened while the forum was down:

Both now mostly finished, Sian...
(http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inq28/Inq28-WIP/IMG_4933.jpg)
(A little more has happened since this photo).

... and Markus...
(http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inq28/Inq28-WIP/IMG_4935.jpg)
Title: Re: Marco does something small
Post by: Dolnikan on March 08, 2012, 07:48:44 AM
They both look very good, the hair on Sian is great and the fur boots on Markus are original but fit well with the rest of the model.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on March 14, 2012, 11:55:12 PM
Afraid this isn't a very interesting update, but it's here anyway.

After much swearing in trying to fix her, the model above has been bisected at the waist and is having a new set of legs made. The two halves looked quite nastily out of proportion and as the torso was more work to redo, the legs drew the short straw.

As I see no-one's yet got her origin (despite the extra clue I dropped in the last post), here we go:
(http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Reference/Mordant-303rd_small.jpg)
Mordant 303rd Sergeant & veteran of Delphic Sink.

And because I didn't have anywhere better to put it, as it's not quite ready for release yet:
(http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Miscellaneous/CIMG5895.jpg)
The Economy Character Sheet v2 is on its way.

It takes a sharp pencil, but it's been redesigned so it can be printed twice on one side of A4*, then print any required equipment/skill/psychic descriptions on the other side, so you can fold it in half to get a little booklet with the character sheets on the outside and the rules for how the Leader skill or a Servo-Skull works on the inside.

Half the table space, twice the information. Done properly (and with a quick reference sheet on hand), it can mean the rulebook can stay under the table. Quicker, tidier play.

*But if you'd prefer it bigger, you can still have it at full A4 and just staple two sheets together.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: Dolnikan on March 15, 2012, 07:42:52 AM
I vaguely recognise the image, but don't recall from where. So, where is it from?
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on March 15, 2012, 01:11:41 PM
A WD 284 article about some of the Imperial Guard regiments fighting against Abaddon's 13th Black Crusade. There's some damn good artwork in it actually, but I don't know if/where that art may have been used before/again.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: Dolnikan on March 15, 2012, 01:23:49 PM
That could be the place, I used to know someone with a large collection of those.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on March 16, 2012, 10:27:05 PM
Oh look, it's something else:

(http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inquisitor%20Models/WIP%20Models/IMG_4937.jpg)

I know she looks a bit off balance here - this will be sorted by the final model.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: DapperAnarchist on March 16, 2012, 11:23:13 PM
Oh holy yes what yes... That is an ARISTOCRAT, from her silly hat to her unexpectedly stylish armour, to her fancy fancy dress.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: Dolnikan on March 17, 2012, 12:10:11 PM
I love the outfit, it is completely over the top as it should be, a marvelous model!
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on March 17, 2012, 06:36:39 PM
The design is lifted straight from the Inquisitor Sketchbook, so the credit as far as that goes completely to John Blanche:

(http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Reference/Blanche_Noble_600.jpg) (http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Reference/Blanche_Noble.jpg)

She's a huge part of the reason why I suddenly completely changed my plans and side-lined a warband I'd been planning to bring since last year. I looked through the Sketchbook and thought "I love that art. Why have I never made it as a model? Actually, why have I never made a single model based off a John Blanche piece?"

Hence, I found myself in the position that I absolutely had to do her as a model, other projects be damned.

That's why I was asking about skulls a page back, as she needs a LOAD of them to match the artwork. I also keep forgetting I've got a double headed eagle to sort out, both model and rules wise.
Making it a familiar wouldn't seem quite right, as I can't see it being a psychic symbiont, but I think something similar would work quite well - sort of a bionically/biologically enhanced animal scout. Fly up and get a bird's eye view of the field and such.

Background wise, this is Lady Trader Martejja Riemann, holder of one of the oldest warrants of trade in the Cuir Subsector. For quite a few years now, she's been a LONG way out of the Carthax Sector - she's not even been in the Segmentum, having been trying to protect/liquidate ancient family affairs threatened by the 13th Black Crusade.
However, the events and aftermath of the Ilithyian Saint have forced her return to the sector - not least because the terms of her Warrant of Trade oblige her to provide aid in times of crisis, but also out of concern for how her affairs on home turf will suffer.

And I know making a run across the galaxy wouldn't really be that fast, but it's for the sake of weaving a reason for having some characters from further afield (not her personally, but some of her warband) into the current Carthax narrative.

Anyway, this was last night's work on her:
(http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inquisitor%20Models/WIP%20Models/IMG_4939.jpg)

And this is the extent of the "damage" to the Guardswoman now I'm working on a new set of legs for her:
(http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inquisitor%20Models/WIP%20Models/IMG_4940.jpg)
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: Dolnikan on March 17, 2012, 09:38:33 PM
The noble is looking better and better. That piece of artwork has always been one of the favourites and it will be a great joy to see it made into a model.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: krenshar on March 17, 2012, 11:30:43 PM
Both sculpts are amazing!  I remember the Guard article now, I'll have have to dig out that 'Dwarf for the other sketches.  Lady Riemann's head looks a little broad in the photo but I expect that's the lack of pauldrons and cloak.

For the double headed eagle, the vulture from the plastic giant kit could save you some time.  I don't have a camera to hand but it's 16mm from beak to tail tip and 4mm at it's widest.  It would need it's legs repositioning and breast bulking for the upright pose, plus the second head and some feathers on the first but it looks fair on Eisenhorn's shoulder, if a bit on the small side versus the artwork.

You're welcome to the one I have if it appeals.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on March 18, 2012, 02:25:23 AM
Quote from: krenshar on March 17, 2012, 11:30:43 PMFor the double headed eagle, the vulture from the plastic giant kit could save you some time.
Thanks for the offer, but I think the vulture would be under-detailed for a model like this. It's not the crispest casting I've ever seen.

In an ideal world, I'd get the Glovodan eagle from Inquisitor Lord Coteaz, but it's not something I'm willing to buy the model for and an unlikely part to be able to bribe off people. (Maybe if they'd picked up a replacement for some bad Finecast, but other than that...)

However, I expect I'll have to sculpt it. Not ideal given the limited time I've still got, but procrastination is catching up with me once again.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: DapperAnarchist on March 18, 2012, 02:53:18 PM
In the picture, the skulls appear to be small - perhaps synthetic, or childrens', or some sort of dwarf-human (voidborn microcephalatics, perhaps), so the 28mm skulls might still work quite well.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on March 18, 2012, 04:17:35 PM
That's how JB tends to draw skulls, so I've just taken the oddities as being his style. It's not a problem anyway, Gav sent me some of the 40mm skellies he posted earlier, which are a good match.

Also, have another picture:
(http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inquisitor%20Models/WIP%20Models/IMG_4941.jpg)
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: Dolnikan on March 18, 2012, 07:34:50 PM
The sleeve is very nice, and the fur is shaping up nicely. Is she also going to get a big cloak like in the artwork?
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on March 18, 2012, 08:16:02 PM
Short answer: Yes. That's what the brass rod across her back is there as the start of the armature for.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: Knobby2 on March 18, 2012, 09:09:05 PM
Another one for the eagle could be the vulture from the ogre stonehorn kit, has a lot of detail on it
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: TallulahBelle on March 18, 2012, 09:26:40 PM
what about the cyber eagle thing from the inquisitor with the hammer?
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on March 18, 2012, 10:21:16 PM
Quote from: Knobby2 on March 18, 2012, 09:09:05 PMAnother one for the eagle could be the vulture from the ogre stonehorn kit, has a lot of detail on it
While a realistic vulture would offer some aid to the project, GW's are... exaggerated... in a way that means they're not hugely helpful.

Quote from: jediknight129 on March 18, 2012, 09:26:40 PMwhat about the cyber eagle thing from the inquisitor with the hammer?
"In an ideal world, I'd get the Glovodan eagle from Inquisitor Lord Coteaz, but it's not something I'm willing to buy the model for and an unlikely part to be able to bribe off people." (http://www.the-conclave.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=354.msg25863#msg25863)

~~~~~

In any case, I think I'm now committed to having to sculpt it.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: Heroka Vendile on March 20, 2012, 12:23:17 PM
Ahem. (http://www.andrea-miniatures.com/_carro/AspsProductos/Detalle.asp?IdProductoDetalle=956)

This is some excellent work here David.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on March 21, 2012, 11:22:40 PM
A good find, those vultures (did better than I did in my attempts) - but I think a 54mm vulture would be too big to look good here. Golden Eagles (which I'm using as my basis as it's what the Romans Aquila was based on) are usually smaller, and even then I've got to be a bit conservative about the size, because they are bigger than you really think, sporting wingspans of over two metres.

But I'm already working on my one now, so nothing to gain really.

Anyway, have a picture of what's drying on my lamp at the moment:
(http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inquisitor%20Models/WIP%20Models/IMG_4943.jpg)

Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: Dolnikan on March 22, 2012, 07:35:11 PM
She is getting better and better. I love all the detail, one stylish lady for sure.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: Dwi on March 22, 2012, 08:02:40 PM
Nice work Marco shes looking good.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on March 23, 2012, 08:33:20 PM
Today's news is I never want to see another fur cloak in my life. Five square inches of fur, all of which I did in one progressive stage.

(http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inquisitor%20Models/WIP%20Models/IMG_4945.jpg)

I'm seriously glad I decided to change her from the original art, because having to sculpt her standing on a floaty fur cloak would have driven me mad(der).

P.S: Yes, she no longer fits on the base. Measuring to the back edge of the base may require GM interpretation or some kind of "template" to indicate where the base edge is, but a shorter cloak would have been terribly crass. (Well, that's what she told me, anyway.)

P.P.S: Yes, I am still progressing with the other models.

P.P.P.S: Apologies to Gav, as I may have made a press-mould of one of those skulls you sent me to help make up the numbers. You can never have too many skulls... or enough press moulds of useful generic bitz so you can use up any leftover green stuff at the end of a sculpting session.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: Dolnikan on March 24, 2012, 11:24:20 AM
That is a lot of fur on a single model, but I must say that it looks amazing. A marvelous model indeed.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: RobSkib on April 01, 2012, 04:21:10 PM
So, when are we going to see some photos of her painted and in action? ;)
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on April 02, 2012, 01:46:29 AM
My final pictures will be waiting for some good daylight and a chance to fix a couple of things I'm not perfectly happy with (both of which because I need to send John himself pictures), but for anyone who will die of anticipation before then, have a picture:

(http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inquisitor%20Models/WIP%20Models/IMG_4959.jpg)
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: Heroka Vendile on April 02, 2012, 02:19:26 AM
wow david, your NMM technique, well, just everything, is superb with this model. The colour palette is on the right side of regally outlandish without becoming overbearing.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on April 02, 2012, 02:44:57 AM
I take little to no credit for the choice of colour palette, given I couldn't see any justification for painting a piece based on JB's work anything other than the classic range of reds, browns, muted yellows and blacks. In this case, I just copied the damn thing.

The NMM... actually, I'd never done NMM before a month ago, other than in digital painting/colouring (http://fav.me/d2xh5wj). I quite fast found it's easier than it's claimed to be - if you let your eyes drift a little out of focus, it's pretty easy to see where you've not painted the reflections you'd expect to be there.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: Dolnikan on April 02, 2012, 09:24:40 AM
Marvellous, a great model. I really love the model, it looks like it walked right outof the artwork.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: Flinty on April 02, 2012, 01:40:15 PM
Ah - as usual an inspiration, nice paint job on an excellent sculpt. Well done, in every sense, Sir!

Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: RobSkib on April 02, 2012, 05:53:15 PM
Exquisite, absolutely exquisite. I could pour heaps more praise onto this model, the choice of artwork to work from, the sculpting, the effort gone into creating her etc, but I know you're looking for some criticisms as well, so here goes.

It's worth pointing out that these points are incredibly minor and would otherwise seem pedantic, I know you're like me, however, and value all the constructive feedback you can get.

I know it was based off the artwork, but I'm not sure the inside colour of cloak works well with the colour of.. well.. everything else. It's a heck of a lot of yellow to paint, and a bold move, but I think it would have benefited from some distinction in hue or darkness from her dress, sleeves and other details on the main body. It could just be the lighting in the photograph, of course, but I think it would have emphasized the torso and legs much better if it were darker.

The only other thing I can think of is the face do you not water down your paints enough when you do them, or is it just a slightly rougher GS surface to work with from the sculpting stage? Either way, I've noticed it as a trend in your self-sculpts, your painted faces tend to be much less smooth than the paintjob on the rest of the models. I appreciate you put a LOT of effort into the colour choices you use, but would it be worth cutting back on the number of different colours to use (say, two or three at most from the basecoat) in favour of getting a smoother finish? Otherwise, it's an excellent paint job.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on April 02, 2012, 06:49:10 PM
Fair calls.

The yellow of the cloak is actually a LOT less bright than my first two attempts (I thus had to strip her back twice before this version), and nor is it quite as saturated as it looks in the photo. But yeah, it could do with a bit of differentiation from her dress. Maybe I'll wash or glaze her dress to shift their tones apart. (I'd prefer not to have do it on the cloak, as that would need a redo on the silver patterning.)

As for the face... I tend to err on the side of caution with watering down paint having had a few too many occasions where my highlights decide they want to be in the crevasses. So yes, the 10 layers for the face* does add up a little bit!
*Dark Flesh; 2:1 Dark/Tanned; 1:2 Dark/Tanned; Tanned; 1:1 Tanned/Dwarf; Dwarf; 2:1 Dwarf/Elf; 1:2 Dwarf/Elf; Elf; 2:1 Elf/White

In truth, I could probably be more conservative about the early layers, only painting them in areas where they might actually show, and thus cut back on the overall number of layers in any one place. The top layers should be opaque enough on their own that  dropping the base layers where they're unneeded wouldn't affect the final result.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: Keravin on April 03, 2012, 12:42:27 AM
She really came together in the end.   She's a lovely model.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on April 05, 2012, 04:38:35 AM
Right, yesterday I returned from my local GW having exchanged my IGT winnings and a 50 pence piece for The Emperor's Will, a box of Fenrisian Wolves and Lelith Hesperax.

That 50 pence means the spending rules I've held to for eleven and a half months haven't held up flawlessly, but meh. I'll live.

Anyway...

~~~~~

The Emperor's Will offers exactly what I wanted - lots of ideas, as well as bigger and better versions of some of the art I've had earmarked to use for a while.

While I know Kaled would have preferred captions, I'm not too fussed by that - My real only complaint with the production is the forge world spread page. JB's one with the titans being built in the background...
(http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ef0NWsHjePM/Tjv3lk_9v9I/AAAAAAAACLE/tYzefqI5BHA/s1600/Blache%252520illistration.jpg)
My problem here is this picture appears to have been scaled up too much from a poor digital copy and is notably pixellated. While an iconic piece, it really should have been higher quality, left out, or at the very least scaled up using a better algorithm.

Other than that, the book works out well. But yeah, possibly not one for those with other artbooks, as I know I've seen some of these in books I've borrowed (but it's good to finally have copies of them myself).

~~~~~

Moving on, the Fenrisian wolves turn out to be pretty massive at 32mm scale (imagine a 300 kg wolf and you're about there). They're still big at 54mm scale, about Great Dane size. A good thing though, as if you want to introduce dogs into Inquisitor, you probably want them to look like something to take reasonably seriously.

As I earlier suspected, basically mono-pose with two halves of each body, two halves of each head. All moulded on one big sprue (although it's broken into three for the box). There might be some opportunity for swapping or repositioning the heads, but largely it's "like it or lump it".
Still, not bad as 54mm canids and while not exactly cheap, you still get five for about the same kind of money as a 54mm human from most manufacturers, and that should be enough to add as a minor scenario element - guard dogs or wild animals - or supply characters with canine companions for quite a while. Maybe both.

~~~~~

And finally, Lelith is the first chance I've had to work with Finecast (now almost a year after its release), and as I've also worked with Lelith in metal, a fair comparison. Finecast isn't hugely relevant to 54mm players, but obviously increasingly common for the 28mm community. Due to the delay, what follows is therefore probably old hat to many of you:

Not massively impressed. It's all pros and cons. Mould lines are easier to deal with. Glue is easier. Less weight. It cuts easier too, so she's presumably easier to convert - but as she's just for painting as is, I won't be testing this in any depth.
But of course, she didn't have air bubbles or bits of the mould stuck in her previously. (I don't see why they can't use mould release and hose the models off in the factory if they have to make a fuss about "no washing needed").

Detail... hmm. I think as is, it's mostly a con of the matt surface, and doesn't exactly manage to push past what Corvus Belli's metals manage (at two thirds the RRP). In fairness though, CB do use a 5% lead mix that holds detail better than lead-free whitemetal, and GW has their reasons to avoid lead.

~~~~~

All in all though, I'm content with my choices. The Emperor's Will should spawn several characters, the wolves should add to my collection of scenario resources and Lelith... well, I like her. While she's not directly relevant to Inquisitor, she's for display and thus a chance to improve my painting skills (and seeing as I may have to face RobSkib for the next IGT hobby competition, that's very necessary).
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: Keravin on April 05, 2012, 12:14:38 PM
The converting aspect is the big benefit of Finecast, especially now I've gotten over my fear of cutting up Forgeworld as well.   Not had any models where the weight difference has factored in yet and unlikely to.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on April 05, 2012, 04:37:47 PM
The weight isn't a big deal, but it should make models less likely to topple and need less counterweight in the base.

The Finecast material does have, I find, quite a strong similarity to hardened green stuff, which I enjoy working with. But with the  difference that nobody has ever complained about green stuff going floppy and deforming on warm days.

(And if they have, they're a muppet. I've dropped GS into boiling water - testing it as a paint removal technique - without any damage.)
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: Keravin on April 05, 2012, 06:05:02 PM
It was more weight on big sections such as wings on some of the larger monsters.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on April 08, 2012, 03:44:13 AM
After some delay, I have taken better pictures of Lady Riemann (http://fav.me/d4vhp90).

There is also a larger download version (http://fc04.deviantart.net/fs70/f/2012/099/5/5/lady_martejja_riemann_by_ragnarokeotw-d4vhp90.jpg).

Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: Dolnikan on April 08, 2012, 07:23:37 PM
A magnificent model, these pictures really make her come out very well.
Title: Re: Marco does something small
Post by: MarcoSkoll on October 27, 2012, 09:24:01 PM
Seeing as I'm not sure anyone attending the Twin Arches actually has a 28mm Navigator model they can lend to the cause, I figure that's enough of an excuse to cook up my own.
(That said, I'm not sure there'll be enough attendance to need me to run the Navigator sub-plot, but I might as well be prepared such that I can run it at 28mm.)

The bitz box (or more accurately, the "vat of ill-advised purchase ideas that never went anywhere") has offered up a suitable sacrifice to the cause:
(http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inq28/Inq28-WIP/CIMG8381-1.jpg)

And I'm thinking perhaps this, although I may tweak the details (I have, essentially, just referred to the 54mm navigator)
(http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inq28/Inq28-WIP/CIMG8381-2.jpg)

Thinking I'll leave the four fingered hands (Navigators are, by definition, mutants), although not sure I'll leave the Ethereal's icon in his left hand - I quite like the possibility of turning it into a sheathed sword.

Option two would be to leave him with the "hoof" feet:
(http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inq28/Inq28-WIP/CIMG8381-3.jpg)

... which I don't dislike from the mutant angle, but hooves are often associated with "evil" Chaos mutations and it may leave the base model too recognisable.

Any thoughts?
Title: Re: Marco does something small
Post by: Kaludram on October 27, 2012, 09:31:57 PM
Quote from: MarcoSkoll on October 27, 2012, 09:24:01 PM
Option two would be to leave him with the "hoof" feet:

... which I don't dislike from the mutant angle, but hooves are often associated with "evil" Chaos mutations and it may leave the base model too recognisable.

Any thoughts?

I concur with the assessments that keeping the hooves would be both too recognizable as a Tau miniature as well as lending itself towards an apparent Chaos taint.  I recommend actual feet and like your sword idea...perhaps an ornamental long knife or dagger though since I don't see Navigators as the heaviest of fighters.
Title: Re: Marco does something small
Post by: Koval on October 27, 2012, 09:55:53 PM
Definitely a bandana or forehead-covering as well; exposing a Navigator's third eye isn't a brilliant idea unless he's either using it for something, or trolling everyone around him.
Title: Re: Marco does something small
Post by: Keravin on October 27, 2012, 10:46:34 PM
Posted up my Navigator in the community thread.
Title: Re: Marco does something small
Post by: MarcoSkoll on October 28, 2012, 12:40:34 AM
@Kaludram: Probably a good call on the not-hooves. Although I hate sculpting feet.

As for the sword, I want it to look a little bit more lethal than that - the grimdark is a dangerous enough place that I'd be honestly surprised if an important individual like a Navigator were only ornamentally armed. (Particularly given the circumstances in which he might find himself in an Inquisitor game).

@Koval: Who says he isn't?

The third eye is an area where I may end up going with artistic licence, because I'm quite sold on the idea of the hood, and "bandanna under hood" won't necessarily be very obviously "bandanna under hood" (particularly at 28mm) and won't make for great visual shorthand for a Navis Nobilitai in the same way as  a visible third eye.
(Also, the artwork of hooded navigators I can think of tends to avoid such things. I'd suppose that's a job the hood itself is meant - if failing - to be doing.)

@Keravin: Oh, that's what you meant.
Title: Re: Marco does something small
Post by: Inquisitor Dionzi on October 28, 2012, 03:29:27 AM
I am really liking how this is progressing!
Title: Re: Marco does something small
Post by: MarcoSkoll on October 28, 2012, 07:45:07 PM
Not immediately related to Navigators, but to finally add the pictures of my INQvitational warband (that should have been up months ago):

Inquisitrix Asandrea Corvus & Lord Markus Karlmunn:
(http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inq28/IMG_5201.jpg)
Rear (http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inq28/IMG_5202.jpg)

Sister Kerrel Roane and Epsilon-47:
(http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inq28/IMG_5199.jpg)
Rear (http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inq28/IMG_5200.jpg)

Cerys Vayne and Sian Vayne:
(http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inq28/IMG_5197.jpg)
Rear (http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inq28/IMG_5198.jpg)

Plus a couple of WIPs I don't think I ever posted:
(http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inq28/Inq28-WIP/IMG_5068.jpg)
(http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inq28/Inq28-WIP/IMG_5071.jpg)
Title: Re: Marco does something small
Post by: Heroka Vendile on October 28, 2012, 08:58:26 PM
superb sculpting and conversion work dave.
Title: Re: Marco does something small
Post by: MarcoSkoll on November 15, 2012, 01:43:37 AM
Having a bit of a dilemma.

I've been putting various NPCs for the Twin Arches, such that I have the NPCs to run most of the games at either scale.

I need an extra Inquisitor, and a rummage through the bitz and sprue boxes turned up parts I thought would make a nice power armour conversion:

(http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inq28/Inq28-WIP/IMG_5205.jpg)

With lots of Chaos Warrior in there, I though I'd end up with something a bit unique and not too Space Marine like. Big, definitely, but still about the same size as my feudal worlder.

Unfortunately, it turns out if you put a Marine helmet on the model, you do still end up with quite a nice truescale Marine:

(http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inq28/Inq28-WIP/IMG_5206.jpg)

So now I'm at the stage of trying to work out whether I should finish him up as the Inquisitor I need... or the Marine I don't and then run around like a headless chicken trying to work out what model I use instead.
The interesting models I have around to use are generally non-GW, so present a little bit of a pickle given the venue. I may have to hope I've forgotten what's in some of these other boxes of old models.

Or see if there's a model I can borrow for the day, I guess. Hmm.
Title: Re: Marco does something small
Post by: Inquisitor Dionzi on November 15, 2012, 01:48:31 AM
Out of curiosity, what's the blue stuff on his right arm?
Title: Re: Marco does something small
Post by: MarcoSkoll on November 15, 2012, 02:20:24 AM
Nothing more impressive than Ultramarines Blue, I'm sorry to say - a lot of the Marine parts in my bitz box are broken down from a set of models I never actually painted after having sprayed them with one of the colour sprays GW did at the time.

As it's only a thin undercoat layer, it's never seemed worth going to the trouble of stripping hundreds of parts back (which is also why his greaves are blue).
Title: Re: Marco does something small
Post by: Gilleon on November 15, 2012, 04:40:23 AM
IMO, make him the inquisitor you need, yes he will be big and burly, but he shouldn't stand out too much. Yes it does make a good true scale marine, but i think the armour is different enough that it shouldn't have to fall into that box, if you don't want it to. Maybe a different head (from the bare one) will help make it more inquisitor than marine.
That's just my 2 cents though, nice work as usual.
Title: Re: Marco does something small
Post by: greenstuff_gav on November 15, 2012, 07:41:19 AM
magnets; allows head swaps (http://buildyourimagination.co.uk/minis/gallery/inq/firstfounding/dark_angel_09.jpg) :)

regardless, looking great!
Title: Re: Marco does something small
Post by: Heroka Vendile on November 15, 2012, 11:41:30 AM
I think I agree that a non-marine head would help move the look further away from helmet less space marine.
Title: Re: Marco does something small
Post by: MarcoSkoll on November 15, 2012, 04:15:39 PM
Funnily enough, the bare head, while a Marine head, does actually make him less Marine like than a lot of my valid alternatives (having collected both High Elves and Eldar, a lot of my spare heads are elfin in some way).
It's quite a large head (to the point you'd wonder how he can fit it in a helmet - perhaps why he's not wearing one), so has the effect of changing his overall proportions so it's less like the "nine heads marine" you see in the artwork.

(In any case, I would probably remove the headset mouthpiece to make it a bit less recognisable a head).

@ Gav: Swapping between the two is problematic, as they probably wouldn't have the same paint scheme (or even the same weapons) and I'd want to be able to mount a backpack on the Marine.
Ultimately, if I were doing both, I'd probably just dig out more spare parts and make each a separate (and slightly more distinct) model.

However, as it happens, I have turned up a good case of a model I'd forgotten I'd bought. I'll have to see if it works...
Title: Re: Marco does something small
Post by: Kaludram on November 17, 2012, 12:26:57 AM
I think a Catachan head would go well here...someone closeby has got to have a few.  I know I sure do, and I only bought one set of sprues!
Title: Re: Marco does something small
Post by: Dwi on November 18, 2012, 10:08:22 PM
Agreed. I think that a head from the Catachan Command Squad would be exalent though perhaps a converted head from the basic guardsmen set would be good too.
Title: Re: Marco does something small
Post by: MarcoSkoll on November 18, 2012, 11:12:08 PM
The Catachan heads I have around are too thuggish to go with what, either way, I envision as entirely custom (and thus suitably ornate) power armour.

In any case, I'm thinking it'll be the Marine now.
Title: Re: Marco does something small
Post by: MarcoSkoll on December 06, 2012, 07:08:11 PM
Completely forgot I hadn't posted this guy up here...

(http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inq28/IMG_5211-600.jpg)

He still needs some more highlights on the blue (and the gold fixing - I find yellow/brown metallics bad enough that I tend to do them as NMM, but didn't have the time), but he's mostly as he will be now.
Title: Re: Marco does something small
Post by: Kaludram on December 07, 2012, 05:44:40 PM
Overall a good development from the base Ethereal model.  The three fingers adds an extra subtlety to the mutation that says "I'm pushing the edge of tolerance in the Imperium" with just enough flavor that a really puritan Inquisitor might be tempted to just eliminate this guy out of good measure. 8)

All around good.
Title: Re: Marco does something small
Post by: Hadriel Caine on December 07, 2012, 06:31:00 PM
I feel your pain Marco- I hate painting gold. Lovely conversion. Sorry not to have been around in so long- all the sculpting is superb.
I think a wash around the edges of the flesh areas (particularly under the hood) would tie this guy together perfectly.
Title: Re: Marco does something small
Post by: MarcoSkoll on December 20, 2012, 02:02:52 AM
You'll have to forgive these being posted without too much explanation, but I'm up later than I should be.

These are some old Catachan conversions (often with a sprinkle of Empire parts) I used as a Necromunda gang. I've taken the ones I like most, stripped them, did a bit of updating on the conversions, and you see them here as sprayed ready to be repainted. (Not that I normally use black undercoat, but it's what I found first.)

Not sure exactly who they'll be, but there's always room for a violent thug or two in the Battle for the Emperor's soul.

(http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inq28/Inq28-WIP/IMG_5213-600.jpg)
(http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inq28/Inq28-WIP/IMG_5214-600.jpg)
(http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inq28/Inq28-WIP/IMG_5215-600.jpg)
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on December 29, 2012, 05:17:20 AM
Right, it's time to be looking at which characters I'm doing for the next IGT, in the hope I can get them out of the way and give myself a free schedule to work on the Warhound.

I've been throwing around three (maybe four) ideas for what character to do, but I think really I have to come back to Katlien Vance, seeing as she's been on the back burner for two GTs now and her warband contains some of my favourite character concepts.

But I'm starting over, given that my skills have rather advanced in the two years since I started those models, and I think I can do a lot better than my first attempts.

All the character designs are getting a slight tweak and dust-down, even Katlien herself. While she was originally based on contact card art, I want to redo her default wardrobe to make her design more unique - while it's nice to base models on artwork, the characters then become a lot less interesting to draw. (Although there's no reason to say that her contact card art isn't somewhere in her wardrobe.)

However, right now, I'm approaching her Interrogator, Nyi Laysen, first.
Short version of Nyi's story for those that don't know/remember: She was formerly assigned to Inquisitor Kriul, who Katlien executed on various charges. Katlien decides that Nyi is more valuable than she is guilty, and thus takes on the girl. These early events, and the fact that Nyi has never agreed with the severity of Kriul's sentence (but does not deny the charges), have very much coloured their relationship since. Suffice to say that Nyi is not subservient, but a strong personality who is not afraid to disagree with her Inquisitor.

Now... this is going to take a bit of jiggery pokery, seeing as the forum limits image heights to 600 px, but my digital art looks crap if I resize it that much. (Okay, I admit it, I just split a 900px version into two across the middle)

(http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Artwork/Nyi_V2-Full_1-900_top.jpg)
(http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Artwork/Nyi_V2-Full_1-900_bottom.jpg)
Full version (http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Artwork/Nyi_V2-Full_1-900.jpg) and large version (http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Artwork/Nyi_V2-Full_1-1800.jpg)

Now, if you recall this old sketch (http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Sketches/Nyi.jpg) you may notice the core idea isn't really changed - just filling in gaps and neatening up. I couldn't turn down a chance to do some of my favourite ideas, like the Aquila choker, the tactical corset (a semi-real idea. The company made some, then "disappeared") and a holstered carbine - they hit the right mix of crazy awesome for 40K.

Aside from the fact I'll likely add a few more trinkets as my bitz box allows, I am also playing around with an alternative with a shorter skirt and longer boots. Link here (http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Artwork/Nyi_V2-Short_1-1800.jpg). (However, I'm kinda thinking that if I make such a change, she may also need taller heels on those boots.)

Her colour scheme is still WIP - the only thing that's set in stone is she's black. Well, she's actually mixed ethnicity, but she takes more after her father than mother.
However, my popular theory is black/dark greys as a primary colour, red as a secondary and gold/yellow as a spot colour. That said, maybe more lighter tones to contrast her skin might work. Suffice to say, my colour theory could do with work.

~~~~~

Beyond that, I'm still working on exactly what I want to do with Inquisitrix Vance and Drill Abbess Canton.

I'm thinking I might mix in elements of the design of Inquisitor Adrastia (from the DOW2 "Retribution" expansion) into Katlien, as there's some parallels between their designs.

Vera will probably have a more intricate design than she did, as the original version was a little plain with not enough detail (even for a religious character). But, whatever happens, she's not going to lose the Callahan Pattern Auto-Las.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: Hadriel Caine on December 29, 2012, 10:53:09 AM
Nyi looks great. I actually like the concept image as is- as opposed to the shorter skirt. Some lovely details. the Aquila choker is v cool. I had imagined a carbine being bigger but that's probably from an over-exposure to GW and it's scaling issues.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on December 29, 2012, 06:44:39 PM
Quote from: Hadriel Caine on December 29, 2012, 10:53:09 AMI actually like the concept image as is - as opposed to the shorter skirt.
I probably agree - or at the very least, the boots need a change. The buckles and straps work for shorter boots, but extending it all the way up the leg makes her look like she's into casual bondage.

Maybe cut off below the knee, or simplified straps to something more functional would work... but no, I think I'm likely to go with the longer skirt.

QuoteI had imagined a carbine being bigger but that's probably from an over-exposure to GW and it's scaling issues.
You're not entirely wrong. This one is definitely on the small side of carbines (the scale puts it at about 18" long) - that's partly because I envision it having a collapsing stock, partly because this one's more "pistol with stock" than "shortened rifle".
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on December 30, 2012, 05:39:42 AM
I've thrown some flat colours at the concept art to see what's what.

(http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Artwork/Nyi_V2_C2_900_top.jpg)
(http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Artwork/Nyi_V2_C2_900_bottom.jpg)
Large version (http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Artwork/Nyi_V2_C2_1800.jpg)

I originally played around with a lighter grey on the outer skirt. However, I think the lighter shade and its large area made it an unintentional focal point, so I've darkened it back.

An alternative is a slightly red hair colour - her mother is Pexiran* (same planet as the angry cyborg comes from), and they have a genetic disposition for such things.
*Her father was born on Pexir, but his parents were refugees from the Ilithyian equatorial regions.

(http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Artwork/Nyi_V2_C3_900_top.jpg)

I quite like this as a hint towards her ancestry, but it may end up looking slightly out of place, overdoing the red shades overall and/or making her look like a certain popular singer.

~~~~~

Anywho, I think I've exhausted reasonable limits of working on Nyi's design. Which probably means I need to go through my reference folders to give me a wider range of ideas to work from for the other two.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: Trasher on December 30, 2012, 11:52:47 AM
The concept art is really cool Marco, and judging by your other models, this'll be great! What about having her hair in that reddish colour, but only at the base, showing she has coloured her hair? That way you can show ancestry without being afraid it'll take over the model. The gun makes me think of the MP7, is this intentional?
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: Hadriel Caine on December 30, 2012, 12:57:22 PM
Perfect! The colour mock ups are great. The darker grey was a good choice. Charcoal and maroon are very much complimentary. Perhaps mix in a bit of a warm brown in the highlighting stage of each to tie them together and add warmth. I love the idea of red roots showing through. Should be easy enough by painting the hair red then overbrushing with the darker colour and working into the end of the strands.

I actually like the yellow a lot and am now imagining the mini in NMM...
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on December 30, 2012, 04:56:25 PM
Quote from: Trasher on December 30, 2012, 11:52:47 AMWhat about having her hair in that reddish colour, but only at the base, showing she has coloured her hair?
While a quick mockup looks kinda cool, I think that might be a little optimistic regarding my painting abilities - blending colours, particularly on such a small scale as to be doing it on each lock of hair, isn't really a strong point of mine.

I'm also not necessarily sure if she's the type to dye her hair. Some of my characters might (and do), and some have had alteration of their melanocytes*, but I'm not sure if Nyi would have that drive.
I know she's got some concern for her appearance, as is evident from a lot of her clothing choices being more form than function (that said, I designed said clothing, so she's not off to a great start) and her unusual choice of haircut... but I'm not sure about whether I'd say she'd be dissatisfied enough with her natural shade to want to change it. Mind you, it is a possibility to add to the list.

*Changing the colour the hair grows. Mostly this is just a part of rejuvenat (at least how I envision it) to counter-act greying, but some characters have had it done "unnecessarily". No more so than Maya Avens, who had it such that different parts of her scalp now produce separate hair colours.

QuoteThe gun makes me think of the MP7, is this intentional?
It won't be dissimilar, but it's a pistol calibre weapon rather than the miniaturised rifle rounds of the MP7. (That is, it's using the "Pistol carbine" profile from the RIA, rather than the "Light PDW" option.)

Quote from: Hadriel Caine on December 30, 2012, 12:57:22 PMI actually like the yellow a lot and am now imagining the mini in NMM...
Yes, a lot of what you see there will be brass and gold NMM, as opposed to the flat yellows it is at the moment. I quite like doing NMM, as and when I leave myself enough time.

~~~~~

In case it's not clear, I should point out that this is probably not the final pose. I needed something neutral enough to make for clear character design, but wanted something more interesting than arms hanging by the side or held out sideways as in many concepts.
Title: Re: Marco does something small
Post by: MarcoSkoll on January 07, 2013, 09:50:03 PM
Given it's the start of the new year (ish) and I picked up some new models at Christmas, it's probably worth enumerating the various things I have to work on. This is probably not going to be very interesting, as it's mostly just pictures of models I bought because I liked them, then me muttering about what I could do (with very little idea about how these models might form groups), but if I don't get some ideas going, they'll never start.

~~~~~

Two previously started projects:

The assassin and smoke daemon from the first post (http://www.the-conclave.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=1835.msg23913#msg23913).
Alyx Paige (or not, as the other characters in the Dark Heresy game are discovering), the assassin, is a slightly problematic subject matter, as the RP is still progressing. She's quite different now to what she was, and I actually need to work out the specifics of her appearance.

And the daemon - much though I like the idea, I've not got a lot of ideas for who he can be joined by. However, more on that later in the post.

~~~~~

And now for something different ...

Valten conversion:

(http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inq28/Inq28-WIP/CIMG8651-800.jpg)

Bought him as part of the Storm of Chaos, never really used him, don't play WHFB any more, etc, etc. So, an excuse to do something new. (Not sure what I'll do with the horse, but meh).

The weapons are place-holders (although I'm not beyond doing it), and the legs are obviously unfinished. The maille sleeves will probably be smoothed over to give something more like on Battle Sisters. Various Sigmarian iconography will get replaced.

I'm thinking he's a good candidate for a more fiery Inquisitor. Not quite a burn them all Monodominant (as "incinerate everything, then shoot anything still moving" isn't very interesting roleplaying wise), but certainly hard-line than most of my Inquisitors. Possibly Ordo Malleus - it's just what I think of looking at the armour. (And I don't do many Malleus Inquisitors.)

I'm imagining I'll find ways to combine him with other GW models I'm re-purposing (following my withdrawal from the core games) or perhaps sourcing on eBay, such that I have a second kosher warband to use at WHW.

~~~~~

And quite a large model backlog, by manufacturer.

Spyglass/Eolith (although a lot of this is bought from Heresy after they got the rights):
(http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inq28/Inq28-WIP/CIMG8653-800.jpg)
Autumn, Si'Rene, Kaylee.

I've previously mused over the concept of Si'Rene being a tribal swordswoman with some anachronistic technology that had been exchanged in trades with her tribe. That's still the plan, although I don't yet know who she will work for.

As for the others, I still have no concrete ideas. Autumn might make for a noblewoman or something ecclesiastical with adjustment. Kaylee... I'm almost tempted by the concept of her as a dissident, travelling around and generally starting a ruckus. Either could make for a psyker.

Wyrd:
(http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inq28/Inq28-WIP/CIMG8654-800.jpg)
Sonnia Criid, Victoria.

No solid plans for Sonnia, but I can't help but see that the models has the air of being an Inquisitor.

Victoria is due to be the basis for Interrogator Regin, more commonly known as "Gala". There'll be at least a head swap involved, and she'll be rearmed with a Accatran pattern lasgun. This, however, will be a Carthaxian warband, as Gala works for Inquisitor Rhodes.
(As for why she's called Gala, it's a nickname her upbeat personality has earned her. If you imagine The Doctor, particularly the Ninth Doctor, and his silliness, you're about there.)
She will likely end up alongside the earlier assassin on occasion, given that they both work for the same Inquisitor (although not normally in the same cell).

Corvus Belli:
(http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inq28/Inq28-WIP/CIMG8655-800.jpg)
Ariadna Para-Commando, Nomad Reverend Custodier.

The Para-Commando is probably due to become a bounty hunter or mercenary.

The Custodier, as I believe has been earlier mentioned, is intended to become a techpriestess.

I have also got Father Lucien Sforza (http://www.infinitythegame.com/infinity/en/2011/miniatures/father-lucien-sforza-authorized-bounty-hunter/) and the Yuan Yuan blister (http://www.infinitythegame.com/infinity/en/2011/miniatures/yuan-yuan-mercenaries/) on order.

In the former case, I'm seeing either a gunslinger... or quite possibly a 28mm version of Inquisitor Skoll.
In the latter case, they'll need ridding of their airborne deployment packs. The male, particularly because of the tattoos the studio paintjob gives him, is a chaos cultist in my mind, someone to go with the smoke daemon.

I'm not quite sure what I'll do with the female. Maybe a resculpt on the torso armour and then some kind of swordswoman - but even if she doesn't necessarily end up in INQ28, she's a nice model for something else.

Statuesque:
(http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inq28/Inq28-WIP/CIMG8656-800.jpg)
Rosa, Tilly Tumbleworth.

I've actually got two Rosas, but the other is mostly just for painting. I've got a conversion in mind for her, but it's going to take an order getting here with the weapon she needs.

Tilly is another case where I've not immediately got ideas, more that I liked the model. But some kind of infiltration operative, a Sam Fisher of sorts, might go somewhere as an idea.

Privateer Press:
(http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inq28/Inq28-WIP/CIMG8657-800.jpg)
Kaya the Wildborne, Rutger Shaw

Don't know what I'm going with Kaya, beyond perhaps Death/Feral world warrior/shaman. Probably less bare skin. Likely a haircut, but maybe replacing the entire head.

Rutger might be interrogator or merc material. But that's perhaps a bit formulaic.

~~~~~

Anyway, boring post was boring, with little interesting modelling content, but as I say, I need to get ideas moving. Some concept sketches may follow.

One piece of other news - I'm considering resculpting Asandrea. Like I've said before, I don't think I really achieved full potential with the model - it was the first 32mm sculpt I'd completed in years (if at all, given my only previous attempt ended up about 40mm) and I'd like to try and improve on that earlier attempt.
Title: Re: Marco does something small
Post by: Gilleon on January 08, 2013, 05:47:30 AM
Interesting Valten conversion you have there, curiously it is near identical to a character concept i came up with a while ago, except the "head" on his shoulder and cloak was from a death world beastie. Looking forward to what you come up with though.

P.s. You do like your female characters don't you.  ;)
Title: Re: Marco does something small
Post by: MarcoSkoll on January 08, 2013, 07:40:40 AM
Indeed I do. I buy the models I like - and given I generally find the subversion of gender roles and the exploration of strong female personalities more interesting than the "traditional" orientation of things, that usually works out well for me.

Sometimes I do have characters who "have" to be one gender or other, but most of the remainder tend to default to female. Which, really, shouldn't be thought of differently to those players who default to their characters being male.
And is certainly better than throwing in females to try and pretend there's gender balance (or to be love interests).

One problem with approaching my interest in gender subversion from the other direction is that putting men in "feminine" roles usually either a) puts them outside of the scope of the Inquisitor game or b) is considered to be somewhat weird.
In the former case, the Inquisitor's housekeeper doesn't really need to make the game. In the latter case, people's opinions of having courtesans in a warband are usually more favourable than those regarding the group's gigolo.

~~~~~

Back to the original point - there are some blokes on the way. I've raided a (or rather, the) box of old GW stuff I got given by an acquaintance, and there's a lot of stuff I'd plain forgotten was in there.
Title: Re: Marco does something small
Post by: MarcoSkoll on January 16, 2013, 11:32:34 PM
As a somewhat radical notion in that "Marco actually combines two models, rather than just sculpting all the bits he wants to change", I've found a load of old Dark Angels models, most of them missing parts, in amongst the stuff a mate gave me. A paint strip later, Azreal has donated some legs that might work:

(http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inq28/Inq28-WIP/CIMG8667-600.jpg)

I do have Ezekiel's body instead - the books and keys are Inquisition type stuff - but I like the suggestion of motion from Azreal's legs and'd prefer to add the books and stuff separately if I must.

This version may need Valten's cloak redoing entirely (to change the direction of motion), but I have just found that if I give the upper body a bit more twist and forwards lean, it gives a really nice dynamic pose almost like he's surging forwards into a fight.
I think that would only take redoing the left edge of the cloak and some of the folds on the back of the robes to really sell it.

~~~~~

The list of other parts from that crate includes the main body of Asmodai, which might make the start of a priest's robes with the head, arm and backpack mount removed; a shotgun scout who appears to have been repainted at least twice, but who I think would convert into an Arbitrator (They can make good non-marines, I recall a nice conversion of one into an Elysian many WDs back); a few old metal Catachans and a plastic Ork driver that's given me ideas.

My own old stuff has revealed the mounted Bretonnian damsel that came with the one I first bought years ago; lots more scouts; Elrond - his legs are visibly short (although, actually, I think it's his arms and head are too large, confusing where the waist is), and fixing that would make him scale in to perhaps be a sword-master of sorts; some old style Dark Eldar that might serve as an armature for a Battle Sister; and enough battle standards that I've got some odd ideas about an Inquisition herald.

~~~~~

Also added something else to the non-GW stuff, probably to be arriving tomorrow. The guy I order Infinity from breaks down some of the multi-model boxes to sell on the models as people need 'em. Some of the left-overs he had on his list from boxes he'd broken down for others intrigued me, so I added those.

One may just be destined to become a display piece, but I think the lady Order Sgt, with the religious design hints, could perhaps make a more lightly armoured (maybe armed?) Battle Sister.

(Some of the PanO military orders stuff does have monastic/crusade aesthetics that could make it drop into Inquisitor relatively easily. He's not on my list, but I've thought for a while that De Fersen (http://www.infinitythegame.com/infinity/en/2012/miniatures/hospitaller-knight-father-officer-gabriele-de-fersen/) might make a nice power armoured Inquisitor with relatively little GS work.)
Title: Re: Marco does something small
Post by: Hadriel Caine on January 17, 2013, 12:34:31 AM
I often ooze enthusiastically about minis generally... But an inquisitor based on Valten and Azrael. Spot on. Can't wait to see progress. Add books if you want but stay with that pose!! The plasma pistol looks a bit too marine-y for me. I'd be tempted to go for a FW one or a guard pistol. But that's just preference.

Same goes for the chains word - I feel it lacks the elegance of the pose and the intricacy of the armour.

It sounds like that's a great box of tricks and I fondly remember the Elysian conversion of which you speak. I'm sure I replicated it somewhere...

Looking forward to more.
Title: Re: Marco does something small
Post by: Koval on January 17, 2013, 06:31:30 AM
Quote from: Hadriel Caine on January 17, 2013, 12:34:31 AM
The plasma pistol looks a bit too marine-y for me. I'd be tempted to go for a FW one or a guard pistol. But that's just preference.
A plasma pistol is a plasma pistol. As far as Imperial ones go, they all look the same, with the exception of some older (and possibly OOP?) Imperial Guard officer models where the difference in shape is only subtle. The only ones that are notably different are the ones used by Chaos models.
Title: Re: Marco does something small
Post by: Radu Lykan on January 17, 2013, 08:32:02 AM
i think one of the chaos plasma pistols might look better, they have more details than the loyalist version. i also agree that the chainsword is a bit plain in relation to the rest of the model, maybe etch some words/patterning up the casing? or swap the sword for a blessed weapon of some sort, just spouting ideas 
Title: Re: Marco does something small
Post by: MarcoSkoll on January 17, 2013, 12:25:59 PM
To quote an earlier post,"the weapons are place-holders" - this is still only a test assembly as things go. When I need a left-handed pistol and a right handed CCW with gauntlets, there's only so much choice if I'm not going to go butchering.

If I were sticking with at least those types of weapon, I have the plasma pistols from what I think are the Chaos Marine and Berserker boxes (those aren't visibly heretical, so they could work) and I have ideas about maybe grafting together the hilt from Asrael's sword (it's broken through at the narrow section) to a spare Striking Scorpion chainsword (which has a more slender and elegant "blade" than most Imperial ones). That angled hold though... it might look off.

I'm not sure I will be staying with those weapons though. There are various questions to answer like whether I'm going to treat this as power armour, and those answers may raise more questions like trying to keep him from dominating games.
Still, Valten's armour was made for a god - so this guy clearly ain't going to be subtle whatever happens...
Title: Re: Marco does something small
Post by: Radu Lykan on January 17, 2013, 01:12:32 PM
the ones from theh beserkers are the ones i was referring to, they look less advanced and therefore more 40k in my opinion
the more slender chainsword could work but as you say, you dont want him to be a complete hard ass
thats why i suggest the blessed weapon route, fair enough it will mess up a daemon but against the average inquisitor character it would just count as a regular sword/mace/axe etc
Title: Re: Marco does something small
Post by: Gideon on January 18, 2013, 09:48:17 AM
Quote from: MarcoSkoll on December 06, 2012, 07:08:11 PM
...and the gold fixing - I find yellow/brown metallics bad enough that I tend to do them as NMM, but didn't have the time)

Hi Marco,

A quick tip that might help in the future: when painting gold, basecoat the area in question with a dark brown - I use Scorched Brown personally - and then follow with: Tin Bitz - Burnished Gold - Shining Gold. Or you can skip the Tin Bitz and just go Burnished - Flesh Wash - Burnished if you want a darker gold colour.

It works wonders!
Title: Re: Marco does something small
Post by: Koval on January 18, 2013, 05:18:56 PM
Well, those colours are no longer sold, but I'm pretty sure Marco can use his best judgment in finding alternatives (whether within the GW paint range or outside of it)
Title: Re: Marco does something small
Post by: MarcoSkoll on January 18, 2013, 06:25:07 PM
Whether the colours are still sold is somewhat separate from whether I still have them - I only paint so much, so the paint set I bought in 2009 is yet to miss any colours. (In fact, inventory is above that, as I found the room to fit in some older colours too).

I don't paint en masse, so supplies tend to last. Even when the pot of Chaos Black went funny late last year, I had an older supply that could replace it.

However, still likely to be something I'll approach with NMM. I like NMM.
Title: Re: Marco does something small
Post by: Gideon on January 19, 2013, 12:49:42 AM
That's fair enough! I'm awful at NMM so I've always just stuck to the metallics. :D
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on January 22, 2013, 09:14:11 PM
This is not finished - some parts still need detailing, others are still rough, there's areas I haven't even touched yet (beyond leaving it at the basic anatomy sketch), not even entirely happy with the anatomy - but I thought I'd at least show you I'm getting on with something...

Katlien Vance:

(http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Artwork/WIP/Katlien_WIP_2_900_top.jpg)
(http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Artwork/WIP/Katlien_WIP_2_900_bottom.jpg)
Full (http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Artwork/WIP/Katlien_WIP_2_900.jpg)
(The colouration is not important, just part of the way I work in Photoshop).

As said before, the core idea is to mix elements from Lady Garielle (the Ascension art used for Katlien's original contact card) and Inquisitor Adrasteia (from DOW2:R), but there's more than just that thrown in now. We'll see where the rest goes.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: Gideon on January 23, 2013, 01:03:47 AM
Good lord! I had no idea so much thought went into your characters, Marco. I've only looked at this page (25) and the images and ideas are incredible.

I love the ethnic mix of Nyi, and the Inquisitrix looks like a seriously dangerous woman.

Hopefully Syme, Laschalle and Moritz will get to meet these women at the IGT. Although judging by Vance's wardrobe she's more of a puritan than a radical... so they may be trading bullets rather than badinage.
Title: Re: Marco does something small
Post by: MarcoSkoll on January 27, 2013, 10:01:33 PM
To just copy it across from Ammobunker until I have a fuller version for a decent character background thread, here's the draft for "Valten" or ...
QuoteInquisitor Magnus Aemes Virasson, Ordo Malleus Dalthan

It doesn't take long in the presence of Inquisitor Virasson to realise he's not a subtle man - his voice is like a hurricane, his ostentatious armour only augments the bulk of his already considerable frame, and the dramatically sized weapons about his person show the violence he is willing to resort to.

These traits only support his energetic pursuit of his Puritan views. He does not, perhaps, fit into any of the traditional stances - not taking the Amalathian view of stagnation and tolerance of the status quo, the Thorian views that so often seem to waver into heretical knowledge of the warp and its mechanisms, or the extremes for which the Monodominant viewpoint is stereotyped.

Indeed, he has come into conflict with Monodominants over his willing use of psykers. To him, if a psyker has proven themselves before He-on-Terra, then none may even dare argue against the Emperor's plan - they are His gift against the foes within, without and most definitely beyond.
But he will tolerate only so much. Magnus knows that his purity and faith are tenfold more formidable against the enemy beyond than any of the cursed and damned methods his radical peers dare to use.

He is, however, no less committed for  being individual. His reports to the Dalthan Conclave, proudly enshrined upon the moon of his homeworld, show he can be utterly ruthless if he believes he has cause.

His fearsome reputation is therefore a very surprising contrast for those who meet him on good terms - Magnus can pursue the entire spectrum of emotion with the same vigour as he does the daemon and traitor, and holds as many allies amongst the Ordos for his social facets as his impressive record.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on January 29, 2013, 02:56:07 AM
Quote from: Gideon on January 23, 2013, 01:03:47 AMGood lord! I had no idea so much thought went into your characters, Marco. I've only looked at this page (25) and the images and ideas are incredible.
This is a bit more effort than I have normally otherwise put in, but I do want to see what I can do when I push myself and don't end up rushing things like normal.

Also, I know I'm going to have to work harder this IGT if I'm going to keep in contention. I won the hobby competition last year, somewhat against my expectations - my marks went from middling to top of the pack. That's probably mostly because I took more time than normal, but I'm fairly sure the change to having the players (rather than the WHW staff) score it helped - one person said they thought I deserved the win for the sheer effort they knew I'd put in.*

So I figure now I've shown I am a contender, I've at least got to put up a challenge and not embarrass myself.

*This may have featured in my reasons for putting in more effort this year. On a similar note though - expect to see the modelling, but I probably won't be showing off the paint until the IGT (or after). It's more interesting if there's some surprises for the day.

And now...

~~~~~

It took me a lot longer than it should have done to do the slight changes you see (mostly because I wasn't quite happy with the legs, had to tweak their position slightly), but here's a finished (although not necessarily final) draft:
(http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Artwork/Katlien_V2_900_top.jpg)
(http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Artwork/Katlien_V2_900_bottom.jpg)
Large (http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Artwork/Katlien_V2_1800.jpg)

I'm considering perhaps adding more armour to the upper legs, but think that might be a bit overwhelming.
The shin and knee plates might get more detail (perhaps relief work) if can think of what.

To waffle a bit:

Katlien's contact card art was originally Lady Garielle (http://www.fantasyflightgames.com/ffg_content/dark-heresy/images/WH_Female-Inquisitor_HRF_IFS.jpg), but I liked the somewhat similar design for Inquisitor Adrastia (http://images4.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20111013160410/dow/images/thumb/2/2d/Adrastia_dow2r_cover_art.jpg/591px-Adrastia_dow2r_cover_art.jpg) from the DOW2 expansion, so the intention here was to take elements of the two and get a more unique end result - albeit with enough similarity to the original Katlien that it could just be a different wardrobe.

As such, I borrowed the weapons pretty much completely. The sword and holster are essentially as was (save for the snazzier end on the belt), so I'm hoping it seems plausible she's still using the same weapons.

Other elements, I borrowed less so. The shin armour* and right pauldron are mostly based on Garielle, and the basic segmented armour design (and its gorget) the most prominent borrowing from Adrastia.
*You may be able to see the way the right shin plates interlock is still based on the patterning on the original art.

And then there's small things like the pattern on the corner of the coat sleeve is based on Garielle's lapel.

Other elements come from further afield. Those split sleeves are sometimes used on Sororitas artwork and  the "cross" pattern on the hat brim was from some Warhammer Online witchunter concepts.
The left pauldron and all the armour detailing were inspired by concepts I had around in my folder of junk from deviantART and other places around the net. Both are, to an extent, an opportunity to put my sculpting talents to a bit more use.

Still working on the colours, but I'm thinking mostly black/grey for the main armour plates, browns for the coat and gold and silver as highlights for the armour detail. May keep the red band on the hat from Garielle's art. Light skin, probably blonde hair.
I'm thinking I can get the whole warband down to a relatively slim shared palette.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on February 07, 2013, 07:17:56 PM
Incomplete WIP draft for Vera Canton:
(http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Artwork/WIP/Vera_V2_WIP2_900_top.jpg)
(http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Artwork/WIP/Vera_V2_WIP2_900_bottom.jpg)
Large (http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Artwork/WIP/Vera_V2_WIP2_1800.jpg)

This is still at a sketching stage with a few artistic errors to fix, and probably needs more details added - devotional trinkets, combat webbing*, some ornamental detail, etc.
*This is my personal interpretation on the idea of a Drill Abbess - with most Drill Abbots I see, I can see the "Abbot" but not the "Drill". These guys are both priest and soldier, and so their appearance should have some of both, I feel.

I'll be trying to mostly wrap this design stage up by the weekend, so as to have a clean seven weeks before the IGT for all the actual modelling and painting work.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: Trasher on February 07, 2013, 10:11:44 PM
<joke>
A twin linked laser sight?  ;D
</joke>

From a shooting point of view, wouldn't it be better to have the laser sight slung under or to the side of the muzzle, to let the red-dot (?) sit lower? Otherwise I love your sketches and this idea of a drill abbot is quite interesting!
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on February 08, 2013, 12:06:52 AM
From a shooting point of view... well, maybe. Low sights can be inconvenient to use.
However, the pertinent point is that the weapon and the character's name* are a very deliberate homage.

As Firefly fans will recognise, this is Jayne Cobb with his very favourite gun - "Vera":
(http://images4.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20070214225455/firefly/images/5/5a/Vera_weapon_Jayne_OMR.jpg)
I took the design of the Callahan Fullbore Autolock (which is in reality a dressed up Saiga-12), and based the Callahan pattern Full-wave Autolas on it.

*Her surname comes from Jayne being "The Hero of Canton".
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: Trasher on February 08, 2013, 11:25:44 AM
Ah, now I see why you'd choose to position the laser sight there :) Your sketch is very close to the original!

I've never used a reddot sight, only iron sights, which logically are even closer to the body of the gun than a reddot could ever wish to be. Before trying a reddot I'm not sure how it can be inconvenient to have them as low as possible. I guess I'm rambling and this hasn't got much to do with Inquisitor though...
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on February 09, 2013, 03:17:18 AM
Tidied up and a few tweaks:
(http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Artwork/Vera_V2_WIP3_900_top.jpg)
(http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Artwork/Vera_V2_WIP3_900_bottom.jpg)
Large Version (http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Artwork/Vera_V2_WIP3_1800.jpg)

Might add a hem to the robe, not entirely sure on the Aquila design on the hammer and there might be a trinket or two left to add (as with the other two character designs), but this should be enough that I can start the modelling process.

So... next stage, some actual sculpting. That's at least these three, but I've also got some other things I can get back to as well.

I'll be able to finalise the colour schemes while that's in progress.
Although I do have a rough theory for Vera's colours, as I have with the others; The plan is white robes with a red scapular (or what I think is called a scapular, anyway) - as I've said previously, that basic design is somewhat inspired by Sisters of Sigmar (http://www.games-workshop.com/gws/catalog/productDetail.jsp?catId=cat490057a&prodId=prod1120017) and I like their studio colour scheme.

It is possible I might use a black or grey robe to closer match the colour scheme of the other two, but heavy use of black may too reminiscent of Christian priests, and that would be entirely unintentional. I also think it might be being anal for its own sake - the group should still have a strong colour coherency even with a light coloured robe, which might even make a nice contrast.

But I guess that's the point of doing the mock-ups, to work all this stuff out!
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: Gilleon on February 09, 2013, 09:09:18 AM
Love these new concepts Marco, very much looking forward to seeing the real thing. Also good to see more Firefly inspired models  ;D
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on February 11, 2013, 03:03:39 AM
Nothing impressive, but just to prove I've actually started:
(http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inquisitor%20Models/WIP%20Models/CIMG8699-800.jpg)
From the left, these will be Katlien, Nyi and Vera. Provided I don't mix up Katlien and Nyi's armatures (what with both of them being the same size).

At the request of LeadLegion (over on Ammobunker), I'll be trying to use the work on these as the basis for a sculpting tutorial, documenting my approach to scratch-building miniatures.
And with that in mind, given this is an all-girl warband and only addressing 54mm females would perhaps make the guide a bit specific, I will also be arranging to work on a 32mm female and a 54mm male at the same time (to cover working at the smaller size and on the masculine form*).

*Anyone looking for guidance on 32mm males will have to infer some of the details, but you're smart people. Not having any small men on my sculpting to-do list at the moment is a bit of a limiting factor for me here.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: Shannow on February 16, 2013, 05:25:40 PM
I always appreciate the sketches you supply Marco, make it so much easier to visualise a WIP and also adds more life to them. Particularly when presented in the mug shot height lines method.

Perhaps you should do a Usual Suspects or Trainspotting style line up version :P
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on February 27, 2013, 02:38:12 AM
I have done dismally little work on my IGT models.
Instead, I've been procrastinating with other projects. Over the weekend, I decided to see if I could redeem the appalling GW sculpting tool I bought in 2008.

It basically took regrinding the head into the shape they used to use, then filing/sanding/polishing all the surfaces smooth, but it is now a tool I'm happy to use:
(http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Miscellaneous/CIMG8827-800.jpg)

Still slightly inferior to my original one, but that original is superlatively awesome.

As a choice, this does now mean I have two very similar tools* and no paint stirrer though.
*While I do have second old one, that's been modified with sharper edges.[/size

This post was brought to you by the "Marco can never pull his finger out and get on with it until it's too late" society.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on March 13, 2013, 08:01:10 PM
Still done dismally little work on my IGT models. A smorgasbord of indecision over the basic anatomy has meant I basically had nothing beyond the basic shape of legs and torsos at the start of this evening.

I'm not sure I can redeem that degree of procrastination at this stage, but, fortunately, I've dealt with a decent chunk of the leg detail in not too many hours, so it's not impossible if I REALLY knuckle down.

Anyway, have a bad picture of a messy looking boot...

(http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/IMG_5282-600.jpg)
(The dent in the toe cap will be fixed).

... and feel free to badger me silly to actually get on with stuff.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on March 19, 2013, 09:59:46 AM
Katlien's legs:
(http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inquisitor%20Models/WIP%20Models/IMG_5287_5288-800.jpg)

May need to adjust her bum. It's not exactly attractive.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: Koval on March 19, 2013, 06:21:20 PM
I don't imagine anyone's going to notice if you give her that long cape/coat/thing in your sketch.

Other than that, I'm looking forward to seeing the finished product.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on March 19, 2013, 08:26:52 PM
I know the coat would cover it up, but I do try and avoid lazy compromises when modelling. It was an easy enough fix really.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on March 20, 2013, 01:39:32 PM
(http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inquisitor%20Models/WIP%20Models/IMG_5294-600.jpg)

I always hate how messy my work looks when it's blown up by a factor of 10 on the screen, but I suppose that at least encourages me to go back and neaten up. I will need to get rid of that fingerprint, for example - but that side of the chest needs building up slightly anyway, it's not quite symmetrical.

Anyway, this part of the model has got something of a fantasy vibe, but that's not uncommon in 40k (some of the power armour in the Inquisitor Sketchbook is strongly reminiscent of European plate armour) and it should be tempered by the rest of the model. Or so my original concept would have me believe.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on March 26, 2013, 11:48:29 PM
As usual, it appears my ability to procrastinate and get sidetracked is greater than my actual ability to get things done.
Looks like these guys won't be on the table this weekend, I'm not prepared to compromise the quality of the work to the extent necessary to get that done. (If I can find a way to turn missing deadlines into a profession, I'll be set for life).

(http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inquisitor%20Models/WIP%20Models/CIMG9060-800.jpg)

Not sure who my backup will be.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: Koval on March 27, 2013, 06:33:47 AM
Looking very nice all the same.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: Shannow on March 27, 2013, 02:38:56 PM
TBH they are so nice I would play against them as they are!
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on March 27, 2013, 04:19:35 PM
Quote from: Shannow on March 27, 2013, 02:38:56 PM
TBH they are so nice I would play against them as they are!
Not sure "Kneadatite Green" and "Plasticard White" count against the two colour minimum. :P

Fortunately, I should probably have something to show for myself nonetheless. Another long running project of mine will hopefully be there.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: DapperAnarchist on March 27, 2013, 05:09:27 PM
Strictly there's also "Shiny Unpainted Brass"...
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on March 27, 2013, 06:12:19 PM
If we're getting pedantic, there's also "Unpainted Copper" (the lasgun barrel) and "Whitemetal" (the scope, modified from a Heresy miniatures' Laser pistol).
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: greenstuff_gav on March 27, 2013, 06:45:44 PM
i know i've raised this issue before, but ....

...

... Get 'em Cast!
it's fairly cheap and you're good enough to get hte sales of the batch :)
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: Koval on March 27, 2013, 07:25:53 PM
For things that are personal to Marco, I'd argue against getting them cast, as I think that would just cheapen the whole idea of Marco having wanted to make something for himself and then doing it.

Given his collection, I can't think of many things to which that doesn't apply.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on March 27, 2013, 07:39:53 PM
Pretty much as Koval said. Cloning models I want to be uniquely mine would be counter intuitive (but that is not to say that I do not plan to do some sculpts that will be for reproduction).

However, even if I were to suddenly decide I did want to, these models are sculpted in a way that would be a total nightmare to cast. There's too many deep undercuts and really thin pieces.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on April 01, 2013, 03:19:28 AM
As the metal bawx finally appeared at the IGT on Saturday (and helped me to a Best GM victory), it's time to post some pictures.

Front right:
(http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inquisitor%20Models/WIP%20Models/CIMG9065-800.jpg)

Front left (http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inquisitor%20Models/WIP%20Models/CIMG9066-800.jpg), Rear left (http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inquisitor%20Models/WIP%20Models/CIMG9067-800.jpg), Rear right (http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inquisitor%20Models/WIP%20Models/CIMG9068-800.jpg)

Interior from rear:
(http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inquisitor%20Models/WIP%20Models/CIMG9069-800.jpg)

Interior from right (http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inquisitor%20Models/WIP%20Models/CIMG9070-800.jpg), Interior from top (http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inquisitor%20Models/WIP%20Models/CIMG9071-800.jpg)

I'm guessing you know it's mostly plasticard, but there are also some wooden pieces in the track assembly; some cheap PVC pipe as the wheels, reinforcing spacers between the main body and side panels and the basic skeleton for the top hatch; and some procreate/milliput mix for gap filling and the actual shape of the top hatch.
And then add in a few LEDs*, a couple of resistors, a switch, two AAs and an old marble to make up the electrical side of things.

I'll get some painted shots in natural light sometime soon, probably after I fix a couple of not entirely painted control panels inside, but here's a couple of pictures of it from the IGT, proving that players cannot resist climbing over vehicles:

(http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Miscellaneous/CIMG9231-600.jpg)

(http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inquisitor%20Events/CIMG9246.jpg)

*As an aside, I could have used white LEDs for the headlights, but I felt yellow would be more striking and make their illumination stand out better under normal lighting.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: Radu Lykan on April 02, 2013, 08:37:44 AM
i do like to see 54mm vehicles and that is a stunner, great job
any ideas to add a big gun at some point? a heavy stubber or webber would look good and as i dont tend to use big guns due to the practical side of lugging a heavy weapon around vehicles seem like the best place to incorporate them?
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on April 02, 2013, 04:16:18 PM
The side hatches, rear roof hatch, driver's roof hatch and roof are ultimately all removable, with the intention that I can build alternative parts.

The rear roof hatch will get a turret mount, to let it later be more heavily armed for scenarios - things like Razorback turrets, an artillery mount something like a Whirlwind or the Forge World Exorcist, or less dangerous things like the Damocles command variant.
The side hatches might later mount sponson type weapons, the driver's hatch might get a pintle weapon option... and the roof might get an outright swap for something like a Repressor variant - which might well mount webbers or water cannons.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: greenstuff_gav on April 02, 2013, 05:45:41 PM
so was all of it's rules made on the fly as it were?
gotta love remote-locking APCs .. bwoop-bwop!  ;D

looks great tho; i loved that guy's comment:
"so d'you use the Land Raider tracks?"
"no, it's all plasticard"
"what about the tracks?"
"they're plasticard with plastic detailing"
:D
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on April 02, 2013, 07:01:00 PM
Yes, I was making the rules up as I went along. I may formalise its rules more later, but I find with vehicles, it helps to be able to scale them to the situation and reward players for creative approaches.
After all, it's not very "action movie" to give the players no chance against a vehicle because they've not got the right heavy weapons.

And that guy didn't seem to quite grasp that people can completely scratchbuild things. Or that I was a little bit madder than building a 54mm Land Raider.

I have previously considered a Land Raider, but having now seen the size of the Rhino next to the WHW terrain, I think one would be impractically big and of relatively little use in comparison to more versatile chassis like the Rhino, Chimera or even the Leman Russ (which can be things like the Atlas).

I know that kind of thing is odd to say in the context of the Warhound, but that's a project I'm chasing down because it's something really different and I love the look of the Mars Warhound. A 54mm Land Raider isn't more than another tank as far as the actual game-play goes, except more awkwardly sized, less versatile and way further out of the realms of being plausibly combated.
Title: Re: Marco does something small
Post by: MarcoSkoll on April 03, 2013, 07:02:31 PM
Having come home from Saturday's IGT with a 2nd place and Best GM win (partly due to finally finishing my 54mm Rhino), I've got £20 worth of vouchers that need spending. (It's not much, but we had the lowest GT turnout I've yet seen, so the prize fund was hardly spectacular).

Mind you, it's more than I normally get to spend on new GW stuff (given my general thoughts as regards pricing policy), so it's worth thinking through.

Hence, I've been rifling through the ranges ("rifle range" pun not intended) to see what might appeal.
I've looked at some of the models people have been doing lots with recently, but I don't feel I have anything sufficiently original to do with models like the Chaos Cultists or Nurgle Lord.

Which is why I think I'm looking at the DE Succubus (http://www.games-workshop.com/gws/catalog/productDetail.jsp?prodId=prod1160050a), GK Death Cult Assassins (https://www.games-workshop.com/gws/catalog/productDetail.jsp?prodId=prod1630042a) and, if that's not in stock in my local, possibly a Kasrkin 2 (http://www.games-workshop.com/gws/catalog/productDetail.jsp?prodId=prod1070091) to get the whole lot above free delivery.

What I have in mind is that the Succubus - with her armour de-spiked and extended over the rest of her body, probably head and weapon swaps and maybe some reposing - could become an apprentice for Inquisitor Virasson, taking after his own less than subtle manner.

The Death cultists - I've got a conversion in mind for one of them (probably the one with the sword), another agent of Virasson.
The other is less clear in my mind, but the torso is not dissimilarly styled to that in the art I based Lady Riemann (http://fav.me/d4vhp90) on. If turned into parts, maybe there's the opening for the corset being use on a model of a similar style.

The Kasrkin - mostly just because I love the models, but have never owned any. There's no certain plan involved.

However, I've also glanced at the Citizens of the Empire sets - Duellists (https://www.games-workshop.com/gws/catalog/productDetail.jsp?prodId=prod1670038a) and Merchant & Scribe (https://www.games-workshop.com/gws/catalog/productDetail.jsp?prodId=prod1670042a).
I have concepts here... but not so much ideas regarding how to use them.

The pistol duellist, with his weapons updated (probably swapping the powder tubes for grenades), might turn into a troop styled after the Swiss Guard (at least in appearance, if not in role, given the fluff issues there).
The sword duellist might turn into some officer, possibly Naval.
The scribe would most naturally remain an adept type.
And the merchant puts me somewhat in mind of the old 54mm Crime Lord, and could do a nice turn in a similar role.

These are interesting ideas, but I fear the problem is a lack of plans for them, as opposed to the more focused ideas I have regarding how to fill out Virasson's warband.

Anyone wish to share opinions?
Title: Re: Marco does something small
Post by: DapperAnarchist on April 03, 2013, 07:48:10 PM
If you want Grimdark Swiss Guard, move them from protecting the Grimdark Pope (the Ecclesiarch, of course) to protecting a Grimdark Cardinal (... a Cardinal. Well, that was original of them :P). Offworld troops moved in to protect him, not Ecclesiarchy troops, but instead either hired contracters or 'volunteers' who happen to be paid through some other means.
Title: Re: Marco does something small
Post by: MarcoSkoll on April 07, 2013, 10:38:57 PM
Post 1:
I headed over to my local on Friday. Given the scale of the place (which has now moved to much tighter premises up the road), I wasn't exactly surprised to find they didn't have even the non-direct models, and thus placed an order for the Succubus, Assassins and Kasrkin. (Ordering the Kasrkin separately wouldn't have been very postage efficient).

It seemed better to go with the more solid plans I had in my head. I know a lot of the 28mm community are very content with the "make model first, decide who it is later" approach, but that's not so much my style. I prefer to be more confident about who I'm dealing with before I begin. (Maybe as a side effect of many of my models being tens of hours of sculpting? Not that I never kitbash, but it's not my normal manner).

Upside is this gives me some of the gender balance I wanted for Virasson's warband - and should I want to use the Empire Citizens as inspiration later on, I can probably quite effectively imitate them with leftover plastic parts and some putty work.

~~~~~

Post 2:

In the interests of actually working more on Virasson's warband, I've been playing around with the old metal shotgun scout I had designs on turning into an Arbitrator.

Thing is, while a headswap and maybe a bit of remodelling on the shoulders/back would be functional, it also feels a bit simplistic. A bit dull for an Inquisitor model, and not really enough to stop it looking like a lazy scout conversion.

So, as it wouldn't be one of my warbands without arbitrarily emasculating at least one of the concepts halfway through or some unnecessarily involved modelling work, I hit Photoshop to see if there was any merit to the possibility of doing the same here:

(http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inq28/Inq28-WIP/IMG_5331-800.jpg)

This would be quite involved, requiring slimming down the torso on the model (between the various pouches/equipment), probably replacing the hands and shotgun, and acquiring a new head (the placeholder there is cut and pasted from a Statuesque head, but in reality it would be too small for this model - but I can sculpt heads at this scale, so this isn't too problematic)... but I think it would make for a pretty unique version of the model.

Mind you:
1) Do you think it'd actually work?
2) Am I just being over the top here?
Title: Re: Marco does something small
Post by: Heroka Vendile on April 08, 2013, 12:51:25 AM
a little of column a, a little of column b. I don't think there's anything wrong with a straight headswap on the old metal scouts, perhaps remove the bulky backpiece and replace with something more... non-space-marine?
Title: Re: Marco does something small
Post by: MarcoSkoll on April 08, 2013, 02:23:08 PM
There's not strictly anything wrong with it, but it's not anything special either. A basic headswap is hardly stretching my skills or producing something distinctly "mine".
Title: Re: Marco does something small
Post by: MarcoSkoll on April 09, 2013, 02:35:24 AM
Well, I decided to give the scout's gender realignment surgery a go.

The model divided into its main pieces:
(http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inq28/Inq28-WIP/CIMG9270-600.jpg)
There are a few other bits I've saved (like the pouches and shotgun shells) but I've put these somewhere harder to lose them.

Main cuts were:
- taking the pouches/shells off. This was done with a craft knife given the very narrow cut width. (However, it should go without saying it's not actually a recommended technique for that much metal cutting).
- down the left side of the torso, to cut away the left arm and front of the shotgun. (Now using the razor saw).
- across from the right side of the torso, on a 45 diagonal plane between the middle of the back and underneath the shotgun, separating legs and upper body
- cut shotgun away from top half of torso, angled at about 45 degrees down. This had to be two cuts, one from each end, as it wasn't a straight line at the wrist.
- After that, just trimming away waste metal.

This gives me 4 to 6 pieces (depending on the eventual fate of the webbing, I may just GS it) to reassemble into a miniature, so probably my most intricate dissection yet.
Upside is that I saved all the major details, including the arms and shotgun that I wasn't sure I'd be able to keep. The only real casualties were a couple of frag grenades on the belt, but these can be restocked from plastic bitz if needed.

After the torso has been slimmed and reattached to the legs:
(http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inq28/Inq28-WIP/CIMG9272-600.jpg)
Sorry, not the best photo ever.

There's two pins and a scrap of 0.5mm plasticard as a spacer. The two halves should be in roughly the same position as before, and be strong enough to stay there.

And the start of GS shaping:
(http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inq28/Inq28-WIP/CIMG9276-600.jpg)
This is far from finished and it's going to need some filing after this is set (some of the metal wasn't quite trimmed back far enough and got in the way), but it's reasonably promising so far.
She's clearly going to have some meat on her bones given she's based on a (heroic) male miniature - but I think her shape should work out fine if I can tweak her hips and waist a bit more. (The hips are high at the moment).

The face is still going to be entirely make-or-break, and she'll probably still get mistaken for a he by players anyway, but I'm at least trying to fulfil my quotas on feminising my characters and overcomplicated modelling.
Title: Re: Marco does something small
Post by: MarcoSkoll on April 10, 2013, 06:46:42 PM
Photos of yesterday's work, as promised (on Ammobunker, anyway):

(http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inq28/Inq28-WIP/IMG_5341-600.jpg)
I'm not sure where that scrape on the stomach came from...

(http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inq28/Inq28-WIP/IMG_5339-600.jpg)
Reshaped bum. Yay.

(http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inq28/Inq28-WIP/IMG_5340-600.jpg)
And with a test pose of the shotgun. The narrower shoulders do need me to check I'm not making the upper arms too long, but I think this should work.

~~~~~

And today's arrivals:

(http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inq28/Inq28-WIP/CIMG9279-800.jpg)

Almost tempted to complain - although I quite like the effect, the webstore picture leads me to doubt the dimples in all these studs are intentional:
(http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inq28/Inq28-WIP/IMG_5342-800.jpg)
And the sword... well I don't know how that's supposed to have happened, given it's all sprued up.

Her friend's not great either, with some bubbles in her armour and nose:
(http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inq28/Inq28-WIP/IMG_5345-800.jpg)

And the Succubus seems to be some kind of Eldar/shark hybrid, with a back fin:
(http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inq28/Inq28-WIP/IMG_5346-800.jpg)
(Even without the fact her right foot is snapped/otherwise unattached to the base tab)

And the Ksarkin (sic, see base tab) has some "growth" on the leg and shoulder that appears to be the result of a damaged mould.

Mind you, I'm probably too impatient to actually try and sort all this out with customer service and will likely end up just fixing it all myself, but it still shows that Finecast isn't exactly entirely up to scratch yet - nor is metal casting flawless either. (Mind you, the Kasrkin is probably going to be the least time to fix).
Title: Re: Marco does something small
Post by: MarcoSkoll on April 11, 2013, 02:31:13 AM
Anyway, heads. I don't have any GW female heads (at least that I want to use) going spare, and I think most of the ones from 3rd party manufacturers are butt ugly.

But I think we all knew from the start that I'd just start cheating at this point, and sidestep the problem in my own idiom.

So, here's one possible head:
(http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inq28/Inq28-WIP/IMG_5354-600.jpg)
Apologies that it's a dash out of focus, but even my old camera and its crazy supermacro mode sometimes struggles.

Obviously, there's no back of the head, neck or hair yet. Right eye is also unfinished (sometimes it's easier to not put the eye in the socket while sculpting, so to speak). The cheeks were also a dash asymmetrical as of this photo, but that's been tweaked.

I'm not sure I'll use this one, as I'm quite tempted to go closer to the appearance of the Statuesque head or just have a more adventurous expression, but it at least gets my hand back in and will let me check the scale.
Heads often don't have to be much out in size to not work for the bulk of a given model, and that's more of a risk here given converting a male miniature for the job makes this model's bulk a bit unusual. I've defaulted to 6mm tall which tends to work for heroic 32mm, but I'll need to be sure on that.

I've also done a little more sculpting on the main body, but not really enough to bother photographing yet - just the first stage of belt and some tidying up.
Title: Re: Marco does something small
Post by: MarcoSkoll on April 11, 2013, 08:25:40 PM
So, pop quiz:

(http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inq28/Inq28-WIP/IMG_5356-600.jpg)

Bearing in mind the head will be a little more bulky after it's got a full neck and hairdo, is it the right or wrong size?
It's possibly slightly on the smaller side of ideal to my eye, but I don't tend to work in heroic scale.

Next question is if it is the right size, whether it's what I go with regarding whether I use this head or try making some alternatives. In which case, what should I try different?
Title: Re: Marco does something small
Post by: mirryhalo on April 11, 2013, 08:35:52 PM
Scale wise I think that head works really well and whether or not you want to keep it is up to you I think it works well with the model but if you want something more dynamic?
Title: Re: Marco does something small
Post by: greenstuff_gav on April 11, 2013, 08:49:59 PM
while the head looks great, i'd be concerned with the length of her fore-arm; that elbow looks to be an awful way out?

totally missed all of this  :-[
Title: Re: Marco does something small
Post by: MarcoSkoll on April 11, 2013, 10:03:44 PM
The arms are yet to be fixed in place - they are only roughly positioned through the miracle of blu-tack. (But it is possible that I may cut the wrists for a bit more repositioning).
Title: Re: Marco does something small
Post by: MarcoSkoll on April 12, 2013, 06:08:32 PM
One photo from a better angle, plus a possible concept to an Arch-Exorcist (to be based, to some extent, on the artwork from "Blood of Martyrs" (http://images.wikia.com/warhammer40k/images/7/78/Arch_Exorcist.jpg)):

(http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inq28/Inq28-WIP/CIMG9289-800.jpg)

As may have been earlier mentioned, this is a body from the old Asmodai model (1996, I think) - except now relieved of its head and left arm and with an Empire head blu-tacked in place.
Adjusting the chest icon is likely on the to-do list. The feet and grenade definitely so.
Title: Re: Marco does something small
Post by: MarcoSkoll on April 14, 2013, 01:54:06 PM
I've been looking over my concepts for Virasson's interrogator, and I'm wondering whether it might be better to advance her concept by a few decades and make her a full blown Inquisitor of her own (to receive her own retinue at some point).

This would mostly be so I could replace her and put more of a check on the power of Virasson's warband, opening them up for a wider range of scenarios. But also because I feel the conversion I have in mind might be too ostentatious to be just an Interrogator.

The issue, at present, is that Virasson himself is quite possibly going to be packing both power armour (or at least some serious carapace) and plasma weapons - while a notably conspicuous interrogator would be in character for him, too much of an armoury will introduce issues regarding interesting/fair balance.
Hence, I'm thinking of instead producing a new and less heavily armed/armoured apprentice for him and moving the previous concept back in time, such she was a previous apprentice of his - perhaps now going down a somewhat different path than Virasson (so they're not "samey" to play) but also not quite so far that they are at loggerheads.

The other alternative that's in mind, rather than splitting her off, would be to produce an extra, less heavily armed, model for her that could be swapped between dependent on scenario needs. However, I suspect this might sideline the original model concept or other models in the warband too heavily, given that trying to keep the warband's power in check would strongly limit a good few more of the possible combinations of models from seeing the table together.

~~~~~

If I were working on this new Interrogator, it'd probably be a scratch sculpt job, seeing as I have a rather specific appearance in mind, inspired by something I saw on deviantART a while ago...
Title: Re: Marco does something small
Post by: MarcoSkoll on April 17, 2013, 10:13:50 PM
Well, evidently that was too vague a question for anyone to be particularly moved by it, but here's something rough:

(http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Artwork/WIP/Virasson_Interrogator_WIP_2_900.jpg)

Supposed to be somewhat ceremonially styled armour, taking hints between Cadian and Vostroyan in design, couple of deliberate design references to the Succubus' armour (even if that's being saved for elsewhere), some nice impractical high heels, etc.

I know this is still quite a well equipped character, but trust me, less so than I had planned before. Possibly I'll take a dislike to it tomorrow, but right now I'm in the state of tiredness where my mental breakdowns amuse me.
Title: Re: Marco does something small
Post by: Gilleon on April 19, 2013, 10:32:49 AM
Personally I would advance her to an inquisitor, but that's just me. Maybe do a lighter armed version to represent her as an interrogator. I do like your concept by the way, especially the detail on the thigh boots.
Title: Re: Marco does something small
Post by: MarcoSkoll on April 19, 2013, 11:36:57 AM
Ah yes, I should point out, as I did on Ammobunker, that this concept is for the replacement Interrogator. The concept for the original interrogator was basically "DE Succubus, except with armour all over, and head/weapon swaps".

This idea gives me the option to do something more original and less formidable than the concept I had for the Mk1 Interrogator. Thing is, as I said with my last 28mm warband, it's not really one of my warbands if I haven't sculpted at least one of the models from scratch.
Title: Re: Marco does something small
Post by: MarcoSkoll on April 19, 2013, 10:07:13 PM
I've tidied up the earlier sketch.
(http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Artwork/Virasson_Interrogator_900.jpg)
Doesn't quite look like my normal drawing style, I know. I feel it's less characterful than the rougher lines I normally use, but it's at least quicker.

I'm reasonably happy with this as a concept, although possibly the final result will have more gubbins strewn around the model.

Anyway, I'm probably actually going to get on with the other models at some point too (second attempt at the Arbitratrix's head, more Arch Exorcist, actually getting on with Virasson himself and then working on one of these cultists...), but I suspect a lot of this weekend will be given over to the fact I've found myself writing a Dark Heresy adventure at short notice.
Title: Re: Marco does something small
Post by: MarcoSkoll on April 27, 2013, 11:34:17 PM
Finally got back to modelling, so new attempt at the Arbitratrix's head:
(http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inq28/Inq28-WIP/IMG_5388-300.jpg)
A tiny fraction smaller, and also with smaller features. It's going to need a touch more work, but I will probably use it rather than the original attempt.

And I finally got around to cutting up one of the Death Cultists:
(http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inq28/Inq28-WIP/IMG_5393-600.jpg)
Not the one I originally had in mind, but I wasn't keen on trying to fix the bubble in every gorram stud in the other model just yet.

Anyway, to quit the bitching... This probably isn't going to be a phenomenally ambitious conversion, but it likely will still need a new head sculpted (and which will have to be a quarter smaller than the one for the Arbitratrix).
Title: Re: Marco does something small
Post by: MarcoSkoll on May 01, 2013, 03:01:21 AM
This is not quite finished, but it's getting close to it:

(http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inq28/Inq28-WIP/CIMG9468-800.jpg)

I admit she's not the finest female miniature in the world - but there were natural limitations to that without throwing out too much of the base model. I feel she's turned out pretty well, given that caveat and the relative complexity of the conversion. It's certainly resulted in something different, whichever way.
Title: Re: Marco does something small
Post by: MarcoSkoll on May 01, 2013, 07:22:08 PM
Some stuff done with Virasson:
(http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inq28/Inq28-WIP/CIMG9469-800.jpg)
(http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inq28/Inq28-WIP/CIMG9470-800.jpg)

- I've started to deal with all the platemaille and turn it into various robes. I'll admit I cheated on the cloak - I used the Dremel rather than the hand tools.

- I've also taken the Sigmarian/Dwarven iconography off the left shoulder and realised it would fit one of the FW brass Aquilas I have - so he got one of those instead. Similarly, the slightly Dark Angels specific icon on the legs has been turned into another Aquila.

I'm not however sure about what to do with the shape of the right pauldron and what appears to be a griffon beneath it on the torso. The former is fairly eagle like, so can probably stay. The latter might be possible to turn into an eagle shape with a little work.

- The flow of the robes has been changed. I'm perhaps not completely convinced by it and may make further changes, but it's less stationary than it was.

- While still blu-tacked, the waist of the torso has been filed back so it sits better on the legs.

- And I'm still messing around with weapons. I'm considering the bolt pistol as a possibility that's slightly less of a total wildcard in the game over the plasma pistol. (Bearing in mind, I tend to use my variant on the rules).
And sword wise, I'm mostly decided that he's going to have some kind of anointed weapon (rather than a chain weapon), but haven't yet decided on a part I like. This Chaos Warrior one is just the new placeholder.

~~~~~

In other news, I've blagged two Sisters of Sigmar on eBay before the prices go nuts (over this big shut down of the SG and collectors ranges).

They may result in a bit of a change for what I'm doing for this warband, but that's not certain yet.
Title: Re: Marco does something small
Post by: MarcoSkoll on May 04, 2013, 03:26:16 AM
Okay, I've done some last tweaks and I'm putting it to you guys before I put her on the undercoating list.

(http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inq28/Inq28-WIP/CIMG9496-800.jpg)
Front Left (http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inq28/Inq28-WIP/CIMG9497-800.jpg), Rear Left (http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inq28/Inq28-WIP/CIMG9499-800.jpg), Rear Right  (http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inq28/Inq28-WIP/CIMG9501-800.jpg) & Front Right (http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inq28/Inq28-WIP/CIMG9503-800.jpg)

Notes:
- That cut in the shotgun isn't perceptible when running the tip of a sculpting tool over it, so probably won't be noticeable after undercoating.
- The Tau backpack didn't seem too notably Xenos, so it worked for me.
- She does have big hands, but I don't think it's too bad. In any case, unless it's awful, I am trying to retain a good fraction of the base model (rather than resculpting everything, which would be pointless)
- I also replaced the grenades on her belt I had to sacrifice in the original cutting. And no, they're not the frags they once were. (Nor are they the krak grenades that design actually is, but they'll do for what I need).

For my part, I'm very happy. She's one of my favourite conversions, particularly as compared to the somewhat routine idea I originally had for this model - and while that first "what if" meant I had to evaluate a whole load of new character concepts, the freedom to work more freely than my originally imagined limits of who the model could be were very welcome.

The name I have stuck in my head for her is "Lynx Vanden", but I may have to re-think that if I hear too many deodorant jokes.

~~~~~

Anyway, more Death Cultist:
(http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inq28/Inq28-WIP/CIMG9504-800.jpg)
(http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inq28/Inq28-WIP/CIMG9505-800.jpg)

In a bit of a tribute to the now OOP 54mm assassins, I decided to give her more bondage gear copy some elements of their appearance. It fits within my character concept, and should help make her a little more distinct from the stock model.

~~~~~

Also, the Sisters of Sigmar are here. This one (http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inq28/Inq28-WIP/CIMG9491-800.jpg) and this one (http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inq28/Inq28-WIP/CIMG9492-800.jpg).

I would describe what I might have in mind for these , but I've just realised it's past three o'clock.
Title: Re: Marco does something small
Post by: Gilleon on May 05, 2013, 05:03:29 AM
I like how the death cultist is coming along, especially the detail on the back of the corset, very nice work.
One point i noticed with Lynx Vanden (Body spray with a "kick" :P ) is that the shoulders look a little low relative to the neck and head. That may be down to camera angle and lighting. Otherwise i do like her, a nice twist on the old scout model. The face in particular is a nice sculpt, the chin is nice and feminine.

P.S. I do apologize for the Lynx joke.
Title: Re: Marco does something small
Post by: Koval on May 05, 2013, 06:28:37 AM
Quote from: Gilleon on May 05, 2013, 05:03:29 AM
P.S. I do apologize for the Lynx joke.
Yes, you should, Lynx smells absolutely disgusting -- I for one would have to smell really bad before I reached for a can of Lynx.

Dave -- Liquid Green Stuff should fix that cut in the shotgun rather nicely, or at least help you smooth it over.
Title: Re: Marco does something small
Post by: MarcoSkoll on May 05, 2013, 10:47:58 PM
Quote from: Gilleon on May 05, 2013, 05:03:29 AMI like how the death cultist is coming along, especially the detail on the back of the corset, very nice work.
I had to do something back there (having removed the model's original cyber dreadlocks, which wouldn't work with the head change, her back became quite dull) - I'm still tempted to go back and replace it with proper corset lacing, but that might be too fiddly at 32mm scale.

QuoteOne point i noticed with Lynx Vanden is that the shoulders look a little low relative to the neck and head.
I've sort of thought that myself, so I'll probably be building up the top of the shoulders slightly.

Quote from: Koval on May 05, 2013, 06:28:37 AMLiquid Green Stuff should fix that cut in the shotgun rather nicely, or at least help you smooth it over.
While I do have Liquid GS (I picked it up as a "what the hell" when I was ordering the stuff with my GT vouchers), I just decided to chuck the regular brand at this. The cut wasn't the problem -  some filing on the area had left it less than entirely flush.
Title: Re: Marco does something small
Post by: Gilleon on May 06, 2013, 07:21:16 AM
Quote from: MarcoSkoll on May 05, 2013, 10:47:58 PM

QuoteOne point i noticed with Lynx Vanden is that the shoulders look a little low relative to the neck and head.
I've sort of thought that myself, so I'll probably be building up the top of the shoulders slightly.

Maybe some shoulder pads could help? Granted that's a step back to the original model, but would cover the height difference. Plus shoulder pads are so very 40k.

Quote from: Koval on May 05, 2013, 06:28:37 AM
Quote from: Gilleon on May 05, 2013, 05:03:29 AM
P.S. I do apologize for the Lynx joke.
Yes, you should, Lynx smells absolutely disgusting -- I for one would have to smell really bad before I reached for a can of Lynx.


Neither do I, but it doesn't mean it can't be joke material ;D
Title: Re: Marco does something small
Post by: MarcoSkoll on May 06, 2013, 01:26:55 PM
Quote from: Gilleon on May 06, 2013, 07:21:16 AMMaybe some shoulder pads could help?
That's deliberately off the list, as I don't want to disguise the silhouette of the shoulders. She'd only look more masculine for it.
Title: Re: Marco does something small
Post by: Gilleon on May 06, 2013, 10:39:11 PM
Quote from: MarcoSkoll on May 06, 2013, 01:26:55 PM
Quote from: Gilleon on May 06, 2013, 07:21:16 AMMaybe some shoulder pads could help?
That's deliberately off the list, as I don't want to disguise the silhouette of the shoulders. She'd only look more masculine for it.

Fair enough, as you say i do like the silhouette of the shoulders. Shoulder pads was a simple and easy fix that just sprang to mind.
Title: Re: Marco does something small
Post by: MarcoSkoll on May 09, 2013, 03:00:13 AM
Right. I've adjusted Lynx slightly - I slightly raised her shoulders, some SM scroll cases were cut up to move the grenades to the back of her belt instead, and I gave her a shaped charge.
The last IGT made me realise many warbands probably should be better prepared for when there is a problematic door, doomsday device or vehicle* - hence the extra munition.
*Although the realisation was not because I had found myself unprepared. I had Sgt Kronen along, after all.

And with that done, I did up a paved base for her...

(http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inq28/Inq28-WIP/CIMG9519-800.jpg)

... which isn't exactly the fanciest base going - but I like relatively simple basing, themed across the whole group (and this should be fine to repeat for the other characters). I've also weighted it with a penny, so the model should be pretty sure-footed. (It turns out to be cheaper, if slightly less effective, to weight it with money than lead shot).

And I've now given her the old "spray white + black wash" undercoat. Painting to commence when I feel like I'm not going to mess up one of my favourite conversions in years. (I should note, the shotgun is not yet glued in place, to make her easier to paint).

Also, I made a shot at the new head for the death cultist:
(http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inq28/Inq28-WIP/CIMG9528-200.jpg)
I'm not utterly thrilled with it, but I haven't done one this small (4.5mm) in some time. At the least, I can use it to check the scaling, and then decide whether it's worth tweaking or just restarting.

And, last but not least, I've started the Interrogator sculpt, but it's not really interesting enough to photograph right now - it's a Y-shaped bit of wire with crude shapes of ribcage, pelvis, thighs and calves GSed on. I could show you any other starting armature and you wouldn't know the difference.
Title: Re: Marco does something small
Post by: MarcoSkoll on May 18, 2013, 01:01:04 AM
Just to prove I am getting on with something...

I did start on painting Lynx, but some thick Codex Grey motivated me to strip the model and start over again. Here's where I've got back to:

(http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inq28/Inq28-WIP/IMG_5404-800-1.jpg)

I'm not happy with the right eye yet, a couple of the shapes look wrong.
To be honest, I think I preferred my first version of the face (when she had a couple more years on the clock and brown eyes instead), but I'm probably too lazy to do much more - and, despite thinner paints this time around, I've probably already done too many layers.
Title: Re: Marco does something small
Post by: Heroka Vendile on May 20, 2013, 10:15:38 PM
that is one damn good face.
Title: Re: Marco does something small
Post by: MarcoSkoll on May 23, 2013, 03:43:34 PM
It's not perfect, but I rather suffer from a degree of incompetence when it comes to knowing how to get the paint to do the clever things - dexterity, it would seem, is not a major hold-up.

And now - a slightly old update and a newer update:

~~~~~

As far as finding a suitable sword for Virasson, I discovered a Nemesis Force sword around from an old bitz order (I think it must have been when I bought the Phobos pattern bolter to use on Sister Rhian):
(http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inq28/Inq28-WIP/CIMG9584-600.jpg)
Its sheer size meant I originally considered it to use on 54mm models, but it could work here. It would need the phantom hand removed and I'd possibly also lose the power/force weapon gubbins (although KrautScientist did suggest it just providing a protective energy field) so it could be a more mundane, albeit anointed, weapon... but what do people think? Just too big?

I've been considering a zweihander of sorts for a while (giving him weapons that have to be used two handed will make him slightly more vulnerable), and if this one is too much, I do have the considerably smaller two handed sword from the Empire Militia kit around - but I don't like the styling as much.

~~~~~

I've been playing around with Reaver* (as the assassin is being called, at least as a working title):
(http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inq28/Inq28-WIP/CIMG9586-800.jpg)

As you can see, I've cut off the offending right side of the face to be redone (as I've taken something of a shine to the parts of the face that worked). I'm generally happy with its size, as this is a pretty true proportioned model by GW's standards (a fair few of their non-plastic females seem to go that way).

The rest is some approximate reposing of the arms. I had originally considered giving her different weapons (such as a whip), but I'm increasingly tending towards keeping the paired blades, at least if I can straighten the damn things out** or find good replacements in my bitz box.
I know it does mean I'm still in that zone where my models are fundamentally similar to what I started with*** - but I think she's still got a distinct character from her original.

[small]*Another Firefly reference, although she's actually closer to River in her character elements, as the line "She did always love to dance" is part of the inspiration here.
** In my limited experience, this has been one of the biggest disadvantages of Finecast - the difficulty of straightening parts.
*** Dissect a scout model, glue it back together into a scout with different hair.[/small]
Title: Re: Marco does something small
Post by: Gilleon on May 25, 2013, 01:53:36 AM
I like how Virasson is coming along, though as you say that sword is massive, by the looks of it it would be near 6 foot long, I hope Virasson is strong enough for something that size. Perhaps the pack could be some kind of suspensor unit which alleviates some of the weight problems? I do like the sword to be honest, very unsubtle Monodominant.

I also like how Reaver/River is coming along, it's a nice pose and the face is a good sculpt that i'm sure will only get better. Are you plannign on sculpting hair for her? With regards to the bent blades, I am assuming you know about dipping them in hot (but not boiling) water for a few seconds, softening the resin and making it more flexible. This should hopefully fix them up perfectly.
Title: Re: Marco does something small
Post by: MarcoSkoll on May 25, 2013, 03:16:14 AM
Well, Virasson is about six foot six and wears power armour (stood straight, the model would be about 35-36mm), so he's not going to be a wimp. But the suspensor is an interesting idea I'll add to the list of possibilities... but I am still planning he'll only be able to use it to full effectiveness two handed.

I will add though... he's not a Monodominant. He is a staunch puritan who takes a heavy handed approach to his beliefs, but those beliefs are a little more lenient than "BURN EVERYTHING!". For example, he will happily work with psykers - after all, if they're proven before Him-On-Earth, what right has he to disagree.

~~~~~

I'm expecting Reaver will get hair. I have been considering that bald look, but I've also had a desire to do a model with a short crop for a while...
... okay, that could sound very wrong out of context.

Thing is, I often tend to default to ponytails for my female characters, and while this is a fair way to give a model a haircut that's a good combination between practical and feminine (says someone with one himself), it's also getting trite.
Hence, I'm hoping to do something different. I may experiment with plasticine or blu-tack first to see if I want to do something longer, but the short hair is probably what's in mind.

And yes, I do know that resin softens up with heat - but it's often hard to be precise about what shape it sets in (and easy to cock up).
Given as the original blades are actually pretty chunky (they're about as thick as they are broad, and would almost pass for better bludgeons than swords) I've instead replaced them outright with new blades made from 0.8mm brass. A rather nice improvement I think - but pictures some other time.
Title: Re: Marco does something small
Post by: MarcoSkoll on June 03, 2013, 06:44:43 PM
Because I'm actually pretty pleased with the result, even if I have a couple of things (like the front edge of the base and my other desk lamp) to fix before proper photos, here's a quick picture of a nearly finished Lynx:

(http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inq28/Inq28-WIP/IMG_5421-800.jpg)

I've said it a few times, but she's one of my favourites to date. No, she's not the kind of fancy gothic model that grabs people's attention... but she's the kind of conversion I like, blending the original model with an original model (to put it in a less confusing way: ending up far from where I started, but without losing sight of it).

And, in this case, I managed to do it with a really unlikely model and some properly good modelling challenges along the way. So pretty much ideal for me, even if she's not other people's cup of tea.
Title: Re: Marco does something small
Post by: Gilleon on June 04, 2013, 02:45:05 AM
I'm right with you on that one Marco, not every model needs to evoke the gothic atmosphere of the 40k universe. As I said before I do like this model, more so now that it's painted. The stonework on the base is particularly well done I think. Can't wait to see the details added to the rear of the model.
Title: Re: Marco does something small
Post by: Heroka Vendile on June 06, 2013, 11:35:34 AM
your patientence and skill with sculpting tool and paintbrush sicken me dave  ;)
Title: Re: Marco does something small
Post by: MarcoSkoll on June 10, 2013, 01:27:46 AM
I haven't had the time to do any more work, save knocking some over-done highlights off some parts of the brow and the left knee, but the folks on Ammobunker asked for some slightly less close-up photos in order to get a better impression of the effect of my "impressionistic" painting style from a distance.

So, here such things are:

(http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inq28/Inq28-WIP/CIMG9780-600.jpg)

(http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inq28/Inq28-WIP/CIMG9779-600.jpg)

Quote from: Heroka Vendile on June 06, 2013, 11:35:34 AMyour patientence and skill with sculpting tool and paintbrush sicken me dave  ;)
I'd actually attribute this model more to the razor saw than the sculpting tool. Other than the head (which could reasonably have been replaced with a GW or 3rd party female head if I'd actually had any going spare), most of the sculpting here is pretty routine - mildly textured fabrics and flat armour plates.

The most key part in a conversion like this (at least without significantly adding to the sculpting load) is in how best to dissect the model.
Title: Re: Marco does something small
Post by: Quickdraw McGraw on June 12, 2013, 11:06:44 PM
Very Nice!  I love the sculpted head and all the gear on her back/belt!
Title: Re: Marco does something small
Post by: MarcoSkoll on July 23, 2013, 03:24:53 AM
Closer inspection of the Kasrkin I bought shows the moulds are giving away their age. Some of the detail on the helmet hasn't cast well (left eye and lamp-pack) and the torso detail has some damage to the undercuts and is generally a little less than crisp.
They could just be tidied up as is, but...

... I had fun with Lynx's conversion. A lot of fun.

So, given the Kasrkin's head and torso already need at least a repair, I'm considering outright replacement too. The same recipe may lose some of its panache a second time around, but it's at least worth a Photoshop mock-up:

(http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inq28/Inq28-WIP/CIMG9924-800.jpg)
Once again, the picture of the head is shamelessly stolen from Statuesque's site, just this time edited to be green

The aim this time around would be to try and preserve the shoulders - they'd still need to be lower and narrower to reduce the masculinity of the model, but I'd like to see if I can swing it without removing the pauldrons.
If nothing else, a little more practice before I have to swing into action on any test sculpts I'm called on for* wouldn't be unwelcome.

A "bare" head is somewhat non-negotiable in terms of not ending up with a sex-indeterminate model (well, it's that or add huge norks), so she can have a beret instead.
Beyond some vague recollection that red berets might mark veterans, I don't actually recall what the "rule" regarding berets is in the Imperial Guard - but hey, I liked it on the first version of Little Brother's Sgt. Ellis (and was a little disappointed to not see its return for version 2), so *immature raspberry noises*. :P

So, pop quiz - worth doing again, or just trite the second time around?

* Lynx, despite "just" being a conversion, proved to be a useful part of a portfolio when talking with a miniatures company, so I should have some test sculpts to do at some point. More on that if anything comes through though.
Title: Re: Marco does something small
Post by: Gilleon on July 25, 2013, 05:02:34 AM
I would say Marco, that if you are doing it then it will be worth it. Not wanting to sound like too much of a fanboy of course...

With regard to the shoulders then all I can say is best of luck, I have tried but had little success with resculpting the Kasrkin models. An easy cop out of course is to say she is from a particularly low gravity world, where the women are built like Cadian men. A scary thought, but probably too easy an option to be worth considering.

Whilst you say the bare head is non-negotiable, I would suggest trying to sculpt a feminine face inside of the helmet, the helmet forces more attention to the face itself, thus you are forcing yourself to do an excellent sculpt. That made sense in my head at least.
Title: Re: Marco does something small
Post by: Koval on July 25, 2013, 07:13:29 AM
Quote from: Gilleon on July 25, 2013, 05:02:34 AM
With regard to the shoulders then all I can say is best of luck, I have tried but had little success with resculpting the Kasrkin models. An easy cop out of course is to say she is from a particularly low gravity world, where the women are built like Cadian men. A scary thought, but probably too easy an option to be worth considering.
Or she could just be large and beefy anyway -- I personally know a few women for whom that's genuinely the case.

The trouble is that while it's certainly possible to tell male and female soldiers apart, it can become harder when they've got all their combat gear, to the point where the only visible indicators are the head, hands and (usually) shoulders. For example, you can see that these soldiers (http://resources1.news.com.au/images/2011/04/12/1226037/614413-female-soldiers.jpg) are very clearly female, but owing to all the gear they're wearing, they're not so far removed in initial appearance from male soldiers (http://doblelol.com/uploads/10/soldier.jpg), the main difference (aside from the faces) being that the ladies in the first picture are just that much smaller.

Once you start adding on carapace armour as well (with all of its rigid plates), and that dirty great hellgun, the distinction can become even more blurry.

So while this might come across as counter to what you're trying to achieve, I don't see that it would be that huge a deal in context if you made only very minor changes (barring repair work), or no changes at all, beyond the head swap.
Title: Re: Marco does something small
Post by: DapperAnarchist on July 25, 2013, 09:29:33 AM
I say leave her looking "masculine" (large and beefy). Then we can have the famous Rogue Trader and arms dealer, Anton Strak (also a famous ladies man) saying "By the Emperor, you're a woman! I honestly, I couldn't have called that. I mean, I would apologize, but isn't that what we're going for here? I thought of you as a soldier first."... I want to make Anton Strak now.
Title: Re: Marco does something small
Post by: MarcoSkoll on July 25, 2013, 05:35:54 PM
Quote from: Gilleon on July 25, 2013, 05:02:34 AMAn easy cop out...
How often do I go for the easy cop out? :P

As a general rule, I'm not a fan of excusing problems with a model by slapping on an ethnicity that's tall/short/bulky/slender. Ethnicities are interesting, but they're not just something to be thought about when something needs to be justified.

It's not the intention for her to be built quite as chunky as the original model (and not half as interesting a challenge either) so I'm not planning on a lazy solution.

QuoteWhilst you say the bare head is non-negotiable, I would suggest trying to sculpt a feminine face inside of the helmet.
It's an interesting idea, but I've a feeling the model would look less like a Kasrkin than without any helmet. The rebreather is part of what gives the Kasrkin look, so removing it gives something that looks more akin to a heavily armoured guardsman.

Also, I picked the beret because I liked it. Still, I'm considering leaving the helmet (and rebreather) to hang off her belt, such that she can still use it in game.

Quote from: DapperAnarchist on July 25, 2013, 09:29:33 AMI want to make Anton Strak now.
Let me guess... power armour and a bionic heart?

Anyway, should Strak ever wish to meet her, I'm not going for anything particularly feminine (as is presumably obvious).

~~~~~

Anyway, the jeweller's/piercing saw blades and diamond files arrived this morning, so dissection commenced. In order...

Removed head:
(http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inq28/Inq28-WIP/CIMG9926-800.jpg)

Drilled pilot hole for the jeweller's saw:
(http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inq28/Inq28-WIP/CIMG9927-800.jpg)

Cut between arm and body:
(http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inq28/Inq28-WIP/CIMG9928-800.jpg)

Cut under the arm to free it from the pouches:
(http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inq28/Inq28-WIP/CIMG9930-800.jpg)

Removed right arm:
(http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inq28/Inq28-WIP/CIMG9931-800.jpg)
In theory, the jewellers' saw could make it possible to remove both arms and the hellgun as one piece, but that would ultimately be counter-productive, as I'm changing the torso width... and the razorsaw is a lot less likely to snap than the jeweller's saw)

And then cut the hellgun free of the torso:
(http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inq28/Inq28-WIP/CIMG9932-800.jpg)

After cutting away the knife too (it'll make the work easier), I've also proceeded with some preliminary filing:
(http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inq28/Inq28-WIP/CIMG9935-800.jpg)

~~~~~

For what was only a few quid's worth of purchase, the return to service of my jeweller's saw and the new diamond files are proving a big boon.

That said, I'm so used to steel files, I keep forgetting that it's acceptable to use diamond ones in both push and pull motions.
(They don't have cutting teeth to damage, instead just being embedded with abrasive grit. But, more importantly, they're too hard to damage).
Title: Re: Marco does something small
Post by: Dosdamt on July 25, 2013, 06:10:29 PM
Hey Marco

These are all fantastic. MORE PHOTOS!

Do you have a retrospective thread?
Title: Re: Marco does something small
Post by: MarcoSkoll on July 25, 2013, 06:25:00 PM
There's no retrospective as there's never been a big need for a retrospective thread, seeing as this version of the forum mostly stretches back to cover this era of my Inquisitor modelling - and I generally don't like to talk about the previous eras.

There is my 54mm thread (http://www.the-conclave.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=354.0) around (and then the thread (http://www.the-conclave.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=1869.0) for whenever I get back to building the Warhound), but nothing more neatly organised (at least yet).
Title: Re: Marco does something small
Post by: MarcoSkoll on July 27, 2013, 02:42:42 AM
Right... only minor progress, but few more quick pictures.

I decided to separate the left arm from the hellgun to improve the freedom in posing:
(http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inq28/Inq28-WIP/CIMG9942-400.jpg)

And did some more filing and cutting on the torso, which is now approximately shaped for a more feminine size of carapace armour.
(http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inq28/Inq28-WIP/CIMG9951-600.jpg)
Sculpting of the armour detail should be possible shortly - some of the areas that were previously obscured should now be visible.
There's a little damage from the disassembly to clean up too, but it's all to only lightly detailed areas.

This brings the current part list to about here:
(http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inq28/Inq28-WIP/CIMG9950-800.jpg)
The helmet is still in the pile as it's probably be going to used - as I mentioned, I may have it hanging from her belt so she can still WYSIWYG wear it in game.

I'm also considering removing and re-sculpting the shoulder pads anyway as, while I do want to have an equally armoured end result, they're trivially basic shapes and it'll make the posing process easier.
Title: Re: Marco does something small
Post by: MarcoSkoll on September 04, 2013, 08:11:45 PM
It's all still WIP, and I'm not necessarily happy yet, but here's something to prove I've been doing stuff.

The lady Kasrkin, with a guardsman (from an IG force I started to build but never finished when I realised the 5th Ed codex was pretty much guaranteed to invalidate them) for a "masculine" reference.

(http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inq28/Inq28-WIP/CIMG95882-800.jpg)
(http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inq28/Inq28-WIP/CIMG9590-800.jpg)
(http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inq28/Inq28-WIP/CIMG9591-800.jpg)
(Her helmet will be hung from her webbing eventually, but a gender neutral head helps me be more critical of my work).

This seems a fair reduction in shoulder, torso and waist width, at least to start. We'll see where it is yet to go.
Title: Re: Marco does something small
Post by: Quickdraw McGraw on September 04, 2013, 10:56:25 PM
Lookin' Good Marco!  I can definitely tell she has a feminine frame.  I may have added a little more (girth) to her Lats but not much.  She's got to still look strong to carry around that armour. But of course her backpack will probably cover her back so it won't be a problem.

Can't wait to see it finished.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on September 15, 2013, 03:06:19 AM
And back to that Stormtrooper from pages ago...

(http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inquisitor%20Models/WIP%20Models/CIMG9684-600.jpg)

I've been procrastinating over him for way too long. I decided I was going to start over, then decided that actually the original leg armour plates were quite nice and went back to them and cut everything I'd done with the upper body because the proportions seemed wrong. I think the arms and head may be salvageable though.

Perhaps the proportion issues are why I bothered sculpting musculature when I'm just going to put more carapace armour straight over it, so I could convince myself they were right.

Or maybe it was to prove I could. But whatever happens, we'll all know he's a buff stormtrooper.

Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: Rayner on September 15, 2013, 05:44:51 PM
Very impressive sculpture work, the musculature is so accurate. (almost a shame to cover it up - but I can appreciate the unlikelihood of a storm trooper running around shirtless in a combat situation)

I'm jealous of how sharp and clean you have managed to get the armour plates on his legs, I find that green stuff doesn't always cooperate with me when trying to achieve this kind of crispness.

Excellent work so far, looking forward to seeing how he progresses.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on September 15, 2013, 06:58:59 PM
The leg plates are a complete cheat.

I roughly shaped them, let them harden, cut and filed them square, then polished them to get the original finish back. The last step is unnecessary, but looks really slick.

Between that and other tricks, I can comfortably get green stuff to take sharp detail. Perhaps switching to other putties would be the professional thing to do, but this gets results without the problems of swapping putties between tasks.
Title: Re: Marco does something small
Post by: MarcoSkoll on December 01, 2013, 03:45:21 AM
To get at least something done, I've finally started on the necessary head for the lady Kasrkin...

(http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inq28/Inq28-WIP/CIMG0249-200.jpg)

Unfortunately, while it's not too bad (the mess around the corner of the eye should clean up), this might be too small, as it's only 4.5mm. It probably needed to be somewhere between 5 and 5.5mm. However, I'll finish it and see how it looks. If it's no good for the Kasrkin, it might do for an Infinity model.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on February 09, 2014, 01:32:35 AM
How are you gentlemen? All your base are belong to us.

I've had loose plans for a Xanthite warband for some time. It's something I planned to do in 54mm scale, but a while back decided I'd shift it to the Abraxis sector and do it in dual scale for Koval's upcoming Ancient Rites event.
This means I don't have to ditch the original plans but they're also now close enough in galactic terms that the 28mm models can add to the number of Radicals at INQvitational events.

The starting idea I had was for a combat based Slaaneshi daemonhost - while she'll have psychic powers, they'll not be major offensive ones and she'll mostly deal damage in melee. I'm seeing a once human being who ascended to daemonhood, only to later be bound back to (marginally) human form by the Xanthite.

I originally got this idea in my head after seeing something of a parody of fantasy armour involving a six breasted jaguar lady (in a word: "deviantART") and I'm planning on sticking with the core ideas. After all, I love parodying things and she's a daemon - internal organs are optional.

What I'm here about is that while I was sketching out the torso armour, I realised the armour cutout wasn't so far from a familiar shape... and this is what happened when I tried to incorporate it:

(http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Artwork/WIP/Daemonhost_1_900.jpg)

My question to you lot is: Does it work, or is the =][= design just too stupid to try and include?
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: renegade thor on February 09, 2014, 10:44:21 PM
i think it works . its different ill give you that , but i like it
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on September 26, 2014, 01:48:12 AM
In a vain attempt to make this thread title mildly accurate, I give you a excerpt from the work in progress on a character redesign that has been sidelined for way too long.

So, Staff Sergeant Silva Abigail Birgen:

(http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Artwork/WIP/Silva2014_ex_1_600.jpg)

Getting a muscled build that's still distinctly female is a bit of a task and I'm really not sure I'm there yet. (And no, I have no intention for her to be a big chested character - it doesn't fit with her being a lean powerhouse, and it's really not my kind of thing anyway).

However, I think I'm considerably closer to what she should look like than I've ever been before. (Even if that's a very long way from where she originally started as a character in a universe of my own creation).
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on September 27, 2014, 01:19:10 AM
You'll need to click on this one for the forum to show it at proper size, but here's an adjustment/continuation of the above:

(http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Artwork/WIP/Silva2014_ex_8_1024.jpg)

Scars, necklaces and half complete legs. Sorta getting there.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on October 09, 2014, 03:04:36 AM
Blarg. Took me way too long to do these minor tweaks, between general procrastination, indecision and a couple of real-world matters.

(http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Artwork/WIP/Silva2014_ex_10_1024.jpg)
(Again, click to enlarge)

However, this is fairly complete now - I'm reasonably happy with Silva's body type here, and I think the bionics are getting into sort of the right area (as opposed to the mix of cyberpunk and iFuture styling that was a hangover from her original designs*).

They're still a bit eclectic. That's sort of the plan, as their history starts as a somewhat urgent implantation, with any number of repairs, replacements, upgrades and modifications made over the intervening years... but that's not to say I'm convinced these are perfect.

Comment and critique are welcome here, I'd add!

* On which note, this is where she started (http://fav.me/d21x7x3) in 2006. (Warning: Terrible art skills). There's been a lot of design stages in between, but it's a little hard to believe that they are (at least on some level) the same character.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: Van Helser on October 11, 2014, 08:36:44 AM
The bionics have the right amount of industrial brutality and style now. The foot puts me in mind of the Warhound Titan, which I like. You've got her physique right, far more realistic than the usual curvy warrior woman tropes.

Ruaridh
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on October 11, 2014, 04:42:13 PM
Quote from: Van Helser on October 11, 2014, 08:36:44 AMThe foot puts me in mind of the Warhound Titan, which I like.
Curses! I've been found out!

The Warhound was indeed one of the conceptual inspirations for the bionic leg - the shape of her shin plate is also supposed to be vaguely reminiscent of the Mars Pattern.
She's never had more than three toes since her conception (although her very earliest incarnations had only one), so beyond a bit of a reshape to make it humanoid rather than avian, it was pretty much what I was looking for anyway.

QuoteYou've got her physique right, far more realistic than the usual curvy warrior woman tropes.
I hope so.

It's not completely realistic* - more developed latissimi, trapezii and obliques would be truer to life, but too much bulk in the shoulders and upper torso tends to produce an overly masculine result. Also, she's only got a functioning lat and trap on one side, so it'd actually look kind of odd to do it completely realistically.

*Or, at least, typical. There are a few female weightlifters and body builders like this, and so I've used some artistic licence and aimed at the percentile I think will look best when it all has to be scaled down on to a miniature.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on April 28, 2015, 02:58:32 AM
This is a totally mixed update, but anyway...

~~~~~

This year was my first visit to Salute - after about fifteen and a half years as a wargamer (and being relatively close to London), so kind of slow. I got to catch up with a few people, meet a few new ones (Jes Goodwin, Andy Foster and Kev White, amongst others), pick up a few ideas and spend a little money. I'm kind of picky about how much models are worth, prefer individual characters to hordes of faceless goons and tend to make most of my own "conversion parts", so I didn't end up spending a bomb, but it wouldn't have been particularly proper to go to a big show and not buy anything.

(http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inquisitor%20Models/WIP%20Models/CIMG7539_1600.jpg)
Missing from this picture is a Malifaux "Vanessa" (as I was rather peeved to find on my return home that I would have to submit a mispack report) and the Agincourt archer that was the show model, but it's not a big pile either way.

- Two new sculpting tools, picked up from Heresy - Andy talked the versatility of the wire loops up quite a lot, and I'm happy to experiment with new tools, so I'll see where those go.

- Some Ground Zero Games 15mm Infantry - I'm not sure exactly which factions they're from, but GZG had a "free samples" tray, and so I opened myself to challenging my opinions of 15mm. Probably nothing to do with Inquisitor, unless someone wants to start INQ15, but thrown in anyway.

- Hasslefree's Hayden and Sedante - Sedante is clearly intended as a "not-Interrogator", and the short-of-stature Hayden seemed like an interesting buy, somewhat inspired by Quickdraw McGraw's antics as the ratling Doyle Grizbain in the forum Dark Heresy game. I'm not sure exactly what I'll do with Sedante, but I can already see Hayden ending up under the eyes of Interrogator Regin in a Carthax based INQ28 cell.

- Dark Age's Wail - I was poking through the Dark Age range in the Wayland stand, intrigued to see what a relatively cheap range of ~30mm metals was offering. I was caught slightly by surprise when I turned over a blister pack and found there were large monsters at only slightly higher prices than the normal humans. I scoured through and eventually ended up picking up Wail for just a smidge over £5. She's not quite 54mm sized, but she's close enough for this situation to be rectified or ignored.

~~~~~

I'm also shifting some focus off Leander. Much though I'd love to have her done by the IGT, I'm going to prioritise things I know I can get done or have to (like the actual organisation of the event!).
I hope to bring some completed parts to the IGT (loose plans are to have at least the Blastgun and a shin plate in order) for people to peruse, but I don't want to cut corners... and I'm just getting more ideas. (The massive Dropzone Commander dropship carrier at the Hawk Wargames stand on Saturday inspired a couple of thoughts).

So, now for something slightly different, a Razorback conversion for the Rhino:

(http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inquisitor%20Models/WIP%20Models/CIMG7547_800.jpg)
(http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inquisitor%20Models/WIP%20Models/CIMG7548_800.jpg)

This is based on the Forge World Razorback, which I could find more useful pictures of and which also seemed to not have to encroach into the interior cabin space (unlike the ammo feeds on the default model).

I'm probably going to build it a couple of different weapon options in the long run, but for the first load-out I'm thinking either TL heavy bolter or lascannon/TL plasma gun. The latter is probably the smarter move, as it's versatile for plot requirements but also less optimised for threatening player characters - still, the image of heavy bolters chewing up the scenery (and a few NPCs) is kind of cool in its own way.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: Radu Lykan on April 29, 2015, 01:44:24 PM
i think anything you arm it with will be scary but as you say, twinlinked heavybolters could mow down a whole retinue in a single turn. the las/plas variant would mostly just cook one guy? plus also allow for blasting through walls/doors and specific tasks that most retinues hopefully aren't usually equipped to deal with
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on May 01, 2015, 01:40:45 AM
Yeah, I'm expecting "scary" from whatever weapons it gets; while a Razorback is fairly lightly armed as WH40K vehicles go, any of the common load-outs are quite a lot of firepower for Inquisitor.
I've considered getting inventive, as Razorbacks are canonically more experimented with than other designs (having only been rediscovered in M36, they don't have the same venerated status), but I think any vehicle weapon that serves for more than self-defence is going to be fairly nasty.

I had originally also considered the possibility of a Predator conversion for the Rhino (and built its side hatches in a way so that it could have slot in sponsons), but I'm not sure that'll now ever come to pass. In game, a Razorback poses a reasonable "scary tank" threat*, even if it were to be facing off against things like my (hopefully forthcoming) Sentinel, but is less over the top, comes with a transport capacity and is less strictly associated with the Astartes.

*Unless you're Leander, but I'm not sure a Predator would scare her much either. Besides, if I were writing a scenario that can scare a Warhound Titan, I've probably gone wrong somewhere.

Anyway, that sounds like some agreement regarding the LC+TLPG "Stronos" pattern, so that's where I'll start.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: greenstuff_gav on May 01, 2015, 06:49:26 AM
i'm in the opposite camp to Radu i'm afraid; i'd go for something like twin autocannon or heavy bolters; spray boolets everywhere so people are forced to dash between cover and has less chance to hit to make the game more engaging
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: Lord Borak on May 01, 2015, 09:39:02 AM
MAcro, just like to say mate that I've been through this thread from start to finish. The Rhino is Epic and your sculpting is just awesome! The sister is great and the torso on that storm trooper makes me green with envy.

Keep up the good work!, Oh, and I might need to pick your brain on sculpting models from scratch.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on May 01, 2015, 02:40:53 PM
Quote from: greenstuff_gav on May 01, 2015, 06:49:26 AMi'd go for something like twin autocannon or heavy bolters; spray boolets everywhere so people are forced to dash between cover and has less chance to hit to make the game more engaging
I can hobble hit chances quite effectively regardless of weapon; remote Razorback turrets are assisted/controlled by a targeting logis-engine, in order that a single crew member can be both driver and gunner.
So regardless of which character is driving, the Razorback can still have its own BS - and potentially extra penalties, such as difficulty tracking moving targets at short range or not being able to process firing solutions for both weapons at once (so the Las and Plas would have to be fired separately)

As compared to a heavy bolter, the plasma gun's damage is only slightly higher (5D6 Tearing and 3D10 Tearing(2) respectively in the RIA) - a hit from either is going to be pretty nasty, but the plasma gun is going to be throwing fewer shots (making its effect on the game a little less random - high rates of fire and low hit chances mean wild swings between no hits and multiple hits) and I can potentially have some level of overheating mechanic to limit it a bit further (as while vehicles will mount better cooling than infantry plasma weapons, the Stronos pattern load-out is canonically a little temperamental).

So I think the Plasma will probably be a little less scary versus characters than HBs, with the added bonus of the Lascannon being able to provide heavy firepower if the plot requires.

However, I admit that's all rather hypothetical thinking at this stage, as I haven't all that much experience with heavier vehicles in game, so I guess the first couple of times are going to be fairly experimental. Mind you, innovation and experimentation is what the IGT is all about, and I'll be grateful for a couple of test results with meaner vehicles before Leander eventually makes it to the table (hopefully sometime this year).

~~~~~

@ Lord Borak: Thanks! Do feel free to throw questions if you have any, I'm usually happy to rant on most subjects.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: Cortez on May 01, 2015, 06:43:47 PM
A lascannon would definitely have come in handy against that wraithguard :). Of course I'd used the rhino as a kamikaze missile before he arrived, although a Razorback would have been capable of damaging the wraithgate without resorting to jamming the throttle full on and bailing out.

I think you could come up with interesting scenarios for any of the weapon combos, but I think the classic lascannon, 2x plasmagun offers more potential for use in interesting ways by the players not just the GM.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: DapperAnarchist on May 01, 2015, 10:41:22 PM
Leander vs. 54mm scale Defense Laser. There, now it's in your head, you know you have to build a scenario around that. Traitors trying to trigger the laser in time, Loyalists trying to stop them, Leander advancing to within the Power Field range...
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on May 02, 2015, 03:04:33 AM
Quote from: Cortez on May 01, 2015, 06:43:47 PMA lascannon would definitely have come in handy against that wraithguard.
Probably, but the base Rhino was deliberately built unarmed. It's usually the scenario objective, and giving a firepower advantage to the player who controls the main objective is potentially a balance problem. The Razorback loadout will fulfil a different role in scenarios - an asset rather than an objective.

The Rhino's role in the Ancient Rites finale was indeed closer to "asset", but that whole scenario was being re-written on the fly and I hadn't originally expected it to be in that scenario. (Besides, vehicles are always more entertaining when used as battering rams).

Quote from: DapperAnarchist on May 01, 2015, 10:41:22 PMLeander vs. 54mm scale Defense Laser. There, now it's in your head, you know you have to build a scenario around that
It's a possible idea, but not quite the point I was getting at. In that circumstance, the defence laser wouldn't itself be a threat to the PCs, so it doesn't present an issue with scenario power level in the same way.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on May 06, 2015, 01:25:43 AM
Not as much progress as desired, but nonetheless progress.

We have the central targeting array to fit into the Razorback turret.
(http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inquisitor%20Models/WIP%20Models/CIMG7607_600.jpg)
This pivots up and down, and the square rod used provides a "key" so the weapons will move in kind. There's also the start of the lascannon.

The ammunition packs are included, and have a locking pin that will allow them to be changed according to the Razorback's weapon loadout of the day:
(http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inquisitor%20Models/WIP%20Models/CIMG7608_600.jpg)

I've also managed to find where the WIP autocannon for the Sentinel went walkies to, and decided to photograph it alongside Leander's blastgun...

(http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inquisitor%20Models/WIP%20Models/CIMG7609_800.jpg)

Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on May 09, 2015, 02:00:00 AM
Flipping back to the redesign of Silva, as I may wish to scrape together Skoll's warband amongst my IGT forces, she now has a couple of minor tweaks and some proper clothes.

(http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Artwork/Silva2015_ex_14_1024.jpg)
(click for bigger)

I'm reasonably happy with this as attire, but I may poke at it a bit more over the next few days and/or wait to hear if there are any smart ideas from others before I press on with any more sculpting work on her.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: Van Helser on May 10, 2015, 08:47:57 AM
The razorback targeting array looks great. I'm always amazed at what people can do with plasticard. I can't even cut straight lines!

Hope we get to see it and Silva at the IGT.

Ruaridh
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on May 16, 2015, 07:22:16 PM
Right, I have one largely finished Razorback turret. There's a few green stuff hoses that need adding, I need to decide my method for detailing the underside of the turret plate (but those will wait until I've got putty mixed for something else) and I may notice a couple of details I've missed, but this is fairly close to ready.

(http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inquisitor%20Models/WIP%20Models/CIMG7678_800.jpg)
Lascannon. It's comparatively more slender than many of the 28mm ones, but it's still fairly big, about 87mm long.

(http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inquisitor%20Models/WIP%20Models/CIMG7679_800.jpg)
Twin-Linked Plasma Guns. These are staggered on the Forge World model, but I put them side by side to mirror the old Captain Invictus model.

(http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inquisitor%20Models/WIP%20Models/CIMG7682_800.jpg)
And a slightly poor picture of it atop the chassis (the white plasticard and black Rhino don't make a good combination for the camera).
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: Van Helser on May 17, 2015, 10:35:01 AM
Fantastic work there. I really like this load-out. Perfect for destroying big-bads and blasting holes in walls to escape from apocalyptic goings on.

Ruaridh
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on May 21, 2015, 03:12:32 AM
Quote from: Van Helser on May 17, 2015, 10:35:01 AMI really like this load-out.
I'm not sure whoever it first shoots at will feel the same. :P But it should provide some fairly* heavy firepower for scenarios that require that sort of thing.
*I guess I have only myself to blame for a lascannon only being "fairly" heavy firepower in an Inquisitor game.

(http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inquisitor%20Models/WIP%20Models/CIMG7706_600.jpg)
One basic shape for a Sentinel body. Still needs detailing and its feet, but if I actually knuckle down, I should be able to handle it by the IGT (and hopefully will, as it actually looks pretty good standing next to the Razorback).

(http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inquisitor%20Models/WIP%20Models/CIMG7720_600.jpg)
... and a head for Silva, which I'm less than entirely happy with. However, seeing it oversized on my screen has helped me see that I'm falling back into some bad habits regarding stylised facial features - I think it'll be possible to recover with some careful scalpel work.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on May 22, 2015, 12:56:09 AM
Votes, gentlemen

(http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inquisitor%20Models/WIP%20Models/CIMG7739_600.jpg)
...  should the Sentinel get a 120mm base with toes overhanging, or a 150mm base (or possibly 140mm). I'm thinking that 120mm will be more practical on the table, but if people think that 140 or 150mm is sufficiently more aesthetically pleasing, I'm prepared to defer to that.

Also, the Razorback turret has power/fuel feeds now:
(http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inquisitor%20Models/WIP%20Models/CIMG7740_800.jpg)

And a slightly better picture of the whole model than my last attempt:
(http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inquisitor%20Models/WIP%20Models/CIMG7745_800.jpg)

I'll need to find a bit of time to detail the underside of the turret plate, but other than that it should be mostly ready for painting.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: greenstuff_gav on May 22, 2015, 06:30:50 AM
150mm base; with such impressive miniatures aesthetics make the difference :)
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: Heroka Vendile on May 22, 2015, 01:14:34 PM
whatever size the base is now looks fine, I always think models with toes poking over bases look odd.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on May 22, 2015, 10:21:29 PM
It's currently on 150mm (with a 120mm inner circle), but it would fit a 140mm base (not marked) with a couple of millimetres to spare.
I'm tempted by that possibility, as the extra size of a 150mm base isn't doing a whole lot to be useful and might well just be a nuisance on the table.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: Lord Borak on May 22, 2015, 11:34:39 PM
Well, this stuff is pretty Epic I must say. As for the base, always go with what's pleasing to the eye. I always find that if you make sacrifices you always end up regretting it. It's better you're happy with the model and suffer a few annoyances in the game than feel the model is 'wrong' every time you look at it.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on June 11, 2015, 03:26:35 AM
Sorry, should have dropped this picture in here days ago. The Razorback and Sentinel, both with a lick of paint, alongside a rather dusty 28mm Rhino for scale:

(http://images.dakkadakka.com/s/i/gallery/img/2015/6/11/720706_md.jpg) (http://www.dakkadakka.com/gallery/720706-54mm%2C%20Inquisitor%2C%20Razorback%2C%20Sentinel.html)

Both of them proved something of a hit at WHW when I took them up there for the IGT - quite possibly more with the staff than the crowds!
(We'll have to try and arrange for a mass vehicle meet-up after Leander's done. It'd be a sight and a half to have models like Kaled's flyers there too).

Anyway, the lowdown is that the Sentinel ultimately ended up with a (removable) 140mm base, but will free-stand on level terrain if needed.

For those of you who didn't see it in person, it articulates/breaks apart at the waist for posing/transport, and the autocannon is also attached via a removable pin, so other weapons should eventually be an option - a power lifter arm is likely (okay, it's not standard for armoured sentinels, but the armoured chassis saves worries about fitting models into the driver's seat).

Similarly, the Razorback turret rotates/elevates (if you haven't worked that out yet) and should also get alternate weapon load-outs sometime in the future.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: Aurelius on June 11, 2015, 04:23:23 AM
Well that is totally cool Marco. Power lifter accessory with much hazard stripes is a must!
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on August 01, 2015, 03:50:34 AM
Right, well. At this stage, this thread is going to become merged 28 and 54mm updates, as my modelling threads are infrequently updated enough as it is without splitting things up.

Following up on that earlier post (http://www.the-conclave.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=354.msg34083#msg34083) about stuff I bought at Salute, I've finally got around to thinking about what to do with them.

So far, I've been contemplating Hayden, the Hasslefree Grymn. While it seems Kev is playing off the space dwarf archetype with the Grymn range (with a lot of models that would suit squats just fine), I've rather been thinking ratling since the start.
The squats were before my time in the hobby, and as I rather enjoyed Quickdraw McGraw's portrayal of the ratling Doyle Grisbain during our DH sessions, I'm thinking of running with that concept and adding another of these boistrous abhumans to Inquisitor Rhodes' list of agents, specifically amongst Gala's (her interrogator) entourage*
*Which is also where Alyx is likely to end up, having retired her from the DH game to allow new characters some time in the limelight.

Some sketching in photoshop has lead me to this individual:

(http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inquisitor%20Models/WIP%20Models/IMG_5487_600.jpg)

Although I may do some redesign on the bolt carbine, I rather like it as a concept, because I can imagine the explosive rounds rather appealing to the Ratling mentality.

I'm still wary about the bionic arm - I like the look, but I'm wondering exactly how fluff sense it makes.
I doubt they're normally in plentiful supply for Ratlings (although the Inquisition can certainly swing it if they chose, and Lyra's probably nice enough to do so), which does make the character a little less than covert in any given situation.
I'm starting to think about it making its own possible cover personas - I could see it being a fair prop for a "wealthy criminal" bluff - but still, I'd welcome thoughts one way or the other.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on August 07, 2015, 03:10:25 AM
And now, rather than just some drawings, some actual modelling - the return of the Lady Kasrkin:

(http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inq28/Inq28-WIP/IMG_5494-5495_800.jpg)

She's still largely held together with blu-tac, needs some light tweaking and tidying up (some of which has already happened since I took these photos - I find that the extra size on the screen is both annoying and helpful in finding mistakes) and me to find wherever her knife has gone, but I think I'm reasonably happy with the effect so far.
I'm guessing most people won't notice the slight changes* to pose or shoulder width (or simply wouldn't believe that anyone would be bloody minded enough to try such a thing) and will just assume it's a simple head swap, but she's pretty much what I wanted and expected, given that one of the criteria/challenges of the project was that there would be no chainmail bikinis or other such nonsense.

She probably also has a (first) name now, as I've taken a real liking to "Calleigh" as an option.

* For the benefit of those who can't remember or don't know, most of the early work is documented starting here (http://www.the-conclave.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=1835.msg32051#msg32051) in my old separate 28mm thread.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on August 10, 2015, 04:18:20 AM
Various tweaks, missing knife found and some glue applied:

(http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inq28/Inq28-WIP/IMG_5514_600.jpg)
(http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inq28/Inq28-WIP/IMG_5512_600.jpg)
(http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inq28/Inq28-WIP/IMG_5509_600.jpg)

These pictures lead me to spot something about my adjustments to the eyes that I've since re-tweaked (she was a bit sunken-eyed before, and ended up a bit bug-eyed here), but I'm now reasonably happy with the real world result, so I think she's more or less done as far as the modelling is concerned.

The only thing that's definitely still on the list is removing the base tab and giving her foot pins so she can be transferred to another base. What base, I don't know - I'm lacking ideas on that front.

However, I may be making progress on naming her. If she ends up in the same agent cell under Inquisitor Rhodes as the Ratling, she'll be Calleigh Fielder, I think.
(As for why it matters which cell, most of the characters associated with Rhodes have surnames based on those of famous guitarists.)

~~~~~

Anyway, some Ratling.

(http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inq28/Inq28-WIP/IMG_5497_600.jpg)
For reference, Hayden as she comes out of the pack.

(http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inq28/Inq28-WIP/IMG_5502_600.jpg)
Step one was shaving her head. The plan is to reuse this head, slightly tweaked, for the final result, but even if I decide against it, wherever I use it in future will probably want a different coiffure, so I've removed it at this stage, as it was going to be far easier to deal with while it was still firmly attached to the model than when it's a tiny piece of its own.

At this stage, the work was mostly done with a Stanley knife (used with a little care) and diamond file.

(http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inq28/Inq28-WIP/IMG_5505_600.jpg)
Many more cuts. The head, weapon sights, left arm, one of the knee pads and breasts.

The breasts are perhaps a bit of a surprise, but they were a bit too comically oversized for my tastes, so the plan is to resculpt them some cup sizes smaller. (If you look back at my sketch, it's considerably less top heavy than the original miniature).

Other than the aforementioned tools, I broke out the razorsaw for some of these cuts (primarily the decapitation and masectomy) and used a riffler file for some of the tidying up of the chest cuts.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on October 08, 2015, 11:05:45 PM
Right, something from the drawing board.

Silva's background talks about her considerable strength and weight letting her wield heavy weapons if the mission calls for a firepower upgrade, so I thought it would worth giving her model (which I will finish eventually) swappable weapon options.

There's various things on the list of what she's supposed to wield - it's mostly crew-served or mounted weapons such as heavy machine guns, short autocannons, automatic grenade launchers, etc that have been modified to be used as personal weapons. However, with Inquisitor Skoll having a history as a gunsmith, it seemed appropriate that she should have at least one completely custom option.

After a while throwing around ideas, this is what I'm currently looking at:

(http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Artwork/WIP/SilvaBolter_crop_600.jpg)

The working title for this is "Elise" (after Silva's younger sister). Loosely, it's a large combi-bolter (by human standards) - the whole package is a little over a metre long and is somewhere excess of 20 kilos (I haven't decided yet). Not so big and heavy most people couldn't lift it, but more than they could effectively fight with.

The bolter half uses a bullpup configuration (to maximise the barrel length, improving the velocity imparted by the conventional stage of the bolt round, and by extension the round's ballistics and penetration), will accept most standard varieties of magazine (Silva tends to use 20- or 24-round sickle magazines for standard rounds, but often loads specialist rounds in 12-round straight magazines), is manufactured with a left side ejection port (as Silva is left-handed) and,oddly rarely as far as GW's art is concerned, has a proper recoil pad to maximise the weapon's controllability.
(Whether it will have something other than iron-sights is up for debate)

The other half is an auxiliary grenade launcher with a three round revolving magazine (considerably smaller than that on drum fed grenade launchers, but rather lighter and still a notable firepower increase over a standard auxiliary grenade launcher) and capable of loading and firing high velocity grenades (Silva can handle the fierce recoil and it dramatically increases the range she can engage at).

The intention is that it provides Silva a versatile weapon capable of decisively engaging a wide range of infantry and light vehicle targets - obviously not something to use in every game, but something suitable to serve as her standard "heavy" weapon option in game. (While other weapons might be reserved for specific mission requirements).

If anyone has any smart ideas for improving the design, critique of any god-awful styling or fluff ideas, or the like, feel free to chip in. (As for rules, I may or may not post those at a later date, depending on how much I feel like being called a dirty power gamer. :P)

And no, I'm not yet entirely certain how I'll be making the model of it. Probably lots of dissecting bolters out of my bitz box, but some parts will need a different approach.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on October 19, 2015, 07:44:29 PM
You've already seen my sketch for Hayden (if not, see this post (http://www.the-conclave.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=354.msg34482#msg34482)), with relatively short hair. However, while poking around in my bitz box, I came across the hair from Infinity's Anyat (left over from a Sekban conversion). It'd need sculpting work to blending it into her scalp, but I've blu-tacked it into place for the moment:

(http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inq28/Inq28-WIP/IMG_2594_400.jpg)(http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inq28/Inq28-WIP/IMG_2595_400.jpg)
(http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inq28/Inq28-WIP/IMG_2596_400.jpg)

I'd normally ignore the impracticality of a character's hair, because it's a very good way of visually expressing their individuality and personality. However, I'm not sure if this is perhaps a little too over the top.

The other problem I've got with it is that I intend for Hayden (I'm coming to think I may actually keep the name) to be of an Sub-Saharan-esque ethnicity - and the combination of long black (or maybe brown) hair and a dark skin tone may just look off, as genetically their hair can't normally grow very long. Yeah, I know - abhuman, future ethnicities, etc, etc - but on some level, things still need to seem "right".

So, thoughts?
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: TheNephew on October 20, 2015, 11:26:45 PM
I think that'd rest entirely on a good paint job and colour scheme.

In plain metal, it looks like a .lot. of hair, and between the dark hair, dark skin and (presumably) practical clothing colouring, you're setting yourself up for a not-terribly-exciting palette.
That much hair goes a bit beyond 'slightly impractical' too. With that in mind, I prefer the shorter style.

On the other hand, done well it'd look great - between good highlighting/shading and the bionic arm, you could put a lot of life into her.

Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on October 25, 2015, 01:09:13 AM
@TheNephew: Fair points. I'll have to think about it, but I am becoming slightly fond of the possibility of the silly 'do. Perhaps I'll sketch it up in Photoshop and throw some flat colours in to see how the scheme might work.

Anyway... pictures. Apologies for the quality, but it's late and the lighting I have available in the cabin I'm in for the fortnight is a little mediocre.

Hayden:
(http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inq28/Inq28-WIP/IMG_2609_400.jpg) (http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inq28/Inq28-WIP/IMG_2610_400.jpg)
(http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inq28/Inq28-WIP/IMG_2611_400.jpg)

While I'm not yet certain on what's happening with her hair, I've completed her breast reduction. She's still rather well-endowed for a small lady, but it works a little better for me.
I've also done the start of the quilted flak pads. I may have to rework the one on the left leg - being bent at the hip, the fabric should have rucked, but it proved a little interesting to do that at the same time as the quilted pattern.

Calleigh:
(http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inq28/Inq28-WIP/IMG_2614_600.jpg)
She's been subject to some probably largely imperceptible tweaks, work involving adding or removing tiny fragments of greenstuff to eyelids, cheeks, lips, etc to tweak her facial features and expression.

I'll take another look in good light tomorrow morning, and then hopefully get her photoed up properly and undercoated on her. (Or, more likely, undercoated before I remember to take photos of the conversion work...)

Gala:
Some time back Molotov used one of the Wyrd Games "Viktoria" models for his character Ophelia Dannica, after which I decided I wanted a Viktoria too. While I assigned the model a character a long time ago - Interrogator Cymone "Gala" Regin, optimistically upbeat to the point of earning her chipper nickname - I'm only really getting around to modelling her now!

(http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inq28/Inq28-WIP/IMG_2597_600.jpg)

Looking back at the model at this stage, it shows a few signs of being one of Wyrd's earlier efforts - there's a few things about the model that seem a little off to me.
I vaguely considered swapping to either the Hasslefree Sedante or the Wyrd Vanessa (one of their newer plastics) I picked at Salute earlier this year, but Gala is already in the background as a sizeable 193 cm/6' 4", so Sedante is a little short and I think I want to something cleverer with Vanessa...

... so tweaking it is!

(http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inq28/Inq28-WIP/IMG_2625_400.jpg)
Thus far, I've changed the shapes of her thighs, bum and lower legs and given her an undershirt in place of Viktoria's cleavage. And apparently mixed the green-stuff up in different quantities for each stage, based on the colours in that photo.

Reaver:
No photos, 'cause they came out poorly, but I've gone back to her, stripped the incomplete paint-job and I'm trying to resculpt the right side of her face so I'm happier with it. We'll see how that goes, but in the mean time, I've sculpted a zipper on the back of her bodyglove, because a) I thought it was funny and b) it should add a little more detail to that area.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on February 16, 2016, 02:32:24 AM
Once again, I'm blowing dust out of this thread. I've been getting involved with the local gaming club and that'll often mean I'm just heading over there to model/paint, so there may be a slightly more regular output from me. (They don't currently play Inquisitor there, but that doesn't have to have a bearing on what I paint).

For now, I've finally started painting Corporal Calleigh Fielder:

(http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inq28/Inq28-WIP/IMG_2777_600.jpg)

The face and beret* are largely done (apart from all those mistakes you only see when you take a picture...) and the base coats are laid in for the uniform and armour. The messy fingerprints... well, I'll deal with those eventually. :P

* I'm not sure what the canon is on beret colours in the Imperium, but first try is a red/maroon to see if it works as a contrast. It's possible I'll redo it in tan, which is traditionally associated with special forces units.

Other than the beret question, she's going to end up in the same colour scheme as my Sgt Gillmore (or at least as close as I feel like painting it), as she also hails from Tryphosa and its Cadia-emulating military.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on February 19, 2016, 11:20:19 PM
There has been more painting on Calleigh, some of it complete/near-complete, some of it just base colours or test areas. Have more pictures than the current progress probably merits:

(http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inq28/Inq28-WIP/IMG_2796_600.jpg)(http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inq28/Inq28-WIP/IMG_2797_600.jpg)
(http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inq28/Inq28-WIP/IMG_2798_600.jpg)(http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inq28/Inq28-WIP/IMG_2799_600.jpg)
(http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inq28/Inq28-WIP/IMG_2800_600.jpg)(http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inq28/Inq28-WIP/IMG_2801_600.jpg)
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: Alyster Wick on February 20, 2016, 11:45:17 PM
That's all good stuff. I should take a look at trying camo some day, it really helps add something interesting to otherwise dull spaces. The shading on the face and beret look great, by the way :)
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on February 23, 2016, 02:47:24 AM
Well, I'm back from the club again, and have started to have some luck in finding potential players. I also used the evening to do some more painting, so have some "not quite finished yet" photos. (Which is why I haven't bothered to go back and find out what the hell the camera's colour balance thought it was playing at).

(http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inq28/Inq28-WIP/IMG_2808_600.jpg)(http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inq28/Inq28-WIP/IMG_2809_600.jpg)
(http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inq28/Inq28-WIP/IMG_2810_600.jpg)(http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inq28/Inq28-WIP/IMG_2811_600.jpg)
(http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inq28/Inq28-WIP/IMG_2812_600.jpg)

I'm still in the early stages on the NMM*; I tend to start with a very rough approach in order to figure out the lighting (often deliberately painting with my eyes slightly out of focus so I can see the overall effect), then tidy it up and blend it all afterwards. Some of of those reflections currently look about right, some of them need more work.
I'm also planning on darkening down the power feeds (they're too "bold" at the moment, I think) and fixing whatever the hell that mess is I managed to do all over the knife sheath.

*Just to be clear, the base is not claimed/meant to be NMM. That's regular metallic metal.

@ Alyster Wick: Camo is interesting, but needs moderation. After all, the whole point of camo is to be visually confusing, which isn't really what you want on a carefully painted miniature. (Also, proper camo is a right whatsit to paint).
I quite like the Kasrkin camo pattern from that perspective. It's not exactly realistic, but it suggests the concept without being hard on the eye or a nuisance to paint.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on March 15, 2016, 04:12:50 PM
Things have been somewhat in disarray here for the last week or so, as my grandmother died at the end of February, which has meant quite a lot of arrangements and inheriting a second dog.

However, to convince you I've not completely forgotten her, some updated pictures of Calleigh:

(http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inq28/Inq28-WIP/IMG_2843_V2_600.jpg)(http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inq28/Inq28-WIP/IMG_2846_600.jpg)
(http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inq28/Inq28-WIP/IMG_2847_600.jpg)(http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inq28/Inq28-WIP/IMG_2848_600.jpg)

She's fairly close now. Some areas still need fixing (the cabling, antenna, chest badge and the sight lens), but the NMM is less of a mess now (it's also actually slightly darker in real life, more steel than aluminium. That said, photographing on a grey background seems reasonably successful).
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on April 11, 2016, 02:21:56 PM
Anyway, now she's done (and scored reasonably well at the GT) , some pictures of Corporal Calleigh Fielder:

(http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inq28/IMG_1827_600.jpg)(http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inq28/IMG_1824_600.jpg)
(http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inq28/IMG_1831_600.jpg)(http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inq28/IMG_1830_600.jpg)
(http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inq28/IMG_1829_600.jpg)(http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inq28/IMG_1828_600.jpg)

And side-by-sides with a couple of appropriate models:

Lynx:
(http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inq28/IMG_1822_800.jpg)

And Kai:
(http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Reference/IMG_1835_800.jpg)
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: mcjomar on April 11, 2016, 02:45:42 PM
As I said on the day, she has fantastically done eyes, which to me are a very difficult part on a model at that scale.
I also like the colour blend on the beret.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on April 29, 2017, 01:38:22 AM
In some kind of effort to occasionally post things on this thread, a pile of things I acquired at Salute:

(http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inq28/Inq28-WIP/IMG_3769_1600.jpg)

Not all of it is for Inquisitor, although most of it is. (Some of it was just in the Salute goody bag, although that's not necessarily going to stop me using it for Inquisitor).

The Gathering Storm boxes are standard INQ28 fodder (although I've yet to decide whether I'm keeping the big guys or throwing them on eBay to make a little money back).

Of the rest of the stuff, most of it is actually 32 or 35mm scale ranges, but I believe I can shorten them for 28mm reasonably easily or, in some cases, accept them simply as big characters.

The Clockwork Droids were a bit of an gamble buy. Someone suggested them on the INQ28 Facebook group, but it was hard to find out their exact scale next to GW models. They're a little bit tall, but with a little work (or just leaving them on a thin base), they should be a good starting point for some NPC nobles.
(http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inq28/Inq28-WIP/IMG_3784.jpg)

Probably my favourite of the various experimental buys was Nyx from Prodos Games' "Space Crusade" range. I'm not a fan of most of the models in said range (which mostly seems to be "skimpy WH40K", or even "topless 40k"), but I kind of liked Nyx when I saw a preview on some gaming news site a while back, enough to remember her when wandering past the Prodos stand.

As you can see, she's pretty imposing of stature, but I'm very tempted to keep her height - partly because it'd be a nuisance to change, partly because I think it would add to the impact of the character. (And people on the INQ28 FB seemed generally cool with it when I asked about her height, although there were naturally a few people who prefer sticking with GW models).
(http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Inq28/Inq28-WIP/IMG_3800_1600.jpg)
I'm not sure which of my ideas for her as a character I want to go with yet, as I've got a heap of different thoughts from different places on the heresy spectrum that I all like.

When it comes to the Hasslefree model and the Open Combat rules - they aren't directly Inquisitor related, but I liked both at the demo table that Gav Thorpe was running on the day, so I bought them. (It's a "miniatures agnostic" game which gives players freedom to stat their own characters, so it appealed to me as an Inquisitor player).
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: TheNephew on April 30, 2017, 09:57:50 PM
I thought I spotted you at the HF stand but wasn't sure, under-rested and under-caffeinated as I was.

Nyx looks great - I was sorely tempted by the Cybertronic RPG minis set, but my local FLGS regularly grumbles at length about what an awful company Prodos are, so I had an uncharacteristic attack of morals and decided not to.

I think for any character in giant power armour, you'd want towering presence at a minimum - she doesn't look wrong-big, just big.

Similarly, your average noble should be well-fed and un-bowed by back-breaking labour, so a bit on the gangly side doesn't look out of scale.

I missed the Nimue figure, sadly, but I picked up a couple of Wolsung minis - Sir Jonathan Wormwood initially looked like he might make a decent 'quirky posh Techpriest', but sadly he's a bit too top-hatted.

This was my first year - I think in future I'll work out a hard budget and shopping list, and then try and be a little less conservative with my pocket money, as there's still stuff I didn't buy that I'm kicking myself about.
Very enjoyable afternoon though.

Edit: And you got Gav to sign your rulebook! Brilliant!
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on May 01, 2017, 05:33:55 AM
Quote from: TheNephew on April 30, 2017, 09:57:50 PMI thought I spotted you at the HF stand but wasn't sure, under-rested and under-caffeinated as I was.
It's possible - I was over there a couple of times (somewhat obviously, given I bought something from them).
First time I was browsing and decided I didn't really need any of it right now, but I did go back after taking a shine to one of the models used in the Open Combat demo (Veda-Ann, specifically).

QuoteNyx looks great - I was sorely tempted by the Cybertronic RPG minis set, but my local FLGS regularly grumbles at length about what an awful company Prodos are, so I had an uncharacteristic attack of morals and decided not to.
I wouldn't trust their Kickstarters as far as I could throw them, based on what I've heard, but being able to pick things straight off the shelf and know I was definitely walking out of there with what I paid for was a somewhat different matter.

QuoteI think in future I'll work out a hard budget and shopping list
Although I couldn't call myself a veteran, I try to avoid going to Salute with too much of a shopping list. Although prices at Salute are generally pretty good, I don't really go along to buy things I could have bought at any time.

The Gathering Storm boxes were the only things on my list, with everything else pretty much unplanned - I just wandered round until I saw cool things or remembered stuff I'd seen on gaming news sites.

QuoteAnd you got Gav to sign your rulebook! Brilliant!
Well, when I heard he was going to be there, I decided I'd take it and ask. I wouldn't be surprised if it's one of the most battered books that he's ever been asked to sign, but I suppose that adds authenticity (given it is the same book as I bought off the shelf in GW fifteen and a half years ago).
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on June 21, 2017, 05:12:21 PM
I'll admit that these Sisters are more for Shadow War than Inquisitor (although they may well double as NPCs in a scenario), but I'm taking pretty much the same approach to modelling and narrative as I would for my 28mm Inquisitor, so I hope you'll humour me.

While they're some of the oldest models still in production at GW, I can be nostalgic, and I've had a lot of fun converting models of a similar era before.

So, one new box and a couple of blisters worth of Battle Sisters, plus assorted sizes of Statuesque heads:
(http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Shadow%20War/SWA%20WIP/IMG_4113_800.jpg)

The Sister Superior seemed like the natural starting point, as the team leader. I initially started with plans to convert her in the style of the OOP helmeted chainsword version, but (as you will see), I eventually decided that was too basic a plan.
(http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Shadow%20War/SWA%20WIP/IMG_4114_800.jpg)

Various head sizes:
Heroic (http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Shadow%20War/SWA%20WIP/IMG_4115_800.jpg)
Heroic Narrow (http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Shadow%20War/SWA%20WIP/IMG_4116_800.jpg)
Finescale (/w crude hair) (http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Shadow%20War/SWA%20WIP/IMG_4120_800.jpg)

I eventually decided that the pulp scale worked best, at least after blu-tack hair was added:
(http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Shadow%20War/SWA%20WIP/IMG_4117_800.jpg)
(http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Shadow%20War/SWA%20WIP/IMG_4119_800.jpg)

It's perhaps slightly on the small side, but I'm trained on more realistic proportions than GW's heroic style, and I'm happy to justify it as the armour actually having some bulk!
That said, the superior will probably end up with a sculpted head - it wouldn't be a proper MarcoSkollTM project if I didn't do that for at least the team leader.

After some rethinking and deciding I wanted to be more adventurous than just a head and weapon swap, this became the working mockup:

(http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Shadow%20War/SWA%20WIP/IMG_4127_800.jpg)
(http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Shadow%20War/SWA%20WIP/IMG_4125_800.jpg)

Various things need adjusting - the chainsword is too long, I need to sculpt a new style of chest armour (the mastectomy is not permanent), and she needs the custom head, but this gives a broad idea of where I'm going.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: TheNephew on June 21, 2017, 11:00:13 PM
Love the re-pose, and I think the subtle head-size difference does a nice job of making the armour look more imposing in contrast.

Why swap  the bolter?
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on June 22, 2017, 01:25:30 AM
I'd like to have a mix of different loadouts in the kill team for variety, and the Superior is the natural choice to be equipped for melee, given her stats and equipment options.

Also, I felt the hand needed to be turned inwards for the pose I was going for.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: Radu Lykan on June 22, 2017, 01:41:22 PM
If it's not all glued now then may I suggest a hand flamer or inferno pistol for rule of cool? Haven't looked at the rules for swa much so not sure if she'd work ruleswise but either of those would add some more variety in a squad that already contains multiple bolt weapons
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on June 22, 2017, 02:37:32 PM
Hand flamers and Inferno pistols are only available to Seraphim, although I will likely be magnetising the hands anyway in order to have the option to upgrade her weapons later in a campaign. Superiors do have access to plasma pistols and power swords, although if I buy those the plan is to do it later in a campaign. (I want to start with plenty of Sisters, because it's harder to recruit new members than buy extra equipment*).

* Rules stuff:
Normally you get to either recruit up to 100 points of new members or buy 100 pts of new equipment between games. (You can't do both. While new members can come with equipment, they can't swap gear with anyone else until after their first game).
Getting to spend more than 100 pts at once requires lucky mission rolls, a trooper who's learned a specific skill or spending Promethium caches (which serve as the game's currency/territory/scoring system).

Sisters are expensive enough that they cannot be recruited with anything other than a knife for 100 points, so the only reliable way of recruiting newcomers (at least until I have a Sister with the Scavenger skill) is sacrificing campaign progress.
However, all equipment except heavy weapons can be easily bought within 100 points, so it makes sense to start with plenty of Sisters and then add any frills I want as I go


Anyway, talking of Seraphim:
(http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Shadow%20War/SWA%20WIP/IMG_4134_800.jpg)

I picked these up cheap on eBay because they'd been cut up and had parts missing. However, that works fine for my purposes, because what I really want is a greater variety of poses and some torsos which haven't got bolters held over their chest. While I can, have, and probably will again dissect models in such a fashion and resculpted the detail, this will save me a certain amount of effort in getting more variety in their posing.

I'm thinking that the Seraphim are a good start for emulating the confident pose of the Sister in the centre:
(http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Shadow%20War/SWA%20WIP/Battle%20Sister%20Sepia.jpg)

I might keep a couple back to be actual Seraphim (who are available to Sisters kill teams as Special Operatives/Hired Guns), but then as you can see slightly earlier in this thread, I also have the plastic not-quite-Seraphim from the Gathering Storm waiting in the wings (pun not intended)...
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: mcjomar on June 22, 2017, 10:54:54 PM
I've got a similar project in mind, but not nearly as much effort.
Mostly because I have one (as yet unbuilt) Veridyan model, and I want some manner of excuse to deploy her. SW:A fits the bill nicely, and I have an evil plan as to how I can do it too.
I just need to afford the models now  :-\
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on June 24, 2017, 02:17:01 AM
Yeah, I could just about stomach the pricing on the Sisters when I only needed one squad and a couple of add-ons for SWA, but it's obscene as far as the possibility of collecting an entire army.

I honestly can't imagine anyone shelling out to put together an army of mostly 20 year-old models. The faction isn't going to sell well until GW actually get their act together and update the range (at which point I imagine they could have the same kind of revival as the Genestealer Cults and Mechanicus). In fact, so far, I'm one of the few people I've seen approaching Shadow War with the existing Sisters models, rather than conversions of the Sisters of Silence or 3rd party models.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: mcjomar on June 24, 2017, 03:29:31 PM
I'll be one of the others.
I've got two bolter sisters off ebay so far (so that's the SW:A minimum of three achieved).
I just need two suitable heavy sisters, and the GW box of 5 more bolter sisters, and I should be "good enough".
However, I probably want a few extra specialist sisters so that I have flexibility for the SW:A unit.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on June 25, 2017, 04:55:05 AM
A mini-update. (Updates might be a little slow for a few days, as some of my spare time is going into helping set-up for a charity concert).

I decided that the bolt pistol I mocked up my Superior's pose with looked too big, so I spent a while slicing it up to make it a little smaller. (Which is probably difficult to see, but hopefully the markings on my cutting mat make it a little easier to see the difference against an unmodified one).

(http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Shadow%20War/SWA%20WIP/IMG_4135_800.jpg)

It was mostly done with a saw, so just cutting in the right places and gluing it back together made it smaller by the width of the cut.
There's actually 14 separate pieces, because a cut down the middle (to make it a little thinner) basically doubled the count.

The end result is a little messy (I don't really like doing conversion work in plastic, the glue runs everywhere), so I'll probably need to do some clean-up with a scalpel and maybe some green stuff (but that, fortunately, is a material I can work with without making a total hash of it).

Quote from: mcjomar on June 24, 2017, 03:29:31 PMI'll be one of the others.
Hooray!

QuoteHowever, I probably want a few extra specialist sisters so that I have flexibility for the SW:A unit.
There's not a massive variety available in the Sisters list outside what you arm your Superior and Specialists with, so I'd recommend having the options where they exist.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on June 26, 2017, 03:07:13 AM
Although I was rather tired this evening, I felt fairly motivated to get some actual green stuff work done on my Superior.

(http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Shadow%20War/SWA%20WIP/IMG_4149_800.jpg)
(http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy3/MarcoSkoll/Shadow%20War/SWA%20WIP/IMG_4146_800.jpg)

I also magnetised the chainsword blade (it was previously pinned) so that weapons can be swapped around during or between campaigns.
(And shortened it from before, but that won't be particularly obvious from these angles).
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: RobSkib on June 26, 2017, 11:26:59 AM
Gosh that's looking very nice, your GS work has come on in leaps and bounds since those first projects you posted up many many years ago. I've used those heads for a project of my own recently as well, they're very good! I did notice that they had some sneaky mould lines running across the head though, many of which I didn't notice until after basecoating :/
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on June 26, 2017, 06:02:59 PM
That is most of nine years, so I'd be slightly grumpy if I hadn't improved a bit since then.

As far as the head, it's a placeholder for the moment. While I will be using the Statuesque heads for most of the kill team, the kill team leader deserves a scratch sculpted head.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on July 04, 2017, 03:40:21 PM
A foolish failure to bring any brass wire with me to the gaming club last night meant I couldn't work properly on my metal sisters and instead went about reminding myself how uncomfortable I am working in this newfangled plastic stuff.

I will at some point probably want to use a Seraphim special operative, so I started a conversion of one of the Geminae (Eleanor, I believe) from the Gathering Storm box. Although it's perhaps not the most iconic illustration, I'm aiming to match the Seraphim art from the Dark Heresy "Blood of Martyrs" supplement, which I quite like.

(http://imgur.com/hVa50nA.jpg)

(http://img00.deviantart.net/89ef/i/2014/132/6/0/sisters_of_battle___seraphim_by_ilacha-d7hyu6h.jpg)
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: mcjomar on July 29, 2017, 05:54:29 PM
A question:
Given that we're now getting Inquisition (and Sororitas) in SW:A, is it worth putting together a secondary board for that game/thread?
Or should we just classify it as also being 28mm Inquisitor?
Reason I ask is that I've finally got the models for the core of my own SW:A Sororitas team.
Not sure if they'll crop up in any 28mm games, but in any event, I thought the question might be worth asking, given its relevancy to the fantastic progress you've made in this thread.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on July 30, 2017, 02:25:23 AM
<AdminHat>
I'm not going to set up an alternative board, as The Conclave is specifically an Inquisitor forum. I can see a place within that for Dark Heresy boards (even if they're never used!), but a Shadow War specific board could invite discussions of optimal team lists, or people sharing their entire unconverted Ork warbands.

However, I have no issues whatsoever with people using the modelling boards to share models which are in the spirit of Inquisitor, even if they might be primarily or exclusively used for other games. Ultimately, a characterfully converted Shadow War, Inquisimunda or WH40K model may not look all that different to an INQ28 model.
</AdminHat>

And it seems I really need to start de-Photobucketing this thread, now they've decided to make themselves more unpopular than a fart in a lift.

As far as modelling progress... well, not much as far as this. Due to a lot of scheduling problems that are making it a pain to get to the club, I've drifted into digital modelling for the moment, and am currently working on assets and story for a science-fantasy setting of my own. A lot less grimdark and gothic than 40k though. Have some blurb:
Quote"Fracturing Veil" is an in-development science-fantasy setting, set in an alternate modern day where artificial intelligence and robotics have made great leaps; While truly conscious AI remains an highly expensive and equally legislated scarcity, lesser automatons have become a familiar sight throughout the industrialised world.

But under this veil of modernity lies a hidden world of beasts and daemons, a realm kept secret by ancient pacts and concealing magics. The main story revolves around an ex-military AI prototype inadvertently discovering this underground reality, and thus finding herself inducted into a world of the paranormal.
The core idea is that monsters and magic have been kept secret for centuries by various illusions, the erasure of people's memories and judicious hacking - but this is starting to fall apart as sentient computers are coming into existence.
The main AI character, Athena, isn't affected by illusion magic, amnesiac drugs don't work on her, and as a "true AI", she is defined by the ability to refine and rewrite her own code (read: her operating system is too sophisticated and complex to hack). And as she's also an obscenely expensive military prototype, she can't just disappear without people asking questions*.
* And even trying to make her disappear is a recipe for having a very bad day; I refer you to "obscenely expensive military prototype" - although she'd resent the terminology, she is literally a killing machine.

As such, when she accidentally stumbles across this world, the Cerberus Organisation (those responsible for the divide between worlds) decide on the only viable strategy - employ her.

Anyway, that's me rambling on.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: mcjomar on July 30, 2017, 05:04:26 PM
Fair enough.
Also an interesting premise - colour me interested.
Vaguely more on-topic relation - any recommendations on how to replace a missing Sororitas backpack?
I've got the bottom half of a space marine backpack cut down to size, but I need the top section (usually the vents/zero-G propulsion bits on the SM packs).
I'm not sure what bits I could source to replicate something roughly Sororitas in nature for the upper half of the pack.
Any suggestions?
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on August 04, 2017, 04:27:45 AM
Quote from: mcjomar on July 30, 2017, 05:04:26 PMFair enough.
Although I am part of the admin team, I don't own the site, so I can't make particularly large changes.

However, I'm happy to see people sharing any models or background that are in the spirit of Inquisitor. Provided the poster isn't completely taking the mickey*, I can see that the techniques, ideas and inspirations could be pertinent for people here.

* Given that one of the last character backgrounds I posted was for a Warhound Titan, "taking the mickey" may be relative.

QuoteVaguely more on-topic relation - any recommendations on how to replace a missing Sororitas backpack?
The backpack on my 54mm Sister is a relatively simple conversion of a Space Marine backpack, as at the time I didn't have any proper Sisters ones. It might not be exactly what you're looking for, but it might give you some ideas:

(http://i.imgur.com/TT7AJzX.jpg)

QuoteAlso an interesting premise - colour me interested.
Like I say, I'm still working on the whole idea, but I'm hoping I can make something out of it.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: mcjomar on August 04, 2017, 08:24:12 AM
Yeah, I'm using a similar idea - however, at 28mm the upper section looks far too bulky.
I need something roughly 75% of the diameter of the top that I can then GS into place and create the two bulbs on the end before doing the spiky bits.
But the bottom half is all space marine, albeit with it shaved flat so I can do what you did with the fleur-de-lis.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on November 16, 2017, 03:59:09 AM
Some of the sculpting isn't mega neat, but new Silva. Hopefully an improvement over the last version:

(https://imgur.com/63m8ETo.jpg)(https://imgur.com/mlsYzuU.jpg)

Rear view:
(https://imgur.com/G0aj5o2.jpg)

I think this may be the first of my 54mm models that hasn't used any pre-made bitz, although I know one of my 28mm sculpts has done it before.

Also, Giovanna. Now with collapsible suppression shield:
(https://imgur.com/SzH6MzR.jpg)

This may or may not be a hint to expect some not very finished painting on Saturday. (I'll definitely be opting for "not quite complete" over "rushed").
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: Cortez on November 16, 2017, 01:08:39 PM
Giovanna looks great. I particularly like the shield.

Silva is a definite improvement over the last version, although her face looks a bit rough around the right eye (could just be the photo of course).
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: mcjomar on November 16, 2017, 05:54:55 PM
I'll echo the previous comments.
I'm guessing it's the angle of the picture, but Silva's leg looks as if the armour would block it coming up in the crotch region?
Legs/cloth deform in that area, while metal wouldn't, and to my eyes it looks as if the inner thigh in the crotch region (based on the pic) needs to be curved further down a little to allow free movement of the leg for flexibility.

Unless, of course, her custom trousers are hiding some more bits of the machinery, in which case giving her full range of movement, but disguised by the cut of her clothing.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: cymrilian on November 16, 2017, 08:53:40 PM
I agree that silva's face may need some work, but her armour and pose look fantastic.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on November 17, 2017, 01:23:22 AM
She's supposed to look rather rough - she's a veteran of 28 years of combat and been frequently shot, stabbed and blown up, which then has to be stitched back together with whatever level of medical aid is available that day.
While perhaps those scars could be healed with the Inquisition's resources, she's never been happier in her life.

Her current reference sheet (click for bigger) should give some sense of just how beaten up she is.
(https://imgur.com/x3bqhj4.jpg)
All those scars are reproduced on the model. They're not particularly prominent, but they are there.

It's not something that photographs particularly well, between all of the fine details and the inconsistent quality of the surface (anything I've tweaked or sharpened with a scalpel has a lighter and more matte finish, so the contours are less clear - particularly without binocular vision and the option to see it under different lights and angles).

I've checked the genuine article using a mirror (a good way to see art "fresh", without being influenced by any mental image of what you think you've drawn/sculpted), and I'm happy with it. It's not a face that would sell perfume or lipstick, but that's not her job.

Quote from: mcjomar on November 16, 2017, 05:54:55 PMI'm guessing it's the angle of the picture, but Silva's leg looks as if the armour would block it coming up in the crotch region?
The above reference hopefully gives some idea about how everything is attached. There's nothing of the original leg left, with the new hip joint and electro-fascicles anchored onto her (fairly heavily reinforced) pelvis.

The proportions on the model are possibly not absolutely identical to the reference, but they're close enough and at this stage I can't be doing any reworking while still having her even half-ready for the event.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: mcjomar on November 17, 2017, 07:42:41 AM
So the short answer to my second query is "yes" then, going by your reference picture there.

Based on that I'd say you're very good to go on the painting side of things.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on November 17, 2017, 09:41:58 AM
[Extremely rude words]

Attempts to get Silva undercoated early this morning so I could get the skin and base colours on today have gone extremely thick (possibly it was too cold, although I deliberately tested on another model first), and I'm now desperately trying to strip it off in a hope that the model can be saved.

Unless I get very lucky, looks like I'll have to bring some other characters tomorrow.

EDIT: I think they can be saved in the long run, but unfortunately, definitely not for tomorrow. I've got a lot of it off without undue damage, but a couple of tiny fragments of GS have come away with the undercoat , so the models are going to need repair, which I simply cannot do in time.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on January 07, 2018, 10:43:28 PM
For a follow-up to the above stupidity with spray cans, I've had the models sitting in the cupboard for the last month and a half waiting to be rescued from the dire undercoating job.

In the past, I've found that Dettol* or Fairy Power Spray also slowly damage greenstuff (so the battle is between leaving a sculpt in for just long enough to remove paint, but not destroy the model), things like acetone obviously completely eat plastic, and brake fluid is seriously nasty stuff that I've never tested on green stuff anyway.

As such, I've started chasing up a recommendation I had years ago, bought some Isopropyl Alcohol (more technically, "Propan-2-ol") off eBay (~£6.40 posted for a litre) and dropped an old unneeded sculpt in it.

Results: Very promising. After 24 hours, pretty much all the paint has shifted. There's a couple of parts of less well mixed green stuff that seem to have suffered slightly, but none of the well mixed green stuff (or the plastic or metal) seems to have been fazed in the slightest.
The sculpt has gone back in for a second round just to be sure and see if I can get the last of the undercoat off, but this looks it will probably be my new paint removal solution. (And pending a follow up may well get a resounding recommendation).

* Dettol does contain Isopropyl Alcohol, which is presumably its "active ingredient" versus acrylic paint, but it seems that the other components (either on their own or in combination) do green stuff no favours.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: mcjomar on January 08, 2018, 08:53:07 AM
I've heard "simple green" (I assume an american brand) clears paint off plastic minis without damaging the models - might this do the same for a GS sculpt?
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on January 08, 2018, 03:37:53 PM
I've heard of Simple Green, but I see little reason to buy it over Isopropanol. It's more difficult and expensive to get hold of in the UK, and the more chemicals in the mix, the more likely one of them will damage models.

As it is, Isopropanol seems to have stripped the paint off green stuff pretty much flawlessly.

I think that the areas that were being softened by the Isopropanol which I first thought were badly mixed green stuff might actually be ProCreate. Not great news for people who use ProCreate, but fairly good for me, as I no longer do.
(I have one model that does that I might want to strip, but it's only partially Procreate, and it may be that it will survive careful stripping - I'm currently seeing if airing the model does anything to reharden these areas - being an alcohol, Isopropanol is somewhat volatile).

I've yet to test on resin, so more on that later, but for now, I don't think I'm going to be switching to anything else.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: LordParker on January 29, 2018, 09:39:48 AM
Wilkos does an all purpose paint and varnish stripper for 3 quid, I bought it with some cheap toothbrushes to give my old space marines a scrub and they turned out looking brand new including the plastic ones, it's very gloopy so I poured some into a glass jar with the models and had a plastic container with washing up liquid and it worked like a treat.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on March 18, 2018, 01:09:55 AM
Having been watching Lord Borak building warehouses, I decided it was too long since I'd actually built any terrain.

With the London GT coming up, some iconic Inquisitor terrain that will work well for the event seems kind of an obvious choice... and on that front, I do have a complete collection of old Inquisitor articles.
And so, I've decided to rebuild the terrain from Paul Rudge's old Inquisitor terrain articles (used in the original Paraelix Configuration battle report) - I normally try to be somewhat original with my modelling work, but I can't imagine many people out there still have a version of this terrain made (and if they do, I'm unlikely to ever play a game with them).

In any case, I've already made a fair start on the central "round" house.

(https://imgur.com/5f3xu1w.jpg)

I'll be making a few minor alterations to the terrain for various practical reasons, but it should still be recognisable to gamers of a certain age.

Firstly, it's a little smaller than the original.
This is partly because I want to make it usable for both 28mm and 54mm scale. Here, it's about 70%-80% of the size of the original terrain, measuring 40cm across rather than 50cm, and 89mm per floor rather than 125mm. (The slightly odd 89mm figure is because I'm using A2 foamboard. I can cut a board into five 84mm strips across the width, and then there's 5mm for the thickness of the board).
Taller characters will have to watch their heads on the doors at 54mm scale, and 28mm characters will instead have huge industrial portals to pass through, but it should be entirely usable at both scales.

The other reason for this is that it needs to be easily transportable in a suitcase or the like, as I mainly get to events by train, so vast buildings are a bit of a problem.

And as part of keeping it portable, I'm redesigning it a little to be collapsible:
(https://imgur.com/thR81eb.jpg)

If I do the marble obelisk from the original, that will also be optional, partly to facilitate storage/transport (by letting things be stowed in the middle of the room), and partly to allow the building to be used as things other than just a chapel to Chaos. Without that, you've got the opportunity to put control panels around the room to turn it into a command centre or industrial master room.
Or chairs could turn it into a (small) forum or council room, with space for the speaker in the middle.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: realitybytes16 on March 18, 2018, 01:24:59 PM
That is fantastic dude.

It's impressive that you've managed to make it collapsible for transport. What materials have you used? Foam board?
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: Lord Borak on March 18, 2018, 10:50:36 PM
Looking very good Marco!!! Glad that I have inspired some more terrain shenanigans :D
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on March 18, 2018, 11:49:07 PM
Quote from: realitybytes16 on March 18, 2018, 01:24:59 PMWhat materials have you used? Foam board?
The main structure is foam board, as in the original article. I didn't see any reason to do it any differently, as it's lightweight, cheap and sturdy.

The railings are rabbit hutch mesh (again, as in the original article). Finding the right style of mesh (1/2" x 1" welded mesh) in something that wasn't a huge roll of the stuff was a bit more of a pain, but after a bit of searching, I found B&Q sell it in roughly 2'x3' panels.
(They won't however deliver it, so I had to take a trip out, but the article also recommends textured wallpaper for adding some detail to surfaces, and it was always going to be best to take a look at that in person).

There's some parts where I'm going to have to diverge from the article though, as I don't have access to a stupidly large supply of old metal Vindicator sensor arrays or plastic tank traps...

QuoteIt's impressive that you've managed to make it collapsible for transport.
What I've done so far isn't staggeringly difficult. It's mostly just a case of making each layer separate, which mostly means a bit more reinforcement for the bottom layer so it had some structure of its own.

The trickier bit is going to be picking the right shapes for buildings so the board has a full "Russian doll" effect where different buildings can be stacked inside each other.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on March 19, 2018, 07:15:52 PM
Just a quick update on the terrain, as I've shortly got to go out.

You might have noticed before that the roundhouse was missing the "nooks" in the lower level - this was deliberate, as they'd inhibit the building being able to collapse down for transport. However, I now have three cubbyholes:
(https://imgur.com/dLNscf2.jpg)

Which magnetise into place:
(https://imgur.com/rvc2nKl.jpg)

And which nest into each other for transport. (The plan is they will eventually fit into the lift shaft for maximum compactness)
(https://imgur.com/U2U5qtq.jpg)

Also, have a picture of some of the other resources I've been collecting:
(https://imgur.com/nTVv70u.jpg)

Various tin cans for making silos and oil tanks out of (the advantage of having two sizable dogs - a Labrador and a Labrador cross - is that large food tins collect quite quickly if you stop throwing them out), 22mm solder-ring couplings (good for oil drums, but I might need to get some 15mm ones to better suit 28mm), and a wide assortment of 15mm copper fittings for making piping for the tanks. (15mm copper pipe not shown here, but I have large lengths around from projects from one of my other hobbies)

I haven't yet made a final decision on whether to glue these fittings together permanently, or make them into a modular set that can be used to connect tanks together in varying ways.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: mcjomar on March 19, 2018, 09:01:00 PM
Looking pretty good.
I'm left wondering what the pipe bits would look like next to a 28mm model now.
I've been surprised before at how 28mm and 54mm scenery sometimes scale up/down so well. Of course, sometimes not so much.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on March 19, 2018, 11:56:23 PM
The 22mm couplings are about the same height as a 28mm miniature. Not unthinkably huge if they were barrels intended to be moved by a power loader, but big enough not to be interesting terrain that characters can duck behind and shoot over.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on March 20, 2018, 07:34:40 PM
Again, I have to go out, so only a short update.

I've started on the shape of the lift shaft:
(https://imgur.com/iUdHePp.jpg)

As you can see, it has a cut out down the back in order that it can be laid flat as part of collapsing it for storage/transport:
(https://imgur.com/SuPID93.jpg)

I'm prioritising portability here, but this is causing a possible issue.
I'd like to make the doors on the terrain openable for immersion and to make it easier to photograph dramatic moments in the game. While a moving lift isn't practical (sorry), building the lift with the car at both the top and bottom of the shaft is feasible.

However, doing this as simply as possible means that this cutout will mean that the car will need to be slightly smaller at the bottom than at the top. I don't think this will be too immersion breaking (I doubt it will be massively visible from any angle you're likely to view it), but I am putting that out to you lot. I can think of ways to modify the design so that both the top and bottom of the shaft were the same size (or closer to it), but it would add time and complexity to the build and I'm not sure if it's worth it.

Anyway, there is of course also a "complete" picture, in which it's starting to look reasonably like the original article.
(https://imgur.com/KzvxppW.jpg)
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on March 22, 2018, 03:19:24 AM
Starting to add actual detail beyond the basic shape - the building's various structural reinforcements, as well as textured wallpaper to give a more interesting look to the surface:
(https://imgur.com/Np5836o.jpg)
(https://imgur.com/Qn3riqv.jpg)
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: Lord Borak on March 22, 2018, 08:41:21 AM
Looking much better now that the detail is being put on. Will you be putting on lashings of rivets? They seem awfully prevalent of GW models. I'm actually thinking about building one of these myself now!!!
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: Van Helser on March 22, 2018, 02:18:17 PM
Really coming together nicely.  The best part is how you're planning the portability of the design.  I have had in the back of my mind that magnets would be a very useful aid for terrain building for a long time.  It would increase modularity for one, and allow the stacking of buildings and ladders safely.  I have felt for a while that having verticality in Inquisitor would make games in small homes feasible, and add a whole other layer of tactics to games. 

Ruaridh
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on March 23, 2018, 03:18:09 AM
Quote from: Lord Borak on March 22, 2018, 08:41:21 AMWill you be putting on lashings of rivets?
I haven't decided yet. The original article didn't do it on the buildings to save time and effort (it was only used on the silos and tanks), and I'm inclined to think somewhat similarly. There's only so much time left before the LGT, and the work might be better put into something else.

(For example, I have thoughts about getting hold of a mini plasma ball and making a plasma generator).

Quote from: Van Helser on March 22, 2018, 02:18:17 PMI have had in the back of my mind that magnets would be a very useful aid for terrain building for a long time.  It would increase modularity for one, and allow the stacking of buildings and ladders safely.
I wouldn't exactly call these magnets structural. They're enough to keep things in place so they're not a loose nuisance when trying to position terrain, but they won't take any real weight.

In this case, the top and bottom halves of this building use pins to keep them aligned - these are also quicker to install, if less convenient to use in the end. Although they don't automatically lock into place, it's not possible to do stupid things like put pins in back to front so they repel each other.
(Yes, I did have to fix several magnets after I messed up - I got one magnet back to front at some point, which was then the magnet I used to check which way around the others should be...).

QuoteI have felt for a while that having verticality in Inquisitor would make games in small homes feasible, and add a whole other layer of tactics to games.
That's an interesting thought. I've not played an Inquisitor game on a table with a significant vertical element in some time. Sure, sometimes someone has gone up a floor or two, but with no walkways, they've not then usually got much choice other than to come down again, whereas here they may have the option to cross large portions of the board.

The lessons I've learnt from Infinity have encouraged me to plan more cover for the rooftops than in the original version of this board (otherwise two characters on the roofs are going to have pretty straight lines of fire at each other).
That will probably include another level of smaller buildings to fit on top of the main ones, where characters trade off manoeuvrability (not having any walkways to use at that level) for a more imposing position.
(Such things were actually mentioned in the original articles, but I think it wasn't put into practice for the battle report).
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: mcjomar on March 23, 2018, 08:26:02 AM
I like verticality in gaming - I've used it plenty for necromunda (using some robogear terrain), and obviously infinity (to one degree or another).
For 28mm Inquisitor it's fairly straightforward to solve for (again, the cheap robogear clip-together terrain works wonders), but for 54mm it can be a little more fiddly (although again, the robogear terrain is workable here too).

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Airfix-Robogear-Hexagon-AirFix/dp/B000S0PCLY/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1521793399&sr=8-1&keywords=robogear

The Hexagon terrain is fantastic at 28mm - you can possibly get it cheaper elsewhere though.
I've got a cake tin full of this (with bits left over) and it can rapidly fill out the necessary space for a necromunda/Inq28 game including walkways and cover. If I had 2-3 tins of the stuff I'd have so many layers of terrain for a 28mm game. It might work (the pieces are just barely able to handle a 54mm piece, but it's cramped) at the larger scale. I'd just be wary of putting a heavy 54mm piece of metal on a thin plastic walkway. A little less concerning with a single piece model, or a "suspiciously light" variant.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: Cortez on March 23, 2018, 01:49:45 PM
Sadly Warhammer World got rid of a lot of it's older terrain pieces so we lost the old multilevel towers and walkways we used to use.

The new Sector Mechanicus stuff though has a lot of potential to provide some interesting height and walkways and works really well at inquisitor scale. Unfortunately it's a bit pricey so I've not got much of it yet.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on March 24, 2018, 04:33:33 AM
Quote from: Cortez on March 23, 2018, 01:49:45 PMSadly Warhammer World got rid of a lot of it's older terrain pieces so we lost the old multilevel towers and walkways we used to use.
It was a sad loss, although as I think those towers were originally intended for Necromunda, they did have the slightly annoying problem of the balconies not fitting 40mm bases!

That said, I might well construct some towers like that myself, if I find spare time/foamboard.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on March 27, 2018, 08:26:49 PM
I haven't got time to do a proper update right now (although I have done some more detailing on the roundhouse and soldered together some tin cans as the start of the chemical silos - working on several bits at once might seem a bit schizophrenic, but there is some method in the madness. I want to be able to identify issues with part of the project early so I have more time to think about solving them).

However, I can show you the start of something else I'm planning on adding to the overall set - namely a (sort-of) functioning plasma generator.
There wasn't ever one of these in the original articles, but I think that by building some alternative centre-pieces in a similar style, it should allow the same terrain set to be used for a greater range of environments.

(https://imgur.com/vzm0zcD.jpg)

I've started with a 3" diameter mini plasma ball - it was originally intended for 5V USB power, but I've spent the afternoon upgrading the internals so it can safely be run off a slightly more lively 9V power pack.
(I was a little concerned about it possibly being too faint in well lit venues, hence the upgrade).
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: cymrilian on March 27, 2018, 08:58:25 PM
Wow! That will be an awesome centre piece
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: mcjomar on March 28, 2018, 08:08:50 AM
Very nice.
RE: cans, I've always wanted to build up a few with gubbins attached to be oversized fuel tanks.
I had plans you see...  ;D
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on March 28, 2018, 04:00:48 PM
To elaborate over the short post last night, what I'm planning is something like this:

(http://warhammer-game.narod.ru/wiki/images/SMThermo.jpg)

Namely, the Thermo Plasma Generator from Dawn of War. It's a design that will be somewhat familiar to WH40K veterans, with angular shapes that won't be too much of a pain to build, but also slightly bulbous so it will accommodate a plasma ball reasonably well.

I did try looking for cylindrical plasma lamps to better suit the DoW design, but couldn't find any that were the right size, a sensible price and where they didn't have a weird "antenna" shape (e.g. butterfly shaped), so a couple of compromises were necessary.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: seaglen on April 04, 2018, 05:52:20 PM
looking good!

as for the plasma generator - i attempted one here: http://www.the-conclave.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=2506.30

but never finished it...
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on April 14, 2018, 08:59:14 AM
I've not updated you in a while, partly because I found myself rather demoralised by the fact that the London GT wouldn't be showing off 28mm Inquisitor as well, partly because I'm trying to avoid spending too much time blogging about projects rather than getting on with them.

Anyway, I've got the basic shape of the base of the plasma reactor, which is going to be going off the Dawn of War Thermo-Plasma generator:
(http://warhammer-game.narod.ru/wiki/images/SMThermo.jpg)

That looks more or less like this so far.
(https://imgur.com/3YAlxyI.jpg)

The side panels are currently taped in place, but will eventually be magnetised, because they're hiding all the battery compartments:
(https://imgur.com/FJmegvN.jpg)

Because the thing has been supercharged a bit for visual effect, the total power is 8 AA batteries. (Normally mini-plasma balls that take batteries run off 4 AAAs, but I actually deliberately ordered one that didn't, because I knew I'd be hacking it around anyway).

A plasma ball is going to eat batteries quite fast, so you can also see the new set of rechargeable batteries I've ordered (which are more advanced and less worn out than my old sets). My current guess on battery life is probably about six hours, as this can theoretically run batteries really low (it'll still have a little life all the way down to about 3-4 volts) but I've not yet had time to test it with the new cells.

That's probably long enough for most events if it's turned off during lunch and the like, although I have now got enough rechargeables to theoretically swap them out in the middle of the day.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: maglash1017 on April 14, 2018, 09:57:26 AM
Looking great so far. This will be an awesome centrepiece for a game when it's done.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on April 16, 2018, 04:28:52 AM
Today's update is unfortunately boring, because although I've been working for ages, I've done so little actual modelling that it's not worth photographing.

The positives are that battery life has now been tested, and on 2800mAh rechargeables is right about six hours, although the intensity does taper off over about the last half hour. That's not absolutely perfect - 8 or 9 hours would be better for a full game day - but it's not so poor as to be a problem. (Batteries can always be changed if necessary).
And on the modelling front I have managed to find a shape for the generator struts I was happy with, make a template for that, and build the basic pin system that the struts will slot into.

The problem has been that that I decided I wasn't happy with the plasma ball's electrical shielding. This was right about the point I noticed my keyboard wasn't working all that well while the ball was turned on.
Electrical interference isn't at all unusual from plasma balls, but it's going to be a nuisance when I also sometimes use bluetooth speakers and the like for game sound effects. So I'm now adjusting the design to thread an earthed mesh throughout the structure to reduce the electromagnetic field it's chucking out.

(I've also swapped out the circuit's surge capacitor - the original was woefully inadequate and voltage spikes were leaking back into what should have been the low voltage side of the circuit. The replacement is out of an old disposable camera flash and has a far lower impedance).

As useful as it is to have a miniature plasma ball for projects like this, the idea of USB powered plasma balls is insane. It's not too bad when talking about a separate USB charger, but I'm sure that people must have fried computers with these.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: Van Helser on April 16, 2018, 08:17:41 AM
And I just thought plasma balls were pretty, not magnetic fields of doom...

It's a great looking build.  I guess this will hopefully grace the table at the London GT?

Ruaridh
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on April 16, 2018, 05:03:13 PM
Quote from: Van Helser on April 16, 2018, 08:17:41 AMAnd I just thought plasma balls were pretty, not magnetic fields of doom...
Electric field rather than magnetic, but yeah, they're high frequency high voltage generators. You might have seen that trick with Tesla coils where they can make nearby flourescent bulbs glow. The same basic trick applies here, although rather less intense:
(https://imgur.com/19OEjiB.jpg)

The only eventuality in which I think it's actually at risk of damaging or hurting anything is if anyone were stupid enough to actually use one plugged into a computer's USB port, but it can interfere with nearby electronics, so I'm trying to at least dampen the field.

QuoteI guess this will hopefully grace the table at the London GT?
That's the plan with all of this terrain project.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on April 24, 2018, 02:23:00 AM
Although delayed somewhat by wiring an earthed cage through the arms and base, the overall shape of the plasma generator is now in some kind of order (with 28mm and 54mm Kasrkin for a rough idea of scale):

(https://imgur.com/1Ldy5zI.jpg)

(https://imgur.com/onaTmoQ.jpg)

It's not identical because of the need to accommodate the shape of the plasma ball and power supply (even after having cut down the base as best as possible*), but I'd like to think it's a reasonable homage to the original DoW building.

* However, I've still managed to fit in a considerable upgrade to the original plasma ball's electronics, so it's hopefully up for the challenge of sustained operation on an increased voltage.

There's still a fair whack of detailing required (although you can see some of the scoring I've already put in the plastic, around the edge of the patches of hazard chevrons), but that's for tomorrow.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on April 25, 2018, 09:18:52 PM
Getting back to the proper meat of my Inquisitor terrain project (by which, I mean "stuff that was actually vaguely from the original WD articles, rather than shiny distractions"), I've decided that I want more greebly detailing on the terrain to add visual interest.

This means things like fittings for the railings, for which I'm hoping for some feedback - square bolts, or round rivets?

(https://imgur.com/Yiz9NEO.jpg)
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: Van Helser on April 26, 2018, 07:01:20 AM
The generator is looking great. Can't wait to have a character blow it up.

I like the round rivets myself.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: mcjomar on April 26, 2018, 08:07:25 AM
Round. Definitely round.
Not sure if you can get away with sticking random gubbins to the walls, or can afford to acquire any embossed eagles.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on April 26, 2018, 02:17:05 PM
Quote from: Van Helser on April 26, 2018, 07:01:20 AMThe generator is looking great. Can't wait to have a character blow it up.
Hey! Stop giving away plot details!

Quote from: mcjomar on April 26, 2018, 08:07:25 AM
Not sure if you can get away with sticking random gubbins to the walls, or can afford to acquire any embossed eagles.
Random gubbins, yes.

As far as eagles - don't know.
I already have some sheets of the Forge World etched brass ones, but I'm not certain I want to use them. It would add detailing, but on the inverse, the original terrain articles were something of a cross between pre-Imperial/non-Imperial (an ancient undercity infiltrated by Chaos)...

~~~~~

As far as rivets/bolts, the vote seems pretty split. (Interestingly, so far it's almost exactly split between 54mm and 28mm players).

Currently, my inclination is bolts, as I have been/will be using using a lot of rivets elsewhere (on doors, chemical tanks, the hydraulic rams for the lift cage, etc) and I think it would make for more of a visual contrast to have a few bolts.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on April 27, 2018, 05:30:50 PM
Firstly, I'm going to crudely plug the fact that I've finally posted something on the blogspot address I nabbed years ago, some thoughts on what Specialist Games are doing to re-expand GW's creative range, inspired by the new Necromunda bounty hunters:

http://everythingyouhavebeentoldisalie.blogspot.co.uk/2018/04/thoughts-on-forge-world-and-necromunda.html

Thoughts on a postcard.

~~~~~

Secondly, apparently I've failed to take pictures of the whole thing, but the lift shaft for the roundhouse is getting into some state of completeness.

Ground floor doors:
(https://imgur.com/ub1Vccy.jpg)

With some miniatures for scale, you can see that the doors are hefty cargo doors at 28mm scale and a bit more of a cramped rabbit warren at 54mm scale, but with the tall vertical handles, hopefully will look plausible at either scale.
(https://imgur.com/BnOqrQH.jpg)

And as this is a MarcoSkoll(TM) build, it comes with moving parts, and the doors can be opened to see what lies within:
(https://imgur.com/Y2ic6QS.jpg)

The lift itself does not move, partly because that would have been a stupid amount of effort (and difficult to do "safely", without risking it dropping models), but also because the lower compartment was made smaller than the top to facilitate collapsing the terrain down. (It is, however, staggeringly difficult to actually notice the size discrepancy, even looking from angles where you can see into both compartments - it seems that there's an optical illusion where your brain assumes the back edge must be a straight line).

However, I've built a copy of the lift cage at both the top and bottom of the shaft, so you can get action shots as characters rush into/out of the lift.

The main difference with the top compartment (apart from the slight size difference) is some nice hefty hydraulic rams so there's actually something to do the lifting. Technically the rams would be too short to move the lift through its full range, but they look good enough. (Apart from the fact they're not actually glued in yet and need proper alignment, but whatever).

(https://imgur.com/MlE3xvA.jpg)
(https://imgur.com/FeI8cO9.jpg)
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: cymrilian on April 27, 2018, 06:55:49 PM
wow. looks great. the level of detail for the doors and lift is amazing
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: Van Helser on April 29, 2018, 07:59:39 AM
Going above and beyond with detailing here.  Very nice work.

I really like the aesthetics of the new Necromunda range.  The bounty hunter with the vampire thirst is a great model, that reminds me of quite a few artwork pieces from the Dark Heresy sourcebooks.  I'm excited by the development of new 41st millennium models, that don't really fit with the armies of the Imperium.  A hive is a big place, so there should be plenty more where that came from.

Ruaridh
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: maglash1017 on April 29, 2018, 09:54:19 AM
Your eye for scale and dimensions seems unparalled among those that build 54mm terrain. Also, you get bonus points for the diamond studded textured plasticard.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on May 03, 2018, 02:24:28 AM
The main roundhouse is getting close to complete, but has hit a hiccup in that I seem to have run out of my smallest size of brass tubing (which I'm using for the door handles). An order has been placed, but it'll take at least a couple of days to arrive.

Some progress has been made on the chemical tanks instead, but it got late enough that I couldn't keep drilling without keeping other family members up, so I've instead started looking at the rest of the board.

I've cut enough building shapes to fill a reasonable amount of a 4' x 3' coffee table. It's not staggeringly dense, but this is entirely without considering the large roundhouse and chemical tanks, which should give it reasonable coverage of a 4' x 4' table.

(https://imgur.com/DOzm4Vp.jpg)

As part of the plan of this terrain is to make it compact for storage/transport, these were all marked out on to two sections of foam board measured to fit one of my wheeled suitcases. Although I may have to make adjustments to allow space for ladders, ultimately, all of this should pack into said suitcase pretty efficiently.

(https://imgur.com/fScW2xv.jpg)
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on May 04, 2018, 03:19:07 AM
Although this isn't exactly how it's supposed to pack down, these pictures I took earlier broadly demonstrate the "table in a suitcase" strategy I'm going for - all the smaller buildings can be packed into one case, but can fill a large portion of a 4'x4' area, without it being too blindingly obvious they're designed to nest together.

(There's also room to store smaller chemical tanks and scatter terrain inside these buildings, butt he roundhouse and larger tanks fit into a second case)

(https://imgur.com/Z7utS51.jpg)
(https://imgur.com/oJIBVaY.jpg)
(https://imgur.com/kqHwNwL.jpg)
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: Van Helser on May 04, 2018, 08:20:36 PM
Genius. All those weirdly shaped buildings are a sure sign of chaos in the architecture.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on May 05, 2018, 01:33:19 AM
Well, maybe. The weird shapes aren't intentionally Chaotic on my part, as I want to keep the terrain fairly flexible, so any explicitly Chaosy features will be optional/removable.

However, it is what the original articles did, and it is certainly more visually interesting than just doing a load of square boxes, if a bit more of a chore to glue together.

Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: maglash1017 on May 08, 2018, 04:18:31 PM
Simply amazing. I can frankly say I have never seen a terrain project that makes better use of packing space. I'm interested in seeing what the oddly shaped buildings will look like in the end.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on May 09, 2018, 02:12:24 PM
I'm pushing on with the Paraelix Configuration rebuild, and have laid it out to get a sense of how many oil tanks and gantries I'm going to need to make up for a decent coverage of the board.

(https://imgur.com/U2fFBcL.jpg)

Currently, this is a 4'6" x 4" area, about the area I play most of my 54mm games on.
For 28mm, you might not use all of this area, but with my standard house rule* that actions succeed on 3+ until the characters start trying to inconvenience each other, it's not unthinkably huge.

*Or the permanent rule in my Revised Edition, where ALL actions succeed on 3+, but characters generally won't want to use all of their actions once other characters become a threat. (Actions can be kept back to use as Reactions, such as to try to dive out of the way of incoming fire).

~~~~~

On a similar note, but a different table, this is a forest table that I'm starting to put together, and I'm checking tree coverage (which I want to be a lot denser than you'd see on most WH40K boards).

(https://imgur.com/Rc0Shu1.jpg)

There's a few more small trees to add to this (they hadn't arrived when I took this picture), and I'm considering getting maybe five pretty big (15-16cm tall) conifers to add some more variety.

The plan is also some rocks and rivers, but those are coming after the Paraelix Configuration on the priority list.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: Cortez on May 09, 2018, 10:21:45 PM
It's looking good so far. Can't wait to fight over it. I think I'll be using Isabella and her brother again as it seems like there will be much power and knowledge to be gained from this structure.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on May 11, 2018, 12:37:45 PM
After a complete attack of rivets, I think I have finally finished detailing the plasma generator that will serve as an alternative centrepiece for the table.

(https://imgur.com/5bUqzSS.jpg)

As iconic as the roundhouse is and as many uses as it should have, using it all the time would as one old WD article said turn it into "Inquisition Central", so this plasma reactor is intended to be used with the more generic buildings in the set to allow the terrain to be used with a different centrepiece/objective for games.

However, on the note of the monolith:
(https://imgur.com/PyvPO7I.jpg)
This is going to have to be an uncorrupted version for now, as I'm currently short on both the time and bitz for that job, but that does mean I can try experimenting with something else, and I've put in a rush order for a bottle of superblack paint to experiment with a "black hole" effect.

I'm not sure exactly how well this will work, as I've seen mixed reviews of the paint - it seems that the matte finish may well not be as shape-hidingly black as I'd really like.

However, cameras often don't agree with the eye when it comes to extremes of light/colour, so it may seem better in person and the worst case seems to be that reviews agree that it does varnish up nicely as a beautifully dark glossy black, so I should be able to make something of it one way or another.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: cymrilian on May 11, 2018, 08:48:40 PM
looks great. is the monolith actually suspended off the floor?
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on May 12, 2018, 04:35:46 AM
It is indeed. Not massively in that picture, but I wanted to make sure the original cut of the chains erred on too long rather than too short. Hooking it a link higher on all of the chains brings it up quite a bit.

I have had a suggestion of magnetic levitation, which would be delightfully eerie, but which I definitely haven't got time to implement. However, it's certainly not out of the question to retrofit, so I might come back to the idea.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: maglash1017 on May 12, 2018, 09:27:34 AM
That floating monolith looks very cool. I'm very interested to see what it looks like with the superblack paint, I try to follow the innovations on these sorts of paints and I don't think I've ever seen it used in a miniature (scenery) project before. Also, are the main structures all made out of foamboard? And is there a reason, apart from cost, that for some detailing you use cardboard rather than plasticard?
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on May 12, 2018, 01:02:28 PM
QuoteAlso, are the main structures all made out of foamboard?
The roundhouse and various polygonal buildings have their main structures as foamboard.

The plasma generator though is balsa, plasticard and some various brass tubing - the tubing is structural here, as it does need to disassemble for transport, and I needed to do that in a way that had electrical continuity. (The main structure is wired through with an earthed cage in order to try and reduce the interference on any nearby electronics - it is essentially a high frequency high voltage generator that I've then turbo charged).

QuoteAnd is there a reason, apart from cost, that for some detailing you use cardboard rather than plasticard?
Cost is a big one, but the other thing is that plasticard has no porosity, so it doesn't glue well with things like PVA (and with foamboard you are somewhat limited on glues, as things like superglue eat it).
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: TheNephew on May 12, 2018, 01:42:41 PM
Monolith is looking absolutely great, Marco.
This is going to be a fantastic board - thanks for putting all this work in.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on May 13, 2018, 01:19:21 AM
Well, my estimates of the right number of spray cans for the job has proven to be about a can less than correct, so there are some parts of the board that I'm not going to have the wherewithal to prime and paint in time. I'll be away during the week, so I've already hit my last deadline for deliveries, so that means no more work.
(It wouldn't be a proper build without at least some underestimation of remaining work versus remaining time... I am ever guilty of project escalation)

However, there's still a lot of board ready to go. I'm still declaring it a work in progress, as I'm planning to come back and add more detailing to the buildings and more pieces to the set when I have time (and materials!), but we will have something to play over.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: mcjomar on May 14, 2018, 08:39:19 AM
A question on plasticard: Does it glue together (card to card) with polycement/other plastic glue? Does it also glue well with GW plastic parts?

I've got a fraction of a mind to begin designing and building my own bits of scenery, and use of plasticard for both basing and structural elements seems like a good choice for resilient tabletop terrain. It helps that I can buy 1-3mm thickness sheets relatively cheaply on ebay, and combine it with plenty of other cheap modelling bits also (wire mesh, for example). Of course I need room for that, and my fiancee might not be so happy if I get stuck in and swallow up space with all my wargaming stuff  :-\
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on May 14, 2018, 05:39:26 PM
It is just (solid) polystyrene, so yes, it glues with standard polystyrene glues.

I'm not sure I'd recommend it for (most) buildings though. A big advantage of foam board is that it is thick enough to glue edge on without bracing being vital, whereas plasticard glued perpendicularly needs struts. That means a foam board building can be thrown together much faster than a plasticard one.

I used plasticard for the plasma reactor because that was a more complex shape where thinner materials would be better, and where I knew I'd have to be adding ludicrous numbers of rivets (and it was going to be easier to glue them to plasticard than foam board).

Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: mcjomar on May 15, 2018, 08:18:31 AM
I wouldn't mind bracing walls for plasticard I think - I'd probably do double layered, or open spaced walls maybe (so two layers of plasticard with sprue-based ribbing between them, much like real-life plasterboard wall construction between the supports of a house), or something to that effect depending on the type of construction.
But I guess it might mean I could also glue scenery trees and such with plastic basing to plasticard as a base, and then figure out a way to base/flock the subsequent area terrain.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on May 15, 2018, 08:52:07 PM
Doing it that way means a lot more work, as aside from meaning more cuts, it also needs to be more precise, because if your two sides of a wall end up more than the tiniest amount out (which is not at all difficult to get wrong), you then have an extra gap to plug or edge to sand off.

You certainly could do it that way if you want to do it that way, but I opted for foamboard as, despite already having had a large stack of plasticard available, I figured that foamboard was quicker, easier and cheaper for this project.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: mcjomar on May 16, 2018, 08:58:53 AM
So, with foamboard, what kind of glue is necessary for building structures? Does polycement/plastic glue still work, or do I need an alternative choice? Superglue seems a bit fragile/brittle in some ways.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on May 16, 2018, 09:13:02 AM
Both poly cement and superglue* will eat the lining of foamboard, so you need things like a hot glue gun or UHU.

* As does spray paint, so you do need to make sure the edges are covered over or sealed with something like PVA. The corner bracing on these buildings is dual purpose - adding detail and covering over the edges.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: mcjomar on May 16, 2018, 09:42:09 AM
Is UHU resilient enough? I've had issues with it becoming... bendy is the best work I can think of. The join becomes stretchy and rubbery, and tearable, which seems like it might be bad for scenery?
I guess I need a hot glue gun maybe.

What about this Gorilla Glue stuff I have heard about? Would that work?
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on May 16, 2018, 01:51:48 PM
Hot glue is preferable (particularly because it has a very quick set time, which means the basic shape of a building can be bashed together very fast), but UHU has its uses when trying to glue things that you want a bit more adjustment time for.

I can't speak for Gorilla Glue - I've not tried using it!
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on May 22, 2018, 01:23:10 AM
For those who weren't there, a picture of the terrain as it was used in London for "Legacy":

(https://imgur.com/8N0PkEf.jpg)

This particular game was from the Sunday, when Chris decided he wanted to mix the Paraelix and forest sets for the game he would be GMing - mixing the sets was viable by this point, as we had fewer players on the Sunday and didn't need both tables at the same time.
(This was also the game where one of the GW staff who were covering the event stopped as he was going past and said "Hang on, I recognise that terrain...")

The terrain worked out well for the games - it's not quite as intricately detailed as the Cities of Death terrain we've used for a long time at WHW, but it proved versatile, playable and fairly immersive (the decision to make openable doors might have added to the effort, but it did seem to pay off as far as actually engaging with the game and getting photos).

Proper pictures of each set will need to wait for me to have somewhere proper to lay the terrain out - the other "full board" pictures I took weren't as good as this (or were using game mats that were supplied as part of the event and don't really give a fair impression of what I've actually put together), and I won't be back home for a few days to lay things out properly.

(As an aside - I know there has been some controversy about the terrain used by some other of the sub-events at the London GT, but I'd like to avoid that taking over any discussion here. I had two tables to get ready, not two hundred).
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on June 19, 2018, 11:00:18 AM
If you guys have been following the planning for the event I'm planning to run in August, you'll know that it's going to be set around the onset of a warp storm - and, obviously, the skein of reality being stretched thin is obviously going to have to have some detrimental effects. So we're going to need some detrimental effects.

I don't remember if I owned up to buying these, but the Juan Diaz Daemonettes were one of the early Made to Order runs, and while I think the Alex Hedstrom ones get more flak than they deserve*, there's still something about a single breast that makes me think "cancer survivor" more than "indeterminate sex/gender".
* Actually, although I don't particularly like the design, I think that the plastics are actually very skilfully sculpted, particularly given they're from before all the modern leaps in GW's plastic technology.

The other thing is that I'm a weirdo who's just generally more comfortable with metal and resin miniatures than plastics. As such, the Juan Diaz models at a reasonable price were the natural choice for me to explore the world of Slaanesh.

Now, the box was of 10, but a proper covey of Daemonettes of course has to be six, so as there were seven different designs, I put aside the three doubles and the one that I thought I might want to use as a specific character later on, and narrowed it down to these six:
(https://imgur.com/LgnTk5Y.jpg)
Currently I'm trying to decide what to do with them. I'm not sure how much I want to do with them, although I am playing with the idea of giving them short tails (which is a feature I do like from the later design), and some reposing is always a possible option.
Suggestions on a postcard.

Something else I should own up to is that the new FW Necromunda bounty huntress Belladonna made her way into my backpack while I had a spare moment at the London GT last month:
(https://imgur.com/i4R4LIL.jpg)
Similarly to the daemonettes, I haven't yet fully settled on a plan for her, but she seemed like an opportunity to exercise my normal modelling style while working on a model that is actually from this decade. (Given I'm really not that comfortable with plastics, I often simply don't work on recent models, and when I do, it's still generally rather different to how I normally work).
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on July 17, 2018, 01:48:27 AM
Well, oops. Apparently it's been four weeks since I said I'd start this, and I've managed to let myself get repeatedly distracted by writing IRE rules.

However, I finally got the saw out this evening and did the basic posing on one of the daemonettes (bottom middle in the earlier picture).
(https://i.imgur.com/ZrU90bi.jpg)

I've done a repose to go for an angle more of arrogant confidence, as vanity and pride are certainly Slaaneshii traits (although not exclusively).
I've also taken her down from four breasts to two, and will extend up the armoured corset to fill in the gap. The six breasted daemonette works for me as Slaanesh's number of power, but four felt more out of place.

~~~~~

I'm seeing these six as a specific covey of daemons rather than just nameless threats, in order that hopefully a narrative/reputation can build up around them over the various plots they're involved in.

Although I've not filled in every specific detail and I wouldn't be staggeringly surprised if someone's written something similar before, I'm thinking that...

The six were once human sisters, a set of sextuplets born to a noble line otherwise dying out through infertility. Naturally, this was the deep resentment of their father, who against all odds had been given six children, but not one male heir to continue his line. He was never again gifted children, and he came to drown out the shame of being the last of his line in a haze of alcohol and narcotics, with occasional bursts of violence towards his unwanted daughters. His final fall was literal - thrown by his daughters from his palace's thirty metre high grand balcony in response to his latest drunken abuse.

Claiming his position in unison, their rule was magnanimous, but with time, ever more advisers and political rivals would disappear after speaking out against them -  becoming increasingly unwilling to accept anything but their own superiority.

It is not clear exactly when Slaanesh took them. It might have always been his/her plan - drinking in the cruel torment of granting an impotent noble a family but no successor, and then eradicating his legacy entirely by corrupting each and every one of his children.

However, take them he/she did. When the Inquisition came and their palace was burnt to the ground, they laughed in unison from the balcony, welcoming the ecstasy of the rising flames.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: Van Helser on July 24, 2018, 07:28:21 AM
The Juan Diaz daemonettes were always the best.  Though I do have a fondness for the older oven glove wearing ones from the early 90s.

How tall is the Belladonna model?  I've heard that the new Necromunda figures are a good bit larger than the metal stuff.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on July 24, 2018, 12:15:38 PM
My nostalgia tends to be mostly for models from the 1997-2003 era - the kind of stuff that was either released or commonly on tables in the early few years of my hobby.

As far as Belladonna, to the top of her head and counting her heels, about three quarters of a head taller than the couple of old Jes Goodwin Escher I have. The hairdo exaggerates that a lot, but she's not unthinkably tall alongside the older models.
I do actually have the plastic Escher box about, but I've not assembled anything yet, so I can't say definitively how those match up height-wise, but my instinct is that Belladonna, being somewhat slighter of figure than the new plastics, better matches the old metals stylistically.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: Cortez on July 24, 2018, 10:07:28 PM
They're not massively larger than the old models. Especially when you take in the fact that they're wearing platform shoes and have even more extreme hairstyles:

(https://i.imgur.com/Cpx5C8D.jpg)

Overall I think the new sculpts work fine with the old ones:

(https://i.imgur.com/iCAWuKa.jpg)
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on August 05, 2018, 02:59:47 AM
Progress on the six sisters has unfortunately not been great - the hot weather in the UK has meant that working on metal models has become a bit frustrating, even for me, with tiny little parts trying to escape from slightly sweaty fingers.

Two of them should be ready for Guardian, the other four will probably have to be painted without conversion, but I should be able to strip them back and customise them later on.

However, I've decided exactly who Belladonna is becoming - but I can't yet tell you who that is, because it would be a spoiler for the upcoming event.
(https://imgur.com/kYh0M0B.jpg)
She's resin, of course - which, aside from being less of a problem with slightly sweaty fingers, is a wonderful material to work with.
It may not even be immediately obvious that the legs and feet have been reposed - although it's strictly for soldering surface mount components, I have a temperature controlled hot air wand that can be used to warm very specific parts of resin models, so it was fairly easy to turn her leg out more.

Also, I decided I wanted to lose the high heeled boot, which didn't feel right for the character, who... well, suffice to say that while presentation of a sort is actually basically the character's entire raison d'etre, right now it means knuckling down and doing things. So, similarly, I could flatten out the foot with the heat wand.

Continuing the point of presentation through practicality, while it's probably sacrilegious, but I think I'm going to give her a more subtle hairdo than the model/art started with.

As far as her weapons, I'm having a bit of trouble with that, as the model's bulk is not consistent of most of what's in my bitz box... or even the new plastic Escher that I have. While this bolter has been slimmed down, I may potentially have to resort to stealing Greyfax's again slightly smaller bolter.
The stake crossbow component is not actually inappropriate for the character (but, again, spoilers), but might present a posing issue.

Thoughts? Is the bolter too big?
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on August 05, 2018, 07:37:26 PM
Most people seemed to agree that the bolter was a bit too big ( even though I'd tried to shrink it down a bit), and I didn't have most of the suggested alternatives (being as I'm an old fashioned type who has basically no kits made in the last decade), so I've taken a stab at combining bits of bolter and bolt pistol to create a weapon more appropriately scaled to the model.

(https://imgur.com/b91LNvR.jpg)

Obviously I'll need to clean up the scars on the casing, but how does the size look now?

The other alternative is finding a different weapon entirely (a lasgun might be more svelte, particularly as I have some Forge World Elysian ones), but while I'm normally quite hesitant to give bolters to Inquisitor characters, the bolter does feel right for the character's (still secret) background.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: Cortez on August 05, 2018, 10:00:27 PM
The smaller bolter looks much better.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: maglash1017 on August 06, 2018, 07:06:53 PM
I think the reduced size looks much better. It's still kind of big, but I think it creates a nice contrast with the smaller-framed character. Intrigued to see where you take the sculpting.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on August 07, 2018, 08:22:02 PM
I realised that even though I won't have converted all the daemonette sextuplets before the event this weekend, I'd failed to show anything of this one:

(https://imgur.com/11b1Fal.jpg)

She's not completely finished (she still needs her hair, loincloth and bracers sorted, as well as a little clean up, but I intend to handle that tonight), but it does give a rough idea of where I'm going.

As far as the pose giving her only one weapon compared to the pair that most daemonettes wield, I'm currently working with the idea that their daggers and claws are summoned/morphed at will. Although it's perhaps slightly towards the Tzeenchian end of the spectrum to have a daemon morphing themselves, I think it's a plausible enough effect for a daemonette - I can see a certain creepy beauty in a claw morphing away into a slender hand as they stand over their latest victim.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on August 18, 2018, 05:07:14 AM
Sorry, I've realised I'm a complete doofus and have still failed to update this thread. While Lady Helena Van Brasing (the now declassified name for the Belladonna conversion) is still waiting for me to finish tidying up her paintjob (it wasn't entirely finished for last weekend), I forgot to post the final pre-undercoat pictures.

(https://imgur.com/TJDYyhH.jpg)

There was a bit of a last minute panic when I decided that I actually wanted her to have a chainsword rather than the plasma pistol she had, but I didn't have a dang chainsword in a good size for the model.

Fortunately though, this took a lot less time than the bolter took to sort - the plasma pistol had a fairly straight grip and wasn't too recognisable shape wise once the muzzle had been removed, so it was a plausible hilt for the chainsword.
Spinning it around and adding some plasticard (three layers of .25mm plasticard, with the middle layer wider than the others so I could serrate the edge) fairly quickly turned it into a suitable weapon.

I hope to get the painting finished at some point soon, and I'll also try to get a picture of the Winterholme sisters - although the work on some of them is WIP/temporary, as the intention is to go back and convert more of the sisters over time (I needed them functional for the "Guardian" event, but I do hope to make them all individual as I find time).

~~~~~

I'm also going to admit to the purchase of a box of Primaris Intercessors, as I think they're a nice improvement on the Space Marine design and I should probably visit the Adeptus Astartes for 28mm Inquisitor eventually.
Whether or not I actually do anything with them or hit my normal plastic phobia may be another matter though.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: Van Helser on August 18, 2018, 02:10:02 PM
Great repose of the daemonette.  Adds a predatory sense of menace.

The chainsword is nicely done on the Belladonna conversion too.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on August 29, 2018, 10:49:32 PM
I'm currently on a narrowboat, so the idea of tidying up the last of the painting on Helena is a bit optimistic.

However, returning to the earlier mentioned box of Primaris, I've decided that turning some of them into a small Deathwatch squad is a good start, as it allows completely eclectic and decidedly non-standard equipment load-outs that work well for the Inquisitor ethos.

So, offering a very heavily blu-tacked project:
(https://imgur.com/iYQhuFX.jpg)

The thought here is a somewhat unconventional use of a jump pack, not for getting into melee, but instead in combination with an auto bolt rifle for mobile suppressing fire and rapid flanking manoeuvres.
I'm not sure if the model will keep the Mk6 helmet - while I probably want a Raven Guard or successor in the squad, I'm now thinking they might be better kept for an infiltration specialist, and instead let another chapter fill this role.

Still not a massive fan of plastic, but I do like these models - they feel like what Space Marines should have been originally.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: mcjomar on August 30, 2018, 08:26:01 AM
Looking cool.
I'm finding that intercessors are actually kind of fun to mess with - for as much as they allow, anyway.
Here's an example of my work you can steal for ideas:
https://imgur.com/a/WZxFaC7

Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on August 30, 2018, 08:36:16 PM
They don't seem too limiting. They're not naturally compatible with all older parts, but it's not overwhelmingly difficult to swap in older chest plates and the like - a few gaps to green stuff, but for a small custom squad, that's not unreasonable effort.

Although this squad may well be growing, as I'm now tempted to make it a full ten strong squad with one marine from each loyalist legion (or a successor) and a Blackshield...
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on November 12, 2018, 05:57:02 AM
Anyway, I suppose I should actually post stuff to try and promote a little activity on the site.

Although my forest table is now achieving a fairly respectable tree density (there are a few extra trees here than when it was at the LGT), I will concede that it does need more "not trees". Right now, it's fairly good when supporting other terrain (such as the Sector Mechanicus terrain here, which was Dark Sphere's), but it's not enough to make a table on its own.
(https://imgur.com/Z4eutC1.jpg)

Adding a bag of lichen (and I'll likely add another) to the set has started to add some variety, but to achieve a table that meets the needs of Inquisitor, it is going to need more scatter terrain.
(https://imgur.com/l62kCdJ.jpg)

So, here's the start of some rocks.
(https://imgur.com/tLbEDiV.jpg)
I struggled to find thick extruded polystyrene locally, so I've eventually had to build it up out of layers to get the right thickness.

This has made working with it more of a challenge, as the PVA only really sets near the edges, so with a normal craft knife, it usually starts falling apart after you start carving it up. A hot knife works better, but the PVA doesn't melt quite as much as the foam, so I have to sand it down afterwards.
You can see the issue a little clearer here... but you can also see the advantage that I can comfortably build the blocks the exact size I need them with relatively little wastage. A lot of these are deliberately made out of six 5mm layers for a 30mm thickness that's both tall enough for a 54mm character to hunker down behind, but also short enough for a 28mm character to comfortably fire over:
(https://imgur.com/aj8VsyI.jpg)

And the sheets are also a good thickness for jobs that might be more traditionally handled by thick cardboard. Here you can see the construction of some river sections (well, more of a stream for 54mm characters, but still a water hazard).
(https://imgur.com/eVcM1yE.jpg)

A massive advantage of the material in this role is that the strips of foam I'm building the banks out of were originally cut straight, and can be bent quite easily to match the curves of the river with a heat gun. Hopefully, the foam should prove more crush resistant than cardboard, which should make it a bit more suitable for transport (a significant concern for the terrain I make, given that most of my games are at events).
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on February 23, 2019, 03:51:22 PM
Following up on my need to produce a crowd of citizens for the upcoming "Fracture" Open (given it's going to be set around a political revolution), a large pile of boxes turned up yesterday.
There are several non-GW kits that people have recommended that I've earmarked as possibilities to add to this pile, but this is already a lot to start with (particularly if I can find any left-over Catachan or Empire bits in my bits box).
(https://imgur.com/feu7EyP.jpg)

Obviously, I don't really like working with plastics for Inquisitor (compared to my normal medium of painstakingly dissected whitemetal and greenstuff), so the kitbashing approach is going to be a bit of a learning experience, but I've taken a stab at one model already, who I'm currently dubbing "The Administrator".

(https://imgur.com/XHPEfSc.jpg)

There's various changes I may or may not make - either a male head or otherwise adding a few curves with greenstuff (although I've already slimmed the shoulders to make the silhouette a little less broad), and maybe some more/different gubbins - but I'm reasonably happy with it as a start.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on February 23, 2019, 09:09:03 PM
Three more - still all WIP, but I'll be working them up in batches to do greenstuffing.

The Drunkard:
(https://imgur.com/SVTkTQT.jpg)

The Hardman and the Beastmaster:
(https://imgur.com/oitjCV4.jpg)

It's been largely decided that the Hardman probably needs a new head, as this one is a bit oversized, and that the Beastmaster needs some livestock to look after, but I'll work on that later!
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on February 24, 2019, 01:35:13 AM
WIP Civilian #5 - The Dancer:

(https://imgur.com/1PRclka.jpg)
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: TheNephew on February 24, 2019, 09:37:15 PM
I've been following these posts on the Inquisitorium - great work.

Initially I didn't think the Hardman's head was much of a problem, but I think now that it's been pointed out a couple of times, I can't stop noticing it.
Still probably not somethign to worry too much about though.

The Administrator looks just fine the way she is, I dont think there's any need to make her more feminine-figured.

How's working with plastic going so far?
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on February 25, 2019, 03:06:43 AM
Quote from: TheNephew on February 24, 2019, 09:37:15 PMHow's working with plastic going so far?
I'm managing, but I'm still not a particular fan of it for Inquisitor. I like it for vehicle models, and it's alright if you want to build a squad of regular infantry, but I don't really like converting it.

Although it is theoretically easier to cut (but with my tool kit, metal isn't that hard), when you're used to solid pieces you can trim/file down ad nauseum, thin-walled torsos (made up out of several pieces) can be a pain... but the main thing though is plastic glue, which is a pain for fiddly conversions - getting everywhere, dissolving detail and taking an age to set.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: mcjomar on February 25, 2019, 08:26:25 AM
It's wierd, but I always find I have the opposite problem/experience

Metal and superglue (oddly) never dries fast enough (unless it's on my fingers, because then it dries super quick), and I always end up needing to fabricate scaffolding and pinning (if it's even possible in some cases) to ensure stability when causing something to dry in a particular pose - and this is worse when I'm not converting (which at least offers the opportunity to ensure joins are thick enough to be survivable). It's safe to state that my ability to turn air blue comes from having to deal with particularly fiddly builds (conversions or ordinary construction) dealing with any form of white metal and superglue.

Plastic, on the other hand (unlike resin, which isn't much different to metal in some respects, including needing superglue and scaffolding) tends to be better overall, as I can carefully cut precisely in small increments (measure twice, cut a few times to be sure) to get the exact measure I need, and (unlike metal) it's very easy to get bits (or bitz) if I need extras, backups, or replacements (such a market is harder to find for metal components, and is usually more costly), and for my part I find the ultra fine applicators of my blue poly-cement pots (Revell contacta professional - the blue stuff with the applicator that you need a wire handy to keep clear) to be handy for drying just fast enough that I can build things rapidly (sometimes too quick!), and being very accurate.

When I compare the three types of model (metal, resin, and plastic) I find that plastic tends to be more survivable too, while resin and plastic are more likely to break, either by snapping on fragile thin bits, or by breaking/shattering easily when dropped (even on softer surfaces, the white metal and superglue is more likely to break than plastic, while resin is hit or miss, but can shatter or snap, either on a join, or mid-component). If I had my choice, we'd see a lot more plastic, as (when produced to GW levels) it still has a lot of detail, but can survive bouncing due to clumsy gamers, and tends to take a little more effort to break, rather than merely bending, while metal (and, to some extent depending on the mix, resin) tends to break all too easily.
[/rant]


To settle more on-topic, however, I'm liking that you've managed to find a way to combine van saar parts with other kits - I've noticed that they are (appropriately, for their house and backstory) kind of thin in some ways compared to other kits, which makes cross-pollination (for want of a better term) of parts with van saar parts kind of tricky in some ways. Kudos!
I think the left hand on the drunkard looks a little overlarge - is it catachan? Or Cadian? It looks like it might be Cadian, so I'm surprised that it's still that large.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on February 25, 2019, 03:28:56 PM
Quote from: mcjomar on February 25, 2019, 08:26:25 AMMetal and superglue (oddly) never dries fast enough (unless it's on my fingers, because then it dries super quick)
The magic words here are "superglue accelerator spray" - if a joint is a problem, it sets the stuff off completely in about five seconds. And if you can't spare a hand to use the bottle, you can spray the accelerator on one side of the join first, put the glue on the other half and it'll still work fine.

There's no equivalent for plastic cement, where I can find a joint may still be rather soggy several minutes after I've glued it, and completely collapsed as a result.

QuoteI think the left hand on the drunkard looks a little overlarge - is it catachan? Or Cadian? It looks like it might be Cadian, so I'm surprised that it's still that large.
I have no idea - it could be almost anything, as it was loose in my bits box with no arm attached. It is a little large, but I'm thinking I might greenstuff in some additional inflamed swelling to give him a dose of gout, which wouldn't be out of place for a persistent drunk.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: Van Helser on February 28, 2019, 08:20:39 AM
Nice kit-bashing going on.  Seeing some NPC civilians on the table would be great.  I have grand plans for 54mm civilians and angry mobs, but I am wrapped up with historical commissions right now and haven't been able to work on anything of my own for ages.  First world miniature painter problems.

You mentioned some non-GW kits, but in case you haven't seen them, then the Frostgrave kits could be super for this project.

Cultists: http://www.northstarfigures.com/prod.php?prod=7731
Cultist Sci-fi conversion kit: http://www.northstarfigures.com/prod.php?prod=8780
Wizards: http://www.northstarfigures.com/prod.php?prod=13196

They also have fantasy male and female soldiers, barbarians, and pirate crews.

Ruaridh
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on February 28, 2019, 01:30:56 PM
Quote from: Van Helser on February 28, 2019, 08:20:39 AMNice kit-bashing going on.  Seeing some NPC civilians on the table would be great.
It's often a real limitation. I'll regularly think "Ah, I'd love to do a scenario in a crowded market" or the like, but I just haven't got the models.
Hopefully this will do a lot to fix that kind of problem for when I'm running 28mm games (and if I manage to build in enough variety, hopefully it'll also give me a range of models to use as more high profile NPCs. I should probably take a gander at the NPCs list in that old scenario generator to see if there's any ideas to use).

For 54mm... definitely more of a challenge, as just getting hold of an abundance of models to use as a starting point for NPC hordes can be tricky.

I do have a box around with forty-four "Army Men" zombies in it (a Nurgle plague was a possible subplot I considered as part of the LGT last year, although it was eventually abandoned in favour of putting more time and effort into the terrain project) but getting hold of those was a task in itself. Almost every option I found on the internet was out of production and entirely unavailable, or out of production and going for ludicrous prices on eBay; eventually I got these ones fairly cheap, but ended up getting two bags because more of the cost was in shipping them from the US than the plastic itself. (As such, if anyone needs a few cheap plastic zombies, drop me a line, I can probably set you up with a few).

QuoteYou mentioned some non-GW kits, but in case you haven't seen them, then the Frostgrave kits could be super for this project.

Cultists: http://www.northstarfigures.com/prod.php?prod=7731
Cultist Sci-fi conversion kit: http://www.northstarfigures.com/prod.php?prod=8780
Wizards: http://www.northstarfigures.com/prod.php?prod=13196
I don't think those were amongst the suggestions I've had - what I recall is things like the Maelstrom's Edge "Broken Infantry" (https://www.maelstromsedge.com/medge/store.jsp?p=31&acr=dakkabox2&fbclid=IwAR1ZoHRUrn9-Jd5qryxzzEBmOIi3nBmLvH6-uwD71lxSVR9qVTTq0P9C9XE) - which looks like a pretty good kit, but I did want to start with some of the Necromunda kits; I want to support the Specialist Games division, as I think it's doing wonderful things for GW's product range - as I ranted about in that blog post last year, Forge World is making some wonderfully characterful models off the back of the Necromunda fluff that it couldn't do within the main WH40K game.

Still once I had that many boxes in my cart, my wallet ran off and told me to work on those first before I added anything else!
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on April 20, 2019, 07:33:52 PM
More civilian WIPs, all in need of a little finalisation:

The Welder (needs welding goggles)
(https://imgur.com/CjCxqPz.jpg)

The Preacher (needs minor GSing).
(https://imgur.com/mCbxVzM.jpg)

The Longshoreman (shown here without his heavy cargo, for the sake of painting):
(https://imgur.com/4dOdYR5.jpg)
(https://imgur.com/5qYgaz3.jpg)
(https://imgur.com/v4wUGUA.jpg)
(https://imgur.com/ZYlZz0M.jpg)

The Courier (GS will be used to slightly bulk up his left arm and turn the rod into a scroll)
(https://imgur.com/uRNrmvE.jpg)
(https://imgur.com/PNwvPg0.jpg)

The Ratcatcher and The Apprentice (minor GSing needed, horrific mould lines already removed):
(https://imgur.com/40orGKV.jpg)

~~~~~

And, rather higher profile, Lady Natalia Fforbes-Ingall, of the Fforbes-Ingall rogue trader dynasty. (Basing and minor GS work needed).

(https://imgur.com/KJ4nVTa.jpg)

~~~~~

I'm also going to take the opportunity to remind you that if you plan to attend the "Fracture" event I'm running in London (where these models will all be appearing), the cut-off for tickets is the end of this Sunday.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: TheNephew on April 20, 2019, 09:51:47 PM
These are coming together nicely - looking forward to seeing them next week.
I've been  following their progress on the FB page, they look great.

Have you thought about using one or two for a submission to 28Mag?
The conversion from classic 54mm sculpts to 28mm doppelgangers, tying the historyof the game into the current range, might be the sort of thing to interest them.
Doubtless you have more than enough to be keeping you busy already though.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on April 21, 2019, 12:49:54 AM
Quote from: TheNephew on April 20, 2019, 09:51:47 PMThe conversion from classic 54mm sculpts to 28mm doppelgangers
An article is a possibility (worst case, if they don't want it, it can be put to use for rebooting Dark Magenta), but I don't think I'd approach it from that angle.

Aside from the fact I only loosely used the concepts of the old 54mm citizens as cues (and occasionally picked heads that most reminded me of the models), mega-rare models you need to be an Inquisitor mega-nerd to remember even existed aren't a very accessible subject for an article. (Hell, even I messed up, the official name is actually "Stevedore" rather than "Longshoreman", but I think I'll keep the latter).
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: mcjomar on April 22, 2019, 11:04:31 AM
Those all look fantastic.
Especially the Noblewoman.
Some brilliant component combinations on show here.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: FreezyGeek on April 28, 2019, 05:29:21 PM
Really big fan of these civilians... Might have to buy a box of necromunda minis myself to make some workers. And the rogue trader? I kind of want to make a rogue trader and their retinue now, but I'll wait till my next campaign.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: mcjomar on April 29, 2019, 08:45:51 AM
I'm increasingly in the mood to do some =][=28 minis myself now.
I've got some ideas involving bionics which will need Guard and AdMech bits.
Apparently I'll want to consider some Necro bits too.
And possibly some other minis besides.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on May 01, 2019, 04:50:58 PM
Various terrain-y bitz and bobs:

Smaller chemical barrels for 28mm scale - this time including a proper storage box to try to stop all the paint chipping off them immediately:
(https://imgur.com/vfJZfyg.jpg)

And some stuff I've shown you before, but now in a more complete state:

The river sections (which involved a lot of comical splashing around at Fracture on Saturday):
(https://imgur.com/TDVlG6P.jpg)
(https://imgur.com/dC1HH4V.jpg)

And the various large rocks to add some more hard cover to the forest table:
(https://imgur.com/s3PIBaj.jpg)
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: Dallo on May 01, 2019, 11:15:08 PM
Some really nice stuff you've got here. I haven't had the time to go through this entire thread yet, but I fully intend to.

Keep up the good work.

Dallo
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on May 01, 2019, 11:56:21 PM
Quote from: Dallo on May 01, 2019, 11:15:08 PMSome really nice stuff you've got here. I haven't had the time to go through this entire thread yet, but I fully intend to.
I think you'll be met with an embarrassing number of forgotten and unfinished projects (although fortunately on that front, my Warhound Titan build has its own thread...), but thanks nonetheless.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: Dallo on May 02, 2019, 12:21:06 AM
Well, now it's past my bedtime and I'm pretty tired, but I made it through your entire thread. Congratulations. You're a bad influence. :p

It's pretty cool to see the sped up version of your hobby journey. The greenstuff sculpts in particular were inspiring. GS isn't an aspect of the hobby that I'd be overly strong in, but you're tempting me to give it a go.

Believe it or not, I was looking through your Warhound log at lunch today and decided not to necro it, but since you've mentioned it, did you ever get any further with it?

Dallo
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on May 02, 2019, 01:29:56 AM
A little, but not much. It's one of those things that'd be cool more than it is necessary, and is also pretty technically challenging, so it tends to fall by the wayside in favour of other things. For example, I have other plans like an Arvus Lighter, which would be simpler and more generically useful for scenarios.

But yes, I really should try to get it finished some day, because it was never supposed to be practical - it was supposed to be obnoxiously attention grabbing lunacy.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on September 27, 2019, 01:52:46 AM
Seeing as I've apparently got a Salute display to run next year, I figured it was time to start turning more of my "maybe" projects into reality.

Obviously the really big guns would be Leander (both metaphorically and literally), but I want to get my hand back in before I commit effort to a model I've been procrastinating on for years.
In the meantime, I have that set of pepakura templates for the Arvus Lighter, which should be a lot more manageable and also a fairly versatile model.

(https://imgur.com/tJd7YP7.jpg)

Once I'd spent an hour fighting with the printer to scale the plans up to 54mm scale, the rough shape of the cargo bay came together relatively easily.

(https://imgur.com/LnDgb22.jpg)
(https://imgur.com/FyApQY3.jpg)

The pepakura plans don't come with an interior, but having one added a lot to my Rhino build, so I made the adjustments on the fly - besides, at 54mm scale, these models would be pretty floppy without some form of internal reinforcement, so it might as well double as detailing.

Depending on how they're positioned, there's space for up to about six characters on 40mm bases in there, so not as many as it officially carries (12), but enough to actually have an Inquisitor and entourage deploy from within.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: SiderosPeltarion on October 03, 2019, 11:46:25 PM
I have slowly been working my way through this thread since I joined the forum. So many great sculpts! Its really encouraging to see your progress, particularly with faces.
I have never been one for more than kitbashing but seeing your stuff has inspired me to be a bit more daring with the warband I am working towards. I wont be at your level but will start using bits of sculpting amd custom pieces when I can.
Would love to play against your stuff one day, particularly re-living the Paraelix Cobfiguration battle reports that was one of my all time fav White Dwarf battles.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on February 05, 2020, 10:40:57 PM
Picking up on the Arvus project, a small amount of progress:

(https://imgur.com/Gc5zerR.jpg)

It's not the neatest soldering or circuit board ever, but I had to build it as small as possible with what components I actually had on hand and it should do the job regardless. This is a fairly basic on-off pulse circuit, designed so that the Arvus can have blinky aircraft lights.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on February 09, 2020, 12:35:02 PM
And here we have the main layers for the Arvus's wings - which actually proved fairly time consuming with all the  careful cutting required needed for the surface detail.

(https://i.imgur.com/RbpNSbU.jpg)

This is the big part of making the wings, although there are still a few jobs to do - they still need to be spaced apart, have some LEDs plumbed in (headlights and navigation lights) and have the pins fitted to mount them (which will serve as both electrical connections for the lighting and provide a way to detach the wings for storage/transport).

Not to mention a bit more surface greebling and a butt-load of rivets, although some of that may end up being done in one combined stage for the whole model.

Still, slowly making progress.

(I also discover, looking back at Kaled's old Dark Magenta article on making his fliers, that I may well have found an entirely different set of Arvus pepakura templates - there's some notable differences in the design).
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: cymrilian on February 09, 2020, 09:06:34 PM
looks great!
(Are you going to cover it in rivets? how long will that take!!)
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on February 10, 2020, 12:49:35 AM
Yes, it will be riveted up... it's going to be a tedious process, but you do eventually get through it.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on February 14, 2020, 03:44:25 PM
I realise I've not shown you the main body in a while. The main shapes of the engines and cockpit are in place, and the detailing process is starting (which largely needs to be done before adding things like the landing skids).

(https://i.imgur.com/zVWKZzu.jpg)

Looking a little closer at the cockpit, I've modified the shape from the blueprints to have the bevelled edges that show on the FW model.
(https://i.imgur.com/vNv4ZRD.jpg)

And as far as the electronics that you can just about see wedged in there (there's another battery holder on the opposite side of the cockpit - these components need at least two batteries, but with a fully accessible interior, there's no room for a double battery box anywhere in this thing), the power conduits and junction boxes that have been added to the cargo compartment will actually be power conduits and junction boxes - both serving as detail and functional components.
(https://i.imgur.com/Rpg0ldc.jpg)
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: maglash1017 on March 01, 2020, 01:43:03 AM
Looking mighty interesting. Inspiring as well, you do some things with plasticard I would love to replicate!
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on March 01, 2020, 02:06:12 AM
... um, although I've not been making as much hobby progress as I hoped due to having to try to work on things surrounding the 'Clave and Dark Magenta, apparently, I've failed to post some updates here!

These are the mounting pins for the wings (making them removable for transport), which also serve as the power connections to the LEDs:

(https://i.imgur.com/PcxK4Xf.jpg)

And there's a video of blinky LEDs here (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-YMi-LXiXK8).
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: FierceDefence on March 04, 2020, 07:51:24 AM
Smart and functional, I like!
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on April 03, 2020, 07:36:18 PM
As the events thread mentions, with coronavirus keeping people at home, I'm trying to look at alternatives.

There are online tabletop systems, but the obvious disadvantage to those is that people can't use their existing characters and models.

... or so you might think. This was a rough test done with too few photos in bad light, but with no more than a consumer camera, some open source software and a bit of processing time:

(https://i.imgur.com/zVhqVfY.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/L2RQbwv.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/pzUF7DV.jpg)

I'll need to redo it with better photos to improve the result (the software is capable of much better), but Lady Riemann now exists as digital polygons.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: Cortez on April 03, 2020, 09:40:32 PM
What software are you using? Any chance of an idiots guide?
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on April 03, 2020, 11:06:21 PM
I'm using AliceVision Meshroom. It's fairly straightforward to get a scan - take lots of pictures of the model from different angles (ideally moving the camera rather than the model), drag and drop them into the program, hit start, wait for it to do loads of calculation, and eventually you're left with a PNG and an OBJ.

Cleaning it up and optimising it for the simulator is a bit more complex, but you've got Zbrush experience, I believe.

As and when I've actually refined my technique properly, I'll try to provide a guide.

Anyway, I intend on redoing the scan, but for the sake of proving it can be successfully inserted into Tabletop Simulator:
(https://i.imgur.com/oPZ8X6w.jpg)
(Which is really surreal, because I know
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on April 05, 2020, 12:31:40 AM
A second attempt at digitising Martejja, this time using less rushed photos.

(https://i.imgur.com/UIdMoNm.jpg)

EDIT: I also realise I got the program name wrong in the last post. It's AliceVision Meshroom, not AliceSoft (which turns out to be an erotic video game producer...)
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: Cortez on April 09, 2020, 10:24:06 PM
I found the correct software. Having problems with it though. It seems to just stop on the third step and not progress any further.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on May 06, 2020, 01:09:30 AM
I've got around to scanning Evelyn:

(https://i.imgur.com/pmoPBGq.jpg)

She's a bit rougher around the edges than Martejja, so I might end up redoing some things, but this was a 48 photo scan (not the 134 I took for Martejja) using different software (3DF Zephyr).
As a result, after the kinks were ironed out (with thanks to Lee on that one, who helped me via Facebook) it was considerably less time consuming to photograph and process.

(While ideally I'd prefer to improve the quality slightly above this, a quicker process will mean games can actually be done sooner rather than later).
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on May 08, 2020, 02:15:21 AM
I'm thinking I'm going to have to redo Evelyn. My experimenting with my photography method wasn't rewarded.

However, the good news is that Daniela has come out significantly better:

(https://i.imgur.com/aEYH4Cf.jpg)

At this point, I think have the method reasonably well sorted, so I'll be trying to document the approach for others to replicate.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on May 08, 2020, 08:28:20 PM
As prophesied, I've redone Evelyn with the new photography.

Considerably happier with these results.

(https://i.imgur.com/phkI4SQ.jpg)
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: Inquisitor_Snarf on May 08, 2020, 09:10:57 PM
Really cool!

I would love to see as many INQ minis getting scanned by the community. There are so many minis out there that deserve the love (looking at 28 mag)
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on May 10, 2020, 04:43:15 PM
Adding Martejja's hunting eagle to the collection of imaginary Inquisitor models:

(https://i.imgur.com/DJ5Wg0T.jpg)
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on May 13, 2020, 01:25:37 AM
Alas, this is still photoscanning and offers nothing as far as genuinely new content. However, it seems to be the most promising avenue as far as gaming in the near-ish future, so I'm pushing ahead with that. Once I've got the process refined, I can consider working on new models to scan.

At this point, although I've still got the servo skulls to process for Martejja's warband, I decided it was worth scanning the 28mm scale Cpl Fielder instead to see how well she would fit proportionally alongside the rest. I wasn't expecting it to be a particular issue, but even given I tend to sculpt my 54mm figures considerably slenderer than the official GW figures, it seems to work quite well to me.

(https://i.imgur.com/wjhTRiA.jpg)
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: DwH86 on May 14, 2020, 12:39:22 AM
This is outstanding!

Well done, Photogrammetry is sonething I'm very curious about  :)
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on December 25, 2020, 12:46:05 PM
Sorry, things trailed off there, mostly due to complications with real life that I shouldn't really go into.

However, new toys! While before I was going from miniature to 3d mesh, now I can also go back the other way too. (Including potentially creating rescaled duplicates of my existing models).

I've got a bit of learning to do first, but hopefully I'll be turning out bits and pieces soon, ready for when we can actually do events again.

(https://i.imgur.com/pkLtQhn.jpg)
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: cymrilian on December 26, 2020, 10:22:21 AM
i'm envious. i look forward to what things you print out.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on December 26, 2020, 02:56:18 PM
Quote from: cymrilian on December 26, 2020, 10:22:21 AM
i'm envious.
I have to admit that there was a certain charm to doing everything by hand as I have so far, just from the perspective that "No, it doesn't need fancy tools" but at the same time, I've also learned a lot of 3D modelling and art over the last few years, so this is a useful way of bridging the various skill sets.

Quote from: cymrilian on December 26, 2020, 10:22:21 AM
i look forward to what things you print out.
In that respect, it seemed a good starting project that wasn't going to involve lots of complicated support struts, use up massive amounts of resin if it failed, or just generally be too tricky to do would be to look at some custom dice.

The special Inquisitor set that were released back in 2001 remains one of my favourite dice sets (and one I wish I'd bought two sets of, in order to have more than five D6s), so I figured a somewhat snazzed up version of that might be an interesting idea.

It's a bit hard to photograph clear resin, but after some contrast tweaks...

(https://i.imgur.com/iDEjyZY.jpg)

I need to refine the supports a little to make them easier to remove, and there's a few other tweaks I should probably make, but I think I'll probably be printing out a set of six of these at some point.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: Mentirius on December 26, 2020, 03:50:39 PM
That is very cool; I still have a set of those dice myself but I love the more detailed version of the =][= symbol you've worked in.  I'd be interested to know how it stands up to a salt water test, as I recently had some issues with a big bag of dice I bought mostly not being true, maybe due to bubbles or other inconsistencies beneath the surface.

As far as full-on 54mm models goes, while your freehand sculpting is awesome, I think a new medium to play with is always a creatively good thing.  I can't wait to see what else you come up with using this tech.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on December 27, 2020, 03:13:14 AM
Well, I know it's not going to be perfectly 100% balanced, as I didn't specifically try to equalise the indentations, and with these supports, it was somewhat difficult cleaning up the edge between the 4 and 6.

Still, it is clear resin, so it's possible to see that it's solid internally. (As is, the way the printing works means that short of an actual failure in the printer, it's unlikely to have such flaws).

As far as progress, I've tried a rough application of paint; I didn't put *much* effort in (this is just a test, and I plan to print a set of six having learned from this one), but I think I probably need to exagerrate some of the details in order to help pick-up the paint. (That said, as is almost always the case, the photograph isn't very flattering. In person, it looks fairly decent).
(https://i.imgur.com/utz4v0S.jpg)
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on January 30, 2021, 11:48:09 PM
I have done a couple more dice test prints to try and improve on the formula (and I think I'm getting close), but I've not really got on with any miniature prints because I'm still waiting for AnyCubic to dispatch my grey resin, and while I've since bought clear resin and engineering resin elsewhere, I wasn't mega thrilled to be using them up for what would be better for a standard opaque resin.

Still, with cymrilian having pointed out that ArtelW had released some of their older designs as STLs, I figured it was probably past time to print something. As such, an effort to print out their "Warseer" at 54mm. (Which I eventually used a 1.55 scale factor on):

(https://i.imgur.com/vhnJwjM.jpg)

A couple of components have failed (but fortunately the smallest ones that'll be easy to re-print), and some scaffolding went a bit wonky (but the part survived). Unfortunately, this is as far as I got, as the actual prep work took longer than hoped, so it got late enough that I have to leave detaching from the scaffolding, curing and assembly for tomorrow... but it looks reasonable so far.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: seaglen on January 31, 2021, 12:40:40 AM
Wow Marco,
I'd be really interested to see how this pans out!
I've never delved into the world of 3D printing,  but this looks great so far!
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: Inquisitor_Snarf on January 31, 2021, 01:41:34 AM
YES! THAT IS AWESOME!

Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on January 31, 2021, 05:30:24 PM
And after reprinting the failed parts, detaching it all from the scaffolding and applying some glue:

(https://i.imgur.com/wNifVqd.jpg) (https://i.imgur.com/wNifVqd.jpg)

Sorry about the picture, the clear resin isn't the easiest to photograph. (I really would prefer to use the grey stuff...)

She (as it seems to be a she) will need a proper base, as I didn't want to print out the quite large and not particularly thrilling pile of rocks that came in the pack, but I'm fairly happy for what's my first attempt at a print of a full 54mm miniature.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: Mentirius on January 31, 2021, 06:36:54 PM
That looks sweet, a pretty clean cast and the 1.55 scale does seem right.  I may have to track down these Artel STLs for a future rainy day...

Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on January 31, 2021, 06:48:59 PM
If you do want to print some of these in future, note that the "Warseer" is by default a larger model than many of the rest. I think with the "Bone Banshees", I'd elect for a slightly larger scale factor.

(In this case, I think 1.5x probably would have worked fine in general, but I've also got a Warlock converted from the 28mm Avatar, and after I'd extended his torso/legs, he ended up quite tall, and I didn't want her to be completely dwarfed by him).
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on February 01, 2021, 05:13:46 PM
Next stage in the Eldar print.

(https://i.imgur.com/24IoNww.jpg) (https://i.imgur.com/24IoNww.jpg)

I messed up the undercoat somewhat, so I'm planning to put it for a wash in isopropyl and redo the undercoat tomorrow, but this shows the details a lot better than the clear print.

It *also* shows all the scars from the supports that I couldn't see properly in the clear print (rather illustrating why I'm grumpy that my grey printer resin hasn't turned up yet). But at least it gives me an excuse to be redoing the undercoat anyway.

The resolution of the printer is sort of showing up at this stage, but I expect it'll become fairly hidden after paint. (As is, my printer's firmware does not yet support anti-aliasing, but it hopefully will in the near future, so I'll want to see how that improves things.

Note that the base is temporary - I'll think of something more interesting while I'm actually painting her, but I wanted to attach something so I could actually do an undercoat.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: Mentirius on February 01, 2021, 09:59:38 PM
Even if the clear resin isn't perfect, that is a beautiful model...really crisp considering the inceased scale.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: mcjomar on February 02, 2021, 08:59:13 AM
I know the current base is temporary, but the "hovering" nature of the mini currently makes me think of the SoB mini with the Sister hovering upwards as chunks of ground follow her due to her psychic powers (I think it's a BL mini from a story about a psychic Sister? One I've not read yet).
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: maglash1017 on February 02, 2021, 03:49:51 PM
That did turn out really well. Makes me want to buy a 3d printer.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on February 03, 2021, 05:24:41 AM
Quote from: Mentirius on February 01, 2021, 09:59:38 PMEven if the clear resin isn't perfect, that is a beautiful model...really crisp considering the inceased scale.
The technology has come a long way in the last decade or so. People were at the time wittering on about it being the death knell of GW, but to be honest, it's only really with the newer generations of LCD based printers that miniatures printing has reasonably come down to the consumer level.

Print resolution will improve, no doubt, and result in sharper, clearer prints, but this one feels like it's respectively cleared the bar of "good enough".

Quote from: mcjomar on February 02, 2021, 08:59:13 AM
I know the current base is temporary, but the "hovering" nature of the mini currently makes me think of the SoB mini with the Sister hovering upwards as chunks of ground follow her due to her psychic powers (I think it's a BL mini from a story about a psychic Sister? One I've not read yet).
That would be Ephrael Stern.

And yeah... I could see some kind of base with some hovering debris working quite nicely.

Quote from: maglash1017 on February 02, 2021, 03:49:51 PM
That did turn out really well. Makes me want to buy a 3d printer.
It's magical witchcraft.

It's actually pretty surreal to me, and I've got prior experience of materialising models out of various kinds of goo (albeit two-part chemically curing goo, rather than strange ultraviolet reactive goo).

~~~~~

As an aside, although these resin printers are mostly intended for artistic tasks, there are some somewhat stronger structural resins available that can be put to use for other jobs.

And indeed, a week or three back, my brother and I found some of our old "Tomy" toy trains in the attic, which had been sitting there as the left-overs that never managed to sell at car boot sales. In order to clear the space, we decided to offer them to our uncle (who often has his grandson around, at least when not in total lockdown).

However, in the process of checking it all over, it became clear that one of the locomotives had some damaged gears, which were jumping and slipping. And how do you get replacement gears for a 25 year old toy train?

Well, these days the answer is to take some measurements, feed them into Blender's gear generator and then give those files to the 3D printer.

We're still not at the stage where it's as accessible and prevalent as in science fiction, as it remains somewhat specialist tech requiring a fair amount of technical knowledge (it's not something that I could have easily done if I didn't know Blender), but it's still impressive.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: seaglen on February 03, 2021, 09:03:29 AM
It's really incredible how the tech is getting there for creating models like this!

QuoteWell, these days the answer is to take some measurements, feed them into Blender's gear generator and then give those files to the 3D printer.

Sounds like STC archeotech to me...
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on February 09, 2021, 02:16:22 AM
So people know it's not been forgotten, an interesting failed print from the dice project:

(https://i.imgur.com/euaerVM.jpg)

This was a failure from my first run of a full six, but as I already had a prior test to the same design, it does mean I've got a functional set (or will do once some paint is applied).

I'm contemplating whether I need to adapt the design to have rounder corners than I've been using so far, as these don't roll especially freely and the bottom edge* doesn't print especially square, and I'm wondering if rounding it off would help that.
* Because of the nature of LCD resin printers, I'm printing these at a 45 degree angle, with the edge between the four and six faces used as the main support edge.

The other good news is that my opaque grey resin finally turned up, so I hope to use that soon, although I want to get a few more things done in the clear resin so I don't have to go through the hassle of re-swapping resins.

(And yes, I do hope to get some paint onto the Eldar seer soon, although I've had something of another flare of tendonitis, so it's been slightly delayed).
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on March 06, 2021, 07:37:38 PM
I know I said I wasn't going to start another 54mm vehicle project until I'd finished either the Arvus or the Warhound, but as tendonitis means I've not really been in a position to do much painting, I've had my 3D printer sitting around doing nothing.

Anyway, long story short, here's a Tauros scout vehicle.

(https://i.imgur.com/jtbi6A6.jpg)
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: cymrilian on March 06, 2021, 08:09:18 PM
looks awesome. how many parts did you have to print up?
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on March 06, 2021, 10:22:44 PM
This is five seperate prints so far (rear, front, a medley of parts for the roll cage/front suspension/interior, wheels, rear suspension), although if I'd been a little more organised I probably could have done it in four. I was expecting the final print to also include a weapon or weapons, but when I looked at the weapons I had available, they were poor enough that I decided I was going to redesign them and print those later. Had I planned ahead, I probably could have fitted the rear suspension parts into spare space on the first couple of prints, but it's not a particularly big deal.

I'll note that while I've made some alterations, this is at its core a model from Cults3D that I've scaled up. It doesn't have quite the same charm as one that's been painstakingly built from plasticard over weeks of work, but I've got the Rhino and Sentinel to prove that's possible.

On a similar note, I do plan to use the printer to create some of the parts for the Arvus, although I intend to model those pieces myself.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on March 19, 2021, 10:28:56 PM
When it came to my Paul Rudge/Paraelix Configuration terrain rebuild, it never got much greebling. Partly that's because there was a time crunch to have it ready for the London GT, partly because most of the greebles were components that would have been hard to get hold in sufficient numbers at the time, let alone here and now. Stuff like the tank traps that were cut up to provide buttressing girders for the buildings, or the Vindicator sensor arrays that doubled as wall lights.

However, there is now a solution to such problems:

(https://i.imgur.com/9cUyoJe.jpg)

You can see some failures in here, (there's a crack in the side of several of the girders, but I think I've identified the issue, and should be able to avoid it happening on future print runs) but this was a test, so I was going to need at least one more run anyway.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: greenstuff_gav on March 20, 2021, 09:27:39 PM
it's been a while - you've been busy :D

i'm still learning 3D printing myself so not much to add  - by random chance i also did the Eldar seer and the Banshees at 160% :)

looking at the TTS stuff i'm struggling to get images to import into Meshworks - did you have difficulty with the program on first use?
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on March 22, 2021, 12:34:43 AM
I've moved over to 3DF Zephyr for my photogrammetry stuff now, as that's the recommendation I got from Lee McStein (whose online name currently escapes me, but he's been in the INQ28 community for a fair while), who actually does photogrammetry professionally. It seems a lot faster, and able to get good results with fewer pictures.

Hopefully, I am going to manage to complete my guide on actually using said software sometime soon, in order to help other get involved in online games.

EDIT: Holy cheese biscuits, I hadn't actually tried the software again since I built my new PC. On a more powerful graphics card, it can process a model in a few minutes.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on November 07, 2021, 05:32:17 PM
Anybanana, after all the (now hopefully solved) worries about actually having enough helpers for the Salute display, I've been punching up my terrain set - one of the buildings now mostly finished other than a bit of gap filling and some paint:

(https://i.imgur.com/gIstQAZ.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/PSfQCWj.jpg)
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: TheNephew on November 08, 2021, 11:40:32 AM
Nice, that looks bladdy lavvly.
THe printed greebling is great.

Does this mean we get to have the classic obelisk objective?
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on November 10, 2021, 06:00:32 PM
Quote from: TheNephew on November 08, 2021, 11:40:32 AMDoes this mean we get to have the classic obelisk objective?
Alas, not this time, but the printer has been considered as a potential way to finally make happen.

Also, I decided to use the 3D printer to give the horizontal tanks more interesting legs than the cut up sprue they had in the original articles:

(https://i.imgur.com/r4C9kCr.jpg)
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on February 10, 2022, 04:50:11 PM
Well, in the hope to have it ready for the IGT, I've finally got all the navigation lights plumbed in for the Arvus:

(https://i.imgur.com/KMgpV9W.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/GLlIAgw.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/lITkLdJ.jpg)

As previously demonstrated, these have both a continuous and a blink mode.

Although wiring in here is a lot simpler than is going on in Leander's build, it's still got quite a lot of circuitry on board, and the the main delay in sorting it all out has been this little dohickey:

(https://i.imgur.com/PN4YDrP.jpg)

There's only space for 2 AAs in the gaps around the cockpit, so this is a voltage booster (and some capacitors for smoothing) that can take their voltage up to the point it will reliably drive illuminate the high power green and white LEDs (which need more voltage than red or yellow ones) as the batteries discharge.

So, in the end, it's worked out there are now three separate power lines plumbed around the Arvus - one for the headlights and interior lighting, one for the red navigation light, and one for the green and white nav lights.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on March 18, 2022, 04:23:35 PM
Well, I did manage to get the Arvus finished in time, but apparently I failled to keep this thread up to date, including all the stuff about the custom designed 3D printed parts that have done a lot to elevate the result over what I could have done with plasticard and greenstuff alone:

(https://i.imgur.com/SWDwu3C.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/30VDOjA.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/Q6UZ17N.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/EfTgUCs.jpg)

It did get a basic paintjob in time, but I'm going to do a bit of tidying up of it before I photograph it for this thread.

In other news, apparently unsatisfied with already having a 54mm Rhino/Razorback, Sentinel and Arvus Lighter (and a Tauros scout buggy on the way), I may have ordered a thing...

(https://i.imgur.com/08HPaFA.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/pduP2kI.jpg)
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on March 22, 2022, 04:40:43 PM
Well, a thing has arrived:
(https://i.imgur.com/ALrX8dM.jpg)

It's certainly more intricate than typical of a GW kit, so I'm expecting a lot of the smaller details are going to be left off in the end to avoid them getting broken off in play:
(https://i.imgur.com/tJlVbik.jpg)

However, having the opportunity to inspect it up close, I'm now convinced this is a slightly repacked version of the original kit that was used, as the sprues are copyrighted as 1998, and there's details in here that weren't obvious from the online photos, such as the tarpaulin bundle on the side of the truck's cab (which I'd assumed to be from elsewhere). And, indeed, the tread pattern on the tyres in the kit matches the truck in the rulebook, even if the box art doesn't.

Given that this seems to be the real deal, a scale shot is probably somewhat redundant but, yes, it is well sized for Inquisitor:
(https://i.imgur.com/mJyFinU.jpg)

I'm going to have to decide exactly what my angle of attack is here, and what order it gets built in and how it's cut up, but having IDed the correct model kit is definitely a major coup in this project.

(I also need to decide whether I'm going to try and track down as many of the original GW parts as feasible, or just go with plasticard and the 3D printer).
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on March 27, 2022, 03:26:00 AM
The truck has been held up somewhat while various parts arrive. I've gone to a bitz site for the Land Raider parts that serve as part of the bonnet (there's just a couple, so might as well get it right), but I'm now going to need to have those arrive to get measurements off them.

Still, a bit of progress has been made.

Carefully studying the original pictures, the cut line for the cab is visibly just behind a small square notch in the side (actually for aligning construction, but hey, it's given me a good reference). This also lines up with a panel gap in the roof, so it makes for a logical cut in general:
(https://i.imgur.com/w7guwTp.jpg)

The cut was a bit of a nuisance, as it can't be correctly supported from the side where you can see where the cut should be, so it done by repeatedly scoring along the line, until such a point as the line became clear on the opposite side, making it easiy to do the last part with it flat on a cutting surface:

(https://i.imgur.com/P8O90xX.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/kXF0CC9.jpg)

Annoyingly, some of the casting marks that would normally be hidden are going to interfere with where I need to install the back of the cab, but I removed them with a sharp chisel and a riffle file:
(https://i.imgur.com/bB9Qcdr.jpg)

However, in the meantime, I've managed to find one of the OOP searchlights in my own bitz box and get good measurements off it to make a model for 3D printing.
(https://i.imgur.com/x22EOFN.jpg)

The plan is to print this in clear resin in order to fit it up with LEDs. (Itself another challenge, as there's not *quite* enough space in the rear chassis to fit in an AA battery box, but an AAA box is just about clear of the right mark):
(https://i.imgur.com/jY6Lsby.jpg)
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: Inquisitor_Snarf on April 07, 2022, 03:06:35 PM
Quote from: MarcoSkoll on May 13, 2020, 01:25:37 AM
Alas, this is still photoscanning and offers nothing as far as genuinely new content. However, it seems to be the most promising avenue as far as gaming in the near-ish future, so I'm pushing ahead with that. Once I've got the process refined, I can consider working on new models to scan

Although I have not seen any 3d scanning stuff from you recently, I wanted to give you an FYI. I was waiting for the Release event for the Unreal Engine, and they hit on some new photo scanning technology you may want to look into:
https://www.capturingreality.com/introducing-realityscan
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on April 07, 2022, 04:44:21 PM
That could be very interesting when it launches to a wider audience; it could make things a lot more accessible to people.
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: MarcoSkoll on June 21, 2023, 11:55:24 PM
Well, I frequently say I only ever get stuff done because events make for a deadline.

I've been wittering on about this occasionally on the Discord, but so it's not all hidden only there, one trucK:
(https://i.imgur.com/YKq8A4f.jpg)
Title: Re: Marco does something
Post by: maglash1017 on June 26, 2023, 09:44:03 AM
So cool, it breathes "Inquisitor rulebook" to me. Very inspiring build.