Modelling A Xeno

[Elva]

Hey all, I've been mulling it over, and I've decided I want to model a Q'orl for my warband, or if it doesn't fly for the GM, just for the challenge and satisfaction of  making a cool model  .

One of the issues I'm having though, is that I can't find a decent picture of one, the xenology book is great referance, but its hard to make out what it would look like without  its organs spilled all over the place and in a natural pose. Do you have any links or places were I could find a decent reference?

As well, I'm a bit new to converting non humanoids, so are there any tips I should know? I'm going to attempt 28mm scale first, as I have the most bits for it, and that's what my group is doing, though I do plan to try it in 54mm scale when I get the chance.

[Heroka Vendile]

I'm pretty sure Xenology has the only published pictures of Q'Orl, although I think there are a couple brief references elsewhere, but nothing like what Xenology contains.

[Elva]

Hmmm, that's pretty sad, considering how awesome they are. Well i took the initiative and I converted one. Its rough and needs some greenstuff in places, but I love the way it came out! It was difficult only using the Xenology dissection references, but I took creative liberties for what I couldn't reference. He has some human weapons(las gun, bolt pistol and sword), but that fits into the storyline. I used a fiend of Slaanesh's head, which I'll try and add some extra eyes to. I also used a lot of Tyranid bitz, and two dark elf torsos for the abdomen(I thought the armour really matched the carapace). The ends of its legs are also from the fiend of Slaanesh. I'll post the photos as soon as I find the cord for the camera. I hope you're exited as me!

[Shannow]

That sounds like a mammoth conversion! I cannot begin to think how you have put all those bits together :S excited is indeed the word!

Rob

[Elva]

hehe thanks  it was hard, and I'm sure there are plenty of things that need fixing. And I'm working overtime to find the cord so I can post the pictures. But I'm sure it'll look better with some greenstuff for extra eyes and covering up its flaws.

I'm also working on its backstory in the Dark Millennium section if you're interested.

[Shannow]

Always interested! Get it posted man! Good things come of it....like e-cookies....

[Elva]

sorry for the sheer amount of pictures, there where so many different angles that only showed so much. I'm no photographer, but I hope I got the essence of the model.  This is the just the first step, once I get some green stuff I'll tidy it up and make it look more biological and bug like. I hope you enjoy!

[Shannow]

I'm pretty sure, that I like it, though tbh I am struggling to make heads or tail of..well...whats heads or tails!! The many arms and spindly legs look fantastic, and it looks like with all those weapons it will be a whirlwind of death!!

In terms of taking pictures Marco did a fantastic guide that I will dig out and link you too which helped me no end! Its amazing what cameras can do when your told how

To insert the image into the conclave so it appears directly and not as a link, you want to copy the 'IMG CODE' which is the bottom chunk of writing in the list on the left of the screen, just copy and paste and that should do the job.

I think I'd like to see a picture of it stood up and from behind if thats possible, I'm definitely looking forward to it being painted! Looks like a great character and certainly one that you can expand your own fluff upon as aside from Xenology theres bugger all written on them really (well as least that I have found)

Rob

Ps: 2.40am captains log - I wish I could sleep like a normal person.

EDIT: http://www.the-conclave.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=201.0 thats the guide to taking pictures of mini, many thanks again to Marco for putting it together, fantastic stuff.

[Elva]

Thanks, I'll go over that next time I take a picture of a model. One thing that I've noticed is confusing, is the abdomen kind of looks like a leg, when its meant to be sort of on a weird angle. Hehe, yup, its going to be my tank, hopefully taking out that nasty acro-flagelant one of my buddies is using. I think I might have one or two of what your looking for, I just put some of the ones that looked half decent. I I'm having fun writing it too, its a real challenge and I'm having a good time letting my over active imagination go wild .

Look forward to even more feedback

MacK

PS, if you're really getting into the Q'orl mood, I have a thread for the backstory and I'm starting one on the game rules. Feel free to contribute!!

[Elva]

Good news, I fixed  'em and hes looking more Q'orly than ever. I added an extra set of legs, and gave him a better abdomen(or thorax, I forget which is which). He looks like he's pissed off, so that'll play mind games with the other warbands  . I just gotta wate till the camera is done charging to take some photos and post them. I wonder if I should add some wings >:3, make him a proper warrior.

[Elva]

Ok, Fred the Q'orl Mark II. Hehe, I actually haven't decided on his name, but I'll leave that to later. I put a lot of love and hard work into this model, and I think he looks pretty Q'orly hehe. But I'd like to hear what you think first. Is there any way I can improve him? Or does he look pretty spiffy? I still need to add some greestuff in areas, and I'm still working on my camera skills, but other than that I'm pretty happy. So let the feedback commence!

[Shannow]

Better than the first version I think and generally looking very deadly and...alien.... However what is the big lumpy projection on the right of some of the pictures? I think it clutters the model too much and wouldn't be a bad thing too lose. Other than that I like the spindly many legged and armed look that it has.

What colours were you planning on painting it?

Rob

[Elva]

It was supposed to be the thorax(or abdomen, I don't know insects that well), but it did look a bit too much like an appendage(and a strange one at that) so I trimmed it a bit, and it removed most of my doubts about the model. I also tried to get some shots that showed it a bit better.

And I haven't even thought of colours yet hehe, right now I just want it to take a decent shape. Though on that subject, I'm not quite sure what colours the Q'orl have. All the reference I could find was black and white.

[Shannow]

Ahhhh I see! I was just looking at it from a completely different idea in my head, the abdomen coming out the side makes perfect sense really, i was just assuming the body went legs to head ground up like a humanoid. Reinforces the xeno nature definitely! I think you can take a lot of artistic license when painting so go crazy!

Rob

[Elva]

Hehe, its okay, that observation was actually quite helpful, it looks way better now.

Hmmmm, which colours to choose... I'm not quite sure, I've always envisioned them to be mainly a creamy yellow, with some dark green or blackish undertones, and some red for details. Does that sound fitting?