bgcdazzler's first ever mini WIP (a confusion of cockups and learnings)

[bgcdazzler]

Hello all,

Needless to say I had a lovely and inspiring time at Salute. I have a billion out of focus photos, but here's a favourite: Sproket's Borgossa being (gently) lifted from the cabinet while the getting the middle finger of doom:

embarrassing to admit, but this was the first time I'd seen such a vast array of non GW minis in one place: as a burgeoning/hopeful wannabe sculptor it was great to study so many models in detail. Needless to say my credit card is having a little lie down to recover.

I I bought quite a lot, but here's a few. I've built them but (at the moment) don't intend to paint them; I just want to study the different styles and level of detail to help inform my sculpting and make it better. I bounce between 'holy shit how do they do that' to 'oh I see how they do that' to 'hey, I can do that'. But mostly 'holy shit'...

Anyway, here they are:

This chap is from Warlords (I think? I have his name at home). Feels like a digital print to me - very crisp smooth lines, and complicated to put together. I got him for the dynamism of the cape and the armour detail.

this one is from 'the other 7 sins' or something like that: very appropriately there was war, famine, etc. This is pestilence. Absolutely beautiful sculpts with insane details on them.

and this is from Mierce - a very popular stall, I got a few things from there. This chap is a big troll-type character with a sheep and a topknot. As you do. Again there are lots of bits to this one, lots of detail and a few extra pieces to stick on, rather than it being one lump. Definitely something to think about.

I think having these in front of me will either help me put more detail into my own models or completely intimidate me. We shall have to see!

In the meantime, I've been painting more of the elf. I really don't like the patterning on his little wrap (which I've changed the colour of six times now, yeesh), and there is still more to do (legs, arms, stomach piece, armour, staff, the list is endless) but some of it is reaching the closing stages now.

done a pattern as requested on the top cape bit too:

And I have this chap a basecoat too...

 

[Sicks]

That first one is from warzone resurrection, I think they are 3d prints but they have some really nice models and manage to keep them well priced imo, a nice haul to bring back with you I want to go to something like salute one day so I can gawk at all the wonderful minis, it's hard to get a good look at any non gw models around here, even less so if you want to see painted examples

The freehand on that cape looks stunning, he's coming together well as a whole

 

[ArchArad]

That must have been a great experience D! Some lovely sculpts to study as well. Speaking of Pestilence.....He should have arrived with you by now. Well, the adorable one, not a plague to strike you down where you stand.....

 

[SaintToad]

Great haul from Salute, Dazzler. I think your methodically optimistic attitude is going to carry you far in your goals. That's not a very bold prognosis, as I think you've already demonstrated the truth of it.
I really like that Pestilence sculpt. Not only is it cool in itself, but it seems to avoid obvious Nurglism, which is cool (nothing wrong with Nurglism, of course). He's like a steampunk leper.
Your elf is looking great! The freehand is looking nice. Next time, I might try to shorten the torso or lengthen the legs a bit to create a more gracile and 'elfin' physique. Keep up the good, hard work!

 

[Digganob]

Sounds like you had a great time and walked away with some awesome minis. That is such a great idea for inspiring and studying to improve your sculpting. I had that idea too but I am too lazy for that nonsense...studying...psshht lol j/k. I think you nailed it on the head with some of those mini's being digital art (I will never consider that sculpting) none the less great stuff to learn from. As for the cape on your elf. That is some stunning work. Beautiful and I would think completes the cloak really well.

 

[bgcdazzler]

Thanks folks. Couldn't face more of the elf tonight. (Apparently when C S Lewis read an early draft of Lord of the Rings his only comment to Tolkein was 'not another bloody elf!' - and I know how he feels.)

instead I had a tickle of the war bust. I'm thinking one of those hot/cold dual lighting sources for him - otherwise it's just oceans of demon skin, which would probably be very boring. Anyway, here's a bit:

 

[wargamesculptor]

very nice contrast already on this piece

 

[ArchArad]

Oooh I like what you've done with him so far.

 

[SaintToad]

​Looks like you're going in a very cool direction with the bust. Can't wait to see what you can do with it!

 

[KruleBear]

That purple/ magenta skin is inspired. (And I love that pestilence mini as well).

 

[Teronus]

those are nice minis

 

[bgcdazzler]

Thanks everyone.

I woke to to an embarrassment of riches this morning. First was a lovely parcel from Arch featuring her pestilence bust - quite the most adorable harbinger of the apocalypse I've seen. This chap really shows how parcels 'should' make their way between S Africa and London. There's a little damage to the rat's tail, but he is in otherwise good order.

He's also enormous! Here he is, his bloated form dwarfing my rather puny War.

.

A huge, huge thank you to my friend Arch for her generosity. I'm touched (hopefully not by the plague).

hot on his scabby heels comes a lovely sketchbook from Schwarz-Brot - a perfect gift for a random scribbler like me - and also a gentle reminder that I haven't yet drawn a 1000 posts picture. I shall make that the first pic in the new book.

Thank you Schwarz.

Seriously - the kindness of people on here is ridiculous, and so unexpected. I could well up with tears if I weren't so manly and all that.... :sob: ahem! Cough, cough.

Where was I? Oh, yes. Painting and stuff. Right, well, I got a bit of the blue side done on War:

right, I'm going to have a little lie down or something until all these feelings go away.

 

[wargamesculptor]

In places the bust has a feel of gnarled wood which is very cool, you big soft manly man you ! LOL

 

[ArchArad]

I'm glad he arrived! It's a pity about the damage - clearly more bubble wrap was needed! But I'm sure that you can patch him up.

*blush* Oh gosh, he really is quite enormous compared to War. Go big or go home seems to be my sculpting motto at the moment.

I'm thrilled that you like him D. It is an absolute pleasure by the way.

P.S. That is a very cool looking sketch book from Schwarz-Brot. I have a minor issue with collecting notebooks/journals. I love them!

 

[Schwarz-Brot]

Too bad for you, Arch, this book is one of a kind. Completely handmade by me from binding to cover. Painting miniatures isn't my only hobby.
I felt this was an appropriate return for my Sprogrot

Dazzler, I really hope you will find some use for the book. If you encounter problems of any kind, be it the kind of paper doesn't work for you or any other problem, especially long-term quality issues - please drop me a line so I can take care of it with my next books. The Binding should be pretty robust. I used highest quality, brilliant white 120g/m² laserprinter paper which I found to work well for my own books as well. Everything is acid free for longest term stability and archive-quality. The cover paper is handmade (not by me) "Nepal Paper". The design I chose is pretty neutral since I couldn't really figure out a fitting style for you. Sorry for that. The worst thing that might happen is warping of the pages which I cannot avoid. This is because I have to use of the shelf papers. I cannot follow the direction of the grain with these as they are not made for use in landscape formats. I have not found a source for low quantities of real book papers in formats I can work with. I found using heavier stock prevents warping quite well, but be warned, it might still happen.

I am really glad you like it

 

[ArchArad]

@Schwarz-Brot - That is absolutely fabulous as a hobby and I think it's a wonderfully appropriate gift for Dazzler. I'll remain content with drooling over your work from a distance.

 

[Teronus]

That bust is really nice already, are you going for 2 different OSL ?

 

[khavor]

I have a minor issue with collecting notebooks/journals. I love them!

I'm with you completely, although for me it's books in general. It became quite apparent last summer when the family and I moved just how many books I have collected, but I couldn't bear to part with more than a handful. I think we had as many boxes of books as we did everything else combined. So, Schwarz-Brot, I'd have to agree that you have a pretty awesome other hobby.

War is really looking terrific so far Dazz. This is really getting ridiculous. You've become an expert sculptor and freehand artist in only six months, now you're adding OSL to your resume? I'm kind of speechless.

 

[Darthmarsh]

Wow so much awesomeness on show here. War looks great, the sculpt is lovely and the 2 point lighting is coming along beautify.

 

[Schwarz-Brot]

Khavor, I know exactly what you mean. Me and my lady have the very same problem. My love for books, especially those beautiful high quality bound hardcover ones (the older the better), made me start bookbinding. It is a complete art of its own, of course, but something that can be done on a small scale with little investment in materials and space which is perfect. The problem is - soon you begin to realize how cool this tool would be or that one and...

Maybe at one point I'll start selling them on etsy or something like that.
On another base, and this is directed to you, Arch: I would be happy in trading my books in for other great crafted things. Just something crazy like dazzlers sproggy. I feel this is a better base for passing on things that do not have a value in money one can easily determine. By trading like this it is craft for craft, art for art, made with pride for made with pride.

Thank you all for your kind words but please stop hijacking dazzlers thread for my stuff - I know I started doing so. Sorry.