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

Digganob

Digganob

New member
Yaharr, that be one fantastical pirate if I do be sayin so meself. I now believe Dazz is really hustling us and is actually a professional sculpter already :p and if that be the case he will be walkin da plank....RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr! (cause pirates)
 
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bgcdazzler

New member
Ha! Honestly, when I see what some of the pro sculptors can do on here, Putty and Paint and on Pinterest I realise just how far I have still to go...
 
Digganob

Digganob

New member
The great thing about all art is that it is subjective. It doesn't matter if the artist is a professional or a hobbyist. Take your Sprogrot for instance. That bust is amazing in my opinion. (Not perfect and a professional might have more tricks and experience to take it further, but a professional did not do it) DAM IT...I was going somewhere with this but lunch has distracted me and I forgot....Stupid Digga.
 
Sicks

Sicks

Active member
I agree about sproggy, I'm having loads of fun painting him and I think it's turning out to be my best so far, not bad for a pair of amateurs :p
 
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bgcdazzler

New member
I'm glad he's proving fun to paint - that's a win as far as I'm concerned!

no painting last night, as we're treating the dining table to a bit of Danish oil. Instead I had a serious think about sculpting generally, and my work in particular. I'm wondering if speed is my enemy. I seem to knock things out pretty quickly (that appears to be the consensus anyway), but I'm thinking I may be suffering from rushing certain bits. I don't know. I've now sculpted six different minis, and I'm worried that I'm going to hit a bit of a plateau if I don't try different methods and really push in new directions.

So with this in mind last night I decided I'd do two things:

1. Make a 'proper' armature and base to hold it on (I see lots of people using corks and pin vices and such, but have never bothered thus far).

2. Slow down and really concentrate on one bit of the model at a time until I'm happy with it.

So here's where I got up to. I decided to do an Orc at 75mm and spent a while making a properly proportioned armature from the beginning, and posing it. Then I put two holes in the lid of an old mayonnaise jar and 'based' him on it such that he can't move.

1pt08m.jpg


The wires are twisted together underneath to hold him in place; he's pretty secure.

10yjc5c.jpg


next I stuck on some Fimo and spent a good hour just shaping and refining his right leg.

2vjqwk7.jpg


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so far it's been a useful exercise: I've realised that I can't get the super-clean finish I'm aiming for just with a kebab skewer: the rough texture of the wood always lifts bits of Fimo and crumbles it. So I'm going to try to improvise some metal tools (from paper clips and the like) and see if that helps.

Sorry this his was quite long, but it feels like I'm at a crossroads where I can merrily knock out okay-ish models like I have been doing and 'settle' or push myself to get better and learn new ways. I'm opting for the latter.

PS Tero, that doesn't mean I can't make you something: PM me your request. Or anyone else who has read this far (crazy fools), suggestions are welcome. What should I make for Uncle Tero?
 
wargamesculptor

wargamesculptor

New member
Uncle Tero loves dragons !
Nice progress on the new armature, as your doing a muscley physique have a look at body builders for muscle groups and their positioning
 
Sicks

Sicks

Active member
For tero I would guess something with lots of metal parts :p

For sculpting tools I've fashioned a device from reading kev whites Facebook (hasslefresian) I've taken an old paint brush that was knackered, ripped out the bristles and used green stuff and superglue to wedge a sewing needle in it so you end up with a decent handle to hold but a very fine pin tip to poke at your putty, something else I've gleaned from his fb page is that he sculpts full nude models before he adds any clothing or anything to them, this is why there's so many nude minis from hasslefree and also why you will see the same or similar faces on different minis :p


Aside from that I'm not much help with the sculpting side of things, but I think it's like painting in general, you can stop at tabletop quality and knock out minis faster or you can push yourself to go past that, I reckon if you stick at it you will improve with each mini :)
 
ArchArad

ArchArad

New member
It's great that you want to push yourself and keep experimenting. I reckon that it will keep you engaged in sculpting and open up new methods and ideas for you. Plus you'll likely discover that some of your earlier methods were actually great and just needed some practice.

Reference pics are the path of the righteous for things like muscles and faces.

Keep at it! You know I'm a fan! :D
 
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Teronus

New member
I am happy you decided to push the envelope for your sculpting, I am expecting to see some crazy beautiful stuff coming soon from you. As for sculpting something for me, I was kind of half joking so I am happy you are game. Metal monsters are my favourite :)
 
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bgcdazzler

New member
Thanks everyone - some good tips there Sicks.

A metal monster sounds good Tero - gives me lots of practice at smooth curves and straight edges, which I'm terrible at. As WGS suggested I should probably try out some plasticard too...

I'll have a go at some toolmaking and testing tonight, plus a bit more paint on the lady.
 
Digganob

Digganob

New member
I have a nice tool I used on the dragon a lot. I got a small wooden dowel and drilled a small hole in the top, filled it with super glue and dropped a needle/pin with a little ball down in the hole and presto. A small fine thing carving tool that's perfect for scraping out that ork toe jam and minute details.
 
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bgcdazzler

New member
Thanks all.

I I had some fun last night making tools, but totally forgot to take a picture of them for you. Needless to say they mostly involve duct taping various pins and paperclips to kebab skewers.

I also spent some more time on the legs (instead of painting, oops). I must admit it feels very weird to spend an hour on a leg, but I did keep referring back to reference pics online as suggested (and have probably the oddest Internet search history as a result), and experimented with the different tool types. There are a couple of definite keepers.

And I think these legs are the best I've ever done. But then they're only the third set of legs I've ever done, so that's not saying much. I even tried out putting some veins on them, and toenails.

Here they are:

e167ie.jpg


15yhzcg.jpg


1zd1vt2.jpg


At this rate it should only take about a billion years to get him finished...

edit: 4th set of legs. I forgot about Pig.
 
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wargamesculptor

wargamesculptor

New member
Nice detailing, your still working at a good pace so don't worry and don't rush the details at the end, there the bits that take a good model to a great model
 
ArchArad

ArchArad

New member
I'm so proud! Considering the fact that I haven't finished a single one of my sculpts yet, I'd say you're still going along at a speedy pace. :p The details are looking good. It may just be the angle of the pic, but in the first image the calf muscle of his right leg seems to be bulging out to the side a bit too much.

Oh, and I want pics of these tools.
 
Digganob

Digganob

New member
Lol, welcome to normal speed cadet. WGS is right, the devil is in the details. Also I thought the same thing as Arch, but also the right foot (looking straight on) looks wider than the left one too. That could just be the angle though as you see it in 3d and we at 2d. Anyways great production bud, and way to stick to your guns and take it slow and steady for practice.
 
ArchArad

ArchArad

New member
@Schwarz-Brot - Thanks for posting that link. I've been battling to find decent videos on sculpting and this looks great!
 
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