GD2008 Finalist - Ork Nobz - comments/hints?

[Countersunk81]

This was the first year I entered the Golden Demon contest, and I\'m super chuffed to have gotten a little green sticker

Can anyone give a few hints as to what I might do to maybe push a little further, just to get better more than start winning(although that\'d be nice)? A much improved display base first off Any help gratefully received!

Here\'s what they look like (votey links at bottom):

Ork Nob 1
Ork Nob 2 with WAAAGH Banner
Ork Nob 3 with Power Klaw
Ork Nob 4
Ork Nob 5

 

[Bill]

Looking good! I particularly like the banner on the first nob, the weathering and checks are superbly done. Overall very nice metallics, and a good grimy feel. The skintone is very cool and nicely executed too.

As to how you could improve it: sorry if this sounds harsh, but I think the problem is that despite very looking impressive, the squad just isn\'t that original. There aren\'t many conversions, and the general feel of the squad is pretty standard Ork. I think it looks great, but it doesn\'t really have that \"wow\" factor that the judges are looking for in an entry.

I think perhaps the metal cladding stuff round the edges of the display base is what mainly lets you down - it looks rushed and very rough compared to the weathering on the minis. A plain black or wooden edge would have looked better in my opinion. The base itself is cool, though, and the way you have arranged the squad looks just right

 

[Aliengod3]

Great job!!! 10! The nobs look excellent. The metallics are done very well and they look real cohesive. I also think that the scrape metal base is an excellent touch. The only suggestion I have is that the skin could use just a little yellow in the highlights, it is looking a bit flat. Other than that the unit is awesome and orky.

 

[skeeve]

Looks good but as far as GD goes there are couple of things I would work on.
1) Contrast is too low and the skin is too uniform. Shadows have color too, they are not just dark version of your main color. Same holds true for highlights. Your highlights are too uniform from top to bottom. Think where light comes from, what it hits first and how much
2) randomize battle damage and weathering. THis is surprisingly difficult, apparently human brain wants to create patterns even when patterns should not exist. Look for example at the banner guy. On the bone you have evenly spaced notches they are painted to the same intercity. On the skull you chipped paint goes along the entire perimeter. On shoulder pads all notches and chips point in the same direction and painted to the same intensity.

 

[freakinacage]

fantastic stuff. being hyper-critical (you did ask!):
i agree that some more contrast would be better, especially on the skin. also maybe add some blues to the shading to make it richer
sadly, as bill said, there is no \'wow\' factor. they are great models and great conversions but they don\'t make you stop and stare. and then think \'why didn\'t i think to do that?!\'

still brilliant though. congrats on the sticker. it\'ll be a while before i get to that stage!

 

[fildunn]

nice unit, but being critical i think contrast is your real problem. the overall entry, although well painted just dissapears on the base. there is nothing to draw the eye other than the reds. the reds would be much better as a spot colour. as already mentioned adding more colour to the green would help massively. and less uniform chips and scrapes. a freind once told me (a hyper-detailer of 30+ years) that when you do any kind of battle damage or weathering, do it till your happy then remove about 30% of em.

hope that helps.

 

[Dribble Joy]

It\'s not just the contrast, but the number of apparent layers. Especially on the flesh. It looks (even if there\'s more) like there\'s only three; Shade - Base - Highlight. You need to build up the flesh and blend/feather each layer better.

I\'m not very good at it, but here\'s my at-the-time-unfinished WB as an example.
More layers, (poor) blending between the two and a greater range of tones used.

 

[Countersunk81]

Thank you all for your comments so far!

The contrast seems to be the big thing - trying to use a limited palette without the necessary skills has made the whole thing flat rather than a cohesive unit.

The fact that not enough differnt colours were used on any given areas is a good example of me not taking shades/highlights far enough, or oversymplifying. There is purple in the shade but clearly not enough to be noticed. As mentioned, going through to blue might be an idea(?)

The base is horrible, and does look rushed. My few attempts at large flat areas tend to look nasty, so hints on how to get that looking better would be great.

My use of a \'spot colour\' in the red was down to lack of consideration - it really doesn\'t sit on a focal point on a single one of the five.

The tip for the battle damage is a great one. This is the first time I\'ve attempted any kind of weathering, so more tips on this too would be great

I think the whole project was too many \'firsts\' for a comp entry, really (orks, weathering, display base) to the point where it was one big experiment. DEFINATELY needs some conversions rather than running \'em \'stock\', too.

Plenty to try out this year though!

 

[squidders]

Comment: it\'s lovely
hint: kill the other people in the category

Personally I think this is resin worthy.

 

[Countersunk81]

Why thank you, Squidders. Problem with killing other entrants is that there\'s so damn many of \'em. Think of the mess!:twisted:

Didn\'t really enter my mind that I\'d place (lucky that, huh?), just nice to have something to aim for - all comments and crits taken on board too, thanks all!

 

[darklord]

i like them, i think on the base they are kind of hard to distinguish due to the tones on the minis and the base being similar. that may be down to the photo perhaps, but does find it hard for a focal point