Jim Hartman (Onemonk)

[Onemonk]

Doing this is getting a little easier now. The arms were much quicker to do so I decided to add the belly as well!

I am happy with the pose, and the overall balance in the anatomy. The finished design will be a little thicker than I wanted, but I think it will look alright, of coarse I'm being totally optimistic about my ability to do the details.

The putty checked out. It's the double stick type, so these were no crusty bits in it, the lumpiness is from my armature. I also found a better tool to use for these large areas of putty, it's just a large wax carver shape that's flat and smooth, worked like a charm.

I still have a ways to go with getting the putty flat and smooth, but I figured that the smaller details will be easier to manage than these large long limbs.

I'm really enjoying this alot!:fingers-crossed:
JIM

 

[cybersquig]

Yeah, it makes me very happy that you're getting on so well with this! You've got the basic shape of the shoulders in there, the stomach is even all around, and the finish across the whole thing is neat. Cool!

Good luck tomorrow, you'll have to adapt what we're doing rather to enable you to get the musculature on the legs nailed, but have a look at my tweedledum mini to see how I've done the muscle work, and google bodybuilders to see what super-pronounced leg muscles look like. All the best!

James

 

[Onemonk]

I've started working on the final shapes of the legs. I had been waiting until I could figure out how to texture the skin, and finally made a texture blob from some putty, I just roll it over the surface to make it look lumpy and blistery. I'll have to work more on skinning and texture that.

The first problem I have was the putty not sticking to the hardened putty from the previous step. I tried cleaning with soapy water and drying, but the new putty wants to slide over the previous stuff. I'll have to search more on how to clean up vaseline.

I also need to work out the anatomy better before I start, I'm trying to figure it out as I go. SO I'll just sketch out first the shapes of the muscles I want first, then start putting on the putty. After several false starts, I just decided to leave done what I have done already, just the one inner thigh. I'll work out the main shapes of the other parts of the anatomy before finishing this and doing the other leg.

I'm still bummed about the thickness of all the limbs, the next one will will have proper thin wire armature.

I have also started the stone club. I am looking forward to trying to make the stone part actually look like rock. I already have some ideas for texturing it, but will explain more when I try it.
JIM

 

[cybersquig]

Nice one dude! You're right, the thickness of the limbs is a factor, but its by no means insurmountable - get plenty of definition in there, and he'll look marvellous, if a touch different from your drawing. The texture press is a great way of getting the detail on the stony skin. Are you going to add any of the warts from the picture?

James

ps. Still loving that sticky out belly!

 

[Onemonk]

I'm having a hard time getting the definition I want. I don't think I'm using enough putty, I just placed a small bit for each muscle, when I think I just need to lay on a layer over the whole leg and push the putty around.

The press on texture didn't work out like I had hoped, but does give it an effect, that I think I will stick with for the rest of the sculpt. And, yes this will have warts, I just have to work out my slippery putty problem first. I'm thinking acetone rubdown will do the trick. I also might use some other putty as well since I lose where I am working using green stuff over green stuff. I still may be having problems with the old putty, it is very tough to scuplt it, I really have to force it to go where I want, not very friendly at all.

I may fall behind a bit, but should catch up quickly after I get some other evening hours work done.

I think before I go on further on the legs I'll sketch out where I wan to add the muscle definition so I'm not figuring out what to do while I'm doing it.
JIM

 

[cybersquig]

Sounds like a really sensible way of doing it. As cool as your pic is, you don't have the detail on there that you're looking to put on the 3d sulpt and as such it becomes an intensely creative process to get that right I think. Don't be too disheartened though fella, he really is looking darned good for your first sculpt, you have some talent here! If you're having trouble telling different bits of putty apart then mixing a little paint into them does the trick. Citadel or similar works just fine, as does humbrol I believe. This will simply help differentiate the different parts. Well done so far, You're right, the more putty there is the easier it is to add detail and definition. When I add pieces of putty for specific muscles, I tend to do so several at a time so I can smooth them into each other rather than doing one at once, so I get that transition.

The acetone thing might work, I've no idea tbh.

Well done so far, keep it up!

James

 

[Onemonk]

Wow, it's been a while since I've updated! Other priorities have really put a damper in the time I can dedicate to this.

I've stopped using the greenstuff I had ,and am trying the ProCreate putty. It's a little easier to work with, but I am still have a bit of a creative block when it comes to getting the putty shaped the way I know it should be.

Previously I tried using too little putty, only trying to do single muscles, but that took too long and the results were still unsatisfactory to me. Now I've tried doing a whole covering of putty over the leg structure ,then push the putty to shape the muscles ,but still I an having trouble getting the shapes I want. I just really HATE working with this putty.

I think I'd have to watch someone in person to see how the get the putty to move around while retaining clean shapes. But sadly I just don't have the time anymore. Real life and my own side work needs a lot more attention right now, so I really need to put this on hold, and come back to it when I have more free time, which isn't soon.

Sorry James, I really was very enthused to give this a try, but just don't have the time to practice to get the results I'd be happy with. I definitely have a lot more respect for sculptors of these figures now, this material is tough to work with. Of coarse I come from a background of sculpting in wax, maybe I just spoiled by the ease of working in wax.

Good luck with the sculpt along. I'll be popping in to see everyone else's progress, and will leave mine to show at least the basic form I was able to get.
JIM

 

[cybersquig]

aww sorry to hear that Jim, it's been a pleasure to have you on board It really is simply practice tbh, the putty starts to move where you want it after a while. Please drop me a line when you pick it up again, I'd really like to know how you get on with it. All the best with the real life stuff!

James

 

[ChemicalFencer]

I'm with Cybersquig here Onemonk.

I have been watching you mini take shape and was really impressed with what you had so far.

Please come back when you can - it looks it would be a great mini.

All the best

CF