Need comments on something I tried on this mini

tabithatan

New member
Hi all,


I tried some new painting techniques on my most recent mini. Probably it arent new to some of you but I\'d like to find out your views on the \"fur\" cape and \"brocade\" jerkin I did for this

http://www.coolminiornot.com/?id=48799
 

stumpkiller

New member
You did a great job on this. I like the fur effect, it actually makes the thickness of the cloak more believable the brochade (?), the purple tunic actually looks as if it\'s a shiny silky material, is that what you were going for?. I love the skin tones, and the face is just amazing! The snow is great too, what did you use?
 

TwelveMilesOut

New member
Nice! I left a comment on the figure, but it was pretty much just raves. If you change anything on the technique in the future, the fur could stand a little more contrast, but not much.

There was a minor problem, though. The bowstring is slack. It helps if you string bows in a really hot room. That way, when you take it back to a normal temperature the hair / thread / string / whatever will contract a bit and look taught. This doesn\'t work if you use kevlar thread, but that tends to be a bit thick for a bowstring on this scale anyhow.
 

torifile

Member
Wonderful job! I have left you a comment. I really like the cloak and brocade, but the face was absolutely amazing! Will he be going to auction after the contest?:D
 

torifile

Member
Originally posted by TwelveMilesOut

There was a minor problem, though. The bowstring is slack. It helps if you string bows in a really hot room. That way, when you take it back to a normal temperature the hair / thread / string / whatever will contract a bit and look taught. This doesn\'t work if you use kevlar thread, but that tends to be a bit thick for a bowstring on this scale anyhow.

That\'s a really great tip. I never would have thought of that!
 

tabithatan

New member
Originally posted by stumpkiller
You did a great job on this. I like the fur effect, it actually makes the thickness of the cloak more believable the brochade (?), the purple tunic actually looks as if it\'s a shiny silky material, is that what you were going for?. I love the skin tones, and the face is just amazing! The snow is great too, what did you use?


I was goin for a silky look on the \"brocade\" but I think it\'s more silky than brocade-like.... I think the one thing thats hard to get rite is the miniscule flecks of pattern on a brocade surface..... I got several suggestions on how this should be done but the only method that seemed to work for me was painting it to look like printed silk.

I used Vallejo \"pumice (fine)\" for the snow.... its a sticky stuff in a plastic tub that you can apply to create terrain... very useful thing and helps me save on basing material.
 

tabithatan

New member
Originally posted by kittykat23uk
Wow, lovely mini. How big is it? I love the fur cape and the rest of the colours work really nicely with it.

Regards

Kat

glad you liked it Kat :D
It\'s 54 mm.... nice size with loads of detail.
Actually I wasnt sure if the colours would work at first..... I kinda had to repaint it a few times :p
 

tabithatan

New member
Originally posted by TwelveMilesOut
the fur could stand a little more contrast, but not much.

hmmm will bear in mind that fact when I paint another furry surface in the future. Probably try to contrast the various fur colours more.

Originally posted by TwelveMilesOut
There was a minor problem, though. The bowstring is slack. It helps if you string bows in a really hot room. That way, when you take it back to a normal temperature the hair / thread / string / whatever will contract a bit and look taught. This doesn\'t work if you use kevlar thread, but that tends to be a bit thick for a bowstring on this scale anyhow.

yeah I know.... I havent found a real good bowstring string.......:p Im not too sure if kevlar thread can be found in in Singapore..... the only stuff they have here is nylon sewing thread or fishing line..... as fur hair... well my hair is kinda curly so I think I\'d get a curly bowstring. lol
 

tabithatan

New member
Originally posted by torifile
Wonderful job! I have left you a comment. I really like the cloak and brocade, but the face was absolutely amazing! Will he be going to auction after the contest?:D

hmmmmmmmm hmmmmmm actually no plans to auction him.... cos er I was thinking of putting him in the local miniatures store for display... but in case he does go on auction... I\'ll let you know.:)
 

Valander

Member
Very nicely done! The purple is beautiful, and you did an exemplary job on the face.

As for the bowstring, you might actually try using plastic sprues, rather than actual string. Simply heat your sprue over a candle, and pull it out to stretch it thin. Cut to the desired lengths and attach with CA glue. The advantage of this is that it is much sturdier than regular string, and everyone has extra plastic sprues lying about! ;)
 

Sand Rat

New member
Very good job overall. I have to agree with the bowstring issue though, and throw my two cents into the discussion as well. My suggestion would be use a thin wire - you then dont have to worry about the string stretching or loosening.
 

tabithatan

New member
To Valander:

hmmmm I might try the plastic sprue idea sometime in the future... thanks fur the tip :)

the major problem I have is how to glue the filmsy wire to the bow properly so it dun drop out. Cos wires need to be held to the bow for some time in order to stick...

To Steelcult:
Most wires here arent really that thin.... unfortunately for me that wire was the thinnest I could find at the local craft store.
 

Sand Rat

New member
I use thin wire that I\'ve disassembled from braded wire - like speaker wire or the wire used in picture hanging kits.
 

Greymane

New member
Originally posted by tabithatan


the major problem I have is how to glue the filmsy wire to the bow properly so it dun drop out. Cos wires need to be held to the bow for some time in order to stick...

You should try zip kicker or a similar accelartor for CA. a dab of glue on the string and a dab of ZK on the bow and the fix is instant. But watch the fingers.
BTW I love the mini the fur is great and the colours work well.
 

TwelveMilesOut

New member
Originally posted by tabithatan
yeah I know.... I havent found a real good bowstring string.......:p Im not too sure if kevlar thread can be found in in Singapore..... the only stuff they have here is nylon sewing thread or fishing line..... as fur hair... well my hair is kinda curly so I think I\'d get a curly bowstring. lol
Kevlar is frequently used for rigging of model tall ships (for exactly the reason the heat-trick doesn\'t work), and sometimes for remote-controlled airplanes. If you ever need it for some reason, an R/C store would probably be able to help. Squadron sells it.

Nylon sewing thread might be good, but I have an odd feeling you have a cat in your house. :D One of the most noble things about cats is their willingness to donate hair to painting projects. Why, my last cat wouldn\'t take no for an answer when she felt my figs could use a hair or two. Very charitable, cats....
 

tabithatan

New member
Originally posted by steelcult
I use thin wire that I\'ve disassembled from braded wire - like speaker wire or the wire used in picture hanging kits.

hmmmm actually the wire I used was unwound from braided wire....:p in any case I\'ll either probably shop around for diff types of wire or iron out a strand of my hair and use it lol


Originally posted by Greymane
You should try zip kicker or a similar accelartor for CA. a dab of glue on the string and a dab of ZK on the bow and the fix is instant. But watch the fingers.


I thot of using that... wat is it... drying accelerant....
but I kinda afraid of wat might happen if I get clumsy and er.... just stick the string on the wrong place... :duh: it sorta did happen a few times with some of my minis.... I have a hand that I cant hold straight without shaking


Originally posted by TwelveMilesOut
Nylon sewing thread might be good, but I have an odd feeling you have a cat in your house. :D One of the most noble things about cats is their willingness to donate hair to painting projects.

heh... yeah a cat does solve problems... well I got plushie cats, and cat pics and cat statues but NO real cats.... :~(
It\'s cos my family really has a deep hated of furry felines.
 
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