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Malebolgia
05-22-2007, 08:33 AM
Aloha,

As soon as I saw the Brass Balls Challenge in the No Quarter 12 I knew I had to join in the madness! The idea is just too cool. Read the rules here:
http://privateerpress.com/noquarter/default.php?x=challenge12
(the rules have been changed slightly so you can use regular paint for things like cloth, eyes, engine-fire and the shading and stuff to make the contest more realistic).

I had an unpainted Menoth set and the Crusader seemed like an ideal 'victim' for the contest. Menoth is just a fantastic candidate for all-metallics as it fits the theme of knights/crusaders very well.
The stock pose of the Crusader is too static for my taste and I thus had to convert it. Armed with my modelling tools, creativity and my brass balls I did the following conversion:
-Cut away the ring on the balljoint of the balljoint with cutters and a modelling knife (carefully cutting away) and then filing the ball flat. I then pinned the right arm in a swinging pose to add motion to the pose and to make the model more threatening.
-Add flames to the mace with Procreate putty; flames are a must for weapons with (critical) fire IMO and it is a nice touch for your opponent too as he can easily see what has (critical) fire.
-Use a modelling saw to cut between the right leg and the hip (about a 1/3) and then bent the right leg into a walking/running pose.
-Turned the head slightly to the left to add motion to the pose.
And finally I glued the model together and unto an Epicast skullbase (all my Menoth models will be glued on top of skullbases).
This is how he looks now:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v194/malebolgia/crusader.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v194/malebolgia/crusader2.jpg

The model is undercoated at the moment and I have added the first layers of Brass Balls and Pig Iron to him and he is ready to be glazed with all kinds of inks and paints. I will not post pics of the WIP until I know whether this is allowed by the contest.

Cheers,

Marijn

-Paint like you've got a pair of Brass Balls-

matty1001
05-22-2007, 10:46 AM
I was considering it, but I havn't got the money to buy a jack. Glad they have tweaked the rules a touch though.

Malebolgia
05-22-2007, 10:53 AM
I have a spare Talon if you are interested...(you could get it for free).

matty1001
05-22-2007, 10:55 AM
Yea please (i feel a clause coming on!)

Frustrated Father
05-22-2007, 11:54 AM
Looks like it'll be a fun project.

Malebolgia
05-22-2007, 12:15 PM
PM me your adress Matty and I'll send him tomorrow to you. The model is still in parts and unhandled so you can do whatever pose/primer/paintjob you want :). And there's no clause at all :D

@project: I have added the first glazes of black and VMC Smoke (darn, I love that color for brass/gold). Hopefully I can do a lot this evening.

matty1001
05-22-2007, 12:19 PM
Ooo Thanks very much Marijn!

Malebolgia
05-23-2007, 06:45 AM
Okay, here's Update 1. The photos suck BIG TIME, but unfortunately one of my 100 watt bulbs got lost and making photos with a 100watt and a 40watt lamp doesn't work too well. But at least it gives an idea of what I have done so far. I have glazed the metallics with VMC Smoke (great for tarnishing metal), purple ink, green ink and Tamiya Clear Orange + Black. They need to be highlighted next.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v194/malebolgia/crusader_step11.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v194/malebolgia/crusader_step12.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v194/malebolgia/crusader_step13.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v194/malebolgia/crusader_step14.jpg

Cheers! Comments and help are appreciated :).

TAB Studio
05-23-2007, 10:11 AM
the top stacks kick butt really look good the left ( his ) rear panel also looks great the right seems off on the corner a bit looks like a bit of smoke puddle maybe? The center panel to me looks really outstanding also.
Did you find the PP metals better? I am awaiting mine thus the wonder?
Great start for sure

matty1001
05-23-2007, 10:29 AM
PP metallics rock! Definately worth getting them all. Hopefully my LGS will get NQ12 in so I get get Brass Balls.

LavronYor
05-23-2007, 06:04 PM
Careful in your public posted descriptions, Marijn, I beleive the contest wants you to use the P3 inks and washes ( exclusively ). You don't want some loser claiming after the contest, " He used Vallejo Smoke, he's disqualified... "

Malebolgia
05-24-2007, 04:19 AM
The contest says only P3 metallics are required:
http://privateerpress.com/noquarter/default.php?x=challenge12

So I'm safe :). But thanks for the headsup!

Malebolgia
06-03-2007, 10:47 AM
And here is Update nr. 2!

http://s1161342.fmnsedu.rug.nl/warmachine/crusaderWIP.jpg
http://s1161342.fmnsedu.rug.nl/warmachine/crusaderWIP2.jpg

I have continued glazing (his arms and weapons are now also done) and I have painted the Inferno Mace and the eyes. The Inferno Mace was terrific to paint and I had a lot of fun doing the fire and the "heat" on the mace itself. I chose for bold and strong colors to give it that "oomph". The eyes were done in similar colors to enhance the effect (and I love Jacks with bright eye-slits as if their steam engine is working at its maximum).
The metallics look a bit dull and monotone now, but that will change once I receive my next batch of P3's (including the Quicksilver I will use for highlights). The green on the glazed Molten Bronze will also be toned down so it will be less green and also a bit more neutral.
I can't wait to receive my next batch of P3's, because they simply ROCK :)

Malebolgia
07-02-2007, 07:52 PM
Finished!

http://s1161342.fmnsedu.rug.nl/images/brassballs_crusader.jpg
And a PS'ed one with a black background:
http://s1161342.fmnsedu.rug.nl/images/brassballs_crusaderPS.jpg

http://s1161342.fmnsedu.rug.nl/images/brassballs_crusader_back.jpg
And a PS'ed one with a black background:
http://s1161342.fmnsedu.rug.nl/images/brassballs_crusader_backPS.jpg

And about time too ;). The OSL took a while, but I toned the effect down in order to make sure enough metallics show (the reason of this contest after all). The skull base adds some more color to it all and I added some grass, leaves and some spots of blood spatters to it, to bring it more to life.
All in all I am very happy with the final model and I think the rest of my Menites in this scheme will look cool :)

If you have any comments...I have until Friday, so I can still change some (minor) things.

Cheers,

Marijn

Wren
07-02-2007, 08:19 PM
Looks great, good luck in the contest!

Frustrated Father
07-02-2007, 09:58 PM
Looks great Marijn! I was a bit surprised at the purple but I'm assuming that is the group colors - looks good. I think I prefer it without the photoshoped background to be honest, or maybe one that isn't pure black which your miniature might look better against.

If I remember correctly, Ritual used a dark gradiant for his hasslefree chick from a bit back, that might work a touch better.

Good luck in the contest!

Malebolgia
07-04-2007, 03:00 PM
Tips and comments used for the final version!
http://s1161342.fmnsedu.rug.nl/images/crusadert.jpg

http://s1161342.fmnsedu.rug.nl/images/crusader_back.jpg

This version will be mailed to the NQ tomorrow (but bigger pictures of course). Thanks for the help guys :)

Frustrated Father
07-04-2007, 03:03 PM
Now that looks very good. Like the changes you made on the clothe and the background really works with this IMO.

Dancecommander
07-06-2007, 11:56 AM
very good well done