Inspiration has struck... dangit.

[ThunderhawkerMinis]

So I am inspired to try scultping again today. Looking at Kev White's project table was a bad idea I suppose.
So here is the quandry, what to sculpt? I went through my sketchbooks and what do you know? Nothing. So I sit and doodle a bit. I end up with something inspired by the AoW Barbarian I did for TTIV. Somewhat static with lots of character. I will try and get a scan of the sketch up soon.
Also I made a putty oven (yay extra desk lamp and aluminum foil!) so we will see how that goes.
Having slopped some apoxie sculpt on a basic armature and set it in the oven, I am anxiously awaiting the dried product so I can begin real sculpting. Being an art major I did take the required sculpting classes, but was never able to get into it. However, having worked briefly and a comic illustrator I do have a fair knowledge of anatomy, clothing folds, etc. The trick will be to translate it into 3D. Currently the now-baking putty is about 38mm in height, and i suspect when he has a head it will be about 40-45mm. So rather than do this at CMON, I am going to do the WIP here, where we are a little closer than the somewhat massive CMON numbers.

Here is the scan. Bear in mind this is all of 5 minutes work:P

http://thunderhawkerminis.com/blog1/wp-content/uploads/2008/08/dude001.jpg

[Frustrated Father]

Not a bad sketch in the least and I know several sculptors out there that wouldn't mind doing something along that line.

Look forward to seeing what you come up with!

[ThunderhawkerMinis]

Okay more refined sketch and first couple layers of green.
http://thunderhawkerminis.com/blog1/wp-content/uploads/2008/08/noble-barbariansketch2.jpghttp://thunderhawkerminis.com/blog1/wp-content/uploads/2008/08/noble-barbariangreen001.jpg
The white stuff on the green is where I filed some stray goop away.

[Frustrated Father]

Be honest when I say the rough sketch has a better feel to it amigo. Has more attitude and a sense of being ready to go at a moments notice where this other sketch is posing.

[Brushmistress]

Looking good - can't wait to see how he comes out - I'm loving the pose with the axe slung over the shoulder.

[demonherald]

cool stuff I can't wait to lower my workload and get GD out of the way as I am planning on some sculpting of my own concepts and will share my progress on here too.
I know the first sketch was the rough one but I prefer his positioning more than the bottom one...

the sculpting start looks great and looking forwad to seeing the progress..
Any more pics of your artwork to share ..I lIke it...

[waghorn41]

Looking good but I agree that the first sketch has more feel, maybe it's the tilt of the head that adds to the attitude.

[ThunderhawkerMinis]

The bottom sketch is more for anatomical purposes and design, less artsy. The next step is head sketches, I have a few ideas, though the rough sketch is still the front runner. I work on those between "firings" of the putty oven.

Oh and try drawing with a 13 week old kitten that thinks the pencil is a toy. Ugh...

[ThunderhawkerMinis]

More!!!
So here is the early sculpt of the head and my putty oven. The oven was inspired by Kev White’s putty over over at hasslefree. (http://www.hasslefreeminiatures.co.uk/) Ironically I got my first order from them today and I think Sally sent me way too much stuff... and candy.:inlove:
[/URL] [URL="http://thunderhawkerminis.com/blog1/File%20URL"] (http://thunderhawkerminis.com/blog1/File%20URL)
The head is very early in its construction, but you can see the beginnings of the wry grin everyone liked so much, including a slightly raised eyebrow (Forrest Gumped into that actually, but it fit, so it stayed.). This is my first full head sculpt. I have done eyes, noses, chins and mouths, just never all at the same time. Obviously the cheeks need to be filled in, eyes done, chin defined and ears added (among numerous other very small adjustments). Since this is my first, I am taking it very slow and careful.

The First rendition of the axe was horrid. It was so bad I didn’t even take pictures. Oh well, trial and error. The new version is much better so far. Sadly I have run out of super glue and will not be able to continue that mini project until tomorrow.
Anyone know what to do with loads of dried excess putty? I got carried away with the mixing of apoxie sculpt.

http://thunderhawkerminis.com/blog1/wp-content/uploads/2008/08/puttyoven.jpg
http://thunderhawkerminis.com/blog1/wp-content/uploads/2008/08/nobleheadgreen001.jpg

[Peredyne]

I think you should go take a look at Heresy Miniatures' Big Boris.

[ThunderhawkerMinis]

Nice mini, but the anatomy isn't terribly accurate. I do like the cartoony look though.

For those too lazy to hunt it down:
http://www.heresyminiatures.com/images/hh001_peterbell.jpg

[goblyn13]

That's the mark 1, there's a Mark 2 released later:

http://goblyn.net/img//BigBorisMK2-20080805-201746.jpg

http://heresyminiatures.com/images/pages/hh020.htm

[Wren]

Wow, you're really going gangbusters on this Thunderhawker, I guess when inspiration strikes you, it strikes hard! Good show, looks great so far.

[Jabberwocky]

Looks great thus far--I'll be following this one with interest.

[ThunderhawkerMinis]

The head is in the oven (how often do you get to say that and mean it?), so no pics of that just yet. Started adding details to the body and the new axe and sword are progressing nicely as well.

http://thunderhawkerminis.com/blog1/wp-content/uploads/2008/08/noble-barbariangreen003.jpg
http://thunderhawkerminis.com/blog1/wp-content/uploads/2008/08/noble-barbariangreen004.jpg
http://thunderhawkerminis.com/blog1/wp-content/uploads/2008/08/noble-barbariangreen002.jpg

[ThunderhawkerMinis]

The head is on! But no neck or traps yet, so be patient (mainly advice to myself there).

[ThunderhawkerMinis]

Got Head?

http://thunderhawkerminis.com/blog1/wp-content/uploads/2008/08/noble-barbariangreen005.jpg

When he is finished, I may airbrush him a solid green as the oven tends to discolor older putty that already been "fired".

[Brushmistress]

Looking real nice!!! How quick does the putty oven take to harden green stuff?

[ThunderhawkerMinis]

So with the head being slightly large in proportion to the body (its exaggerated in the photo because he is leaning back) I am building up the body with GS. This is serving two purposes: Filling him out and getting tat smooth finished GS look. The sword is done and actually mounted on the belt now, though the jury is still out on "resting hand" or "gripping hand". I have it sitting just right (for now) so I can do either one. Suggestions? I am leaning toward "gripping" as its conveys potential movement in a static figure. The axe looks too plain at the moment, so I have made a couple "scibor-esge" stamps to see if I can add some detail... we shall see how they turn out.
All the work I have done tonight, I am letting cure naturally overnight in lieu of shoving them in the putty oven.

[ThunderhawkerMinis]

Well the GS takes ball park of 30 minutes give or take depending on the amount of blue I use. Less for the Apoxie Sculpt.

[Frustrated Father]

Coming along well there, I think I would go with the gripping hand ... (quiet you lot!)

[ThunderhawkerMinis]

Grrr... much like drawing them, hands are a pain in the @$$...

[ThunderhawkerMinis]

So here it is, continuing right along. For my first full sculpt, I am pretty pleased with it. You can’t tell from the pics but the head is looking very solid (IMHO). The variations in the putty come from multiple “firings” in the putty oven.
Since the head was a little disproportional to the body, I am beefing up the chest, arms and shoulders, as well as the trapezius (sp?). Other additions include the toe and heel caps, the sword, the left hand, extending the waistcloak’s collar and adding folds to it.
http://thunderhawkerminis.com/blog1/wp-content/uploads/2008/08/noble-barbariangreen006.jpg
http://thunderhawkerminis.com/blog1/wp-content/uploads/2008/08/noble-barbariangreen007.jpg

[ThunderhawkerMinis]

I am noodling the idea of using fur on the sheath/sleeve. ANy thoughts?

[Duzzdan]

This is lookin real good. Can't wait to see the finished product.

[Hinton]

It's looking pretty good so far.

As far as fur on the sheath, no idea. I say it's your mini; sculpt as you see fit. :)

[ThunderhawkerMinis]

No updates today, as I have been having a fairly bad case of eyestrain + migraine. Hopefully I will have him finished tomorrow.

I am actually so pleased with him that I am considering having him cast. Though, TBH, I have no idea how to go about that.

In answer to another question: He is 40mm to the top of his head.

[ThunderhawkerMinis]

He now has a right hand and an Axe. THey just aren't attached... yet. Later today perhaps, but I have to clean my house first... and make brownies (I am rollin domestic today)

[ThunderhawkerMinis]

Well, he is "done". I use quotes because there still may be touch ups after he cures and I still want to at least hit his head and face with the airbrush so it can be seen clearly.

[ThunderhawkerMinis]

Tiniest details yet to finish. Primarily I need to hit a few areas with some extra fine sandpaper to smooth them out. I am still debating whether I want to give it a coat of paint just to even it out whenyou look at it. If you look closely at the head I tried it already, but the godforsaken airbrush clogged up so I cleaned off most of that.

I need feedback to refine the finished product, so thoughts, criticisms, etc. I think its quite good for a first sculpt, but then again I am biased:P

http://thunderhawkerminis.com/blog1/wp-content/uploads/2008/08/wargreenaug_1044.jpg
http://thunderhawkerminis.com/blog1/wp-content/uploads/2008/08/wargreenaug_1045.jpg
http://thunderhawkerminis.com/blog1/wp-content/uploads/2008/08/wargreenaug_1046.jpg
http://thunderhawkerminis.com/blog1/wp-content/uploads/2008/08/wargreenaug_1048.jpg
http://thunderhawkerminis.com/blog1/wp-content/uploads/2008/08/wargreenaug_1047.jpg

[Brushmistress]

This is really good for someone who doesn't normally scuplt full minis. I can't sculpt worth a darn, and I'm very envious....;) Maybe hit him with the airbrush though so that he's all one color and easier to photograph.

[demonherald]

a little bit of sanding and filling here and there to smooth the whole thing out and he's cool... I'd also be tempted to just cut down the fronts of the boots a little .....nice job for a first sculpt though and bloody quick.. I look forward to more

[ThunderhawkerMinis]

I did airbrush him, but have been too lazy to take pics. I will try and do that soon.