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Built and primed. First paint in three... two...

Satyr is done, in more or less oryx beisa colours. Some may consider him NSFW, but the model really doesn't show any more than the original (metal) feral warpwolf of PP. If unsure, please avoid images below the first one, thanks! All in all it was a fun sculpting. even though a few ideas turned out to be impossible to implement with my puny skills. Hopefully he will see some table time soon (as soon as I get the cards for a new edition), since I've proxied riphorn and liked the result last week.

As usual, some more views...

Weather is not cooperating and I really dislike working with polyurethane in house, which means it is time to turn to other projects... but feralgheist is still high on the agenda.

Not exactly Circle, but I've always liked Feralgheist mechanics in Mk2. Not on the table, but more like a "fluff" of a model. Wasn't particularly inspired by a PP model, not ghostly enough, and what are these weedy ribs doing on the base when the spirit interacts with warbeasts only? So, another experiment with transparent resin, this time of epoxy-rubber variety. I've gone for a "last breath" interpretation of Feralgheist, putting severed argus from PP head on the base and making the spirit rise from its bloodied mouth. For the ghostly head I chose a werewolf head from Mantic. Casting, assembling, painting and coating with some more layers of the same resin to get a moderately glossy look, unfortunately, left the base dusted and uneven. Other than that I think experiment went well. Next time more planning and dustr-proof environment will be needed.

Another look, this time with more gory details -

Next steps are totally unknown. I am still finishing repairs on Efaarit Scouts and other things are pretty much in sketches.

Very nice sculpting. Your improvements model to model are impressive.

God damn there's some awesome minis in here.

Keep up the good work.

EDC

Thank You for Your comments! I'll try to match Your expectations.

Nothing interesting this time, just some scouts were finally put together. The kit was probably very nice and easy to put together (by previous owner), although there was some effort to pin larger things. In the end only two things needed greenstuff treatment - cracked neck and the sitting place of a gunner. I think I'll go for a mostly white theme, "the tauntaun look"...

Working on too many things at the moment, thus scouts are progressing very slowly, not really something to show. Instead, here is a little something I am contemplating - an alternate Celestial Fulcrum.

Well, the original model has very little going on for fulcrum itself. Blasted crater with an orrery is not really anything to pivot a lever around. After some philosophical deliberations I've come to the image of an inverted pyramid floating above some scorched rocks or maybe ruins, surrounded by three mages on appropriate rune-inscribed platforms/slabs, representing fire, water/ice and air/storm forces. The problem is with a rather large empty space in the middle of the composition. An easy way out would be to put yet another obelisk there (as if my Circle has not enough of them already). A more difficult one is to try and replicate an orrery from Privateer Press model, in a different scale, obviously. As I am not taking any easy ways with this project, a B variant seem preferable - it is geeky (what is more clock-punkish than an orrery?), easier to explain to opponent (resembles a principal part of a model it is intended to represent) and contains a good deal of novelty for me (haven't attempted something like that before). But this also means a much longer time till finish... A difficult choice.

That's a pretty cool idea, much better than the official model. The original is not terrible, but not a good use of the idea I don't think.

Variant A there is probably the more impressive model, especially if it is a three sided pyramid, each dedicated to a moon and element. The height though might be problematic,but then that was pretty much a forgone conclusion when you decided to make a huge based model

Variant B could be pretty cool too, but I worry it might be too busy, or at least hitting that line between busy enough that you know what is going on, but not so busy that it overwhelms itself.

A way to do B might be to do like an Aztec stone calendar, up on its side, within a larger ring disk.


Now, probably a LOT less complicated than that unless you can find a 30mm across model, but something similar could work, and make a cool focal point without having bits moving around over the druids' heads. I think the druids, each unique, should be the focal point of the model. The fulcrums on which the composition turns, if you will

 Wehrkind wrote:
That's a pretty cool idea, much better than the official model. The original is not terrible, but not a good use of the idea I don't think.

Variant A there is probably the more impressive model, especially if it is a three sided pyramid, each dedicated to a moon and element. The height though might be problematic,but then that was pretty much a forgone conclusion when you decided to make a huge based model

Variant B could be pretty cool too, but I worry it might be too busy, or at least hitting that line between busy enough that you know what is going on, but not so busy that it overwhelms itself.

A way to do B might be to do like an Aztec stone calendar, up on its side, within a larger ring disk.

Now, probably a LOT less complicated than that unless you can find a 30mm across model, but something similar could work, and make a cool focal point without having bits moving around over the druids' heads. I think the druids, each unique, should be the focal point of the model. The fulcrums on which the composition turns, if you will

Yes, the original is passable, but is a static depiction of a ritual, not of a battle engine in action.

Height of a variant A is not that much of a problem - upper spire is made of MDF or other sheet material, put on magnets, druids on platforms are a 20-30 mm thick flat thing with figures on top, that can be pinned or even bolted to the base and the lower pyramid. Everything is easy to transport and quick to put together. Considering that ancient Egyptians and some other desert nations split their year into three seasons a three-sided obelisk can be sourced from history.

Variant B is currently slowly evolving in my head towards something that has a disk (not Aztec-like, but rather segmented like the "nimbus" of PP model), planet in the middle and its three satellites, on top of each stands corresponding druid. Alternatively, they may stand on small platforms on top of the "model world", facing outwards towards moons... As You see, I am too moving towards druids on top and in the center rather than a big complex object.

I must also say that a third, much simpler variant has been proposed - make a 120mm crater, put a 1:144 MiG-29 on a flight stand, paint it stone-grey and call it a day. Voila, a celestial fulcrum... No, not serious.

Efaarit scouts is proving to be a very unlucky model. Only half way through painting, and it is back to assembly after falling to the floor. PU-glue made resin parts into monolith, but metal parts are a problem. Well, I must take more care with it. Progress for a week -

Scouts are finished. I love that model, one neat steampunkish tauntaun with a crew of java meanies! Just wish mine didn't come in as many pieces as it did... Comparing with the low point of epic Kromac, this miniature is my opinion is "the day" of Privateer Press resin-metal hybrids. very few flash lines on metal parts that the previous owner didn't took care of, very nice resin casting quality. No idea why this model had to be pinned, as I've not used a single pin while repairing it, just fixed parts in place with vice and rubber until resin has cured. Painting was fun, simple and a nice detour from my usual (lately) beasts. I hope my paint job is at least somewhat good looking on the model, as the previous owner clearly had skill far surpassing mine, but that had to be washed away after the accident.

As usual, another poinjt of view...

...and a totally uninformative rear view (just for the tail tuft, really)!

Now, about the future of this project... My current plan is to try and wrap it with three character beasts, Ghetorix, Brennos and Megalith, one or two warlocks (maybe Baldur, maybe Grayle), a Woldwrath and a Fulcrum. How this will turn out? We'll see!

Nice looking Efaarit! I picked up one myself, and am planning on cracking into it soon. It really is an unusually fabulous model for PP. I just can't decide what sort of colors to do on the beast... it really feels like I could do some crazy stuff and have it look good.Your polka dots really confirm my beliefs there!

 Wehrkind wrote:
It really is an unusually fabulous model for PP.

I hardly can agree more! Very much interested in what You will do to Yours!

In the mean time - more delays, serious and not much, are hitting my progress. Not even a chance to keep updating this sorry semblance of a blog. Anyway... Out of three character beasts I've decided to make the biggest problem is Brennos. Ghetorix is embodiment of savage, like these highlander savages from painted engravings prior to last siege of Edinburgh. Thus my Ghetorix will be holding his weapon in mid-swing, like a highlander about to split a red coat who fell backwards before him. Megalith is a mystical cross of living and unliving, or maybe a crossing, like these ritual vehicles and boats of Ancient Egypt. Had Avatar of Sokar been bigger, that would be a perfect Megalith for me. But Brennos... I have a totally conflicting images of him. One is a traditional depiction of a priest, robes, a skirt, a pouch, maybe a leopard skin as a symbol of office. Another - northern shaman, Alaskian or Chukcha, with roughly sewn hides for robes. But definitely a willow-horned kind of deer.



What will come out of this? "Stay tuned!"

Trying not to skip a week - progress on these beasts.



The saddest panda among them is Brennos - still have no idea about what to make of 'im. Ghetorix and Megalith are waiting for their shoulders and are progressing (slowly). Other stuff stil getting in the way and all...

No picture this time and very little progress to report, mainly because of most silly of reasons - I've run out of sculpting stuff! Anyway, ersatz-Ghetorix is getting his ax done, paws and arms are next. Ersatz-Megalith got most of his parts done, assembly is not far away. Poor Brennos, he is still not much than a head on a stick!

Another week has passed with very little progress to show. I've just managed to restock my sculpting supplies, so maybe things will go faster from now on... Who am I kidding? With four more things on my table - yes, a fat chance of speeding up!

This time it is almost withing the goal I've set for a week - to get ready to assemble. Ersatz-Megalith is still lacking back plate, but this I've decided to sculpt latest, after all roots-n-twigs are in place. Next week it and the wolf should be standing on their bases, while ersatz-Brennos is still in the limbo of undecisions.

Formal goal achieved. They (ersatz-Ghetorix and ersatz-Megalith) can be glued to their bases at any moment, I just prefer to leave them as they are while sculpting their feet. Next week they should be finished sculpting and assembling, since it is already a race against the clock - winter is coming.

Great progress! Nice to see the trio(-ish ) coming together.

- Salvage

 Boss Salvage wrote:
Great progress! Nice to see the trio(-ish ) coming together.

- Salvage

Thanks! i am trying to move forward despite catastrophic lack of time. The initial intent was to finishe them in September. Now it looks at least the end of October for just two of them. What is even worse is that my usual self-doubt is taking over even my hobby - just this (past) Tuesday I've "decided" to make ersatz-Brennos a long face, like a red hartebeest. They have horns that slowly spiral upwards from the top of the scull, like PP Brennos (although much less massive and thus more "sane"). Dress him in a sleeved striped robe like tribes of the Northern Africa still do, give him a cranky staff and call it done... No way, now I am again disputing with myself a more priestly look for him.

Anyway, the wolf is getting dressed, wold is about to get his hands and head attached. Few small things still remain, like wolfs tail and wolds dress bits and pieces, but hopefully that will be done during the coming week.

Ersatz-Megalith is almost complete, a few more claws and leaves outstanding, I hope to finish him today. At the same time ersatz-Ghetorix is causing problems. Each time I look at him there are more things to bi fixed. And ersatz-Brennos... he will be a desert beast.

It may be a NSFW, but there really isn't anything that PP don't put on their models. Viewers discretion advised and all...

A bit late wit update, again... Two are done, one to go. Ersatz-Megalith and -Ghetorix are sculpted and waiting (hoping) for a last slice of dry weather to be spray-undercoated. In the mean time my new hartebeest-Brennos is slowly taking some semblance of shape. He will be small, lame and openly ugly, but the pupils of his eyes would not be hourglass-shaped. Time magicks are Cygnar things.

I am starting to fear that onset of rainy winter will put an end to my hopes of finishing them this year. Good thing is ersatz-Brennos progressing steadily. Maybe next week he will take his almost assembled shape with horns, hooves and hands ready to be attached.

I think I've beaten the time-to-winter on this occasion. Two out of three are undercoated and already at the painting stage while ersatz-Brennos... well, he is still needing a great deal of putty to blend limbs to his body. One mean ugly goat he is! Currently I am mainly interested in painting stone, thus it is likely that most of the free time next week I'll dedicate to ersatz-Megalith. But who knows such things? The only thing I am certain of is that I'll try to fight darkness and depression with tea and brush!

Ersatz-Megalith is done. Could have used more work, but with my current skill, I think, it is better to stop here before making more damage than good and then rolling in frustration and angst while trying to fix that. It will probably see more shelf time or use in other games than Hordes, but in my opinion avatar of Sokar matches the Megalith fluff with desert theme. When it will be sane to work outside again I will coat him with more matte varnish...





Ersatz-Ghetorix is next in line to be finished while ersatz-Brennos is all built, but... I've no idea if I'll get a chance to undercoat him before the spring comes.

Your sculpting is next level. That wolf guy is seriously good.

 Davetron wrote:
Your sculpting is next level. That wolf guy is seriously good.

Thanks for the encouragement, Davetron! I am trying to improve, but whether I've hit a level-up this year remains to be seen.

That wolf guy is finally finished and maybe well see some table time next week, circumstances permitting. I've long wanted to add Ghetorix to my Circle, but neither old nor new sculpts fit the truli insane feral image - too pacifist. At least mine will look like it is about to smash something, even if he will die trying!



Other views are slightly NSFW, if this is important for You - please pay attention to Your surroundings as well.



Ersatz-Brennos is finished, or almost finished, depending on whether I will sculpt him some amulets or not. And, since there are less and less things in the Circle I feel drawn to add to my force, I wonder - should I start different threads for different projects or rename this one to reflect its multiple nature?

Shop is being closed until the New Year. To preserve the (un-)achievements here is what come out of poor alt-Brennos. Sculpting is mostly done. The model looks rather plain, but I intend to use it for freehand practice anyway. From time to time I've wanted to paint something in the style of broken lines standard of blacklad cloaks in PPs images. Well, perhaps not as dark, but we'll see. Winter is time for trying new things...

Best thing about doing scenery is finding ways to "cross-pollinate" Your other projects. Hmm, this mine support beam with an optional lantern looks like gallows, so how do I turn it into the gallows Grove? Speaking of which, this waystone looks like a fun Sentry Stone too...

Another bit of scenery or tokens, an orc from Mantic Games and a home-made Blood Jaguar altar. I've too much stuff that has no immediate application, so why not use them as a monument to valour and arcane altar? This time I've tried to apply my usual tech for creating marble patterns to very dark surfaces. Apart from lots of mess I'd say that it works... to some extent!

Since nothing gets done in final weeks of 2016, here is the ultimate sketch of my future Celestial Fulcrum. Swayed by Wehrkind I've decided that the fulcrum are druids, not the stone, and thus a mix between a stone calendar and an orrery will be born sometime next year. Stay tuned for developments!