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What's up P&M,

I would appreciate some C&C on my literal first attempt at sculpting(anything) since ceramics class in high school(a long time ago in the early nineties). So new medium, haven't touched a sculpting tool in decades and zero sculpting abilities.
So please have at it, but be gentle.

For those interested, its the shield from the Indomitus Captain(minus the stupid skeleton)


Thanks

It looks good for a first attempt. A couple of small suggestions-an acrylic rolling pin and two pieces of piano string will help you get shapes to a consistent thickness, and some rubber tipped sculpting tools are great for smoothing off the surfaces once you have done shaping and positioning. I say this as there are a few tool marks visible.

Hope this helps, and look forward to seeing more.

thanks, I was going to take a Emory board an reduce the thickness & "finish" on the scales so no too terribly fussed about the marks. I was using my vast array of dental tools so some silicone ones will prob make it easier for the next one.

since I dont see me using this mini in game, I'm ok w making mistakes and learning. But once I get the process down...Vulkan should be proud.

Not sure what other people's experience with filing green stuff is, but I'm not satisfied with it and prefer smoothing surfaces by scraping over them with a sharp knife. Just to offer a different approach.

Also consider that if a tool mark is too deep to easily smooth by taking green stuff away, you can easily fill it up with a bit more green stuff.

Nice!

If you want to take it further, can recommend adding more green stuff to the edges, and sculpt smaller scales to finish off the shield.
I am wondering, for first attempt, you probably don't have any tools. Cheepo dentist tools, an exacto knife, or super finely sharpened toothpick mixed with some bagbalm should be of most aid with greenstuff detailing.

For some inspiration:
Just like in leather work, If you could make a "scale stamp" and then just pattern stamp your way over the GS surface, that might prove to be nifty

I have dental tools and the gw texture "brush". Currently looking at a detail sculpting toolkit so hopefully my next attempt will look better.

My grandfather was really into leather work so I'm totally familiar with the technique and hadnt really thought about making a die.

Especially if you are new to sculpting - but also generally - that's the kind of task you will find a lot easy if you do it one scale at time. Or at least work on scales that are separate for each other at once. The biggest issue with your sculpt I think is that the scales are a bit too circular. Take this example from GW's Adrax Agatone for reference:




They aren't circles, they have lots of flat portions on their edges. There are lots of versions of drakescale that are even omre angular too. It is very difficult to modify the edges of each scale when they are packed soclose together, hence why I say you should do them one at a time. It should also help you getting a nice, defined gap between each scale (which is another area that your culpt could imprive in) By 'one at a time' I mean: Sculpt one scale, then let it cure fully. Then start on the next one etc.

You haven't got to be waiting 6 hours between scales; you can speed up the cure by submerging the part in water that is nearly boiling for 5 minutes or so (It takes a little practice to learn how long to leave it in but it's pretty easy to get the hang of).

Hope that is helpful... good luck and share any progress!!

I was wanting to go for the same look as Capt. Agatone and the FW Salamanders relic contemptor, but didnt quite capture the feel of them. it's why I tried it on a model I didnt necessarily care about.

my next attempt will utilize the advice you guys have given me.

thanks for the encouragement. I hadnt touched any sculpting stuff since 1992 so I appreciate the help.
my goal is to basically give all sgts, officers & vehicles drakescale to denote their pimpness.