Hi folks, here is a taster of my WIP gargantuan squiggoth
He is built mainly of das clay over a toy sheep.

wow shes looking nice and killy, the bionic leg is nicely done

Awesome start. The feet and mouth look greatso far.
How are you doing teeth/claws.
The howdah is looking pretty big already. I wouldn't
want it too much bigger so be careful when adding bits/
additional platforms
Good job!.
Also, welcome to Dakka.

I can just imagine him roaming the battlefield..."are you my mother?"

OMG I believe you are the first person mad enough to scratchbuilt a whole squigoth.

I like.

Sweet sculpting. Cant wait to see it finished.

And they shall have no feet! Great work. Perhaps a bionik eye also?

The first picture....oh jeez
The second picture..... oh man
after that........ my god its looking good!

Its gonna be awesome! Well done!

Give yourself a round of aplause! Brilliant!

Lookin' good.

The bionics could be dressed up a little where it connects to the flesh to make a little more invasive / Ork like.

lol power foot

wow looking great cant wait to see the finished product!

very nicely done m8 , love the bionic leg

Looks good so far.

Totally schweet! Wish I had the sculpting skills to make something like that...

OMG OMG OMG whats that coming over the hill is it a monster, no its stompy with his bionic leg gob smackingly awsome brilliant work so far

That looks awesome. Although I think I might shoot myself if I had to carve all those little scales on it.

a little fluff about squiggy:

Warlord Gazhmaka surveyed the battlefield with satisfaction. The city of Valoyostok was theirs, the 'umies were defeated. The victory was not without loss though, half the boyz were dead. Bagdagz, his bodyguard, had taken a lazburst to the skull and was decapitated. Worse still, the stupid 'umies had levelled their big boom wagon at the Squiggoth. The beast had been felled in a single salvo, one shell removing half the squiggoth's brain case, another blowing apart a leg.
He lumbered towards the massive fallen orkiod. Already grots, too afraid to go near the beast, were trying to strip meat from its dismembered leg. Without so much as a grunt, Gazhmaka sent a grot flying with a casual kick from his armoured boot. The rest scattered. He gazed at the beast, immobile. Its head was severely damaged and a leg blown off. Blood, bone, flesh and sinew plastered the scene, yet the beast still drew breath. "huh, tuf" muttered the Warlord.
A short distance away Big Mek Fazdakz had been watching the Warlord and the squiggoth. He saw an opportunity to improve his personal position. Fazdakz approached Gazhmaka and announced himself from a safe distance "Boss!"
The Warlord regarded his Big Mek for a moment and thought "gettin' too big fer 'is boots". Fazdakz, perhaps sensing this, lowered himself a little and held out an empty hand, indicating no hostility - the Warlord would keep.
"Wat you want?" barked Gazhmaka
"I can fix 'im" replied the Big Mek
"Wat?"
Fazdakz pointed at the squiggoth.
"How?"
"Bioniks, like I did fer you"
It was true, the Big Mek had equipped the Warlord with a powerclaw when he was a much less powerful ork and his talents as a Mek had increased considerably since then.
" 'Eds half gon"
" I kan jack in, do 'is thinkin' fer 'im ...and he's got plenty of big teef to pay fer it."
The Warlord thought about this for a moment. He realized that Fazdakz was trying to gain the power of the squiggoth for himself, but he also knew that, like the boyz inside dreds, the Mek would, in fact, be easier to control.
"Get the Dok!"

Looks like a good start. Looking forward to seeing the rest.

Looks really cool cant wait to see it green.

Great - and love the back story too!

Damn, are you kidding? You sculpted that entire thing? Wow, very very immpresive.

clap clap clap

I believe I speak in the name of all dakka members.
Give us updates PLZ.

please please please please please please please please please please
please please please please please please please please please please
please please please please please please please please please please
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please please please please please please please please please please
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Hm! the photo turned black and white!

oh well , get it painted soon will fix that :"D

The squigoths head in the first pics make me think of the sarlak.

Great work, This look very, very promising.

goffnob deffsmakka wrote:OMG I believe you are the first person mad enough to scratchbuilt a whole squigoth.

I like.

No, theres a guy on 40kforums that made one, this one looks a lot better though, props man.

Hi, Sorry to anyone hanging out for an update as I have been on holiday for a week.
Here is a quick update of what I have added since the last photos. A start has been made on 1 shoulder armour (das)(I am going to make it bigger as it looks a bit weedy), tail armour (das). bottom jaw teeth and tongue (greenstuff), extensions to the howdah (cardboard) and tusks (daz soon to be followed by greenstuff). For those who asked, yes I really am scratch building, sculpting everything on this model (as the photos will hopefully show). By posting relatively small steps in the progress I am hoping to show that anybody can have a go at this.
Anyhow hope you enjoy the new update (still loads to do!)

Still looking ace.
The changes to the howdah have put my mind at ease.
My initial worries were unfounded.

Hi - looking good.

Are you carving into the DAS for the scaling? If so is it with a Dremel or similar and how does it go?

Cheers

Hi, The Head will have a metal plate and some bioniks, electrical cabling to on ork mek controller in the front of the howdah. The Scales, yes these are carved into the das. I tries the dremel but it was too rapid and with the dust generated I could not see where I was going, so the scale are created with a scriber (thick needle) in a modelling handle. This plus a triangular needle file to roung the edges a little. I am trying to keep the scales "random" while being mindful of the body proportions.

For those of you looking for updates on the squiggoth build here are some new pics. The inside of the howdah is mainly cardboard with a little wire for the handles and cut up plastic rod (tedious) for the rivets. I hope you like them.

Wow, great work. where are they eyes going to go?

The Eyes will go where you see the pits in the head. One is going to be bionik.

Amazing sculpt,very nicely done,seriously looking forward to seeing the finished project.

That is VERY VERY good! The mouth looks scarily real lol... Keep it up!

Jawesome, nuf said...

This is just getting better and better!

He is built mainly of das clay over a toy sheep

where did you get that model sheep from, i been looking for one of them for time for a little project of my own aight !

serously nice work...

Whats a das clay?

it says dire avenger / dark angels lol

das is a brand name of modelling clay. It is available (cheaply) from hobby shops in most places. Generally available in teracotta(clay) colour or white. It air hardens in a few hours, can be softened with water, is easy to carve drill and sand once dry, readily accepts most kinds of paint and even glues quite well.

Nice work dude! keep it up

DAS is paper or cellulose clay, really awesome stuff, easily most maluable and forgiving clay, its the stuff I use. DAS is actually just the brand name, its really just paper clay, but DAS makes the best cheapest stuff...

I am really impressed by this. It looks better than the FW, and of course, the bionics make it truly unique.

Ah thank you! i was worried that clays need to be baked or something lol. How heavy are the clay btw? do they need wires underneath for supports?

*PS the realistic mouth is incredible

looks awsome and a good start on the fluff

This thing kicks more ass than a ten-legged man.

It looks amazing, really inspiring stuff!

Wow you've come a long way with this project. It looks freakin awesome. Keep up the good work, cant wait to see more of it painted.

is that paint on the mouth?

Wow love the Deinotherium look (that was the elephant with the same kind of teeth if I remember rightly). I didn't realise how big it was at first, absolutely brilliant.

LunaHound wrote:Ah thank you! i was worried that clays need to be baked or something lol. How heavy are the clay btw? do they need wires underneath for supports?

*PS the realistic mouth is incredible

My squiggoth has around 1.5 kg of clay so far (and remember the majority of the interior is taken up by a plastic toy (no part of the original toy is visible). A wire support wouldn't hurt but isn't really necessary as the hardened DAS is quite strong. Wire supports may be useful in finer parts. Remember to use wires that are corrosion resistant or you may find them rusting some time after your model is finished.
Thanks for your kind comments.

Keep going, it looks great.

typhus wrote:is that paint on the mouth?

Yes! the mouth had to be painted at this stage as I would not have been able to get a brush to it after the top teeth were put in. The top teeth (and their gums) were painted off the model then glued in place.

Holy gak! The mouth colors look REAL! nicely done I SO cannot wait until thats totally done and painted

so w hen do you update us?

That is freakin sweet dude

lookin 4ward 2 seeing it finished

N94

"Feed me Seymore!"

That mouth looks fantastic! It's really coming along great! Can't wait to see the rest painted!

Dude, I can't wait to see it finished. You are a true artist. If the rest gets painted like the mouth, OMG.

Here is a quick update, with some modelling on the head, a new horn and ladder on the howdah (+ chains). Please note that the paint on the face and side of squiggy is not completed, it is mainly there to give me an idea of how the final scheme will look.

Painting not completed? Coulda fooled me! Looks freakin awesome!

Once again my jealousy for good sculptors and scratch builders is un-ending. That probably cost you all of 15 dollars where someone like me would have to drop like 100 plus.

Actually, I plan to keep a running tally of the costs involved in building squiggy and post it at the end. But I'll also keep a tally of my time, and if I had spent that time at my job...I could have bought the Forgeworld model many times over! I suppose at least mine will be (slightly since it is based on the look of the Forgeworld item) unique.

I just have to say it, I LOVE this model, it's amazing! Your and Delkins42's work are what made me decide to join this forum, but this Squiggoth in particular since I'm an Ork player and planning to make a Squiggoth myself. Mines gonna be modeled to look more like a regular squiggly beast, but super-sized, because I just love those little fellas

And if you consider the painting you've done so far incomplete, I can't wait to see the finished product.

Painting imcomplete OMG, can't wait to see the finished model.

WHAAAAGGGGGGGGGG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Or AWESOME DUDE!!!!!!!!!!!!!! How did you make the skin texture...did you have a stamp or something that rolls over it or did you do all the texture freehand? Amazing work! What did you use for the actual model... was it a special clay? Where can a person get it?

Thanks,

Da Big Warboss

Wow. Very skillfully done.

Llamahead wrote:Wow love the Deinotherium look (that was the elephant with the same kind of teeth if I remember rightly). I didn't realise how big it was at first, absolutely brilliant.

deinotherium had backwards facing tusks?

Edit: sorry i forgot to comment on the model
incredible idea, brilliant sculpting and masterfull painting all in one model
I salute you sir.

awesome i want to see him fully painted+crew if you gonna add them

That's pretty cool sir.

It just gets better and better...amazing work.

Wow even at 3 a.m. this looks incredible...

Da Big Warboss wrote:How did you make the skin texture...did you have a stamp or something that rolls over it or did you do all the texture freehand? Amazing work! What did you use for the actual model... was it a special clay? Where can a person get it?

The skin texture is worked up freehand using a modelling scriber (thick needle), needle files and modelling knife. The "actual model" that was used as a frame under the putty is a large toy sheep (no part of the original toy is visible). The clay is DAS a white air curing clay which is widely available from hobby shops (and sometimes stationers) and is very cheap nz$10 for a kilo (around us$6-7)

Nice texture for the skin.

I second (third? fourth?) the praise for the texture and detail of your model. I really love the little things like the scar by the mouth- paint really brings that out. The whole thing is well done, can't wait to see it finished!!

So did you wait till the clay air dried before you worked up the texture of the skin? That must of been time consuming? You are the MAN!!!!!!!!! or I should say the ORKKKKKK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Another update for those folks not too bored with the build. This weekend saw a mammoth (ahem) amount of work on the beast. The bionik foot has had a few layers of detail added and some prelim paint. Believe it or not all those boltheads are handmade, I must be mad! The shoulder armour has been worked up, it needs a little tidying and some detail and more scales have been added.

I really like the project - great sculpting, great beast design and great painting - and only have one "dislike" about the execution. I think the armor on the squiggoth itself is too uniformly manufactured. I'd much rather see different shaped, crooked plates, with rusty rivets etc. Not rackham style beast armor.

Everything else is GREAT! But this detail with the armor really eats away from the orky feel and I would fix it with irregular plates, more denting and tons of rivets. Even if it's painted already..

Well.. the armour isn't really finished yet. It will have battle damage, spikes, chains maybe some dags. Thanks for your comments.

You sir are a god of green stuff do not stop.

im new so i dont have much to comment on but hey great start on the squiggoth it was a good idea to use the toy sheep and good job

Woah! This is great. Can't wait for the howdah to be finished.

Far superior to the GW version.

I just found this like and DAMN! your good, I can't really find anything to criticize you on. keep up the good work

All I can say is WOW! That looks incredible.

I think migsula's comment is valid but definitely more of a style preference than something you have to do. Even orks have to have decent armor sometimes

If you "bits" it up like you mentioned I think it'll work perfectly as-is

How do you get the howdah to stay on his back? I mean, you know, he has a curved back. I am really curious about this since it has been trouble for me during my own build.

Solorg wrote:How do you get the howdah to stay on his back? I mean, you know, he has a curved back. I am really curious about this since it has been trouble for me during my own build.

The Squiggoth has beams modelled along his back, there is an open box shape in the bottom of the howdah that slips (just) over these beams.

I've been working on squiggy quite a bit, but it's mainly boring stuff like texturing his body and feet, so no new photos at the moment. As I've been working on the beast he seems to be developing a bit of personality (for an inanimate object) so I think he needs a name. All suggestions on a name would be welcomed, orky, sensible, humorous will all be good but please no profanity or crudity!

Wow. I really like where this is going.

Very impressive sir.

Another Update, this time the Bionik eye is in place and you can see some of the claws in the feet (to get rid of that hippo look). As you can see I have not yet built any shoulder on that side yet.

Very nice custom build, coming along beautifully.

looks like forgeworld

Unreal Cool, keep going. Can't wait to see the finished producted.

This is absolutely phenominal.... I just can't get over the level of detail, and the texture and everything... of of which is scratch-built ? man... you could put GW out of buisness

Oh. My. Emprah.

How on EARTH do you have the patience to do all those scales?!?!?!?!?!

Sweet blood of the Emprah, man! That is incredible. Especially since DAS can be nasty to work with at times.

Keep it the heck up, man!!! The HECK UP! That is just righteous beyond belief. Wow.

Howabout " 'Ardscab" for the name? Or maybe 'Ardface, since he has a hard face. 'Ardbitz? Squigbitz?

Or perhaps, "Squiggy". Simple and descriptive!

Anyway. This is really cool. Really, dang, cool.

wow.

i am truly impressed, it is so awesome
i have always been thinking of starting orks, and you sir,have just managed to get me completely orkified!

may gork and mork be with you

Whoooooohaaa!! Lookin' killy. How did you get the scales to look that great??

Its really looking amazing. Easily the best squiggoth Ive ever seen. Period. I still cant get over how nice the whole mouth turned out.

That is so uber-awesome!!!



Now I've just got clean up all the drool on the floor...

Here is the first of two lobbas for squiggy. Built from an electrical conduit pipe (with a section cut out to create a smaller diameter), plastic card, rod, pipe and paper.
The Squiggoth himself has had some more work on the armour, but still needs more done before any extra pics. Anyhow, here are some pics of the lobba.

Holy Cow! How do you make such cool stuff?

wow.

I wish I was half as good...

mechanical leg..... GENIUS!

Wow this looks intense!

Nice lobba

At your pace, I thought this whole thing would be done by now! Of course that is unreasonable, but you set an unreasonably high standard for us to expect at the beginning

Great work!!

This is really awesome work, man. It looks great.

Wow.. that thing really turned out well.. i remember when you first posted i didn't think anything of it.. but with that paint job.. it really works now =)

Keep it up man, can't wait to see it finished..

cool cannon

Squiggie's comin' long' fine!
nice work.

A few more pics of item I have been working on recently for squiggy. Another super lobba visible in the howdah, claws of the feet, reworked tusks and shoulder armour.
I'm currently working on the rest of the armour, but the clay needs a couple of days drying time between modelling sessions, so progress is slow.

Wow again. How do you get the detail so good on the scales?

Thats just amazing! you are very skilled.

Simply amazing. Excellent work!

AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


(snore)

Hmm, I seem to have had a large number of questions relating to the scales on squiggy. I may be coerced into doing a tutorial on these if there is enough interest, let me know!

It has been a little while but here are some fresh pics of my WIP squiggoth. New work since the last update...Rear leftside armour, armour attachment wires, layered detail for the howdah underway, gunner position chutes added to the underside of the howdah (not visible in pics). The cardboard howdah is being skinned with plastic card then bits of armour, rivets and decoration are being added. Note weedy space marine for size comparison. Incidentally squiggy is about as long and wide as a baneblade and a good deal taller.

I'd probably recommend hitting the edge of the armour with a dremel or something before you get into that painting too far. Aside from that, this is a pretty good job, dude Very impressive.

Yea, so...that is awesome. Enough said. If you did nothing more than finished painting, it would still be an awesome feat. Amazing.

O_o that is just plain scary(scary awesome)

EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEP *o*

I just gak my pants

WOW! That's NICE! I'd be interested in that scales tutorial you mentioned.....

that really came together nicely in the end

I don't think this is finished yet, guys. Note he said, "WIP." When it is done, I'm looking forward to hearing more about the time required and the $$ required to build this amazing model.

So how did you texture those scales on the hide? One at a time?

keep us updated. Yes, do the tutorial.

You mentioned using "das clay" and I think it looks great. I'm working on a model of my own and was going to use milliput and green stuff mainly; after seeing this I am wondering why not use "das clay"? I am mainly trying to replace the milliput with something a bit cheaper and easier to work with. I would think green stuff could stick to "das clay" without any problem.

Wrexasaur wrote:You mentioned using "das clay" and I think it looks great. I'm working on a model of my own and was going to use milliput and green stuff mainly; after seeing this I am wondering why not use "das clay"? I am mainly trying to replace the milliput with something a bit cheaper and easier to work with. I would think green stuff could stick to "das clay" without any problem.

I actually quite like working with Das. You do, however, need to be patient when you use it. Big objects need to be built up in stages or the clay won't dry in the middle for a really long time. When you add new layer to the das it helps to score (crosshatch) the existing surface and re-wet it to get the new das to stick.
When it comes to getting the greenstuff to stick, make sure the das is dust free. Wipe the Das with a moist cloth to remove any dust but dont get the das wet, it may help to lightly score the das but make sure you do this before the dust removal.



Yes, the model is still a work in progress, it still needs lots of painting, howdah to be detailed, weapons and mounts to be made, as well as crew and of course the custom forcefield hard wired BigMek driver (who I promise will be radical).

Cadium,

Incredible! Looking forward to watching you PIMP your RIDE! You're doing a FF, too? The painting is going to be MORE DETAILED? Wow, you have one more Ork hanging onto his seat in anticipation.

A dedicated fan,
Solorg of the Orks

This is going to be scary when it's done

and now...a WIP of the big mek driver of squiggy. He got more than he bargained for when he convinced his warlord to let him jack-in to the squiggoth. The Warlord got rid of this threat to his authority in a permanent way! Anyhow...check out the piccys.
Oh, and if you this his mug is a bit ugly..you're right, it is my first scratch built ork face and I may yet change it.

The face doesn't look that bad imho. I think a bit more paint can add most of the dimension you need. The nose is a bit weird but I don't think it makes that much of a difference. Just say the Warboss broke his face and knocked him out before they began choppin im' up.

.. ... .... + ..... = ... 1/2 ( )

... ... Dat's wot I thot.

The face looks perfect. Looks like he was beat up.

Looks great! What did you use for the teeth?

I've never known anyone to scratch-build actual ORKS before! That is incredible. And that Mek has real character. Where on the squiggoth will he sit?

He looks like his brains are getting fried Which is the point, I think! Very nice!

Great stuff! Love the bionik leg! Very cool idea to put one on a Squiggoth.
And modelled in DAS, too - brave man! I hate that stuff...

Awesome work the mechanical leg goes well with it
cant wait to see it painted lol
Best of luck with the painting it will be a chore
ABH

The model looks nice but I can't help seeing that base as a birthday cake with the orc shouting 'Surprise!'.

solkan wrote:The model looks nice but I can't help seeing that base as a birthday cake with the orc shouting 'Surprise!'.

Glad I wasn't the only one.

Okay folks, another update....a bit more work on the mek driver, including new front teeth, more wiring and a bit of work on the "front office" (paint to come). And pics of the scratch built twin linked shootas.

upload error sorry

Looking cool, I like the spiky glowy things next to the big mek. I think the wires on the hands are a bit too much, not sure if you would try to use varying sizes of wire or not. Wrapping the wire up in an Orkishly organized way would make it neat, but not take away from what you are trying to do. The wires on the head look great though.

Very nice so far..keep us up to date....

I vote for MOAR WIRES! Make it look like he's busting out of a huge tangle of electronics! This project just isn't sane anymore. Incredible! Amazing! The guns you built look just like GW guns. Over the top is what Orks are all about!

Well it's been a long time since the last update because I've been distracted by this:

Ideas shamelessly looted fron Krooza. Not quite finished but almost there.

and now the squiggoth...

Only one word is applicable here "wow"

that honestly looks like the forgeworld sculpt. as in i couldnt tell the difference. :O

but you modelled it on a sheep as the basis?
how did the sheep feel about that?

amazing truly amazing! i would never had guessed, neither with the ork head. theyre just THAT well done....

Stunning!

You are truly a master of scratch building! I'm very impressed.

Dat looks propa and killy!

Epic

love the squigoth, one of the best scratch builds I've ever seen of one. keep up the good work

Turned out nicely. Good work.

The Best Squiggoth by far. Forge World's one bites the dust in comparison to this one.

Oh my stars and garters.

That Squiggoth was worth the wait. IT IS PURE W1N. I am inspired now to finish mine. Haven't worked on mine for 2 years - stalled at about 60% done. The Stompa is also amazing! How did you get the arms to stay on? Your full army must look amazing.

I approve.

DC

holy crap, man. simply amazing.

makes me feel permanently inferior with anything I'd ever try to paint or make haha.

How I wish that I knew about all of these amazing threads... Nicely done sir!

You should be very proud of this monster (and the Stomp, too.) What else have you done with the Orks? (Checking now...)

woah, woah, hold up guys, squiggy is a long way from finished yet!!! I still have to make weapon mounted for the cannon, finish the cannon, make wiring and hoses, finish the armour, add some spiky bits, build a crew, add more armour and finish the painting. LOADS more to do on the squiggoth.

cadium wrote:woah, woah, hold up guys, squiggy is a long way from finished yet!!!

But it looks so good, surely it must be finished? Well, that's a misconception on my part. I'll read a bit more carefully next time...

I can't wait to see what it looks like when it IS finished. Expect me to be following this WIP very closely from now on...

Have fun dude!

Good Luck