congratulations to your 100 pages of mad science!!!
your tank is developing into greatness...
I was a bit behind with my backlist and expected to see a vast amount of story pages of your mad scientist storyline to read through only to see I just missed out on three parts?... well I enjoyed that immensely from the beginning... it definitely needs a read again in due time... I only felt you slightly rushed the end and over used the dune reference a bit... a bit more subtlety on that reference would have been nice^^... but I am totally still a fan of your work!!!! and now a regular follower^^
as for the giger tank art... I am marvelling where you want to put this... ok...you showed that already where... but how it will react (clash?) with the camo?...hmmm the babies I actually found the best... the "lick" I think is a giger reference to the stones I have to ask?...
monkeytroll wrote:That's not bad....colours are a pretty good approximation too considering the size and number of layers you're using as compared to the orignal
Ta. I've done a few more (with varying results) and have started trying to scale it down to about 2/3rds the size of that one. I'm going to have to play about with what details to keep and which to leave off, as I just can't paint that tiny. Practice is continuing.
The colour is reasonably easy to replicate. I've found that a dilute brown over the black and white and then blending that into the black shadows and re-highlighting with the white/brown, then white, works quite well. It really is just a hint of colour in most of his pictures.
inmygravenimage wrote:That's really impressive mate. I'm sure the scientist would approve!
Thanks Graven. This is where I really push the boundaries of my painting to match the building of the tank.
Viktor von Domm wrote:congratulations to your 100 pages of mad science!!!
Thanks. Much more Science to come... not so much bra-wearing on heads though.
I was a bit behind with my backlist and expected to see a vast amount of story pages of your mad scientist storyline to read through only to see I just missed out on three parts?... well I enjoyed that immensely from the beginning... it definitely needs a read again in due time... I only felt you slightly rushed the end and over used the dune reference a bit... a bit more subtlety on that reference would have been nice^^... but I am totally still a fan of your work!!!! and now a regular follower^^
Yeah, I felt that it was getting a bit long and people may have got bored if it kept expanding. Ha, yeah I had run out of subtlety by that point. The whole point of that piece was to lead up to The Scientist having discovered Arrakis and then finding another Norma Cenva to become his first navigator. It then gives me the freedom to take The Army to any point in the universe. Which then allows The Scientist to discover all the other references I have in the other pieces of fluff I have (and will have) written. Glad you enjoyed it though. Thanks for the feedback.
as for the giger tank art... I am marvelling where you want to put this... ok...you showed that already where... but how it will react (clash?) with the camo?...hmmm the babies I actually found the best... the "lick" I think is a giger reference to the stones I have to ask?...
I'm assuming you are worrying about it covering up that corner of the blue lines. Well I did expect this to happen and I'm not entirely happy with the sharpness of that particular corner anyway, so covering it up is no loss for me. As for the colour, I don't think any clashing will happen as it's only a subtle brown hue.
The actual piece of artwork done by Giger is entitled "ELP XII" and is one of a series of pictures he did for Emerson, Lake and Palmer. They chose one of the other 11 (or more) for their album "Then and Now". I can't see any mention of the stones, so can't say about that.
Littletower wrote: I like your choice for the tank art - that and the babies factory were the two I liked best for this - and your take at it is coming out great.
Thanks. The babies would have been tricky to get looking right (and by that I mean looking as wrong as Giger gets them looking). However, probably not any more difficult than what I am attempting... will need a good rest after this "little" bit of freehand... Who's idea was this anyway.
It's not that bad really, I'm getting into it... slowly.
I admit I find the concept of art in the Second Law's Army intriguing, will look up what's been discussed earlier about that and come back to it.
Art and Entropy has proven to be quite interesting to study. Although I would have found it easier to follow if I had studied art beyond GCSEs.
Report back if you find anything else relevant on your travels of the internet.
shasolenzabi wrote: That does look good! you did a great job approximating that image!
Thanks. I now have to build up the confidence to attempt this on the tank...
Anyway, enough practice. I'm not getting any better. So I will attack the tank in a bit.
Pin-ups were mentioned at one point and I said I would give one a go. I found a suitable picture from Giger himself, I won't show it here as it makes my effort look a bit rubbish. You can judge my piece by itself. Could that even be the artist pictured with his latest work... ?
I did her on a piece of card so that once I've re-visited it (Still needs some work) I can put it in a frame, a la Camkierhi, and add it to a future piece of terrain.
And it's done. All went smoothly, no major issues, turned out well. I am pleased that I can now breath again... Here's the final method:
And a couple of shots to show how it fits with the rest of the tank: You can also see a few of the other details I have added (as well as little white dots on the lenses...).
With that done, I've got one more addition and then it's weathering. I'll do a photo-shoot before the weathering, so you can see all the details. That'll have to be tomorrow as it's beer night tonight.
Newcastle Brown Ale is the daddy. Unfortunately hard to come by around here (and Irish) so probably not what you are asking, but Caffrey's is the best beer EVER.
That shoukl start a arguement!!
Tank is looking amazing as we expected, Giger art is outstanding.
I'm not much of a drinker stouts and porters, though when younger I was partial Young's Luxury Double Chocolate Stout. Orkney Dark Island is a little like liquid toast, in a good way. For really gutsy, dark ale/porter type beers try Theakston's Old Peculiar or, if you're really brave, Old Buzzard.
Now ales, that's another matter being resolutely southern, I like a hoppy beer - I'm from Kent, heart of hop growing - so Shepherd Neame beers like Spitfire and Bishop's Finger are personal favourites, though fir something lighter I'll cross county lines for Harvey's Best. I'm a big fan of IPA, though tbh I think that the Scots make some of my personal favourites, particularly Williams's Joker and Brewdog's Punk. Red ales seem to be enjoying a bit of a resurgence just now, and Loch Ness Red and Brewdog's 5am saint have made me very happy. Hybrid lager/IPAs like Williams's Caesar Augustus are a good refreshing compromise beer if you like lager that really tastes of something.
The most interesting thing I tried recently was Drygate Brewery's Apple Ale (not a cider, but a fruit beer almost in the belgian mold).
Other beers that regularly grace my gut are Ringwood's 49er and Boondoggle, Bombardier, and Fuller's London Pride which remains consistently one of my favourite ales.
I like beer.
So DrH, how was your night?
Automatically Appended Next Post: Really? Caffrey's?! *Sigh*
Actually, as cheap student beer, those 2 were what I lived on.
inmygravenimage wrote:Beer for the beer god! Cans for the throne of ale!
Bottles, but otherwise yes.
Red Harvest wrote:What are some good English ales anyway? (Don't you dare say Tetley's Ale or Bass.)
From your fair island, my favorite has been Samuel Smith's Oatmeal stout, but that is not an ale.
What's wrong with Bass? We even had Bass last night. Perfectly good beer.
Camkierhi wrote:Newcastle Brown Ale is the daddy. Unfortunately hard to come by around here (and Irish) so probably not what you are asking, but Caffrey's is the best beer EVER.
Newky brown is pretty good. As far as cheap draft/canned beer goes, Caffery's is pretty good, but that's a different area of beer drinking to real ales.
inmygravenimage wrote:I'm not much of a drinker stouts and porters, though when younger I was partial Young's Luxury Double Chocolate Stout. Orkney Dark Island is a little like liquid toast, in a good way. For really gutsy, dark ale/porter type beers try Theakston's Old Peculiar or, if you're really brave, Old Buzzard.
Now ales, that's another matter being resolutely southern, I like a hoppy beer - I'm from Kent, heart of hop growing - so Shepherd Neame beers like Spitfire and Bishop's Finger are personal favourites, though fir something lighter I'll cross county lines for Harvey's Best. I'm a big fan of IPA, though tbh I think that the Scots make some of my personal favourites, particularly Williams's Joker and Brewdog's Punk. Red ales seem to be enjoying a bit of a resurgence just now, and Loch Ness Red and Brewdog's 5am saint have made me very happy. Hybrid lager/IPAs like Williams's Caesar Augustus are a good refreshing compromise beer if you like lager that really tastes of something. The most interesting thing I tried recently was Drygate Brewery's Apple Ale (not a cider, but a fruit beer almost in the belgian mold). Other beers that regularly grace my gut are Ringwood's 49er and Boondoggle, Bombardier, and Fuller's London Pride which remains consistently one of my favourite ales.
I like beer.
Theakston's Old Peculiar is a good one, yes. Yeah, any Shepherd Neame beers are good. IPAs are good for a change indeed. Bombardier, and Fuller's London Pride are indeed good.
What else can I add to the list... Old Hooky (Hook Norton Brewery), Hobgoblin (and others from Wychwood Brewery), Directors (Courage Brewery), Also Timothy Taylor make some pretty good ales too. Landlord being the biggest name. I also quite like Black Sheep ales. And Badger make some nice ales.
There's so many I can't think of now. The thing with real ales is just to try new ones when you get the chance.
So DrH, how was your night?
It wasn't a big night, just a couple of beers round at the Bro's house, as usual, every Friday. Bass and Directors this week.
Beer dealt with for now...
monkeytroll wrote:Yeah, that works Turned out great!
Kill markings and insignia look good. Is that a decal on the hydraulics, or freehand?
Thanks MT. I tried to make one of the tank kills look like a Falcon (from the side), just looks like I didn't get that one right next to the other two. It is a decal on the piston. I've got a few of those handy arrow-like ones. They're all in German though. These say "Ziehen", which is not entirely wrong for a piston. But as you need a magnifying glass to read it, I think it's fine to use. I also have quite a few Russian transfers that are great for little notices, and completely unreadable.
Warboss_Waaazag wrote:Wow, that looks great! I'm really impressed with that Giger tank art. The translation is flawless.
I wouldn't go so far as to say "flawless" myself. But thank you, that's high praise considering the difficulty of the subject.
Red Harvest wrote:Nicely done art. Subdued and suitably unsettling.. Tongue coming out or something going in? It's Giger, so...
Thanks Red. I believe it is a tongue looking at some of the others in the series, especially the one chosen by ELP.
Camkierhi wrote:Tank is looking amazing as we expected, Giger art is outstanding.
Thanks Cam.
As far as I can tell, all the details are now done. Only weathering remains... So, here is T-01 (tank number 1, not to be confused with the Wave Serpent Tr-01; Transport number 1): Things to draw your attention to: The kill markings I have drawn up to 12, and therefore the next is the tricky number 13. Technically, the way the army is run, with equipment (and bodies) being repaired and recycled back into use, the tank could have hundreds of kills, so we will consider this the count since the last time it was re-built.
In addition to the (German) markings on the pistons, there is a (Russian) notice on the storage box and another notice for the rear hatch (just some yellow squiggles, but it is a transfer). There's also some in red on the back of the dozer blade.
I've also added the nod to Rik Mayall on the turret. For those of you that have missed out on the Young Ones, this is from where they were on University Challenge and someone (Vyvyan probably) had written a "P" in front of Rick's name. I changed the "Rick" into a R1CK, so it looks more like it should be on a tank and then painted the "P" to look like it was quickly added by some joker (complete with paint runs).
I will now have to have a think about where the paint chips, scorch marks, dirt, dust, mud and blood will be placed. Not going to go mental with it, but will make it look like it does tend to run through/over things and get stuck in to the fight.
Love the Rik tribute! I'm hankering for the weathering though. That plough is going to get really messed up I'll wager? Also, I other matters, this evening's beers were Dead Pony club and St Mungo's. Because beer is never dealt with.
Could tell the third pic wasn't a tank, missed it was a falcon though...I thought it might be a buggy
These shots show the lenses look better with the added white dot.
Can't comment on the ale as I can barely remember what beer tastes like.......
I'll accept a buggy. Thanks.
inmygravenimage wrote:Love the Rik tribute! I'm hankering for the weathering though. That plough is going to get really messed up I'll wager? Also, I other matters, this evening's beers were Dead Pony club and St Mungo's. Because beer is never dealt with.
Weathering has started. I've gone for paint chips first and will work towards dirt as I see the majority of dirt being newer than the paint chips.
The plough should be taking the worst of the damage, however it is also built to deal with that... will have to see how it all turns out. Weathering is one of those things where you just have to let it develop organically.
Not had either of those. Any good?
Also, on the subject of good ales there was a thing recently for the best beer in Britain... Here it is:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-leeds-28769152 Timothy Taylor's Boltmaker is (apparently. I haven't tried it myself) the best beer in the country. So keep your eyes out for that one.
Camkierhi wrote:Looking fantastic, almost a shame to mess it up!
Thanks. It is in a way, but it should add to the model (and also helps to hide any sins ).
Dead Pony Club is Brewdog's California Pale Ale (another lager/ipa hybrid). Pretty good, very strong; St Mungo's is made by WEST, the German craft brewery in the old Carpet Factory in Glasgow (yes, that's a crazy as it sounds).
I think the Scientist should have the rest of the Young Ones, possibly as servitors. Neil should of course have long hair and 6 pairs of arms (like a lexmechanik or something), Mike should be a servo skull with shades, and Vyv should aggresively use his face in some way.
Thanks for the beer list. We hear quite a bit about Belgian and German brews, for good reason, but very little about British beers.
Now Doc, I like the ambiguity of tongue out, or tentacle(?) in. And the final product, art and tank. You managed to 'disappear' entirely the mediocre inherent to the model. Quite a feat. I salute and applaud you. Now, weathering next? Can't wait to see.
inmygravenimage wrote:Dead Pony Club is Brewdog's California Pale Ale (another lager/ipa hybrid). Pretty good, very strong; St Mungo's is made by WEST, the German craft brewery in the old Carpet Factory in Glasgow (yes, that's a crazy as it sounds).
I think the Scientist should have the rest of the Young Ones, possibly as servitors. Neil should of course have long hair and 6 pairs of arms (like a lexmechanik or something), Mike should be a servo skull with shades, and Vyv should aggresively use his face in some way.
Sounds interesting, I'll give them a go if I see them.
good ideas for the Young Ones. I'll add it to the list.
Red Harvest wrote:Thanks for the beer list. We hear quite a bit about Belgian and German brews, for good reason, but very little about British beers.
Now Doc, I like the ambiguity of tongue out, or tentacle(?) in.
Yay for tentacles! Everything is better with tentacles.
And the final product, art and tank. You managed to 'disappear' entirely the mediocre inherent to the model. Quite a feat. I salute and applaud you. Now, weathering next? Can't wait to see.
Thanks Red. For a model that I picked up because I had a coupon in hobbycraft and wasn't very excited by (but added a tick to the collection), it turned into quite a fun build, and I think we all learned something along the way. Wins all round.
Chipping is on to the second stage. That is "visible" undercoat and now, base metal colour.
Nice touches on the tank, just had to catch up some. Love the black/orange/yellow lights on he side turret. Also nice giger recreations. Glad to see this beast finally getting through the finish line. Also nice Ork glyph on the dozer
Theophony wrote: Nice touches on the tank, just had to catch up some. Love the black/orange/yellow lights on he side turret. Also nice giger recreations. Glad to see this beast finally getting through the finish line. Also nice Ork glyph on the dozer
Thanks Theo. Getting ever closer.
And just to show the extent of the chipping...
Bare in mind, the whole tank does not look like this. I've focussed on these upper corners and the outside edges of the sponsons.
As the army has a regular maintenance routine, I'm not going to have much rust. Although I may add a few little specks of fresh rust on some of the larger areas.
The chipped areas were started with sponge addition of my lightest grey (to represent the undercoat), then areas were filled in with dark metal (gunmetal with black) and then those were highlighted with silver.
Other edges have had a dry-brush of silver to represent worn areas through general wear and tear and not from impacts.
I'm now working on adding a few scratches. Then I'll move on the dirt/dust build-up, before mud splatter. Then blackening from soot and the planned blood splatter last. Got to chip the underside first.
I have always felt so hesitant in weathering, in case i arse it up. But trying it out on one of the recent league competitions gave me more confidence. And seeing bullet holes like this fills me with inspiration.
Thanks. I'm generally pleased at how it turned out. Only a few bits needed modification from the initial layers.
M0rdain wrote:I have always felt so hesitant in weathering, in case i arse it up. But trying it out on one of the recent league competitions gave me more confidence. And seeing bullet holes like this fills me with inspiration.
I look upon weathering as it is supposed to make a mess of the model. So long as you set out from the start intending to weather it, and keep that in mind when painting it then you don't feel so bad about it. For example, I knew that the underside was going to be heavily scratched and muddied, so I didn't put much effort in to getting a nice smooth layer of green as I have on top of the tank.
Also, I think the best way is to let the weathering take on a life of it's own. Don't try to do a perfect job, or it will become too perfect. it's supposed to be messy and random. If you tried to paint a thin scratch, but ended up slipping and getting a blob or smear, turn it into a chip... You only planned to have mud splattered on the lower half, but the brush flicked off part of the model and you have splashes all the way up the model, So be it, it was a particularly large puddle it went through.
Go with the "mistakes" in weathering, it adds to the random.
On that note, mud. (and possibly slightly more than I intended, but that's how it's turned out)
Through the positioning of the Giger mural in that recess, it hasn't been splashed with any mud... completely by chance. Also notice that this sponson has had a far harder life than the other one... just by chance.
Automatically Appended Next Post:
dsteingass wrote: This has gone from a work of art, to a Masterpiece!
OneManNoodles wrote:The Giger art is excellent, really well done there mate!
Weathering looks ace, looks more or less finished, what's left?
what did you use for the blood?
Thanks OMN. I've done a few more touch-ups etc... since that photo, and unless I see anything that needs attention in the photos I'm currently taking... IT IS DONE! Expect a large picture dump in a bit.
The blood was (in order); a layer of Humbrol 1321 "clear red", then 20 "gloss crimson", then 20 + some black. Each covering a slightly smaller area. I then added another layer of the clear red to tie it all together. All applied with an old, haggard brush. The smear was done by using the brush, dipped in white spirit while the first layer of paint was still wet and then streaks were added during the following layers.
Viktor von Domm wrote:ouch.....that splatter effect is so wickedly brutal....
and your freehand tribute to giger is awesome!...
seeing how far you´ve come with this tank... the thought has crossed my mind what future project might soon appear on your desk....
I said I was going to add some blood... with such a brutal tool, you couldn't have expected a small splattering of blood...
Thanks.
No definite thoughts on what is next (although a commission job will probably the next thing I actually do), but there will be a run of "smaller" models to get over this one. I have a long enough list to choose from anyway...
monkeytroll wrote:Hah! Nice splat!
Looks like it might have hit hard enough to have carried some splashback onto the tank itself.....
Thanks. I did consider adding some splashes on to the tank, but decided against it. After all, the dozer is removable and I don't want to have to add a splat on any future dozer in the same place just so the blood on the tank looks right each time. I will get around to finishing the second dozer at some point, it hasn't been forgotten.
I am in the process of taking photos of the (hopefully) completed tank. This will take a little while to compile all the best shots of all the little details, things that move/open and all the various views available. As a muscle-bound Austrian once said "I'll be back".
It is done! I can't see any more issues or anything I want to change. Photo dump time....
Having taken 8 months and 13 days (give or take)...
...That's about as long as it took me to write my doctoral thesis, all 200 pages / 40000 words of it (although there were many pictures)...
...this is a great moment to thank all of you that have stuck with me throughout this journey and those that have joined along the way. Thank you for your ideas, criticism, praise and other thoughts along the way.
As is my custom when I finish a model, hit play, enjoy the music, study the pictures and leave me with comments, criticism and/or votes.
Awetabulous! seriously Awetabulous! love the whole model with one exeption! but first I need to ask how fast this baby can move? in regards to the simply epic blood smear :-) if it hoons along and it would hit them with the force to fling them up to the top edge and over, then A+ all the way, if it would hit them and drag them under the blade leaving a smear in the other direction then i'm sorry but my marking of this essay will net you a simple 'A' :-)
but as a whole, this is just so good Dr! imagination and a journey of discovery we all got to share in to see the end result, it's almost sad to see it done :-( you are one of Dakka's finest craziest minds.
Thanks Red. I am humbled to have a new word coined in reaction to my work. Glad you have also enjoyed it.
Ha. I have seen it... and, like the DA flyer/skimmer thing, I decided that I could do better without the kit. Let's take something that looks OK and then add some lumps, fill some holes, and then cover it in unnecessary details, without a thought to how it might function...
I have plenty of things to work on around me anyway, without buying any more. I'll have a look over what I have laying about, and decide on what's next, today.
No rest for the wicked mad.
nerdfest09 wrote:Awetabulous! seriously Awetabulous! love the whole model with one exeption! but first I need to ask how fast this baby can move? in regards to the simply epic blood smear :-) if it hoons along and it would hit them with the force to fling them up to the top edge and over, then A+ all the way, if it would hit them and drag them under the blade leaving a smear in the other direction then i'm sorry but my marking of this essay will net you a simple 'A' :-)
but as a whole, this is just so good Dr! imagination and a journey of discovery we all got to share in to see the end result, it's almost sad to see it done :-( you are one of Dakka's finest craziest minds.
Thanks Nerdy. High praise. I see the tank as running at people as fast as it will go, and considering that The Scientist looked at what the original design had as a powerplant and replaced it with something of his own design, it should go pretty rapidly.
Obviously, if you look at the underside, it does run over the occasional thing... other vehicles for example, but smaller and squishier things (troops etc.) will usually get the face of the plough.
And remember, with the pistons and support structure for the dozer, it can be raised/lowered and tilted accordingly to catch the target in just the right way. I'm certainly going to have to give it a special rule that it has to attempt to run over/ram anything in range.
MagosBiff90 wrote: Phenomenal mate! Reallyfull of detail and character..... and then... you see the interior!! ... raises the bar for sure!
Thanks Magos. Always pushing the boundaries. It's the only way forward.
shasolenzabi wrote:Awesome job! Congrats on the finish. Now what will come out next?
Thanks Shas.
I've been looking at the few random model bits I have on my board that could do with finishing (as I don't like to have unfinished things left... unfinished).
These include (in no particular order): Those half-sized persons (which I've been contemplating how to base), being commissions, they will appear in my other thread in the near future.
The example pieces for my bathroom item casts that I sell. So that I can have a picture of the full set painted. Also to appear in my commission thread.
A box example. Also to appear in my commission thread.
Some SM pieces that will make most of a marine. I had these out to mould for the bagged "raw material" that didn't make it on to the tank.
The bagged "raw material" that will now be turned into an objective marker.
And, the robot legs that I built ages ago and need to be put to use...
I'm also contemplating a few troops from the boxes I haven't started yet. So expect fairly standard representatives of the Tau, Kroot and Ork races.
I was gonna paint up your toilets, etc. a-la Fallout so you could use the photo.
That would be nice as you would also make the rest of bathroom to go with them. I'm just going to be showing them off in isolation, like the toilet I have already done.
You'd hate my workshop of unfinished hell then
I do seem to be in the minority with this way of modelling. I'm fine with your workshop being filled with unfinished items, that's your problem. Each to his/her own.
In other news; I went for a walk.
But no ordinary walk. I went searching for Birch trees... and found one just round the corner, so it wasn't a long walk.
Why did I go looking for Birch trees? To collect the seed pods, of course.
Those of you unfamiliar with their use will still be in the dark at this moment.
If you want teeny-tiny leaves for your bases, go get some Birch seed pods...
Frodo for scale.
Having read on a bit further in the tutorial I was (supposed to be) following, He suggests sprinkling the mixture of seeds and leaves in a breeze to separate them. I shall have to remember that for next time.
These now need to be dried out in a oven for a bit. Then throw at bases and paint (before or after, the tutorial suggests a method for painting them in bulk).
No other progress here, although you can see that work has started on the little-ones.
Red Harvest wrote: Just around the corner? Pretty convenient. Birch pods make great mini leaves, as you of course know. A most excellent find.
Yeah. I was expecting to have to go further afield, like off into the surrounding fields ( ), but there it was, all big and tree-like. Job's a goodun'.
Now is the time of year to go collecting these things. I read about them earlier in the year and then looked up when they could be collected and have had to wait months. So first opportunity to pop out, and out I did pop.
Just need to find a use for them now (expect the next model I do to have leaves on it's base ).
Aside from the sheer insanity in scope and scale of the work, I think what's most impressive is that it is still, unmistakably, a predator. Glorious job.
Superlatively beautiful tank Dr H. A true masterpiece. It reminds me of a faberge egg only its a tank, not a precious egg. You are a craftsman.
And if anyone's in cornwall they shoud have a pint of Doom Bar ale. Mmmm. Not as impressive as the local ciders though. Rattler Cider is the thing if you appsolutely must get wobbly dunk within two drinks.
Do you have to seal the leaves to stop them from degrading?
MM Cornish rattler, lovely. I had i nice bottle of Thatchers Vintage last night. I should really take a tour of the brewery as its not far from me (Weston Super Mare)
inmygravenimage wrote:Aside from the sheer insanity in scope and scale of the work, I think what's most impressive is that it is still, unmistakably, a predator. Glorious job.
Thanks Graven. As that was the aim of the project, I'm glad it has worked out like that.
weetyskemian44 wrote:Superlatively beautiful tank Dr H. A true masterpiece. It reminds me of a faberge egg only its a tank, not a precious egg. You are a craftsman.
Thank you Weety. That's high praise indeed.
And if anyone's in cornwall they shoud have a pint of Doom Bar ale. Mmmm. Not as impressive as the local ciders though. Rattler Cider is the thing if you appsolutely must get wobbly dunk within two drinks.
Doom Bar... that rings a bell, I may have had that at some point. Shall have to keep an eye out for it in future.
M0rdain wrote:Do you have to seal the leaves to stop them from degrading?
MM Cornish rattler, lovely. I had i nice bottle of Thatchers Vintage last night. I should really take a tour of the brewery as its not far from me (Weston Super Mare)
I don't know about "have to", but I suspect that they may become brittle after a while if not coated in something. Kind of like old dried herbs.
I have now dried and painted (as per the tutorial, putting in a tub with some paint and shaking) my pile, so hopefully they will be fine.
Absolutely fantastic Doc, the beast looks amazing, you really did it justice.
The leaves thing I have been thinking about and mucking about with some bits, since the beginning of the year when I did that project where I wanted leaves. There are several trees that have this kind of seeding method and its just a case of catching them just right in the season. I found some and left them in a placky bag for a few days and that seemed to dry them out nicely.
Camkierhi wrote:Absolutely fantastic Doc, the beast looks amazing, you really did it justice.
The leaves thing I have been thinking about and mucking about with some bits, since the beginning of the year when I did that project where I wanted leaves. There are several trees that have this kind of seeding method and its just a case of catching them just right in the season. I found some and left them in a placky bag for a few days and that seemed to dry them out nicely.
Well heres looking forward to whats next.
Thanks Cam.
And the right time in the season is why I'm mentioning them here. The tree I "looted" had many more pods that had only just started to grow, so there will be many more to obtain in the weeks to come. You really could find enough "leaves" on one tree to cover an entire table, never mind the occasional base of a model.
Something will happen soon.
pfibp wrote:Really great work on the tank.
So many little details everywhere. Even some weathering on the bottom. ^^
The birch ponds are a really nice thing for basing and so.
I was collected as well not so long ago.
Thanks Pfibp. I don't know what other's do with the bottom of their vehicles, as no one seems to show them. But it's just another part of the model to me, so it gets just as much attention. I did think about adding details under there as well, but looking at real tanks, they are all quite plain underneath. Makes sense too, so that's how it stayed.
Warboss_Waaazag wrote:Tiny leaves are tiny. I think I might have to get my hands on some of these. Although there aren't many birch trees in New York City.
Yeah, the one major problem with these is finding a tree. Time to phone around friends and family and see if anyone lives near one (and not so far away from you to make it pointless ).
Hmm tiny leaves. I am sure you could soak them in water paint or really watered down paint after you bake them dry to change their color. Neat stuff dr.
Excellent job on the tank doc! Paint's done a great job of bringing out all the little modelling details Always nice to see someone finish a piece too - obviously that's not my thing, but.....
"So expect fairly standard representatives of the Tau, Kroot and Ork races"........ We don't come here for 'fairly standard'
The robot legs need attention methinks.....
Timely reminder of the birch seeds.....although I still have a tub that I've been meaning to use for oh, so long now....really should put some of my chaos lot in a less urban setting...
cormadepanda wrote:Hmm tiny leaves. I am sure you could soak them in water paint or really watered down paint after you bake them dry to change their color. Neat stuff dr.
Yep. Well, shake them in a tub with a little paint and they get well covered.
OneManNoodles wrote:All the birch around me have already shed their seed. Early harvest and all...
Bummer. Round here they are only just getting going. Make a note of that for next year then.
monkeytroll wrote:Excellent job on the tank doc! Paint's done a great job of bringing out all the little modelling details Always nice to see someone finish a piece too - obviously that's not my thing, but.....
Thanks MT. you do finish things occasionally. And this tank has taken me 8 months to finish... I'm hardly racing through things.
"So expect fairly standard representatives of the Tau, Kroot and Ork races"........ We don't come here for 'fairly standard'
The robot legs need attention methinks.....
Ah well, I always do the first one or two of each unit in a normal state for a couple of reasons. One is that it gives me a good idea of what is normal and how it should look. That gives me a jumping off point for changes I can make.
Also, in order to make the more unusual members of my army stand out more, it's good to have a scattering of normal-looking members to give some contrast.
Robot legs will get used soon. I just need to decide who gets them...
Timely reminder of the birch seeds.....although I still have a tub that I've been meaning to use for oh, so long now....really should put some of my chaos lot in a less urban setting...
That could be a problem. Although many urban spaces do have the occasional tree.
So now that I have the Hobbits ticking over, I've started to look at these robo-legs I have.
These were made quite a while ago and came from a collection of some scraps and leftover milliput that I had shaped into potentially useful shapes.
I made them into legs because I had noticed that GW kits give you an excess of bodies... I needed replacement legs, and what do you do in the 41st millennium when you need legs, you get robo-legs.
I even wrote some fluff for a Space Marine that needed legs. Here it is again for those that missed it:
Spoiler:
Battle brother Raymius lay on his back, the battlefield was quiet now that the battle was over. Raymius thought back over what had happened, surrounded by the bodies of the fallen enemy and his battle brothers, they had fought bravely against overwhelming numbers of Tyranids. Raymius himself had slaughtered many of the vile creatures until something huge and black had come up behind him, he had reacted too slow and had paid the price for that mistake. The thing had ripped him in two, Raymius could not now even see where his legs lay, he was covered in blood and from the waist down...missing.
Raymius lay there, with the world around him coming and going to greyness, until he started to hear noises, movement, someone or something was picking over the bodies. Every now and then a strange noise, not unlike a thousand people quietly saying "wop" would float over the marine and then there would be more shuffling and rustling. Raymius opened his eyes as he heard the noise approach him, it was a Dire Avenger. Unmistakeable in it's blue armour and high helmet, the filthy Eldar scum was looting the corpses! If he had the strength, Raymius would teach the xeno a thing or two, but then he saw another figure... a marine... from the Imperial Fists! Why were they helping each other, and why would a marine stoop to looting corpses? Another shadow fell over Raymius, he could not see what it was, it bent over and placed something on his chest and then everything went black with a "wop".
As suddenly as it had gone black, it was immediately bright, strong lights positioned around a large metal-walled room, many more xeno scum were here and appeared to be stripping and sorting the equipment from the bodies. A shadow fell over Raymius and a voice said "This one's still alive, got no legs, but still moving" another voice answered "He said that he would want to see any survivors, plug him into some support and send it to Him". Raymius was dragged from the room, down a narrow corridor and into a room where he was fitted with a life support system and placed on a glav platform before being taken to meet whoever this "Him" was.
The first meeting between Raymius and The Scientist as he referred to himself, was strange to say the least. He was tall, for a normal human, thin and had messy grey hair and wild staring eyes. The Scientist wore a brightly coloured shirt (with flowers and strange trees on it) and khaki shorts with many bulging pockets with various tools and things hanging out here and there. Over these clothes The Scientist wore a white lab coat (open at the front for the moment) dirty, well used and with strange designs drawn over most of it, he would stand in front of the marine with his hands in the lab coat's pockets and stare intently at every part of what remained of Raymius.
They discussed The Scientists plans and it was clear to Raymius that he was insane. The discussion ended abruptly after The Scientist had talked about his immortality and Raymius had scorned him and preached about the Emperor, The Scientist had said he would show him what was what and had Raymius taken to another room, empty save for a small stage at one end. Raymius was positioned facing the stage.
The Scientist entered the room followed by a huge mechanical monstrosity, 10 feet tall at least, all pistons and sharp angles. The Scientist spent a great deal of time describing how he would create some new legs for Raymius using a similar pattern to that of the machine. Raymius was not interested and would rather just be killed than brainwashed and mechanised by this madman. After 2 or so hours, The Scientist then said he would show the marine something that would shake his faith in his "dead" emperor. "Heretic" thought Raymius "I'll see you die a painful death for this" he said aloud. The Scientist laughed at this for 10 minutes, breaking down into hysterics at least twice before saying "that is precisely why I have brought you here Raymius". While the marine was still trying to remember when this madman had discovered his name, The Scientist asked "are you a god?", Raymius answered "no", "ha, but you believe your Emperor is? We shall see..." The Scientist shouted "KILL" and the machine suddenly sprouted all manner of sharp implements and blades, Raymius tensed but could not move. He was not in danger though, the machine turned upon The Scientist and proceeded to tear him to pieces, blood and flesh were spread around the room in a flurry of violence. The screams of the madman (mixed with laughter) were still ringing in the marines ears when he was dragged from the room and taken to a holding chamber by hands unseen.
It could not have been more than an hour after this that the door to the room he was in was opened and Raymius was struck dumb, he could not believe what he was looking at... The Scientist stood there, as clear as day, a huge grin on his face and not a scratch on his body.
"You see" The Scientist said, "I am truly immortal"
"What trick is this, that could not have been you in that room" Said Raymius
"Oh it was" said The Scientist
They talked and Raymius questioned The Scientist about what had happened and could only conclude that he was present in the empty room. The Scientist even described what it felt like to be torn apart, and Raymius knew what this was like.
"We are alike, you see? Both torn asunder and now both here" The Scientist said.
"I am not like you" Replied Raymius
"No, indeed not. How rude of me, here I am uninjured and you still have no legs." Said The Scientist "where is your god emperor now, to bless you with new appendages? We both know where he is, you may call it a throne but it is a coffin. Is he here to save you from damnation? No. But I am here, I will always be here...Ha Ha. I will give you new legs, better legs and you will follow me to you next death and the death beyond that, again and again"
Raymius could not find the words to describe this man.
The Scientist continued "May I call you Ray?" and without waiting for a reply "Not that it matters, you will be number 11 soon. Well, Ray when someone asks if you are a god, you say YES! Ha Ha, well I do... What would your Emperor say? Oh nothing...because he's DEAD, HA HA!"
The Scientist left Raymius to the last of his thoughts before he gets the customary brainwash. He was still laughing as the door slid shut behind him, "What is life anyway? I think I'll go and check on the next body I'll have..."
However, the legs I built were for one of my Eldar. I made them deliberately "clunky" looking to contrast with the agile Eldar.
Looking at them now though, I'm not sure what I want to use them for.
Here's what they look like with a SM body and legs for scale.
They are a bit big as I look at them now. Both too tall for a basic troop and too wide for a 25mm base.
Plans were to place the body in the position shown and have many more wires/cables extending from the back of the "hips" into the back of the body. However, I could place a gun platform up there, or build some kind of body to match the legs.
I would quite like some thoughts on what I can do with them and what it would be representing in-game.
I have just found that I have the Wave Serpent pilot (as I only used a SM head for the pilot in my WS), it's not a huge body (like the SM or Ork) and he has a fairly servitor-like look with the mask. I'll try a range of bodies and show you all tomorrow anyway.
For arms, I'm thinking of giving him weedy arms that give the impression that they don't get used for labour, but still serve a purpose (otherwise they would have been replaced). Then adding some large mechanical arms attached to the legs (with a counterweight).
Current idea is some kind of inspection servitor that has to handle heavy/dangerous items, but require nimble fingers for fine work/inspection.
Here's the Robo-legs with some bodies that I found in my box:
Top is a Goblin or Orc body with a head that appeared to fit. It's a bit too hunch-backed to work for me.
Middle is the WS pilot. That I think works all right.
Bottom is a random Ork body (may be a Nob). I think it's a bit too big on top of the height of the legs and a bit too well built for the inspection-bot idea.
And a scale shot with the legs and the SM I put together from the random bits I had laying about from the "bagged" version (which had the left arm, hence the replacement).
Too many ideas, too little time, too little focu.....ooh shiny!
Middle probably works best for an inspection bot.
Top is a goblin body, with the correct head ( ) - might be ok if you slighlty shortened the hood and replaced the face....
Orc body would probably work better for combat or construction servitor, maybe a little bulky for an inspecti-bot....although there's a few things you could try - cut the bottom belt off, cutting the neck back a bit and sticking the front half of a human face there, with gears at the shoulder joints that might work. Putting a skull-like or robot head atop the toso, with a heavy manipulator coming out of the present neck joint, several pairs of fine manipulators could come from the shoulders. Lay the torso on it's back, with a head placed on the neck to face the front of the 'bot, brings the shoulders down a bit, and there's the option of having a manipulator arm coming out of the 'waist' joint which would be the rear of the 'bot.
monkeytroll wrote: Too many ideas, too little time, too little focu.....ooh shiny!
Middle probably works best for an inspection bot.
I may see if I can get that to work. I've not had any other good ideas for using it anyway.
Top is a goblin body, with the correct head ( ) - might be ok if you slighlty shortened the hood and replaced the face....
Good to know. I have a selection of random Orc and Goblin bits, it's nice to pair up the parts and see what I've got.
So... you mean a different head with a hood on then...
Orc body would probably work better for combat or construction servitor, maybe a little bulky for an inspecti-bot....although there's a few things you could try - cut the bottom belt off, cutting the neck back a bit and sticking the front half of a human face there, with gears at the shoulder joints that might work. Putting a skull-like or robot head atop the toso, with a heavy manipulator coming out of the present neck joint, several pairs of fine manipulators could come from the shoulders. Lay the torso on it's back, with a head placed on the neck to face the front of the 'bot, brings the shoulders down a bit, and there's the option of having a manipulator arm coming out of the 'waist' joint which would be the rear of the 'bot.
Yeah, I did think that cutting the torso down would be necessary. But with the amount it may have to be cut down by (as it is there, it's twice the height of a SM) to get a respectable height, it would basically be the shoulders, which I might as well just sculpt myself and save the body for something else...
I do have another idea on my list for an Ork torso anyway.
Make an Alien-style cargolifter: use the orc nob, then give him wraistbands (to paint them with black/yellow stripes later). And then mount a seat with levers and security cage to the back.
Hruotland wrote: Make an Alien-style cargolifter: use the orc nob, then give him wraistbands (to paint them with black/yellow stripes later). And then mount a seat with levers and security cage to the back.
Lo Hruotland. That's not a bad idea. I may save it for later though for a couple of reasons; If I'm going to build an "Aliens" Loader, I want to do it justice, and not just knock one up with some random legs I made. I do want to build a Loader-alike (who doesn't) and will do at some point.
Putting the seat/controls at the back is a good idea though. (added to my list)
Also, the loader is more for use in controlled environments, like a hanger with flat, smooth flooring, and these legs look more like something for rough terrain (to me anyway... Although thinking of poor ED-209 falling down the stairs, maybe not. *shrugs*)
Maybe I should just turn this into a crude ED-209-alike...?
OK, so the crude ED-209-alike will have to be put to one side as the top half was diverging from the look of the lower half, so I'll have to build some legs to match the top...
And, I decided upon a job for the servitor; Mechanic. Not very imaginative, I know, but explains the need for large robotic lifting arms (picking up heavy stuff/vehicles/equipment), and the weedy arms on the body (for the delicate tweaking and fiddly parts), and gives him a role on the table/battlefield.
If I'm right, this will make him more of a Techmarine in role? While looking like a servitor, I will try to match the servo-harness look and you will have to let me know if I get close enough.
With that decided, and the Hobbits finished, I have started to install him on his legs.
I've also put him on a 40mm base just because I thought he looked silly on a little one. Not glued on yet, so subject to change.
Automatically Appended Next Post: I was going to throw up some options of arms and see what people thought. But then, I liked these arms and none of the other options. He now has arms. I was also planning on shaving off the things on the forearm, but then thought that with the right paint they can be tools of some description, as is whatever it is he is holding.
Why is one arm armoured and the other not? I hear you scream at your screens. That arm is going to be nearer the welding torch, of course.
I also realise that the smaller arm only has 3 fingers. I will likely add one at some point.
Next, I will be building the robo-arms. I'm thinking of starting from the "tool" end and working back towards the connection with the legs... mostly because I don't know yet how I'm going to attach them.
Couldn't wait for the rumour-mill to decide if Dark Eldar or Necrons were going to be next... so I got a battleforce of each. Technically, the Necrons are my birthday present, so I can't open that box yet (I can wait 20 days).
This means:
Spoiler:
The kabal's raiding party streamed out of the webway portal a short distance from the target city. Theirs' was a small kabal, and they had been pushed from the sector that they had raided for many years. It had been a while since they had had a good supply of souls and slaves and they were taking more and more risks to get them. Then they had discovered this planetary system; 3 habited planets and their associated moons, all full of people, little in the way of defensive measures, and far from aid in a relatively quiet sector of the galaxy. This could be the break they needed.
K'orashk watched as the first of the sleek crafts, bedecked with blades and spikes, reached the city and destroyed the meagre defences before they could retaliate. The city was now theirs to plunder. They would round up the population, harvest some souls immediately with the help of a Haemonculus, and then take the rest as slaves, minus those that had been promised to the Haemonculus in payment for joining them.
Everything worked out perfectly, the people behaved like the cattle they were and the soul harvesting was begun with the Haemonculus plying his trade with the utmost professionalism. K'orashk was already beginning to feel better than he had for months and it was clear that the rest of the raiding party were also feeling the benefit of the fresh souls. There was an atmosphere developing that K'orashk couldn't put his finger on, but didn't feel right. Maybe it was just that they had been starved of souls for so long, but K'orashk was experiencing sensations that were almost approaching that which he remembered from the better days in his past.
K'orashk felt himself smiling, and could see many of the others were also. He noticed that some of the raiders had laid down and were sleeping. This was not right, he knew it, but K'orashk felt like sleeping was a good idea, it was the right thing to do, and he slumped to the ground. He saw the Haemonculus stumbling about, before his vision became too blurred to focus on his surroundings. K'orashk laid his head down on his arm and closed his eyes, a smile still on his face.
K'orashk awoke in a strange metal room. He could see nothing but 3 plain metal walls and found that he was strapped to an upright surface, also metal, and just slightly wider than his shoulders. The room smelt unfamiliar and sterile and he could hear no noises. After a short while, K'orashk discerned the sound of footsteps approaching and then heard a door open into the room. "Drugs" a voice said behind him. "Carefully selected, dosed, targeted and delivered." the voice continued. A man walked around to stand in front of K'orashk and smiled "That should answer the important question you have. The people of that planet had been infused with a cocktail of drugs that would neither affect them nor be metabolised by them. I just had to wait for someone like you to come along". K'orashk went to shout abuse and demand to be released, but found that he could not talk, could not make a noise. The man looked at him "Ah yes, a side effect of the drugs. That will wear off in a day or so." The man studied K'orashk and mumbled to himself for a while. K'orashk struggled against his restraints, "I see you are eager to get going. Let's see if your motor skills have remained unaffected" the man said and reached behind the metal plate that K'orashk was strapped to.
As soon as the straps released him, K'orashk sprung into a fighting stance and attacked the man. He aimed to plunge his fingers into the man's throat... and missed, the man was standing behind him and yet did not appear to have moved. K'orashk spun and struck out with his foot... again, he missed. The man did move out of the way, but it was such a subtle move K'orashk only just missed. He attacked again and again, using all his skills, moving as fast as his trained body could go. Every time, the man seemed to be one step ahead. He could not move as fast as K'orashk, but his timing was perfect and his movements always put him out of harms way. K'orashk continued to twirl and twist, attempting to land a blow with any part of his body. It would have only taken a handful of attacks to end a fight with one of his peers, and yet this simple human had remained untouched for hundreds.
"I see everything appears to be in working order..." The man said while ducking a backhand chop "...you can stop now and sit down." He said. K'orashk stopped immediately and slumped to the floor, in spite of himself. "First stage programming. You'll do anything I say." The man smiled again. "More to do before you can be used though, and don't worry about not connecting, I know everything that you do and more besides, I can read you like a book." The man explained as if he were talking to a child. "But anyway..." He said waving an arm "...I've been having a chat with your Haemonculus... Interesting chap. Knows almost everything there is to know about torture. I'm now educating him in something he didn't know about; Poetry. I left him listening to a selection of poems by Grunthos the Flatulent. I'm sure it will be very... educational, for him. Had to put him in a form of stasis so that he would survive. Ha Ha. Must be off, you had a great deal of equipment I want to study."
The Scientist left K'orashk in silence, sitting on the floor of a metal room.
So there is some more to add to the "to do" list and many things to research.
I've started collecting things together for the robo-arms of the repair servitor, and have chopped up a Sun-cannon and spinefist. You will have to wait a little longer to see what they become. I'm going to have to scratch-build the manipulators, as I can't find anything that looks right.
monkeytroll wrote: Oh, pulling out the heavy hitters...surely some vogon would have been enough?
Well The Scientist did say that he left him with Grunthos. So he might have started with Vogon and progressed to harder stuff.
Open at you own risk:
"Ode to a Small Lump of Green Putty I Found in My Armpit One Midsummer Morning"
Spoiler:
Putty. Putty. Putty.
Green Putty - Grutty Peen.
Grarmpitutty - Morning!
Pridsummer - Grorning Utty!
Discovery..... Oh.
Putty?..... Armpit?
Armpit..... Putty.
Not even a particularly
Nice shade of green.
As I lick my armpit and shall agree,
That this putty is very well green.
Nice thing about the revised Necron codex, even though they are still slippery, and yes, they let some foolish mortals hold items of theirs to see what they will do with them, or to spy with it, or worse,, but the 'Crons are more capable than in the past of making deals and bargains. But beware the mindshackle scarabs!
I'm really looking forward to seeing what conversion opportunities Crons present you with. Deldar are natural for tortuous chop jobs, crons less so - but I have faith in you, good Dr!
shasolenzabi wrote:Nice thing about the revised Necron codex, even though they are still slippery, and yes, they let some foolish mortals hold items of theirs to see what they will do with them, or to spy with it, or worse,, but the 'Crons are more capable than in the past of making deals and bargains. But beware the mindshackle scarabs!
Yeah, I have much to read about the Necrons, but that can wait for a little while.
The Scientist has much experience with small electronic brain-washing devices.
inmygravenimage wrote:I'm really looking forward to seeing what conversion opportunities Crons present you with. Deldar are natural for tortuous chop jobs, crons less so - but I have faith in you, good Dr!
I have some ideas lined up for Necrons. Not so many for Dark Eldar, but looking at the parts there is much that will be of use.
Progress on the tools:
I said I was chopping up a spinefist and a star cannon, well...
Rivet-gun and Welder... There's more to do on them yet, but they are now in the rough shape.
And while I was having moments of "where is this going?" with the rivet gun. I've built the first of each of my open boxes, and finished off the Marine.
As I mentioned earlier, these are standard/normal in their appearance. See them as the newest recruits to the army, before they become modified and their equipment become mixed with the rest.
I added a whip-aerial to the SM, but you can't really see it in the photos. This came about from a strand of plastic that came attached to one of the DE sprues. As soon as I saw it I thought "I know what I can use that for".
The Wych, I don't know how I'll paint yet. Need to look for examples first.
The Kabalite will be painted in the usual black with green highlights.
and the Firewarrior and Kroot will both be the usual colour schemes too.
The Space Marine, I'm thinking of Blood Drinkers. They specialise in close combat and this chap is holding a knife in his robo-arm. Ticks another chapter off the list.
The Ork though, I'm open to suggestions as to which clan he should be. I'd like something fitting his look, so give reasons. You can see he took some inspiration from the Wych on his armour choice.
Yes but the advancement of the billion year old cron tech is beyond most of the alien races. The Orks just use the shells of Monoliths to slap treads and gunz on and call it a battlewagon!
shasolenzabi wrote: Yes but the advancement of the billion year old cron tech is beyond most of the alien races. The Orks just use the shells of Monoliths to slap treads and gunz on and call it a battlewagon!
Ah, but most alien races can't extract the knowledge from the Necron minds and implant it into his own. The Scientist's mind reading/writing technology was originally created as a teaching tool. He now uses it to learn everything...
On that note, some Scientific notes from The Scientist on the Dark Eldar:
Spoiler:
SN-DE 012: Just as with their relatives of the craftworlds, these "Dark" Eldar have their souls tied to the false-god Slaanesh and their bodies become useless after death. Unlike their counterparts, they don't use these spirit stone things to prevent their own consumption, they attempt to avoid death altogether by, ironically, consuming the souls of other beings. They now have to do this or they slowly loose their own soul over time. The experiment I have running at the moment has reached a tipping point whereby the originally aggressive warrior is now so weak, so drained, that he has started to beg for help. So weak that he is barely breathing and might not last another year, let alone another decade.
SN-DE 056: I have found that I can imbue the essence of one of these Darkies, He He, Dark-Ees, I made a funny, Ha Ha. ...one of these Darkies into a device of my construction, housing a normal Sprit-stone. The essence is distilled and concentrated down, as it were, to keep a Dark Eldar warrior alive and well, without consuming souls, almost indefinitely. This will prove most efficient.
Make a decent bargain with the Necrons, they may loan him some helpers. Oh and likely as they have already been to that cloaked world, his cloak is wasted on them, the undead of space. their crypteks however are such that they may share secrets they think his mind can handle, they still see all other races as children at best, fodder is most likely.
Even a damaged tomb world is very dangerous, but I see the revamped Necrons as likely the one race the scientist might have to do some cooperating with to get any crumbs of knowledge from them. I do see one hing he has been doing that might make them come to the bargaining table, his work on living beings as their fluff indicates that they desire to be flesh once more, their android bodies, as tough, strong and advanced as they are lack things, and they will desire to be beings with souls and sense as they are not now. They may pay him for work in that endeavor.
They also likely don't see him as much of a threat; a lone man on a lone planet, with a personal army, and no (read, mad) plans.
If there was a tomb on his planet, he would already know about it from when he performed the first knowledge implant and accidentally targeted the whole planet.
I don't know if they would (should) trust The Scientist to transfer their minds into flesh. He could do it. But he could also brainwash them at the same time to do his bidding.
I've realised that I've not posted the piece of fluff where The Scientist gains access to the Black Library. It's related to the Harlequins though, which is why I haven't yet.
I have already written a piece of fluff for how The Scientist acquires a selection of Necrons. It involves Trazyn (as you mentioned before) and some bargaining, and shows just how good The Scientist's mind is.
Dr H wrote: They also likely don't see him as much of a threat; a lone man on a lone planet, with a personal army, and no (read, mad) plans.
If there was a tomb on his planet, he would already know about it from when he performed the first knowledge implant and accidentally targeted the whole planet.
I don't know if they would (should) trust The Scientist to transfer their minds into flesh. He could do it. But he could also brainwash them at the same time to do his bidding.
I've realised that I've not posted the piece of fluff where The Scientist gains access to the Black Library. It's related to the Harlequins though, which is why I haven't yet.
I have already written a piece of fluff for how The Scientist acquires a selection of Necrons. It involves Trazyn (as you mentioned before) and some bargaining, and shows just how good The Scientist's mind is.
Ah, so he did manage a trade with Trazyn! That Lord of machines is one crazy collector!
blood axe for the ork, IG style comes naturally to them. Depends what the doc has in mind,though
hmm, well Blood axes seem to be a good opportunity to have an Ork using Imperial tech. This Ork is more a typical Ork.
It's not what The Scientist has planned for them, as to what clan is picked. It's more where did this Ork originate from? Is there a clan that likes Chain-weapons, or tends to fire their guns in a sideways, gangster style (as this one appears to be holding his gun).
shasolenzabi wrote:Ah, so he did manage a trade with Trazyn! That Lord of machines is one crazy collector!
Thanks Graven. I'll wait for a general consensus (at least until I get around to him).
In the mean time, I have started painting Tactical marine number 12:
Just the red so far (and that may still need a little more work in places), added in layers. Looks a little shiny too as it's not quite finished drying yet. Still, gives you an idea. I'm aiming for a slightly darker, more crimson, colour than the Blood Angel (#2) I have. Just a matter of adding a little blue to the scarlet I used on #2.
Still working on the robo-arms for the servitor. update soon(ish).
A side-by-side comparison is always useful. I pulled my Blood Angel off the shelf to see how the Blood Drinker compared and thought "Oo right, he's too dark, add more red".
So I have, and here he is next to number 2.
I'll now start to add the other colours before going back to touch up and highlight things.
And today's progress is on the repair servitor.
2nd pair of arms are attached, one more pair to go (maybe, still winging it at the moment).
Still quite rough in places and many cables/wires to add...
and the manipulator arms to add...
and you can see the start of the powerpack on his back, that'll need connecting up too...
But you should now have an idea of where it's heading.
Thanks. Will have to see that I maintain that when adding the next pair of arms.
inmygravenimage wrote:So much better with the arms. I can now get my head round this
Thanks. Yes, I did assume that people may not be able to see where this was going. Mainly because I don't have a defined plan for how this is going to go... The plan being; Needs robo-arms... what can I make robo-arms out of...
So the next arm came about from a pair of pistons I found in my bits... that progressed to this:
I'm thinking the next (and last) arm may be some kind of metallic tentacle type appendage. Been a while since I've added tentacles to something.
Littletower wrote: Sentinels and Techpriests are two of the models I like most in the 40k catalogue, so what can I say of a merger of both but that it is awesome!
Thanks. Glad it is living up to your expectations.
Legs look ace, and the apparel so far is great too. The new arm might seem a bit on the big side right now, but that may change once it's on.
Thanks. It is quite long, and that is due to the length of the pistons I found. See it as at it's fully extended and that it needs to reach from behind the main body and to the ground and it seems respectable.
Also, I think I'll place this one over his right shoulder (between his head and the rivet gun) to explain why it's so long.
Red fella above looks good too!
Thanks. He's just getting on his base so that I can progress with painting.
monkeytroll wrote: Looks good to me! And who'd a thunk it...you used sprue for the backpack...you, using sprue,,,whatever is the world coming to?
Thanks.
Indeed, He is, after all, made from the occasional piece from actual models (a star cannon, a spinefist, a smoke launcher, the pistons, the actual body and the thing on his back that I've forgotten where it's come from, oh and the exhausts that I cut off the Predator). The rest of him is sprue, milliput and plasticard scraps.
And just noticed, you'd ninja'd my placement query above.....
I did, but I expanded on the answer just for you.
As for the mechanical jellyfish:
Sorry, couldn't find a mechanical squid with working tentacles....
Ahh that's from the same people that made the giant, flying penguin. It's only a matter of time before there is a mechanical squid/octopus... only a matter of time...
On the subject of metal tentacles, I'm in two minds to make a single large tentacle with a "hand" (like Dr Oct'), or a writhing rope of many thin tentacles (that I'll probably bodge together from the many left-over putty tentacles that I have already)... Thoughts would be appreciated.
In fact I like your cyborg forgemaster solution much more than the official gw models. (I avoid the term "servitor", for in a way, your whole army consists of servitors...).
I would imagine someone like the scientist is outfitting his servitors with a flexible tentacle. (heh, this pun is worthy of him, isn't it?) wanna say, while the big grabber arm ist for holding, the tentacle should be for fine manipulation, with a changeable gear-head. With contemporary industrial robots it is standard to have a revolver magazin for tools or something like that, so they can be sheduled for several or complex tasks. I always thougt it is pure waste to install special tools on imperial servitors instead of leaving them the best multifuntional tool/adaper mother nature equipped them doubly with...a genius like the scientist, mad or not, would not make the same mistake, would he?
Hruotland wrote:In fact I like your cyborg forgemaster solution much more than the official gw models.
Thank you.
(I avoid the term "servitor", for in a way, your whole army consists of servitors...).
Very true.
I would imagine someone like the scientist is outfitting his servitors with a flexible tentacle. (heh, this pun is worthy of him, isn't it?) wanna say, while the big grabber arm ist for holding, the tentacle should be for fine manipulation, with a changeable gear-head.
Yep, that was the aim; One for heavy duty and one (while still strong enough) for finer or more awkward shapes.
I see The Scientist as having many of these, in various guises, about his main lab' complex. For performing maintenance and building and other duties. After all, one pair of hands can only do so much. This is one that has made it onto the battlefield for repairs in the field.
With contemporary industrial robots it is standard to have a revolver magazin for tools or something like that, so they can be sheduled for several or complex tasks. I always thougt it is pure waste to install special tools on imperial servitors instead of leaving them the best multifuntional tool/adaper mother nature equipped them doubly with...a genius like the scientist, mad or not, would not make the same mistake, would he?
Ooo, that is a good idea. Interchangeable ends, yes, good.
monkeytroll wrote:I believe the bit on his back was from your falcon, part of the turret or gun mechanism...
Quite possibly. It's found a use now though.
There are robots that propel themselves like squid, they just don't have the tentacles added.
Although....
Ooo, creepy. I want one.
Is this tentacular manipulator to come from the area at the front of the 'box'?
I think several finer one's would work better there.
I was thinking of having a box-o-tools on the front there. But with Hruotland's idea, it may become tools for the tentacle, rather than his hands (as originally intended).
I was thinking of a three pronged pincer, for some delicate/precision work, but I have to admit the interchangeable tips is the way to go. And and utility belt, with the spares ready to hooked to the arm and used?
Littletower wrote:I was thinking of a three pronged pincer, for some delicate/precision work, but I have to admit the interchangeable tips is the way to go. And and utility belt, with the spares ready to hooked to the arm and used?
I could probably go on almost infinitely with making tools for the tentacle, I shall have to limit myself with how many I make (as there will only be room for a few). A 3-pronged pincer is a possibility, amongst other things...
M0rdain wrote:Maybe a (golf) caddy gretchin holding a bag of extra tool ends?
" I think the 3/8ths riply for this one sir"
Well, tech-marines/master of the forge/tech-priest/whatever I end up playing it as seem to have Servitor helpers hanging about. So can make something along those lines, at some point. I'll add it to the list...
The first attempt at a tentacle is curing at the moment. It may need some work and adjustments to pose it properly before I can think about the tools.
In the mean time, progress on Tactical Marine #12:
The red has been fighting me on this one, but I think it's done and I've now highlighted it. The green is also done (shaded but not highlighted).
The metals now need work (the golds still need base-coat)
Then the details, base and he'll be done.
Progress on both current models (one being finished) and a question...
First, I'm calling the Blood Drinker done. Welcome, number 12.
Could have possibly done some bits better, but he is the best SM I've done so far.
AND
Progress on the Field-Mechanic.
When I say "progress", I mean that I've had a go at a tentacle and want to know what you think...
The usual technique I employ for making my smaller cables/tentacles didn't really work on one this size. I either left almost no mark or squashed it.
I therefore set about it with a scalpel blade and scored in the ridges.
However, as you can see, they are not perfect. I could put in a lot more effort and try to clean them up (and risk not improving it, or making it worse), OR I could paint it up as a kind of lava-effect in metal (so a hard crust of dull metal, with bright, clean metal in the cracks...).
Would you accept the cracked metal effect, or should I stop being lazy and clean it up properly?
Overall looking nice, like a tapeworm! First I thought "much too massive", but no, it is good. The model would looked imbalanced otherways. It is a field operator, not a lab assistant after all.
Well, I am often working with kids in a wood workshop. When they sand their pieces, they inevitably ask me "is it good enough?" I always answer "if you have to ask, then the answer is always 'no'. Keep sanding until you are sure it is good enough!" My humble suggestion how to get a satisfying result: while the tentacle is still squishy, coil a guitar string or something around it to make an even imprint. In my opinion a spiral-like pattern is much more convincing, anyways. Rings only make sense when there are flexible gaps in between.
Marine looks fab. Love the tones, and good solid work.
The servi is looking great, you have managed to keep it balanced. I think it is a little bit busy at the moment but it is great. The tentacle looks cool, although I understand what you are saying and would echo Hruotland's comment, if you have to ask then you are not happy and better have a go at cleaning it up or start again. I personally would be happy with the finish you are talking about as in worn and heated metal finsih, but I am not sure you will!
Nice paint job on number 12, especially his number.
Mechanic looking good with the tentacle there. I think I'd go for a very slightly slimmer version, length looks about right for usefulness, just seems ever so slightly 'heavy'.
Hmm, actually, after studying the pics for a while longer I'm not sure about my previous comment. (Helpful as always )
Any idea why your normal technique wasn't working for this? You were using the comb I presume? Was it the length of tentacle...if so maybe you could do it in two sections?
Of course, with my current favourite trick-of-the-month I'd say you could get away with the non-symmetrical grooves by colouring it and then applying a clear crackle effect over the top and shadng it so the whole thing looks like it's tearing apart and re-forming
Or for a completely different look, how about using thick gauge guitar wire or similar, but with short lengths of plasticard tubing placed along it's length...so you have the sections comprising of plastitube and 'joints' of flexible looking cabling....
Hruotland wrote:Overall looking nice, like a tapeworm! First I thought "much too massive", but no, it is good. The model would looked imbalanced otherways. It is a field operator, not a lab assistant after all.
Yeah, the balance of the whole model is the thing. I don't think it could go much thicker than it is here. It was longer (by about an inch), but the thin end extended beyond the wire I had inside and it snapped off, quite neatly I might add, and I decided that it was long enough.
Well, I am often working with kids in a wood workshop. When they sand their pieces, they inevitably ask me "is it good enough?" I always answer "if you have to ask, then the answer is always 'no'. Keep sanding until you are sure it is good enough!"
Oh yeah, I'm down with that thinking. This is more, "should I go with serendipity" rather than "tell me it's ok".
My humble suggestion how to get a satisfying result: while the tentacle is still squishy, coil a guitar string or something around it to make an even imprint. In my opinion a spiral-like pattern is much more convincing, anyways. Rings only make sense when there are flexible gaps in between.
The thicker half is actually in a spiral (as I got into the swing of it by then).
But yes, for a clean, metallic tentacle, I wouldn't use this as my ocd-like tendencies wouldn't let me. But then, looking at the scratches and cracks, I had a thought. I would probably add more cracks to complete the look of that option.
Camkierhi wrote:Marine looks fab. Love the tones, and good solid work.
Thanks Cam. He's not very exciting, but I'm pleased with him and his bionic arm.
The servi is looking great, you have managed to keep it balanced. I think it is a little bit busy at the moment but it is great. The tentacle looks cool, although I understand what you are saying and would echo Hruotland's comment, if you have to ask then you are not happy and better have a go at cleaning it up or start again. I personally would be happy with the finish you are talking about as in worn and heated metal finsih, but I am not sure you will!
Anyways looking brilliant all round I think.
Thanks Cam. Hopefully, paint will help him look less busy and tie it all together (needless to say, I won't be painting him in a rainbow of colours ).
see above regarding the idea I had after not being happy with the clean look. It would need to be almost perfect if I was to be ok with using it as a "normal" tentacle. I was just looking at it and thought "well it could be made from a kind of living metal, what with just getting the Necrons, and could be cracking as it bends"...
I may have a go at making a three stranded (thinner) tentacle arm thing while I think about this one...
Thanks. Yeah, I went a bit "arty" with the font after a neat looking "2" didn't happen. It's the balancing act between fixing something and going with the flow.
Mechanic looking good with the tentacle there. I think I'd go for a very slightly slimmer version, length looks about right for usefulness, just seems ever so slightly 'heavy'.
Hmm, actually, after studying the pics for a while longer I'm not sure about my previous comment. (Helpful as always )
Thanks
Any idea why your normal technique wasn't working for this? You were using the comb I presume? Was it the length of tentacle...if so maybe you could do it in two sections?
Yep, with a comb. It was a combination of things. It was a bit too long for the comb I had, but that didn't worry me because of the other problems...
The circumference of the tentacle was pretty much the same as the length of the comb's teeth. So I kept ending up with dimples on the tentacle. A thinner tentacle should be ok.
Plus it was difficult to get it straight over that length.
The putty was a bit too soft at the time and I couldn't press hard enough to get good detail without distorting the shape. I should have left it a while to cure before starting.
Of course, with my current favourite trick-of-the-month I'd say you could get away with the non-symmetrical grooves by colouring it and then applying a clear crackle effect over the top and shadng it so the whole thing looks like it's tearing apart and re-forming
Or for a completely different look, how about using thick gauge guitar wire or similar, but with short lengths of plasticard tubing placed along it's length...so you have the sections comprising of plastitube and 'joints' of flexible looking cabling....
Both good ideas. But I have neither of them with me now...and I'm not one to wait for something to arrive before I can complete a job...
Although, I will ask where you got the crackle paint from, as that could prove useful in the future?
The field mechanic looks great, plus I love that large pneumatic piston claw.
I think the tentacle looks fine, but if your not happy with it just make another one,
that way if it doesn't work out you can always fall back on the original .
Hmm, perhaps the tentacle does seem a bit excessive in size for the mini, which makes it look more like a hose, or plastic tubing, IMHO. Not bad, mind you, maybe when you put the claw on the end... A Dr. Octopus sort of tentacle. Those are pretty thick.
monkeytroll wrote:If I recall, I got all my initial batch of Amazon....
Cool. I shall have a look next time I feel flush.
shasolenzabi wrote:I wonder if maybe that are could support multiple smaller tentacles for such work,
Multiple smaller tentacles you say... I'm ahead of you there, see below...
hk1x1 wrote:The field mechanic looks great, plus I love that large pneumatic piston claw.
I think the tentacle looks fine, but if your not happy with it just make another one,
that way if it doesn't work out you can always fall back on the original .
Thanks hk. I like the piston arm too, and I was surprised at how "even" I got the two halves of the claw without much effort. That whole arm just fell into place (although gluing the three pistons together was quite tricky, and they had to all be done in one step to ensure it ended up straight).
Just trying out options and seeing where it takes me. I'm always happy to follow where the model "wants" to go.
The original will find a use somewhere, sometime...
Red Harvest wrote:Hmm, perhaps the tentacle does seem a bit excessive in size for the mini, which makes it look more like a hose, or plastic tubing, IMHO. Not bad, mind you, maybe when you put the claw on the end... A Dr. Octopus sort of tentacle. Those are pretty thick.
Yep. It's more tempting to get one now, as it would make cable/tentacle making more consistent. With a comb I find myself trying and then re-rolling and trying again, multiple times, to get a "good" tentacle.
So, how about this?
No explanation, I want to see what you think it is without me influencing your view.
It will require a little more work, but concept is there.
I like it. If you're still planning on multiple tips then it's fine as is, if you're going for a trio that can be used as manipulators both together or separately then I'd suggest the shorter one needs to be lengthened slightly.
I'm really impressed with how this is turning out. With all the arms and such it really brings the piece together. The tentacles remind me of the old epic chaos titan close combat weapon of writhing, bladed tentacles.
Well with a reception like that, I think we have a winner. I shall set about installing these on to the mechanic.
Warboss_Waaazag wrote:I'm really impressed with how this is turning out. With all the arms and such it really brings the piece together. The tentacles remind me of the old epic chaos titan close combat weapon of writhing, bladed tentacles.
Thanks. Glad you think it all works together. Writhing tentacles is how I see this.
Hruotland wrote:Wow... just... weird, and unique... make it so!
"wow", "weird" and "unique" are all good words for this army. Thanks.
shasolenzabi wrote:Now that is what I was thinking about! and now I understand the blunt ends, you are going t make purpose tips for repair working, excellent!
Cool. Ta.
Now that the arm is on (and the glue setting), I can work on adding the wires and cables for all the arms. Stay tuned for further developments.
Also; the roll of a die has told me that the Kroot will be next to paint.
I got a bit carried away with painting my first Kroot and have finished him.
Bid welcome to Kroot #1:
I took inspiration from Bebop' for the colourfulness of the piece of meat.
There has been a little progress on the mechanic. I've tied his tentacle arm in to the body and I've started adding cables elsewhere (well 1 so far...):
Camkierhi wrote:Kroot loks amazing! Brilliant job, and the meat does look great.
Tentacles looking amazing too, would not like to meet this guy in a dark alley. And he is just a Mechanic!
Thanks Cam. Yeah, I felt he needed some colour and contrast somewhere, so did the meat bright and gave him a white shirt. The rest is in "stock" colours (although I did blend in the yellow tips of his spines rather than the yellow blobs on the "official" scheme).
inmygravenimage wrote:That Kroot is smashin' mate. It's funny, but it's great to see your take on just a regular, unmodified model.
Thanks Graven. It's good to do the "regulars" every now and then to get a better view on the "strange".
So, I have wired up the mechanic:
Things left to do;
Give it an exhaust on that central bit of the "engine". It's looked like it's needed one there for a long time and there's nothing else I can think of to put there.
Also, some sort of covering/door/grid/armour over that area of the "engine". As it does look vulnerable and unfinished with it open, but obviously I don't want to hide the inside so it won't be a solid door. Something is needed there to finish it off anyway...
And the many (some) attachments for the tentacles.
Stay tuned for more and a Kabalite warrior which I think will be next to paint (lets see what I can do with this black and green highlights scheme).
monkeytroll wrote: Kroot looks great, and the hanging meat is very nice - for a given value of nice obviously
Thanks. Yeah, I think I managed something that a Vegetarian wouldn't want to look at there.
Cabling and wiring all looks good, almost there...
Thanks. The copper wires there can still be tweaked (being actual copper wires) to get the right look at the end.
I've said it before; when I make a list of things left to do, I'm nearing the end.
shasolenzabi wrote:Oh, like a goose neck or crane like lamp I had, Hmmmm
I see. It's not a bad idea, but I can't see anywhere where I could add this at this stage. I also don't have small enough springs to be able to squeeze them in, they would all require re-building. I'll remember it for the next time I do something like this.
Red Harvest wrote:Definitely some attachments for the tentacles. But the multiples look good.
Thanks. I've started making attachments, see below.
I also finished off the rear (He's got quite the "gary-boy" exhaust thanks to the smoke launcher tube)...
The first two tools are a circular saw (that you should be able to see), and a small drill (which may not be so obvious).
The drill is a piece of plastic rod, rolled under a dull blade at an angle. I spent ages looking for a broken drill bit I know I've got, but don't know where it's gone (or just couldn't see it amongst the rest of the junk), but had to make one in the end.
I may make a larger drill more in the style of a "big daddy".
Other attachments I'm thinking of are...
A couple of different manipulators,
Jack-hammer-alike,
Some kind of probe (for probing things...),
...
Any other thoughts are welcome...
Although that may be enough, or the best will be used and the dodgy ones can be "artfully" hidden in storage.
As the projects of The Scientist have so much cybernetic elements (the whole control unit is one, f.e.)I would suggest not only metalwork tools, but also things like injectors, endoscopes (wich is also very handy for mechanics), a lasso (not the lariat variant, but the mexican sling-onna-stick) for crowd control in case of damaged crew members going rampant?
-ah and you DEFINITELY need an assortment of nuts, sorted from tiny to large, placed openly in a row like organ pipes somewhere on the torso! *begging desperately*
As usual I am in awe of your work, paint job on the kroot included. [Insert your dearest praising formula here], and I mean it!
shasolenzabi wrote:Sounds good, ideas for the next projects.
I like the drill and saw, the saw is very much like "Mr. Handy"...
Thanks. Yep, very handy. One of those is already on the "to do" list.
Hruotland wrote:As the projects of The Scientist have so much cybernetic elements (the whole control unit is one, f.e.)I would suggest not only metalwork tools, but also things like injectors, endoscopes (wich is also very handy for mechanics), a lasso (not the lariat variant, but the mexican sling-onna-stick) for crowd control in case of damaged crew members going rampant?
Let's see... I see this chap as more of a mechanic, so purely working with the armour side of things. You don't have a welding device that big if you work on "fleshy" jobs. Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but techpriests / techmarines / etc... only work on machines and not on the bodies.
While we're on this subject, what should he be representing, considering what he is carrying, size, offensive capabilities, etc.. I'm not sure what all the possibilities that are available for all the armies are with regard to a mechanic-type figure?
I do intend to make a Mad Dok -alike at some point, and he will get the syringes and knives, etc..
That said, an endoscope he does have, on the "probe" adaptor, see below.
Rampant members of the army are considered a good thing as they will still be spreading chaos. If they do get in the way, the mechanic will likely just give them a thump with the piston arm and that should stop any problems.
and...
-ah and you DEFINITELY need an assortment of nuts, sorted from tiny to large, placed openly in a row like organ pipes somewhere on the torso! *begging desperately*
You got that in just as I was checking if there were any other suggestions, and so... see below...
As usual I am in awe of your work, paint job on the kroot included. [Insert your dearest praising formula here], and I mean it!
Thank you.
So, I now have 6 attachments for 3 tentacles. I think that's enough for now. Once I decide which go where, the mechanic should be ready for paint. A couple of them still need a little attention to tidy them up.
a) Where are the unattached attachments going to be attached when not attached to the tentacle? (Not much of a waist to speak of on him, so I'd say the utility belt might no longer be an option, is it?)
and,
b) How, for the love of the (Mad) Scientist (R), are you planning to paint it?
Been a while since I've made the rounds , everything is coming along great, love the mechanic Dr. H . I think he fits in with the rest of your army nicely.
a) Where are the unattached attachments going to be attached when not attached to the tentacle? (Not much of a waist to speak of on him, so I'd say the utility belt might no longer be an option, is it?)
Ah Ha. I can show you as I have just attached the attachments to where they will be attached whether they are attached or not...
He is finished. I'll show all the angles when he's primed, as it is difficult to see what's what when he's like this.
and,
b) How, for the love of the (Mad) Scientist (R), are you planning to paint it?
I had the same issue with the interior of the tank, and managed ok. I have a couple of brushes that have long bristles but are very thin, so are good for getting in to tight spots.
Also, black paint. Make sure everything is coated in black first and then anything you can't get to at the end, stays black and is "in shadow".
Theophony wrote:Been a while since I've made the rounds , everything is coming along great, love the mechanic Dr. H . I think he fits in with the rest of your army nicely.
Good to see you out and about on the internet. Thanks.
So, the Mechanic is built. I've started painting the Kabalite Warrior (but it's not worth showing yet as he is black with a dry-brush of very dark blue/green), but I'm tempted to have a go at this years Nerdcademy award and I may have an idea for it. I will have to focus on that though, as it's quite a short deadline (for me)...
So, here's the completed and primed (lightly) Mechanic (still looking for input as to what he should be played as):
I haven't forgotten to prime the blue cable. I'm hoping to keep it's original colour.
And here is the start of my entry to the Nerdcademy award painting competition; a wych.
No major changes to the model. You can see I've repositioned one of the legs, and the foot of that leg will be angled up so that she will be standing on something (as yet un-planned).
She will also get another knife/sword for the currently empty hand.
Undecided on head yet, will get the body right first.
Nice pose. What spot colour you going for? I.think she'd look great with a puddle of white blood at her feet, btw, along with flecks of white on the blade?
inmygravenimage wrote: Nice pose. What spot colour you going for? I.think she'd look great with a puddle of white blood at her feet, btw, along with flecks of white on the blade?
Thanks. I'm not entirely sure what spot colour I will use and where it will be. I'm going to see how she looks at the end in B&W and then decide. Initial plan is possibly the hair and possibly red or blond... but that depends on what head I choose and what I do with the hair (in a modelling sense). Yeah, a splash or two of blood (in white) are very suitable.
Oh, and how about counts as penitent engines?
hmm... they are not very "repair/mechanic" like in their nature from what I can tell. They also look quite a bit bigger than this chap (don't want to be accused of modelling for advantage now, do I... ).
Here's a scale shot and the painting progress on Kabalite Warrior number 1 (He looks more green irl...):
You can also see, I've been filling gaps in the Wych in the background...
This walking workshop is great! Would definitely count as Techmarine with complete harness. You could give him a number of modified Tau drones with one dangling tentacle each, counting as his servitors?
-oh and thank you, thank you, thank you for giving him the nuts magazin!
Hruotland wrote: This walking workshop is great! Would definitely count as Techmarine with complete harness. You could give him a number of modified Tau drones with one dangling tentacle each, counting as his servitors?
Thanks. Yes, that is one option.
There will be servitors at some point, each will be different as with the rest of the army, so it's likely that a drone will form the basis on one at least.
-oh and thank you, thank you, thank you for giving him the nuts magazin!
Thank you, it was a good idea and well timed.
Today's progress is on Wych number 2 for the Nerdcademy:
I see her as somewhere between Miho and Kevin.
Only minor changes to the stock model; Straightened the front leg and turned up the toes and swapped the gun for another knife.
monkeytroll wrote: Techmarine/enginseer/mek/warpsmith/haemonculus looks good in his primal undercoat.
Lord Enginseer Techsmith Haemekulus reporting for duty Sah!
Yeah, a Techmarine seems to fit the best from that lot;
Rivet gun = Bolter
Welder = Servo-harness plasma cutter = twin-linked plasma pistol
All those arms = Servo-harness
The armour save for the Artificer armour seems a little too good for this chap, but could explain it as being difficult to hurt something that can fix itself...
There;s nothing like inventing a fantastic model, full of character, then being forced into classifying it as another model. Play it as it is. Your invention.
dsteingass wrote: There;s nothing like inventing a fantastic model, full of character, then being forced into classifying it as another model. Play it as it is. Your invention.
[Pirate]Argh, It will be adapted , but I need something to base it on to get something that works in the game (however bad the official rules may be) and will be recognisable by other people.
A game designer, I am not, and I'm not going to pretend to be able to improve on what GW has done. It would be very easy with this army to create a completely unbeatable army that can draw from all the best rules, from all the races. So I take the rules for what I will play the model as (e.g. a techmarine), take out things I don't want to use (e.g. atsknf) and then add in what I have added (e.g. the army-wide implanted gizmos that I'm still working on rules for), etc...
Red Harvest wrote: Yar. Ye be from Cornwall? (They-- the Cornwallish (?) sound the most like pirates to American ears...)
I am not, no. I be from the Midlands... can't get much farther from the sea (in England). It is amusing that pretty much one actor has set what everyone considers a pirate should sound like.
There are still 'counts as' rules in the game, no? ( haven't played in 5 years, so no clues have I)
Don't ask me, I've never played the game... But that's using a different model with the rules of something in the game. I'm adapting the rules to fit what I make into the game. One day I will post a thread of my own codex, but I need to learn the rules for each army to make sure what I have works together... or something... whatever, not ready yet... Still compiling.
And I have to ask, you have seen Michael Nesmith's "Elephant Parts"? The Pirate Alphabet.... Pffffft! Tea??!!??
lol
The Mechanic is a cool mini. Excellent Conversion.
Thanks. Glad it has been received so well, considering I just threw it together to use some legs I made ages ago...
So, progress on the Nerdy-Wych, she now has a head and something to stand on:
The base was made with the filter carbon grains, packed together tightly on a piece of acetate, and then peeled off and "snapped" (more like ripped) in half to give the broken tarmac look.
This is pretty much built. I'm not going crazy with additions and want to keep it simple and then push the painting (even though it's all going to be grey) as far as I can. Will see how she looks once primed and then make any changes/additions before starting painting.
Also...
Here's the start of the long awaited (yeah, right) Necron fluff:
Spoiler:
Trazyn walked into the chamber, followed by the poor soul that he was controlling with mind-shackle scarabs, and then Trazyn's personal lychguard who fanned out and secured the dark, cold, room. Getting this far had been easy. The directions he had received anonymously, had been accurate and the planetary defences were so disorganised and had so many holes, it had been a mere formality to swipe them to one side and take control of the planet. With such a rare artefact as was stored here, the defences were unforgivable. The flower could have been lost to an attack from the most shambolic bunch of orks you could imagine. Trazyn was really doing the universe a favour in liberating this rare treasure from these pitiful people.
Now was the hard part though. The box that contained the flower was almost as legendary as the flower itself, but for a different reason. The box that housed, and has to house The Flower of Meikokaji (also known as the Flower of Carnage), is exceptionally dangerous if handled incorrectly. Stories of what happens to those foolish enough to attempt to open the box without proper consideration to the rituals required, were few, varied, and very graphic.
Trazyn and his lychguard searched the room methodically, passing over various trinkets and heirlooms, all sealed in their own glass cases, all worthless compared to Trazyn's own collection. Then he saw it, surrounded by a red rope barrier, in it's own glass case (that he noticed had been reinforced by metal strips at the corners), was The Box of Frogs. Made from a dark wood and large enough for an average human to squeeze into, the box was covered with carvings of small amphibians of all shapes and sizes. The carvings were in exquisite detail and if stared at for long enough, the eye would be fooled and the creatures would appear to move, or was it that they would move and you would be tricked into thinking that they didn't.
At his order, Trazyn's guard removed the rope barrier and carefully cut away the glass. The smell of wood filled the chamber as the seal was broken, together with another smell that he couldn't place, it was only subtle but would have left many people with a sense of warning. His curiosity got the better of him and Trazyn commanded the man, who until this morning had guarded this room, to open the box. The man stepped forward and, at first, attempted to lift the lid. Nothing happened. The man started to feel around the edge of the lid for a place to prise it open, or a lock, or some other way to open it. After a short while the frustrated scrabbling became a gentle stroking. The man kneeled down and leant against the box, caressing the carvings with his hands.
Trazyn looked on confused. This kind of reaction had not been written about when describing the box. It had always been fear, anger, blood and horrible deaths, none of this... sensual stuff. The man seemed to be completely "in love" with the box and was now not responding to Trazyn's commands. The man was almost trying to caress every inch of the box with every inch of himself, and then Trazyn saw it. There was a subtle glow, that started around the carvings and then spread to cover the man's features. It would be easy to miss if they weren't in such a dark room, but the glow continued to spread. The man's shoulders were now shaking and Trazyn noticed that he was crying, tears streaming down his face. Trazyn took a step backwards to distance himself from the glow.
Then there was a change, the room appeared to get darker, the glow became brighter and there was a low, thrumming noise that appeared to be emanating from the box. The man's wails of anguish turned to laughter. He continued to caress the box and appeared to have finally taken notice that he was not alone in the room. He started to act possessive of the box and shot Trazyn looks of evil and mistrust. Then Trazyn noticed the small wooden frog standing on the man's shoulder. It just sat there and, while still obviously made of wood, it appeared to be alive. Another amphibian appeared, hopping onto the man's head and looked at Trazyn. As he watched, more and more of the carved creatures came to life and settled on the man. As one, they then began to bite the man, tearing chunks of flesh away, blood splattered the ground surrounding the box. Within a few minutes the man had been totally consumed by the creatures, bones, scarabs and all. The creatures then returned to the surface of the box and became carvings once more.
Tune in next time to find out what is inside the box...
Nicely done! Good story and always is good when Trazyn is even confounded. He may have a very advanced mechanical body, but this ego of his as in the stories does get one to want him to be trumped at times, but just caution as he is slippery
shasolenzabi wrote:Nicely done! Good story and always is good when Trazyn is even confounded. He may have a very advanced mechanical body, but this ego of his as in the stories does get one to want him to be trumped at times, but just caution as he is slippery
Thanks. That's pretty much how I've written him, so that's good to know.
Hruotland wrote:For me Necrons lost "it" the moment they got self-aware. Now the ancient faceless, nameless and purposeless robo zombies, they were something!
Whatever The Scientist decides to do to (with) them will definitely be an improvement! Go, Dr.! Make them rue the day the decided to have names!
I've seen a lot of people disliking the newer Necron fluff. As someone that wasn't aware of the original concept (2-3 years ago I was only aware of SM, Genestealers, Orks, Chaos and Eldar, and only in general at that, everything else is new to me), I don't have a problem with the Newcrons... but I can see where you are coming from.
Nobody has names in The Army of The Second Law, not even The Scientist. As I've said, I do have a few ideas of things to do with the Necron raw materials (aka models) and I do now have quite a good collection of bits. Watch this space.
Today's update is on Kabalite number 1. Yes, he doesn't look much different from last time... I have been having problems getting those highlights to look right and have been going back and fourth with them. They are now at least looking the "right" shade to me. Still need some more tidying of some of the lines and then I can start on the other colours...
Future kabalites will be done differently...
Next instalment:
Spoiler:
The Flower, that was contained within this box, could do far more deadly things. To look at it, the Flower of Meikokaji was a highly detailed representation of a fairly mundane flower, made of a transparent glass, with just a tiny hint of green to it. It's apparent frailty is in sharp contrast to the effect it has on people. If left outside the box, on any planet, the population would slowly turn to violence and would eventually tear their own planet to the ground, attacking anything from rocks and trees to any strangers or machinery and buildings. Only after many years, would the people under it's influence attack each other, leaving the planet a desolate wasteland. It is said that only a fragment of the glass is required for this effect. Left in it's box, as it had here, there is no effect, even if you manage to open the lid safely. The ritual to open the box would take many hours to complete, and Trazyn intended to follow it to the letter to get his first glimpse of The Flower, and then he would remove both the box and it's contents to his collection on Solemnace.
After just over 7 hours, the ritual was nearly complete and all that was left to do was a drop of blood into the mouth of the central amphibian of the lid. Trazyn bent down and rubbed his hand on the blood-soaked floor. Standing up he held his hand over the creature and a drop of blood fell from his finger into the wide open mouth. There was a pause where nothing happened as the drop of blood ran down the length of the creature's tongue into the depths of it's throat. Trazyn took a step back and waited. Just as he was going to consult his notes again, the creature blinked and it's mouth closed. After another pause there was a click and the lid popped open a fraction. One of Trazyn's lychguard reached down and opened the box. After it was apparent that nothing was going to happen, Trazyn leant over and looked into the box.
It was empty. Empty except for the stand designed to hold the flower and a small data crystal with a piece of paper stuck to it. On the paper was written his name, "Trazyn!", with an extremely large exclamation mark. Who would be stupid enough, while knowing enough to open the box, to remove the Flower and leave the box, and why did they know that he would be the one to open the box in order the find what must be a message. Trazyn took the data crystal and ordered the box taken to his ship ready for departure, and to keep the box open for when they find the Flower.
Trazyn had to wait until he returned to the planet Solemnace to access the data, as the crystal was in an ancient format and the only reader he had that could work was in his archives. It took a while to set up the old equipment and get it to work with the newer display equipment he had available and link it to his database to download the data and convert it to a new format. After two hours it was ready and he inserted the data crystal. He then had to wait for the data to be extracted and downloaded, the older equipment working sluggishly compared to what he was used to. Eventually, a video message began to play: A man appeared on screen, he was standing in the chamber with the box behind him. He looked at the camera and said "Greetings Trazyn. I am The Scientist. If you are watching this, you will have received the tip-off I sent about The Flower, I hope that your arrival on this planet was smooth after I've handicapped their defences... and you will have found something with which to play this message on. Ha Ha. I have something for you..."
The Scientist steps off screen for a moment and returns with The Flower held lightly in his fingertips. "This Flower, to be exact. It's very nice and I'm sure you still want to get hold of it." While gesticulating with the delicate and deadly artefact, he continued "I want to trade this for a few little things that I'm sure you won't miss. The first of these, a copy of your entire database, will be on it's way to me by now. You see, making you use that particular data equipment, means that your usual defence against AI intruders has been completely bypassed." He smiled. Trazyn reached for the connecting cables "It's too late to pull the plug..." The Scientist interrupted "...The program is already on your system. But worry not, you won't loose anything you have there, it's just copying and transmitting it to me. Now, the other thing I want... is a selection of your more standard Necron equipment, nothing fancy, just some troops and other fighting constructs. Not a lot, one or two of each will do. I'll give you an hour or so, to get them ready and then I'll pop in, drop off this lovely flower and take my things in return. See you soon. Ha Ha." The message ends. Trazyn does not move and continues to stare at the screen in a mix of astonishment and anger.
Ah, the Midlands. Where people speak understandable English Unlike say, that Geordie accent. Whoa. Midlands is the dominant accent type here in the US. It came from the same Parent as the the current Midlands in the UK ( 17th century Midlands English.) Hence the name.
May I suggest painting the Wych in bright, cheery anime colors? Go against type here.
Camkierhi wrote:Looks fantastic. If you where aiming for an emerald green hue then you nailed it, DE looking great too.
Thanks. I've now tidied up the lines and he looks better. Need to deepen the shadows (if that is possible) and do a few highest of highlights and I'll be done with the green lines...finally. Ta.
Red Harvest wrote:Ah, the Midlands. Where people speak understandable English Unlike say, that Geordie accent. Whoa. Midlands is the dominant accent type here in the US. It came from the same Parent as the the current Midlands in the UK ( 17th century Midlands English.) Hence the name.
May I suggest painting the Wych in bright, cheery anime colors? Go against type here.
You don't have to go far in any direction for the dominant accent to change in England. But I don't see myself as having an accent (and I suspect many people do also despite others thinking they do), but I was told that after spending just over a decade in Birmingham that I had developed a slight brummie inflection. That may have faded now. I'm also no good at imitating other accents. *shugs* Seems like black magic to me when people can.
The Wych is for Nerdfest's competition and will be grey-scale with one spot colour. There are many more Wyches to be done, chances are one will end up with bright colours.
Warboss_Waaazag wrote:It's almost as if your Dark Eldar were made for these beautiful dynamic poses.
Thanks Warboss. She didn't require much modification (relatively, I suppose). The head, body, left arm and right leg are all unmodified.
The right arm has only had a gun removed and a knife added, oh and I did remove a little from the armpit area to bring the arm in a bit.
The left leg, which was bent right up in a running pose, was cut at the knee (being careful to keep the bat-wing which was moulded to the thigh. I will have to carve that away on all the Wyches ), straightened, re-glued and filled behind the knee, and the toes were cut and glued on bent up.
And I had to fill a small gap in the shoulder armour.
That's it, very simple. But I made sure to make it tidy and seamless (not that I don't on all my other models).
I had this pose idea written down on my list of things to do, so I'm very happy to be giving it a go and ticking something off.
shasolenzabi wrote:Oh it is on now! Feud between trazyn and the scientist as he has asked for quite the lot for that flower. Trazyn will want more Methinks
It is a very nice flower... The Scientist is one for ruffling feathers. It is all in the name of creating chaos. Pretty much anything you do will be a favour to him, except building a large, regular, building/city... the sort of thing that lowers entropy... but that's not the sort of thing people do as a reaction.
Solar_lion wrote:Nice color choice on the DA. I'm quessing that they will be getting the next codex update based on the new models GW is putting out.
Assuming you meant DE, yes they are the next update as it turns out. It wasn't so definite up to a couple of weeks ago, so I got both DE and Necron battleforces (before they are discontinued). But I can't open the Necrons until tomorrow...
So, progress... Kabalite #1 is now tidied and highlighted (hooray!) I can now move on to the other colours... His gun may change colour, partially or entirely. Not sure on matching armour AND weapon... Will see when I've done the other colours.
Wych has now had the main areas blocked in with the main shades and have had a black wash: You will see that I am doing her skin very pale, and the armour, generally dark. I'm aiming for high contrast between neighbouring areas of the model. I will now start shading the various areas.
and here is part 3 of 4, Trazyn meets The Scientist...
Spoiler:
73 minutes later there is a knock at Trazyn's door. He looks up, confused. He had not summoned anyone and nobody in his command knocks on any door, they are programmed to open upon the approach of a Necron. There is another knock, as if to dispel the thought that he might have imagined it. He opens it remotely and is greeted by the sight of the man from the video. Trazyn stands up, grabbing his Empathic Obliterator. "How did you get in here, where are my guards, you better..." He stopped when he saw what the man was holding; a bunch of flowers, all identical to The Flower of Meikokaji. The light in the room glittered off the collection of glass, in a beautiful and yet somehow menacing way.
"So nice to meet you, Trazyn, in the... well... metal, as if were. Ha Ha. Your guards have just popped off for a bit. I have The Flower here, and I transported the agreed upon material up to my craft. But, first..." He walked closer to Trazyn. "...I wonder if you would be so kind as to give me a guided tour of your collection. I promise not to touch anything. Ha Ha." He smiled. "And what is to stop me from killing you where you stand?" Said Trazyn. "Ah, well, a couple of things. One, you don't know which of these is the real flower. There are two ways to tell which is the correct flower. You could leave each one on a separate planet and wait until the effect becomes obvious, which I calculate to be approximately 14 terran months. The other method, I won't tell you just yet." He winked. "And the other reason you won't kill me is the explosive device I hold in the same hand. This will explode if I release my grip. This will contaminate you and your planet here with the glass dust of The Flower... and you don't want that." Trazyn relented, he would play this man's game for now.
After walking amongst his collection, stopping occasionally to discuss various pieces, Trazyn had been struck by this man's intellect and knowledge. The Scientist had even given Trazyn information about many incomplete pieces in the collection, without asking for anything in return. It was proving to be more than worth the time it was taking. Finally they came to gaze upon The Box of Frogs. "A fascinating construction, is it not?" Said The Scientist. "The wood that was used for this box can be used to make all manner of items that can perform duties... and any entities made from the wood can be trained as you would any animal. These amphibians are magically linked to the actual box, otherwise I would have kept one as a pet. Would be a fantastic talking point: 'Have you seen my wooden, killer frog?', hilarious. Ha Ha." Trazyn looked at the man quizzically.
The Scientist turned to Trazyn "Right, well the other way to tell these flowers apart, as I'm sure you're dying to know... is that I've designed these other flowers so that only the real flower will stay on the stand in the box, all the others will fall off. Try it..." The Scientist pulls a flower from the bunch and hands it to Trazyn. Trazyn looks as The Scientist for a moment and then bends over and places the flower onto the stand. It falls off almost instantly and he tries again, but however he positions it, it will not stay on the stand. "See..." Said The Scientist "...won't stay, and the same is true for all of these, but one... This one." He hands an identical flower to Trazyn and then bends over and retrieves the fallen one from the box. "Try it" insisted The Scientist.
Love the wooden puzzle box, you've totally captured Trazyn's detached fascination btw.
Your Deldar are just lovely, I really like your paintjob. Also, the Wych is going to fit right in to the army as a whole in the grey scale - maybe a whole squad of them?
Thanks. Well the story called for a rare artefact and so I looked for a "flower" on the internet (by typing in "Flower of" and seeing what came up)... I wanted it to cause chaos of a sort and started trying words to that effect and ended up with The Flower of Carnage:
Spoiler:
Note the name of the artist responsible for that music and the name I gave the flower...
I did a similar thing for the box, but I wanted something strange or unusual and ended up with frogs... "Mad as a box of frogs" The story pretty much wrote itself from that point...
I'm glad I managed to get Trazyn right too.
Your Deldar are just lovely, I really like your paintjob. Also, the Wych is going to fit right in to the army as a whole in the grey scale - maybe a whole squad of them?
Thanks. Hopefully the kabalite will come to life when I add the other colours. He was such a PITA to get those lines right, I feel sorry for anyone who decides to do a whole army like that.
Yep, the Wych will be used in the army, she had to remain usable, I'm even going to do my usual base-edging in grey.
Update later, depending on what I get done.
I've opened up the Necrons and I'm quite pleased with the way the bits are split up. I can definitely do much with what is there. The Ghost ark will end up quite different from what it usually is, and I can probably make 2 vehicles from that. I was surprised that the ribs were solid plastic, you definitely get your monies worth in weight there.
So, last part...
Spoiler:
Trazyn bends over once more and places the flower on the stand, it stays there and Trazyn notices a small glint of light from The Flower as he stands up again.
"And with business concluded, I thank you for an enjoyable tour and I'll let myself out." Said The Scientist and turned to walk out the room.
"I don't think so" Said Trazyn and pulls a tesseract labyrinth from the folds of his cloak. He activates it just as The Scientist turns, trapping him inside. "See if you can trick your way out of that with your exploding bouquet, Ha." Trazyn returns to his room, placing the small cube on his desk, he sits down and starts to study the wealth of information that this man had given him. He turns to a communication hub and gives orders for a search to find the craft that The Scientist had arrived on, as he turns back to his research he is suddenly aware of a presence in front of his desk. Trazyn looks up and into the face of The Scientist.
"That wasn't very nice." Said The Scientist "I was nothing but fair to you, I'm almost hurt. But it was an interesting puzzle nonetheless. So I will let you off... for now." He turns and leaves the room. Trazyn looks on in shock. No being had ever managed to escape a tesseract labyrinth, never mind in such a short time. To navigate a labyrinth that uses dimensions that you cannot see, to escape the pitfalls and to dismiss it as a simple "puzzle", required more than just a superior intellect, and the man had escaped still carrying the bunch of glass flowers he had been trapped with... He could not be a mere human. As The Scientist leaves the room, and the door closes behind him, Trazyn looks down and notices that the tesseract labyrinth has gone. He stands up to run to the door when there is a loud explosion in the corridor outside, muffled by the thick door, it still shakes many items in the room. The door opens as Trazyn approaches to reveal the damaged corridor peppered with shards of glass, but no blood. Cameras in the corridor recorded the man disappearing a fraction of a second before the explosion. Trazyn started to think that he was the one that had just had a lucky escape. A being that could escape a tesseract labyrinth and then vanish from a corridor that is shielded against teleportation, could probably cause untold destruction. Trazyn never noticed that The Flower of Meikokaji was missing about an inch from it's stem.
Trazyn taken down a notch or two, oh how the other Necrons would chuckle over that! (as you have read by now Trazyn is seen as quite the scoundrel himself by his kin.)
But the Scientist has to have some limits, someone he may be worried about.
except building a large, regular, building/city... the sort of thing that lowers entropy
I am not a physician (physicist? physic? Native english speaker I am also not), nor do I possess the collected knowledge of an entire planet, but I beg to differ, Mr. Scientist. By building a large regular building/city maybe you lower the localentropy insofar that a crstaline concrete structure has lower entropy than the viscotic mashup it once was. But in the process a lot of energy is transferred into thermal energy - the overall entropy rising. Not to talk about the lot of creatures buzzing around and living their petty lives in this structure. Producing heat by just being an organic bioreactor, by driving vehicles around, opening windows, closing doors...
Or did I understand entropy wrong? I always thought raising entropy in the long term means every form of energy is caught up and equally distributed as brownian motion throughout the universe in the end of time (infact this being the definition of time: the raising of overall entropy).
edit: stupid, stupid, stupid! How could I be so stupid and risk TheScientist setting an eye on me? Don't wanna be a droooooooone!
shasolenzabi wrote:Oh and I do have progress on the Generals too boot. I need to snap fresh pics as I painted the bases at their feet.
Pics or it didn't happen... and it has happened, as I have seen...
Hruotland wrote:
except building a large, regular, building/city... the sort of thing that lowers entropy
I am not a physician (physicist? physic? Native english speaker I am also not), nor do I possess the collected knowledge of an entire planet, but I beg to differ, Mr. Scientist. By building a large regular building/city maybe you lower the localentropy insofar that a crstaline concrete structure has lower entropy than the viscotic mashup it once was. But in the process a lot of energy is transferred into thermal energy - the overall entropy rising. Not to talk about the lot of creatures buzzing around and living their petty lives in this structure. Producing heat by just being an organic bioreactor, by driving vehicles around, opening windows, closing doors...
Or did I understand entropy wrong? I always thought raising entropy in the long term means every form of energy is caught up and equally distributed as brownian motion throughout the universe in the end of time (infact this being the definition of time: the raising of overall entropy).
edit: stupid, stupid, stupid! How could I be so stupid and risk TheScientist setting an eye on me? Don't wanna be a droooooooone!
Physicist is a person that does Physics.
That is pretty close. Heat is a very good sign for entropy as it is quite good at spreading out into it's surroundings to reach equilibrium (maximum entropy for the system). The main thing to remember about entropy is that in a sealed system, entropy will either stay the same or increase. The problem with trying to think about something like a planet, is that it's difficult to get a sealed system; matter and energy will dissipate into space (as well as the occasional thing dropping on to the planet), so it's not sealed. The universe is a sealed system as nothing can enter or leave (or can it... in this setting this is not true when you can consider the warp).
The other main thing to realise is the bit in the brackets... The (Mad) Scientist... while his reasons are based on science, he makes some... miscalculations from time to time.
You'll like being a drone, you'll be programmed to like it. How do you know you are not already...
Not a lot of painting progress today, but I am about to do some, so I'll have something to show tomorrow.
I did do some fluff though, based on the earlier conversation about things not always going smoothly...
Spoiler:
When the average person/being encounters something that appears to do something or react to an action (a button/switch or a small furry creature, for instance), there is an overwhelming urge to engage with it and see what happens, this is normal.
When the result is less than favourable for the being (assuming it is not fatal), a small electric shock when pressing a button for example, the being will generally think along the lines of "I shan't do that again", this is normal.
There are two types of being that differ from this; one is of such a low intelligence that they either don't realise that action and reaction are linked, or are just plain stupid. The other type can be described as a scientist: When a scientist presses a button and receives an electric shock they will think "I wonder if it does that every time..." and will eventually require medical attention.
The Scientist sat at his desk. A bowl of flowers lay smashed on the floor, crumpled up pieces of paper lay scattered about. He was furiously scribbling on another piece of paper. Row upon row of numbers interspersed with letters from many alphabets and strange symbols linking them all together in a language only he understood.
He sat back. "So, she wants to play it that way, heh" He reached forward and underlined one last number. Two digits that meant nothing by themselves, but were vitally important to all beings in the universe. The Scientist stood up and carried the paper out of the room. Outside there is a long corridor, flanked with filing cabinets. "E, e, e..." muttered The Scientist as he walked along "...e, e-v, e-v... Ah, here we are" He placed the paper in a drawer and walked on, turning left at the end of the corridor.
The Scientist entered the small laboratory and removed his white lab coat. He then hung this up next to many others on a line of hooks and picked up another, identical one. Putting it on, he walked over to a chair that sat in the middle of the room and faced what appeared to be a mirror on the wall. He flicked several switches on the impossibly complex machinery behind the chair and then sat down. A small robotic hand reached out from the middle of the machine and hovered by The Scientist's right ear. He reached up and took a small connector, trailing a thin wire, from the hand and plugged it in to a port just behind his right ear. He closed his eyes for a moment.
There was a large shower of sparks from part of the machinery and The Scientist stood up with a sigh, retrieved a hammer from beside the chair and brought it down on the offending part, leaving a dent amongst many others already in the metal. He sat down again and looked up at the mirror. The mirror cleared to reveal a window into a large chamber. The walls of the chamber were organic in appearance and small creatures crawled over the surface, tending to it as the tended to the chamber's main occupant; a huge bloated head and atrophied body of a Tyranid Zoanthrope. This Zoanthrope, however, was very different from what might be seen on any battlefield; It's tail was elongated and would stretch, if it wasn't coiled up around the body, to hundreds of metres. The armoured carapace was missing and the body was not much more than an extension of the tail, joining it to the head. The head was now 10-15 times the size of the average Zoanthrope and rested on bony extensions from the jaw. It faced the window and The Scientist, and opened it's eyes as he looked at it.
The Scientist felt a shudder pass over his body as the Zoanthrope's mind reached out and focussed on his mind. Moments like this one were the only times that he allowed her into his mind. It was dangerous for both of them, but necessary.
"You've been a naughty girl" he said.
A wave of indifference washed over him from her mind.
"Now, now. You know that you perform a vital duty here on this planet".
"Yes" he sensed in reply from her.
"And that I have been good enough to allow you the freedom to think for yourself" He said, as if disciplining a small child.
"Yes" he felt in reply. This was followed by a sensation of euphoria; something she always did as an apology.
"Accepted" The Scientist said. "This kind of probing MUST stop. You could damage all that we have built here, you could damage yourself..." He left that hanging.
Another wave of euphoria passed over him, with a hint of sexual arousal. She was sorry, he could tell. There would be no more probing thoughts sent out from the planet, without his permission.
"Now then, I want to contact the others." The Scientist said. It was not an order, she would only perform this duty if she was ready and willing. There was a long pause... and then a weak "yes" passed though his mind.
"Good. Now I want to ask her what she thinks about the answer, what she feels" He said.
A sharp pain flashed though his mind and came to rest above his left eye.
"Yes, yes. I know it's dangerous to deal with her feelings. But this is important. If she doesn't want to play, we'll end it. Yes?" He said, wincing from the pain. The pain stopped and was replaced with a "Yes".
Beads of sweat stood out on his forehead, The Scientist concentrated. communication of this type, over this distance, is very hard work. Without the boosting effect of the mutated Zoanthrope, he would only manage in giving himself an aneurism and not even contact the room next door. He reached out with his mind and started to feel the tendrils of the many fleets out in interstellar space. After another half an hour of concentration, he could feel her mind poking at his defences, trying to determine who he was, and where he was. He concentrated on distracting her and giving false information to her questions. Once the contact had settled down and he had been accepted, grudgingly, into the gestalt collective, he started to ask questions. Poking at the sensations he received and working up to the answer he had deduced. On a couple of occasions she nearly broke through his defences, but his resident Zoanthrope saved him and guided him. And then came the moment, what was her reaction to the answer.
Would she agree, would she accept it, would she know the question...? No, he asked, and the hive mind had lashed out.
The Scientist walked into the room and looked down on his previous body. The steaming, bloody froth was still oozing from the orifices. The body curled up as the muscles and tendons shortened as they were boiled. He walked over to the window and looked into the Zoanthrope's eyes. "Rest now, you performed well." He said and then walked over and switched off the machine. The window returned to it's mirror finish and the small arm extended. He bent over and retrieved the cable, placing it back into the hand, it retracted. "and that's why I record these things" he said to the room in general, "I wonder if that happens every time...".
Good thing he clones himself as the Hive Mind is so deadly powerful. In Tigurius, Ultramarine Librarian has survived direct mental contact.
Hmmm probing contact waves? if local, I would have suggest that the Zoey caught the attentions of my factions, LOL! oh how much trouble that would be, The Khadrovian Union, the Dragons errant fleets, WAAAGH!!! Magnotz, the Kraal' Q Dominion and the Sept Kal' Dath a very militant Tau sept I may add. That sept has a ever living shas' o, Shas' O L' en' za' Bi who is in a full prosthetic cyber body and downloads himself to a new replacement if he is destroyed in battle, ( I wrote that all up back in the old Medusa-V campaign in 2008).
But that would be fun for some fights with probe forces. Problem with crossing the Pond though.
shasolenzabi wrote:Good thing he clones himself as the Hive Mind is so deadly powerful.
He views it as necessary (and convenient) in his line of work.
In Tigurius, Ultramarine Librarian has survived direct mental contact.
I bet he wasn't asking difficult questions about simple answers...
Hmmm probing contact waves? if local, I would have suggest that the Zoey caught the attentions of my factions, LOL! oh how much trouble that would be, The Khadrovian Union, the Dragons errant fleets, WAAAGH!!! Magnotz, the Kraal' Q Dominion and the Sept Kal' Dath a very militant Tau sept I may add. That sept has a ever living shas' o, Shas' O L' en' za' Bi who is in a full prosthetic cyber body and downloads himself to a new replacement if he is destroyed in battle, ( I wrote that all up back in the old Medusa-V campaign in 2008).
But that would be fun for some fights with probe forces. Problem with crossing the Pond though.
I think she (the Zoey') was just getting curious about the surrounding area. She's one of the two that The Scientist has brainwashed from "birth" to protect the planet from prying eyes. If she senses you nearby, you're unlikely to find her/the planet.
Being psychic in nature, would your Tau even notice as they are not psychically active?
Littletower wrote:Just passing by, will be back for a proper catching up later!
B&W Wych is looking good so far!
Good to see you pop in. Thanks.
Progress:
I've started adding colours to Kabalite #1;
The cloth still needs a final highlight.
The brassy metals are only a basecoat, some of the gun will get a steel look when I get there.
You will also see behind him the other things I've been working on...
Wych is now up to grey layer 4 of 6 (that is, I've used 4 of the 6 pots of black to white paints I have on her so far):
You should at least be able to see the different areas of grey.
And, I've built the first of the Necrons.
While I have said that all the first models from each type that I build, will be as GW intended, having a model that is only barely able to stand on it's own base (and realistically can only get 1 whole foot on the base) is going a bit far. So I have modified his legs.
Required the changing of the foot angle of the left leg and then the right leg was cut at the hip and knee and then glued back on in a more sensible position.
I also cut a little from one of the neck pistons to get him to look to one side (I'm going to assume that this is intended by GW).
He will return later, when I come to paint him.
If the mind probes can be registered by technical machines, as waves of odd electro-magnetic anomalies, the Tau would pick that up that way.
Orks as you know just have a "sense" of where action is.
The Union does have it's own "Inquisition" aka "Inspector General"
Necrons I own might just look as they are sooooo drearily bored
Kraal' Q are my reptilian chaos marine force.
Dragons Errant do have Librarians
Then the Inspector General also has the force of power armored "blanks" which may cause issues as the most famous blank in the Commissar Cain novels can and does mess with even 'nid mind stuff, but they do have to get within a short few meters to muck them up and make them squirm. They would however have to be the ones looking at the planet to be able to notice, as blanks are unaffected by any direct psychic emanations or attacks at them. Telekines can of course hurl solid objects at them to hurt or try and hurt them.
Sooooo, even if local enough to play, there is the narrative as to how the probes of curiosity were picked up, who or what picked them up, and then could they get past the mental cloaking field to see where the place was? so many variables to ponder.
The main way to have his forces even exposed is for some imagery of the pan-united mind slave army to be seen or reported in some way to others, so for the present, like the Dark Eldar, he is a raider but even the DE have had their hidey place breached, mostly by taking on tough to beat targets.
Oh, if you're looking for scenarios for a battle... While The Scientist has his home world well hidden, the rest of the star system is still visible, but strangely empty of the life that was present many centuries ago (as well as one of the planets in the texts being missing). If some "outside" spacecraft were to enter the system, it would likely be led by a trail of "breadcrumbs" onto one of the other planets and then attacked.
Being such a small army, it can't hope to be able to match any multi-planet/multi-system/multi-sector army head on. The Scientist has to hide his base of operations and pick his fights carefully. But he won't shy away from a fight, even if the odds are against him. After all, any battle creates a great deal of damage and destruction, and that's good for entropy.
He does, as you say, also raid other star systems for "raw materials". So a meeting with any army/race is likely, but on The Scientist's terms (which will likely be quite mad in one way or another).
And a picture to keep you all interested...
Thought you might like to see Kabalite #1's rear.
I'm contemplating what colour to do the gun's power pack (if that is what it is? the thing in front of his chest with the gems/bumps on). The official scheme has it as brass, but I don't know if I like that... Thought's welcome.
That's also a sneak peek at the progress on the Wych, she's mostly done except the spot colour.
Oh brass is one thing, I do like a good base of what GW calls tin bitz, or as reaper paints calls it, scorched metal, then dry brush gold or copper over the brownish metal, makes a nice old bronze/brass mix, gems can be whatever color you like.
As for scenarios, well that does sound like some good ways to narrate once that happens and you have some fights with willing participants who will accept the coolness you have committed.
As for me, like i said, the trouble is the large watery obstacle in my way. and the local land mass to cross first to get to said body of water called the "Atlantic"
Automatically Appended Next Post: Any stories or fluff between my characters and yours would be likely collaborative work with PMs fleshing out details, Points to ponder
shasolenzabi wrote: Oh brass is one thing, I do like a good base of what GW calls tin bitz, or as reaper paints calls it, scorched metal, then dry brush gold or copper over the brownish metal, makes a nice old bronze/brass mix, gems can be whatever color you like.
The paints I use for brass are called "brass" and "copper" and "gold" and a highlight of "silver". I went for polished grey metal. I think the brass would have overpowered the model otherwise.
and I only did the gem on his chest (in red) as a gem, again to avoid unbalancing the model.
As for scenarios, well that does sound like some good ways to narrate once that happens and you have some fights with willing participants who will accept the coolness you have committed.
As for me, like i said, the trouble is the large watery obstacle in my way. and the local land mass to cross first to get to said body of water called the "Atlantic"
Distance is the problem indeed. One day I will play a game, even if I have to play with ...by, I said "by"... myself. Still need to structure the unstructured army first.
Any stories or fluff between my characters and yours would be likely collaborative work with PMs fleshing out details, Points to ponder
Not a lot to show today. I have started painting the Mechanic though. I'm thinking lots of metal, the occasional hazard stripe and the main "body" in JCB yellow. Then various parts can be picked out in other colours if they need to stand out.
The actual living part is getting a brown coat and a pale blue/grey skin. Why? Because I didn't get around to giving him a fourth finger (as it would have made his hand MASSIVE compared to the thin arm), so he's going to be some kind of Tau/Human hybrid... or generic alien... Maybe I should do some fluff for him, give him a history...
And for those of you that like to look at pictures:
This is the Wych for the Nerdcademy competition, before the addition of the spot colour (this is now done, but you won't see her just yet ).
inmygravenimage wrote:She's looking great. The B/W contrast is excellent.
Thanks Graven. I decided to go for the high-contrast look of the film rather than "just" grey-scale. whether this was the correct choice of direction is up to the judges.
Solar_lion wrote:Kabalite came out really well.
Thanks Solar. He was hard work, but I'm pleased with him.
I quess you have to do a whole army then!
*Faints*
So progress on the "Techmarine" Mechanic.
The yellow is still being worked on and has just received an orange wash as you will notice, it will improve.
The metal parts are only basecoated (and will need a black wash and then highlighting) and the black parts may remain black or become metal in time (depending on balance).
His visor has been painted with the purple interference paint I have to give it a look of a welding mask.
I'm not sure what to do with/on the right shoulder pad, thoughts would be welcome.
I would maybe just to be different, do red/white hazard stripes on the shoulder pad. Like it so far and would say Black bits stay black, but good either way.
I would maybe just to be different, do red/white hazard stripes on the shoulder pad. Like it so far and would say Black bits stay black, but good either way.
Thanks.
Good idea, red and white (I always forget about those).
Most of the black bits will be staying black, although many of the metal bits have now become black as I had to touch them up after getting carried away with the yellow. Some will return to metal.
shasolenzabi wrote:All coming along nicely!
Thanks.
And now the yellow and black are (mostly) solid. He will be quite "well used" and so any not-so-well-covered parts will become chips and dirt. You should be able to guess where the colour scheme came from by now.
And I think it's time to show off the Wych.
If she weighs the same as a duck, she will float in water...
If she floats in water, she's made of wood...
If she's made of wood, she will burn...
...and therefore....
I absolutely love what you are doing to the servitorsentinel- you know I am a great fan of that fig, and the paintjob is exactly what I would do to it --- but that whych is brilliant! There are a lot of fantastic paintjobs on DE out there on DAKKA, but this the very first, really, the very first DE that convinces me to represent an actual PERSON and not a kind of onedimensional agent of evil... I always thought with that basic material by GW that would just not be able. Wow...
Hruotland wrote: I absolutely love what you are doing to the servitorsentinel- you know I am a great fan of that fig, and the paintjob is exactly what I would do to it
Thanks, Hruotland. Glad you like him. Much more to do yet.
--- but that whych is brilliant! There are a lot of fantastic paintjobs on DE out there on DAKKA,
Thanks. There are indeed, and I am not looking forward to trying to live up to those standards when I come to my homages of them. *bites fingernails*
but this the very first, really, the very first DE that convinces me to represent an actual PERSON and not a kind of onedimensional agent of evil... I always thought with that basic material by GW that would just not be able. Wow...
Thanks again. That means a lot, as I do try to give my models a touch of realism / life.
Many of the stock GW models are a bit static and lifeless, but they only require a little tweak here and there to inject some of that life back in and create a character and not another same-y "troop number x + 1" (although it is amusing that I give them life, and then just a number in place of a name ).
Servo-boy looks fantastic. But that wych! Just amazing bud, absolutely blooming AMAZING, I knew this competition would be hard but she blows me away, white bloodsplatter is perfect, and the hair a perfect choice.
Thanks.
I've been tiding and highlighting him today. Blacks, Metals and Yellows.
And the shoulder pad.
Now to add the other colours on the various wires/cables and on the two "guns".
But that wych! Just amazing bud, absolutely blooming AMAZING, I knew this competition would be hard but she blows me away, white bloodsplatter is perfect, and the hair a perfect choice.
Thanks Cam. I was tempted to do the spot colour on something tiny (like her pendant) but with the hair I used, it had to be that, and then I was leaning away from using red and was thinking blond and then someone suggested ginger. I'm pleased at how that turned out too.
Red Harvest wrote:The constuction equipment yellow is a good choice. Tentacles look like they could use a smidge more lining?
Thanks. It just felt right to use yellow and black. Tentacles did, and have.
Solar_lion wrote:Wow . the Tech. is really starting to come togeter nicely.
Thanks. It's even surprised me at how well it appears to be working out.
However i do have to say the wych's hair came out really well. Nice job there!
Thanks. I'm very pleased with the hair. It was hard work (probably harder than it should have been), but was worth it.
shasolenzabi wrote:Good color scheme for the mech, and also nice use of the the trick for making a person B&W but something that stands out in color.
Thanks. Yeah, at a glance, she doesn't look like she's mainly B&W.
Progress on the Mechanic, still more to do (not least a base for him):
Cake for anyone that can spot where the letters came from, where the colour of the "guns" have come from, and what gas is being used to power the rivet gun.
It is done. Here's a little introduction to The Mechanic:
Spoiler:
He liked to think about the time he had spent in the vats, each one bigger than the last as he out-grew them. He missed the warmth most of all, especially now as he walked across the cold landscape towards the bunker. That's not to say he doesn't enjoy his life now, he is grateful towards his master for not only giving him this life, but for allowing him to pursue his dream. Once he had left the vats, he had shown a preference for mechanics and the way machines worked. Within a year of leaving the vats, he had made a mechanism that could walk by itself. It then took him another 3 days to make a machine that would obey instructions and not wander off of it's own accord.
As he approached the doorway of the bunker he had been instructed to open, he remembered the time he discovered that there was more "everything" outside the room he had been in for his early years: He had disassembled the door mechanism for parts and removed the door to use the metal and had then seen the corridor stretching away from him. It wasn't that the door had been locked, materials came in and his creations left. He had never questioned what was out there, all he needed was in the room or was brought to him. But now curiosity got the better of him, so he had created a machine with wheels and used it to explore this "new" world. That was when he had first met his master, his creator... The Scientist. He had been shown what he could achieve and what he had been "born" to do. He had worked happily for a long time after that meeting, building and repairing the various machines that were brought to him as plans or wrecks. Then one day, he had asked for one of his workshop assistants to pass him a new circular saw blade... The ork had thrown the blade "to" him and it had cut him in half at the waist. Unperturbed, and once stabilised, he had built his new legs... and they had been a significant improvement on his original legs.
Over time, he had added more and more to his mobile platform; useful tools etc... and now, here he was, striding over the battlefield, to open a door. The bunker held important equipment, so he was told, and that a gentler approach was required to open the door as the interior was not to be damaged in the process. He reached the door and studied the various locks. Two of the locks were simple, mechanical locks and these were easily opened with his electronic screwdriver device. Another, electrical, keypad lock was opened using his living-metal tentacle with the probe attachment. The magnetic lock required some drilling and finally being cut away with his welder. The door still did not move and he determined that there were two bolts on the inside of the door, these were cut through with his circular saw attachment. Finally, a gentle pull with his claw and the door opened.
As soon as the door was open, a small group of men attacked him, wielding crude weapons. The first man received a punch from the piston powered claw, this sent the man flying backwards with a caved-in chest. The second man was silenced with a rivet to the forehead, the hiss of it's mechanism always brought a smile to the Mechanic's face. The third swung his club, but this was caught by a tentacle and the man's arm was snipped off neatly, at the elbow, by another tentacle before the man was swept aside. The last man had stopped and was staring, wide-eyed, at the bloody slaughter in front of him, he had a damp patch in the front of his trousers. He was dismembered in the process of questioning and careful probing, but for the Mechanic, biology never held the same level of interest as machines did. The mechanic then reported that the bunker was open. He was eager to see what new toys he would have to play with inside.
I took advantage of the larger base by adding a lump of metal, that he has sampled (cut a lump off) and some plant-life that he has stood on (as biology is just not as interesting).
So The Scientist has created a kind of human mekboy? Cool fluff! One last time singing the praise of this mini! Wonderful execution of a great concept! No, I don't have a clue what "KDC" might refer to. Sure the Mechanic didn't use a sonic screwdriver on the door?
shasolenzabi wrote:Beautiful work, and excellent fluff to fit him into the Scientists' growing family.
Thanks Shas. Another one down, and I've finally got those legs off my desk.
Camkierhi wrote:Fantastic work buddy, love it totally. All the detail on such a small model. Excellent achievement.
Thanks Cam, and thanks for the vote You say small, but he does tower over all the basic troop models.
Hruotland wrote:So The Scientist has created a kind of human mekboy? Cool fluff!
I see him as a half Tau / half human clone, hence the blue/grey skin and three fingers. Yeah, he is quite a bit like a mekboy in a way. I wanted to give him a kind of distant personality though (not ultra-violent as an Ork would be). If it's not machines, then he's not all that interested in it. He's also quite calm and un-flustered in face of danger. I did stop short of giving him the catchphrase "Oo, it'll cost ya'...".
One last time singing the praise of this mini! Wonderful execution of a great concept! No, I don't have a clue what "KDC" might refer to. Sure the Mechanic didn't use a sonic screwdriver on the door?
Thanks again. I'm pleased with how he's turned out.
It's probably much simpler than you may all expect, but here's a clue for why it says KDC:
Spoiler:
Spoiler:
I've started on Firewarrior #1. He's mostly brown at the moment, so I'll update when he's less brown.
good idea with the KDC. I did some web searching and found a company called KDC.com, the build big buildings but from the little snippet I read they have a "safety program/mindset " that seemed right up the alley for the scientist. I'm guessing Mapp gas and oxygen for the fuel for the torches (yellow and red containers), no idea where the gun color comes from.
Theophony wrote: good idea with the KDC. I did some web searching and found a company called KDC.com, the build big buildings but from the little snippet I read they have a "safety program/mindset " that seemed right up the alley for the scientist.
Yeah there is quite a few KDC's about the internet, some more relevant than others. But JCB was the only thing on my mind at the time.
I'm guessing Mapp gas and oxygen for the fuel for the torches (yellow and red containers),
Very close actually, as MAPP is a replacement for Acetylene, which is what I was thinking. It amused me that a rivet gun, that is likely to produce sparks, is powered by a flammable gas.
no idea where the gun color comes from.
No cake for theo . (But I haz donuts )
The letters on the welder are the clue for the guns, although I couldn't do a small enough "&", so imagine it saying B&D (I suspect that they are not as big a name outside of the UK). Think; Power-Tools. I nearly went with their older colours (turquoise/orange), but the orange/black worked better with the yellow/black.
Not to worry:
Spoiler:
Anyway, Firewarrior is done:
He could be better in places if I had done things in a different order, but that is part of the reason for doing the first of each type in a simple scheme; to learn how to do them.
I might do the Ork next if you are good little boys and girls.
Thanks. He was tricky to get used to, and then there's the dodgy moulding on the left leg (that I'm going to have to re-carve on all the others just to be happy).
Thanks Chaps. Later than billed, but the Ork is done...
Solar_lion wrote:Ork really looks serious! good job!
That's what I'm going for. I want my orks to look real and scary, not cartoony or silly. Not that there is anything wrong with comedy orks, I just like to be different...
nerdfest09 wrote:Good work on the Ork dude! good skin, good scar, good lips!
Following in the footsteps of giants. Your ork skin gave me the realistic look I wanted to achieve with mine. Thanks.
where's he going? is he a stand alone or part of a force?
Just a basic troop. He'll be with the close combat fighters of the army (such as the recent Blood Drinker marine and the Wych).
Here he is:
I noticed as I was uploading this picture that I'd forgotten to add his number. That is now done, but I couldn't be bothered to take another 20-odd photos just for a "1" on his thigh.
Next up, I might do the Necron, should be fairly quick... might not be...
He is a "beautiful" ork matey, spot on. Great colours.
Given the Ork biology, I would expect to see a lot more orks in the Scientist's ranks, with the posiblity of conversions etc..but look forward to what ever is next, cron will be fun I think.
Camkierhi wrote: He is a "beautiful" ork matey, spot on. Great colours.
Thanks Cam. I limited the colours on him (avoiding red and yellow mainly) to make the blue the main colour (other than green) and his eye and scar stand out.
Given the Ork biology, I would expect to see a lot more orks in the Scientist's ranks, with the posiblity of conversions etc..but look forward to what ever is next, cron will be fun I think.
Yeah, the Ork biology does open many doors for "improvements" from The Scientist, and I do have quite a few ideas. Although, I'm going to have to fix the posture on any future Orks (although I'm doing that for nearly every other model anyway), not really liking the squat they are modelled with.
'cron is under-way, just the basic silver/green scheme. Already only a dry-brush away from the silver being done...
Not on this one. But I will do on the next one, I've managed to pick up the "even shinier" buffable paint (Polished Aluminium to go with the Polished Steel I already had), so will make a super-shiny 'cron at some point, but have to make him a little bit special to get the special polished treatment.
The mechanic is excellent, nice colour scheme, plenty of details, looks great on the base. Love the KCD reference, nice touch, think the orange needs to be a bit more orange for black & dekker though.
The wych is awesome, lovely contrast work and the colour choice was spot on - great how it seems to work as a non-monochromatic piece with just the addition of the hair
Good work with the two 'basics' too, both look good, nice crisp colours on the tau and nice chipping on the ork.
Oh noes - the scientist lies about cake? The bounder.
The mechanic is excellent, nice colour scheme, plenty of details, looks great on the base. Love the KCD reference, nice touch, think the orange needs to be a bit more orange for black & dekker though.
Thanks MT.
Yeah, my usual orange decided to turn itself into future basing material, so I had to mix some up and this was the best I got without looking too red or yellow. Good to see you got it though.
The wych is awesome, lovely contrast work and the colour choice was spot on - great how it seems to work as a non-monochromatic piece with just the addition of the hair
Thanks. Yes, she worked out nicely. I think the hair is the only option that would have worked for that too.
Good work with the two 'basics' too, both look good, nice crisp colours on the tau and nice chipping on the ork.
Thanks. Perfectly in keeping with each race. The only reason the Ork got the chipping (as my non-vehicle models don't tend to get weathering) was that they were modelled on and I couldn't not paint them. This is something else I may change on future Orks.
Oh noes - the scientist lies about cake? The bounder.
90 days without cake - poor soul.......
The cake is ALWAYS a lie.
"Then there will be cake... and then you will be baked..."
Gitsplitta wrote:Like the scar on the head. Nicely done.
Thanks Gits'. Was tricky to get the balance right on the scar, not too pink, not too much red, but still stand out from the green skin.
As for KDC, I'd just point out the HAL - IBM relationship has always been most strongly denied, so it is obviously just coincidental (And personally listed along some of the best all-time rebuttals, along with Han's self-defense allegations, I am not a crook, and a few others)
As for KDC, I'd just point out the HAL - IBM relationship has always been most strongly denied, so it is obviously just coincidental (And personally listed along some of the best all-time rebuttals, along with Han's self-defense allegations, I am not a crook, and a few others)
Thanks LT.
I know that it had been denied. Doesn't mean that it is not real can't be used for inspiration. I did consider a few other options for that, but when I tried KDC is sounded reasonable in itself for a construction company, so kept it.
The Necron is done. Normal, boring, normal, silver and green scheme, I know. There will be more exciting schemes to come in the future.
So welcome Warrior #1, he's new here.
There is only one built model left to paint on my desk, Wych #1, I have also had an idea for Gitsplitta's Mantis Maker Competition, so I might do that first...
There's also something else I should be doing... something to do with roads... I dunno, it'll come back to me at some point...
It has been re-assigned! But the Mad Scientist can now hold his head high as he has working for him a killer robot with a deathray, all Mad Scientists need some form of Killer Robot with a Deathray! (KRwD)
I have been thinking on Gits' Mantis maker comp', and after further research the initial idea may not fit, so slight change of plan...
This is the first selection of parts that may go into the build (things may still be added or removed as the build progresses):
You will see some old parts (primed white by the previous owner) from the early '90s.
The bolter will be modified into more of a rifle with the scope. The pistol and knife are therefore backup weapons.
The helmet, legs and body are from the new kit, but chosen for the look of older marks of armour (V or VI) together with the studded shoulder pad. Also notice that the helmet (beaky as it's older, and streamlined for the White Scar reference - My previous WScar had a beaky for this reason) and legs have some studs on them.
Medal thing to show good marksmanship.
Many purity seals to show what a loyal chap he is.
Many grenades and a meltabomb (and I'm going to make another bomb of some description) to represent the sabotage side of him, together with the sniper side of the rifle.
He'll be reposed into some "jumping from cover" pose and I need to think of some way of representing "mobility" and that should be it.
Camkierhi wrote:Mmmm interesting, and cool. Looking forward to this.
This competition is looking like it's going to encourage many interesting models.
monkeytroll wrote:Is jumping from cover not mobile enough? Maybe jump-packing from cover then?
Parts all look suitable and plan sound right.
Well jumping from cover is more to tick the ambush box. Mobility is more about getting into position before the jump. I could give him a bike or something, but I'm thinking subtle at the moment... and I don't have any bikes.
Gitsplitta wrote:Roller-skates??
As the godfather of Mantis Warriors I'm sure you know them well and what they are likely to use. I'll explore other ideas as well for the time being...
You've set MT off now...
monkeytroll wrote:Oh.....rocket powered roller skates....make it so
I will be adding a (Mad) Scientist twist somewhere, after all he has been "recruited" into my army... even I don't know where this will lead...
inmygravenimage wrote:I like the mix of parts, lots of Mk5 in there which certainly fits them (heretics!)
Unlike most who run contests... it is my job to confuse and confound you. The victor will be able to ignore all that and come up with something brilliant in spite of all the roller-skate suggestions!
Gitsplitta wrote: Unlike most who run contests... it is my job to confuse and confound you. The victor will be able to ignore all that and come up with something brilliant in spite of all the roller-skate suggestions!
You can't confuse me, I'm... I'm, something... what was I on about...
Anyway, I have started chopping and gluing things back together.
Imagine if you will, that he is leaping over/through/from something (as yet undecided), and not running.
You can see how I perform my re-posing using scraps of sprue as spacers. The remaining gaps will be filled and textured as required with putty.
And while the glue was drying on him, I have also set about the bolter...
Take one OOP boltgun and chop it into pieces...
Add some spacers and glue back together, moving the magazine further back...
Tidy up and you have the beginnings of a bolt-rifle. Still more to do to it, such as adding the scope and adding an ejection port.
I'm liking the rifle. I've always thought that rifles were visually better than the clunky boltguns that don't look like they could shoot at range at all.
Keep it up.
Co'tor Shas wrote:I'm liking the rifle. I've always thought that rifles were visually better than the clunky boltguns that don't look like they could shoot at range at all.
Keep it up.
Thanks. Yep, range is what I want to show for this gun.
Gitsplitta wrote:Some vary good converting there Dr H.
Thanks Gits'.
monkeytroll wrote:Nice work Doc....are you also going to extend the barrel on the rifle or just keep with the longer body?
Thanks, and yes I am...
I am considering the thickness options for the barrel extension...
I'm leaning towards slightly thicker or slightly thinner (this is compared to the barrel of the original bolter).
The even thinner piece (outlined because it's black) is a glass bead and would therefore cause more problems then it's worth.
You can also see the ejection port I've added; drilled and carved out a slot and then added a length of plastic rod for the slidey-back piece (technical term ).
Thicker barrel looks more like a suppressor, makes the weapon look like it is for a sniper. Go slightly thinner, unless it is going to be a sniper. Perhaps add some barrel grooves, for heat dissipation?
Also, a 2nd ed boltgun... takes me back... 2nd ed arm too.
Thanks Cam, Red, MT, Graven.
I've decided to do... both!
That way I can keep the look of the thinner barrel and have a separate suppressor for when he goes a-sniping. In the pose he is in, it's not really one of those moments for quiet, so I will attach the thick piece of tube from above to his belt (along with all the rest of the kit that he is potentially carrying which may cause me problems later on, but will worry about that when I get there).
Here's a blu-tacked mock-up to show how he is at the moment:
I even added a ridge to the end of the new barrel to show the screw/attachment for the suppressor. You can also see the putty at the hip and knee. carved to represent the ribbed parts and end of the thigh armour. It's a little rough, but hopefully won't show up too bad once painted.
Also, if you notice my pictures change a little in tone from now on, it's because I've got a new bulb. 6400K for the win.
Red Harvest wrote:Also, a 2nd ed boltgun... takes me back... 2nd ed arm too.
Ja, As many old parts as I could lay my hands on. Backpack, other arm, one shoulder pad, bolt pistol, some of the grenades and knife are also from the same era.
EyeamRai wrote:I like the same thickness and the slightly thinner ones.
I'm glad I'm just watching the Mantis Maker competition.
I couldn't compete with the guy you're putting together if my life depended on it!
Thanks Eye'.
It's just practice and learning from others. Start small. Little changes here and there. Learn from mistakes and how to fix those mistakes. Check tutorials for techniques. And, ask people if they do something you like the look of. Most people here, like myself, are very open with how they achieve things. There's no magic, I usually show every step of what I do, and I'm open to questions if you want anything explained.
Something may seem out of reach now, but with enough practice, those will become easier and will open up more techniques, and eventually, you will be able to turn out models you wouldn't even consider attempting now.
I've had to do a few minor alterations to the parts to get the final pose.
As with every time that you raise one leg of a model that is made to stand on two legs, the hips become angled. With the Eldar models, where the body sits in to the legs, this isn't much of a problem. But with the SM models, where the legs fit into the body, this causes a problem where the belt (attached to the body) hits the raised leg and the body sits at an angle that matches the angle of the hips.
My solution to this was to add a couple of small spacers to the lower side of the hips. This allows to body to sit upright and gives the impression that the back leg is extended.
I also had to alter the arms.
The problem with the left arm was obvious; with the butt of the gun interfering with the shoulder pad. In fact, the shoulder pads looked far too big for the arms, with the hands barely reaching beyond the edges.
So, I extended the upper arm (by nearly 3mm!) and I also took the opportunity to change the angle of the elbow slightly.
The right arm was also extended at the upper (2mm) and lower (0.5mm) arm. I also angled the arm out at the elbow and wrist to make it look more natural.
And this is the final pose I have (this will make more sense once I've added the scenery bits I have planned).
Now I need to add all the little bits that he will be carrying and then start on the base work.
Looking good man! looking good! :-) I like the re posing you did and giving us insight into how to tackle those little problems as you go is a bonus so we don't make mistakes when we try and out do you lol! ;-)
Solar_lion wrote:Very retro looking. Good decision on the barrel. Worked out great!
Thanks Solar. Good to hear it is working as intended.
Gitsplitta wrote:Very cool conversion Dr H. Looks great!
Thanks Gits'. You're the one I aim to impress.
nerdfest09 wrote:Looking good man! looking good! :-) I like the re posing you did and giving us insight into how to tackle those little problems as you go is a bonus so we don't make mistakes when we try and out do you lol! ;-)
Thanks NF. It's these little tips that can help no end. I've learnt a lot from others sharing their ideas, so I like to give back what I can. Together we all learn and improve, and in that way, we all win... [/zen] Bring on the challenge!
So, what have I been doing?
I have added the bits to Mr. Mantis.
As I had to go so far as to add the melta-bomb to the top of his backpack, I think he has enough kit...
This means that I have started on the base.
Starting with the usual muddy and rocky base, I added a log as something for him to be leaping over (this was some leftover putty, spread over a tube and then removed, scratched for the bark effect and the end broken),
You can also see some mines that I will add to show the sabotage side of the Mantis Warriors (Maybe he's been disturbed while laying them), and some small sprue-plants.
He needs something to be the cover that he is leaping through and I'm going for some long grass (some old kitchen brush bristles, split and roughed up) and, what may look initially like a palm tree but, is a large fern-like plant. These will both be positioned to look like they are being brushed aside by the Mantis.
This is the 3rd iteration of the fern. All using sandwich-bag twisty-wire things (dyslexic fail) and tissue/PVA. The final leaves are a single, flat, tie glued on a pre-cut tissue leaf (fold up the tissue and cut many at once), and then a second leaf glued on top of that. A bit of distressing and this is roughly what you get.
The two, smaller and neater (younger ) leaves are from the 2nd iteration and just involved a tree-like shape of twisted ties and many tissue layers.
The fern is quite large, but you need a large plant to hide a SM behind and it's easier to cut these things down to size than add to it. It won't be in this spread out form in the end, so hopefully won't dominate the piece. If it does prove too much, I'll resort to having more tall grass...
Well it is all looking amazing here. Plants look good.
Mantis is looking brilliant, the alterations are quite spectacular, again your attention to detail. Many would not bother, but of course the Dr does. Like the way the gun came out, definitely a full rifle now.
This is going to be fairly epic bud, another one to be proud of I think.
There has been a slight change of plan in the fern department...
I decided to position it on the other side of the MW and hence base, and the fern shown above was a bit too much fern...
And so I reduced the number of leaves (from 6 to 3) and have now positioned them wrt the mantis (they are re-posable for little tweaks later).
The marine is only pinned to the base, not glued down, as it will be easier to paint both him and the base separate.
Hopefully that looks like he is bursting through the fern and it doesn't look silly?
That conversions coming along nicely, and all the work you've done on the weapon has really paid off as it looks great.
As does that base, It's all going to look really atmospheric when it's done .
Whoa, I've been away for almost half of you blog! Last time I checked in you were hinting at the coming Predator! I've got myself back up to date now so I'll be here, watching, always. Like a stalker.
On my trek through the last 11 months of posts I've saved quite a few of your little tutorials for future reference. It's lovely that you take the time to do that, very helpful!
monkeytroll wrote:Great work so far doc, that postioning of the fern doe a good job of capturing him bursting through....
Thanks MT. It will also be exaggerated in the painting as I'm thinking of giving the leaves differently coloured faces.
hk1x1 wrote:That conversions coming along nicely, and all the work you've done on the weapon has really paid off as it looks great. As does that base, It's all going to look really atmospheric when it's done .
Thanks hk. Good to hear. All in the name of telling a story.
Casey's Law wrote:Whoa, I've been away for almost half of you blog! Last time I checked in you were hinting at the coming Predator! I've got myself back up to date now so I'll be here, watching, always. Like a stalker.
On my trek through the last 11 months of posts I've saved quite a few of your little tutorials for future reference. It's lovely that you take the time to do that, very helpful!
Keep it coming, bud!
Ha Yeah, half my blog, but only one model (until the past month or two).
Nice to hear and I hope they prove useful. I'm learning these things as I go mostly, and the scientist in me has to report my findings somewhere...
Galorn wrote:Looks fantstic so far man!
Thanks Galorn.
I have now added the grasses to the base and I think I'm done (there's not really any room to add any more ).
Here's some pictures of the base by itself and with the Mantis (with a plainer background so you can see what is what). There are 4 lengths of grass; the longest (white) are taller than a SM, the next (black) are about shoulder height and then two lengths of paintbrush bristles at knee height and ankle height. You can also see the sprue-plants and the un-planted mines.
And all together: While the grass is leaning outwards it still is pushed aside by the model to give the real feeling of him pushing his way through it.
Gitsplitta wrote:I like the way it looks as if he's bursting through the foliage.
That was the aim (Striking like an unexpected storm), glad it comes across even before paint. He is now primed and undercoated (black), colours will be added from tomorrow.
inmygravenimage wrote:Love it. Really dynamic piece, ya scallywag.
Thanks Graven. After my Wych, which I went simple with on the modelling but got nowhere in that competition (well, not top three... but the top three were very worthy), I thought I'd put a bit more effort into this one.
Casey's Law wrote:That's coming together really nicely, mate.
Thanks Casey.
shasolenzabi wrote:Mantis in the brush! LOL!
... is worth 2 in the... wait a minute...
nerdfest09 wrote:Great composition and thought put into that! i'm impressed dude, the idea of having him pushing his way through is brilliant :-)
Thanks NF. It's down to the theme of the competition and was the first thing to come to mind.
GamesEtc wrote:Wow Doc, that is an impressive base for the comp. Looking forward to seeing it completed!
Thanks Games'. He's getting there... well, I've done the green at least... mostly... may still need some touch-ups...
As I say, I've done the green, on the armour, mostly...
Yep, gone with the bright green that Gitsplitta uses (or as near as I'll get anyway). The brown on the shoulder pads will be... (you can probably guess, can't you?)
Not commented in a while. So better make it worth it I suppose.
Catch those finger grooves. Beautiful posing, and all the little details as always spot on.
The base is spectacular, brilliant work.
Thanks Cam.
Grooves, holes and recesses will be deepened when I get the black out. Need to do the yellow first as that will have some black over the top...
( my 3000th post, blooming good place for it, love your thread, always fun.)
And after many layers, the yellow is done and I've added the black bits (and blackened various other bits that still need other colours, such as metal). A few notes here on the mantis: The studded shoulder pad "should" be on the other shoulder if it was to be true to the older 40k (and Gits' MWs). I chose to switch it so that he matched with the other marines in my army and have his chapter symbol on his left shoulder.
I read somewhere that the MWs from the Badab campaign keep their tranquillity pattern camouflage as a mark of pride (amongst other things). So while this mantis has had his armour refurbished (while still an older mark of armour) and re-painted to green to work as better camouflage in a green environment, he has kept one shoulder pad in the camo' pattern. I do realise that on the original pictures from GW the studded pad doesn't have the pattern on, I wanted that pad to be yellow to balance the other yellow pad and couldn't see any other part of the armour working in the camo' pattern. So while that pad is yellow, I decided to add the pattern (the studs will be metallic when I get there).
The chapter symbol (thankfully) went on well and required few touch-ups.
In other news (not had one of these for a while): My mum had her birthday the other day and I decided to make her something. She likes earrings and flowers and plays a lot of short-mat, indoor bowls... So I bought a load of earring blanks off ebay and set to work with my tools of the trade: The flower is all milliput, sculpted and carved/sanded to shape in 3 stages from outside to inside. The "flat" bowls are 3 layers of plasticard to give a pseudo-3D effect. The last bowls are again, milliput, but this time I used a mould of Oyumaru (the wonder stuff!) of a suitably sized lump of scrap resin (a drop of which I left to set in some water while casting). A bit of sanding here and there and the jack is pinned to the side with a piece of paperclip.
I'm now wondering how much money I can make from selling earrings on ebay...
I worry for your poor mantis warrior. I mean he's got all those grenades attached so close to the ground and he's running through dense foliage. All it would take is one lousy twig to snag on the pin and you have a one legged mantis....albeit he'd be a flying one legged mantis...for a second or two. But think of him trying to explain to the inquisition why he failed his vital mission and now needs bionics. I mean do you think they are going to believe him? No, he's just trying to get some bed rest during their 100 year crusade. They've seen millions of draftees trying to duck service by shooting themselves in the foot, this marine just takes it to the next level .
Gitsplitta wrote:How interesting. What are the larger balls made of?
Real ones?
Wikipedia wrote:They were originally made from lignum vitae, a dense wood giving rise to the term "woods" for bowls, but are now more typically made of a hard plastic composite material.
Gogsnik wrote:You should make some bowls cuff links, I can definitely see some of the old chaps that play near me wearing something like that! Great stuff.
One step at a time. I could corner the market...
Thanks.
Theophony wrote:I worry for your poor mantis warrior. I mean he's got all those grenades attached so close to the ground and he's running through dense foliage. All it would take is one lousy twig to snag on the pin and you have a one legged mantis....albeit he'd be a flying one legged mantis...for a second or two. But think of him trying to explain to the inquisition why he failed his vital mission and now needs bionics. I mean do you think they are going to believe him? No, he's just trying to get some bed rest during their 100 year crusade. They've seen millions of draftees trying to duck service by shooting themselves in the foot, this marine just takes it to the next level .
Looks great by the way .
Well he is lucky number 13. Maybe that's the habit that "landed" him in The (Mad) Scientist's army.
Thanks.
inmygravenimage wrote:Looking good on the MW, and nice to see you branching out into jewellery - I expect a trendy etsy store soon!
Thanks. Yep, maybe I will find a way to make my millions yet...
Today's progress finds the Mantis mostly finished. I still have the base to finish though.
I've finished off the black areas with a bit of dry-brushing and edge highlighting,
I've added the metals, keeping them relatively muted (can't be too shiny if you're trying to hide),
Lenses/eyes and purity seals (only just painted so have to let them dry before adding the squiggles),
And a round of tidying up of the yellow and green.
The top view here shows the reconstructed knee nicely, and the underside view shows that there is some painted on shading.
Also; I am canvassing thoughts on the Hellbrute model with a view to making a unique (improved) version that I can sell. I would like to get as many opinions as possible before I start.
Gitsplitta wrote: Coming into focus nicely. Beautiful work on the insigna too.
Thanks.
And respect where it's due, while it's not the most complicated of insignias, it is a tricky one to get right. So for the many in your army.
And yes... the real ones.
Yeah, as it says, a plastic composite. Probably similar/same as for 10-pin bowling balls. These are smaller though and weighed to one side to aid curving.
I wouldn't go so far as to say "flawless" myself. But thank you, that's high praise considering the difficulty of the subject. 
Everything is better with tentacles. 
We don't come here for 'fairly standard' 
with a head that appeared to fit. It's a bit too hunch-backed to work for me.
, everything is coming along great, love the mechanic Dr. H 
), straightened, re-glued and filled behind the knee, and the toes were cut and glued on bent up.
