Viktor von Domm wrote:... and the good doc is probably the right man to to line up the best words for that even more than me...
Ah well, better late than never.
As I was only in on the judging as a "consultant", I didn't go as in depth with my scrutiny as I have in the past. However, I can try an squeeze some useful comments from my conversations with Vik.
Usual disclaimer about these being my opinions and me not being a master by any measure (and a dyslexic, so excuse and unintended harshness). These are just observations that are aimed to help you improve next time.
In no particular order (I didn't rank the models, just offered Vik my thoughts on each):
Camkierhi:
Not as complex a build as your previous models, but complexity is no measure of quality. It was nice to see you attempt to create something simple but effective...
And it is. So long as you don't actually google "bamboo", you are instantly reminded of bamboo. Arguments can be made that as alien bamboo, it doesn't need to look exactly like Earth bamboo, and only needs to look like a plant of some kind...
And the colouration is so good, that it really sells the lifelike look of it.
I liked the broken ones too. Nice touch.
Would be good to see you incorporate them into something larger.
Cleatus:
Nice build. I like the planks and tiles. It could do with some more details about it to make it more interesting from different angles.
The painting is close, and just needs some final touches to complete it. The wood could do with a greater variation in it's colours for it to stand out more in the photos (it could be the camera and may be more apparent in real life).
The black is a bit strong though and make the whole look very dark. The blacked out doors and windows don't help this either.
Perhaps adding shutters to the windows and a door, or even going all out and free-handing a view of inside in the holes (could just be a few flagstones fading to black at the base of the door-hole); it would never look right from all angles, but get the perspective right for the most common angle (standing at a gaming table) and it would be pretty cool.
Also, if the roof was a lighter colour, it would have helped lighten the whole model.
I suspect you ran short of time, and I know how long crafting planks and tiles can be, so respect for you on that.
GamesEtc:
Your photography is getting better, but still needs some work. More light.
Very nice build though. Love the devotion to using wood throughout with wooden pegs an' all.
The basing is nice; plants is good.
Good job on weathering the wood, and the rope looks natural (tricky to get right at scale).
However, the whole looks a bit toy-like in the photos for some reason, and this may be the fault of the photos not showing your work clearly enough.
Guildenstern:
After only seeing glimpses in the sketches and
wip photos, I was not prepared for the finished piece. Really looks great, and realistic (which is what I like in models).
So much of a dark horse I didn't see you coming.
The water looks natural
, as do the plants on the whole. I like how you placed them in a way that they would grow in real life, and not just in "false" random clumps. The tall grass though, could do with some shorter lengths about it to make that look more natural (they don't all start growing at the same time and get to the same length all the time).
The frog and 'shrooms are a little cartoon-y in comparison, but don't detract from the model and do add a splash of colour.
A worthy winner.
Kingpin54:
The lighting in your photos is a little harsh, try to make it more diffuse and surround the model more.
I like the cage, it's a bit "rustic" but good effort.
I also like how you did the rope holding the cage and the wooden upright is good.
The texture on the wood could be a little less regular though. More passes from various angles and/or wiggling your texture-making device would help.
The rocks look nice, good use of wood, and I like the irregular footprint of the model.
As for painting, try and be a bit more gentle with your dry-brushing (dryer brush and lighter touch) and use more layers; it'll be both sharper and more subtle.
mad_eddy_13:
You could have done with more lighting, especially on the front of the model.
Wood looks nice and quite natural in it's colouration.
Good design and layout too.
And great effort on the fluff for the piece.
It does appear to be missing a roof though. Time, I suspect again as the enemy, but a removable roof would have finished it off nicely.
Red Harvest:
Loved the construction, and the design. Can't really find any issues to comment on...
Some of your dry-brushing is a little heavy in places... there that'll do you.
Ruglud:
Lovely little piece.
The tree looks great, the wall looks great.
The basing is nice, although your grass could do with a similar treatment as Guildenstern's above.
Painting is nice too.
TheEyeOfNight:
Great design; liking all the spikes. Great use of sticks and thorns.
And light up eyes! nice.
Like the little skeleton on the chest and the added skulls and plants.
Although the rest of the base is a bit plain, that's probably understandable given the construction... and it is nicely painted mud.
And what a book you've written to go with it.
So there you have it. I hope it helps any and all of you.
Good luck with the next one.
