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Ok, after finishing off my IG Stormtrooper figure, I've begun work on my next project - Empire Duelists representing my take on Vesperro's Vendetta (yes I know they were Tilean!).

The Inspiration

I had this project in mind while halfway through the stormtrooper, ever since picking up Assassins Creed 2 actually. The inspiration, as you will already have guessed is the main character from this game, Ezio Auditoire:



The main thing I love about this image is the pose. He has such swagger and confidence, something I wanted to get across in this project.

The Mock Up

Here's where I'm at so far with the first of a possible group of 5. Bear in mind this is a first stage mock up. Anyone who has followed my work in the past will know that the finished article very rarely looks much like the mock up save for the pose (which is the purpose of the mock up, to nail the pose first).






The pose was actually a lot more difficult to get right than it would seem. GW don't make any legs in a slow striding pose like the one in the illustration. Typically the knees are bent too much on GW legs (the exception being Sigvald, though I was reluctant to have to convert a metal fig so much).

As you can see, the legs need a lot of putty work to cover the components used to create the pose and add details, but the basic shape is there.

The head and arms are simply there to show the pose, they will appear radically different on the final piece. For a start the right arm will hold a sword instead of pistol.

For the head, I'm torn between something like the one shown on the mock up, or one more in keeping with the original Vesperro (i.e. a Carnivale style mask covering his scarred face). The Vesperro mask would be cool, but I worry it might obscure the face as a clear focal point.

The upper body will receive similar attire to Ezio - a shoulder cape type thing, some shoulder armour and knife belt etc.

Anyway, hopefully you can see where I'm going from these early pics. Any thoughts, comments, opinions etc are welcome.

Cheers,

Dante

right lower leg needs to move to the left a few mm; and perhaps be twisted so the foot is inward. Right now the lower leg is abnormally joined. You may alternatley solve this by improving the sculpting of the right quad. (Moving the quad out and forward.)

left arm should be rotated fwd a touch more

Legs appear to be a touch short.

For a start I can tell this is going to look fantastic (also being a big Assassin's Creed fan myself), and if the mock up is any indication).

Are you going to be keeping the trademark hood, which is so prevalent on Ezio (or Altair)? Or is it being ditched? Second, I would back the Carnivale mask idea, especially in tribute to a certain segment of affore-mentioned Creed II.

As it, I like what I see in the mock up, and await patiently to see how the project unfolds.

A WHFB project is an exciting turn of events!

I think an actual carnival mask would be interesting, and given your bloodpact work, you could certainly do it. Large nose white ceramic half mask with a tri-corner hat for instance. Embrace the renaissance setting of WHFB.

Anyway, looking forward to seeing how this goes.

Have you though of possibly not sculpting a mask, but painting one on?

Kind of superhero esque, but it could work.

I'm sure whatever you come up with will look great though.

I've lurked on most of your threads, very nice work. (wow, that makes it sound creepy)

Very interested in seeing how this progresses. As part of my INQ28 project I also want to create a model inspired by Assassin's Creed, though mine will hopefully be closer to Altair than Ezio - good luck with your endeavours!

Another vote for the mask. Done well, it could be just as much if not more a focal point than an exposed face, so not losing out on anything in that respect.

I just want to say I can't wait to see where you take this. I love the game and I'm 100% sure it's gonna be awesome!

Do really hope you give him a hood!

Can't wait to see how you progress!

Looking good, will monitor...

I don't know. A lowered cowl is just as good as many mask. Especially if you can fight with
it on at all times like they manage in anime.

Oh, so excited to see how this project shapes up. I vote for the mask.

- Blackbone

If your doing 5 why not do both?

Yes, some will get hats etc, no hoods though, that's too Assassins Creed and not very duelist like.

I think I will do the mask. It adds character (the whole "face horribly scarred and seeking revenge" back story etc) and would be something a bit different too.

skipmcne wrote:right lower leg needs to move to the left a few mm; and perhaps be twisted so the foot is inward. Right now the lower leg is abnormally joined. You may alternatley solve this by improving the sculpting of the right quad. (Moving the quad out and forward.)

left arm should be rotated fwd a touch more

Legs appear to be a touch short.

As I said, it's a mock up. The general shape is there but it still needs a lot of work. Putty and filing/shaping will get the alignments right etc. The legs are anything but too short. They are considerably longer than standard GW upright legs for a start.

vinsal wrote:Have you though of possibly not sculpting a mask, but painting one on?

Kind of superhero esque, but it could work.

I'm sure whatever you come up with will look great though.

I've lurked on most of your threads, very nice work. (wow, that makes it sound creepy)

The type of mask I am thinking of wouldn't work painted on. It would end up looking like facepaint without some sculpted depth etc. The kind of mask I'm thinking of is like this, but made of metal:

Molotov wrote:Very interested in seeing how this progresses. As part of my INQ28 project I also want to create a model inspired by Assassin's Creed, though mine will hopefully be closer to Altair than Ezio - good luck with your endeavours!

Sounds good, Migsula did a great conversion like Altair for his Legion army, will see if I can dig up a pic. IIRC it used a wood elf hooded head and flagellant body and arms with the robes tidied up.

Morgrim wrote:Another vote for the mask. Done well, it could be just as much if not more a focal point than an exposed face, so not losing out on anything in that respect.

True, it just needs careful work to make sure it doesn't dull the eyes etc.

malfred wrote:I don't know. A lowered cowl is just as good as many mask. Especially if you can fight with
it on at all times like they manage in anime.

Cowls and hoods don't work for what I'm going for. These are duelists, not assassins. Being pompous and visible is their style, not subtle and hidden.

More soon.

Cheers,

Dante

Ah, yeah, masquerade masks like those ones with the long noses kind of like Mr Punch.

Perhaps make the leader look like V from V for Vendetta...

Work on the conversion continues. Managed to find a head that fits with what I'm after. Might tweak it a bit but overall I think it suits.






and a photoshopped image of how the head will likely look once hair is added.



The trousers are getting there now. Still work needing done around the knees at the back and at the top where it meets the shirt etc. The belt is very early stage, just the rough shape so far which will be sanded and refined. A second will cross it hanging to the other side. I've also begun to rough in the missing foot in preperation for being shaped and detailed.

It's beginning to come together a bit more now but still a lot to do. Looking forward to getting onto detailing the torso and finishing the legs.

More soon.

Cheers,

Dante

Nice - I like the direction this is going. Can't wait to see where you go with it.

I definately enjoy the head as it gives a silent killer to the model.

Cool mask, where is it from? I recognize the Dark Elf hair.

I think the head is from the Empire Wizard sprue.

It is. Looks like the head they use to represent Gold Wizards.

Excellent choice.

How did I miss this, I'm sory Dante but I didn't expect you to churn out something this quick I think the new head, with the soon to be added hair, will reinforce the Duelist look. I don't know about you but I imagine Duelists clothes and hair to free flowing as not to bog them down. Oh and nice use of the skeleton arm, it seems with a similar eye for parts I persume your sculpting over it?

Ezio Auditore di Firenze!

Awesome. I bloody love the game, love the idea.

What will the colour scheme be, out of interest?

sA

vespero was a young nobleman from luccini and an exceptional swordsman as well. - still, he had to flee from his native city as well as from verezzo, where he had initially gone into exile, after which he and his escapades, escalating, and countless love affairs, were killed in duels promising sons of rich merchants had created an excess of enemies. with a price on his head, he felt himself safe in the republic of his life anymore!

I've found you some background Dante hope it helps!

It's lovely but to me a more delicate Rapier style sword and stiletto dagger would look better and fit the background more.

Empchild wrote:I definately enjoy the head as it gives a silent killer to the model.

I'm still keeping options open on the head. While I like the wizard mask head, I also want to see if I can produce something a little more like my original intention of a Carnivale mask.



So far just a rough face done in 2 short sittings. It doesn't need to be great at the moment since only the mouth and eyes are likely to be visible once I start on the mask.

malfred wrote:Cool mask, where is it from? I recognize the Dark Elf hair.

Morgrim wrote:I think the head is from the Empire Wizard sprue.

Kanluwen wrote:It is. Looks like the head they use to represent Gold Wizards.

Excellent choice.

Yep, it's the masked head from the wizard kit with the beard crudely clipped off for the time being.

Bloodthirster wrote:How did I miss this, I'm sory Dante but I didn't expect you to churn out something this quick I think the new head, with the soon to be added hair, will reinforce the Duelist look. I don't know about you but I imagine Duelists clothes and hair to free flowing as not to bog them down. Oh and nice use of the skeleton arm, it seems with a similar eye for parts I persume your sculpting over it?

Cheeky sod!

If I do use the skeleton arm then I will sculpt over it yes. It was chosen more to better represent the pose, though it does fit quite well and the sword is the same shape as Vespero's in the limited artwork available of him.

smiling Assassin wrote:
What will the colour scheme be, out of interest?

Woah there!

Not far on with it enough yet to have put much thought to the colour scheme. I'm thinking white/cream, dark brown, black and red will feature primarily though.

Bloodthirster wrote:vespero was a young nobleman from luccini and an exceptional swordsman as well. - still, he had to flee from his native city as well as from verezzo, where he had initially gone into exile, after which he and his escapades, escalating, and countless love affairs, were killed in duels promising sons of rich merchants had created an excess of enemies. with a price on his head, he felt himself safe in the republic of his life anymore!

I've found you some background Dante hope it helps!

Cheers mate, much appreciated! I take it that is pretty much all there is about him in the DOW army book? I thought I recalled reading a reason why he wears the mask?

Llamahead wrote:It's lovely but to me a more delicate Rapier style sword and stiletto dagger would look better and fit the background more.

True, though in the artwork and on the figure of Vesperro his weapons weren't the typical duelists choice. Will see where I go with it. Haven't put much thought to the weapons yet so still plenty of time for things to change. As I said before, the skeleton arm was more for mock up of pose purposes.

More over the coming week.

Cheers,

Dante

CMDante wrote: Cheeky sod!

What ever do you mean

I found the fluff on the German Lexicanum for Fantasy, I'm still trying to locate the book for you! I've found some pics of the old Vespero duelist minis though if you would like to see them though?


Automatically Appended Next Post:
Vespero's Vendetta wear black clothes and very fitting capes. They are young and agile, have long hair and dressed in the latest fashion tiléenne. They are armed with elegant rapiers and daggers, the dagger is used to parry the sword of the enemy, and the guard is designed to sandwich the blade. These weapons are hidden under the capes so that bullies can accompany their master, his errands and walk the streets without attracting attention or reveal their profession. In combat, the cape itself is used with skill to parry and trap the enemy weapons. Vespero, like many of his men, keeps impressive dueling scars.

There you go Dante a nice set of fluff for you and a picture to! It's like Christmas all over again.



Yay the pics isworking now!

Cheers mate, much appreciated!

I have that picture already on one of my inspiration sheets but hadn't seen the fluff. I must have made up the background on his mask myself then? I was sure I remember there being more background on him.

Thanks again!

Dante

No problem Dante glad to be of help. If it helps on the mask topic, it says in the special rules that he wears one so his victims cannot see their killer and that is the last thing they see. Plus for an outlaw I think a mask is quite fitting.

True. I like the idea that it hides some horrific scars though. Kind of phantom of the opera style. It adds a nice bit of background to it and gives it more purpose.

Cheers,

Dante

The skelly arm is a great touch, as the languid pose of the arm is just right.

for his off hand, you might consider using one of the daggers from the empire archer sprue. They fit both the look, and the scale well I think.

The mask is good, but let us be frank, rather pedestrian. After all anyone can cut and paste bitz. A properly sculpted mask will be 100% better.

Also, have you thought about a codpiece? A noble (which a duelist surely is, or pretends to be) would not be wearing drawstring pants.