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Hey guys I'm just looking for some feedback on one of my models I've been working on.

He used to be an AoBR captain, that was until he fell into my skeletal grasp Mwahahaha!!

I swapped the arm out and reversed the direction of the sword. I had to cut the handle from the sword so, taking some inspiration from another LotD conversion I'd seen, I fashioned him a bone handle.
Now this might not seem like a big deal but it's position on the model puts it right in the line of sight so much careful time and careful attention went into shaping it juuuuust right

The Aquila and chest details were cut away and I laid out each rib strip by strip.

Finally I gave the commander a haircut...
then a nose cut, and an eye cut, and you get the idea
Some face-saving plastic surgery and,
voila.



I'd love to hear some comments and criticism, especially regarding the eagle backpack and bolter.
I'm not entirely sure I'm satisfied with the backpack, I'm thinking I might convert up a regular marine pack and replace the exhausts with skulls but I don't want to go skull overkill which I feel I have done with past models
I also feel like I could be doing more with the bolter to really help set the model apart.


Again, C&C appreciated


Thanks

May I be the first to say that's a really nice conversion, I look forward to seeing it painted.

Seriously cool.

I think you've done quite well, thus far. I'm actually surprised by how much the model's character has changed, considering how little green I'm seeing (and you're spot on about the compositional importance of the bone handle, IMO).

For the bolter, the spine is a start, but the engraving and scroll say "captain" more than "LotD," to me. You could always fill in the engraving with GS and press-mold a small skull (as from the sword's cross-guard) to fill the space - it looks like it would just fit, either behind or below the ejection port. You'd have even more space if you instead cut/filed away the scroll, leaving the engraving for the fancy factor. Either way, I think a small, low-profile skull is subtle enough to keep the detailing thematic, without becoming overwhelming.

Actually, I think that's the way to go, in general - keep the bone theme subtle, but thorough. With that in mind, I'm at a bit of a loss about the backpack. I love the candles, but the eagles... They're a bit of a rarity, which makes them stand out. That being the case, it seems like a waste for them to lack any LotD tie-in. I'm wondering if you couldn't manage some resculpting to make skeletal eagles. If you drilled/ground out the eyes and used GS to bridge the channel between the brow and cheek sections, would that give a sufficiently skull-like shape? Painting them in a bone color would certainly help cement the idea, but I'm honestly not sure. That's all I can think of, aside from your skull-vented standard backpack idea (which I'm honestly not opposed to - I think you've been subtle enough everywhere else for it to work and it's still way less bone than you see on most of the stock models).

 oadie wrote:
I think you've done quite well, thus far. I'm actually surprised by how much the model's character has changed, considering how little green I'm seeing (and you're spot on about the compositional importance of the bone handle, IMO).

For the bolter, the spine is a start, but the engraving and scroll say "captain" more than "LotD," to me. You could always fill in the engraving with GS and press-mold a small skull (as from the sword's cross-guard) to fill the space - it looks like it would just fit, either behind or below the ejection port. You'd have even more space if you instead cut/filed away the scroll, leaving the engraving for the fancy factor. Either way, I think a small, low-profile skull is subtle enough to keep the detailing thematic, without becoming overwhelming.

Actually, I think that's the way to go, in general - keep the bone theme subtle, but thorough. With that in mind, I'm at a bit of a loss about the backpack. I love the candles, but the eagles... They're a bit of a rarity, which makes them stand out. That being the case, it seems like a waste for them to lack any LotD tie-in. I'm wondering if you couldn't manage some resculpting to make skeletal eagles. If you drilled/ground out the eyes and used GS to bridge the channel between the brow and cheek sections, would that give a sufficiently skull-like shape? Painting them in a bone color would certainly help cement the idea, but I'm honestly not sure. That's all I can think of, aside from your skull-vented standard backpack idea (which I'm honestly not opposed to - I think you've been subtle enough everywhere else for it to work and it's still way less bone than you see on most of the stock models).

This is some great feedback
It's really helped me get the ideas flowing

I think I will go with your idea of filling in the engraving and press moulding a small skull behind the ejection port. while I would like to play this weapon as MC bolter I don't think the style of the engraving fits in much.

At first I somehow misread what you were saying when you mentioned the sword's cross-guard, not even looking at the little skull. But it got me looking at the guard and thinking of ways I could improve upon it. I'm now thinking of filling in the gaps between the cross sections of the guard and rounding the bottom gap filling to resemble the shape of a headstone. (Maybe garnish with a purity seal and some scribbly-script)

The eagle skull idea is a definitely-maybe, that is, if I think I can pull it off I'll go for it. Otherwise I will not attempt it lest I destroy a perfectly awesome backpack.
I'll look into it tomorrow


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I'm not sure where I would even start with this

I thought about what I could do with the Bolter for a while and found myself wishing it was Storm Bolter.
So I carefully cut away the regular Bolter being as careful as possible just in case I go back on the decision.

I wanna know which pose people prefer. I can easily change arm positioning at this point so your oppinions are greatly appreciated.


A part of me still feels that the original Bolter brings more character to the model but I'd first like to experiment with the SB and see if I can make it work.

Not feeling the SB the bolt gun gave him a more deadish feel. Like he lurks instead of full of life. IDK either way it looks cheesy with the SB.

How's this?


I personally don't mind this pose so much.

Needs more candles.

looking great. i like the above pose best.

Don't like the first SB pose - feels odd to have a readied weapon in an otherwise passive pose. The second gives a sense of lateral movement, playing off the slight lunge and sweep of the clothes. If you want a more active stance, that's the best. The third is pretty neutral, but the last is almost "actively" limp, which somehow feels right for the whole "animated dead" angle. Honestly not sure if I prefer it over the original bolter (with modifications, as begun/discussed earlier), but it gets my vote if you do decide to change the weapon.

the last one is by far the best. it just screams shambling undead horror. and like a fast zombie, its absolutely terrifying to know that when it wants to it will move with unearthly relentlessness of the walking dead. I mean! Yeah the last pose. totally!

I vote the last as well. Much better!

Third...ed, the last pose is excellent.

I love that his sword is driven into the ground as well. I like the bolter held to his side best as well.

Wow, great conversion. Nice gs skills too.

I like the bolter better then the stormbolter, I think it just looks more natural then the stormbolter. But, that being said, if the stormbolter is what you're going with then i would also vote for the 3rd pose w/gun facing down.




Do you plan on doing this with the rest of your army?

Thanks for all the comments guys. I'm really enjoying the feedback

oadie wrote:Don't like the first SB pose - feels odd to have a readied weapon in an otherwise passive pose. The second gives a sense of lateral movement, playing off the slight lunge and sweep of the clothes. If you want a more active stance, that's the best. The third is pretty neutral, but the last is almost "actively" limp, which somehow feels right for the whole "animated dead" angle. Honestly not sure if I prefer it over the original bolter (with modifications, as begun/discussed earlier), but it gets my vote if you do decide to change the weapon.

Yeah I think the last pose is definitely the one but I'm feeling the same uncertainty about the swap as you are
I think I will stick with the last pose as it does suit the character most but I also want to work out a way to give back what removing the old bolter takes away.
I will think about what I can do to.

NickOnwezen wrote:the last one is by far the best. it just screams shambling undead horror. and like a fast zombie, its absolutely terrifying to know that when it wants to it will move with unearthly relentlessness of the walking dead. I mean! Yeah the last pose. totally!

You're absolutely right about the feel (at least that's what I get from it). I think I have been overlooking characteristic poses in favour of more generic action-y ones.
I dig your enthusiasm too!

Snrub wrote:Wow, great conversion. Nice gs skills too.

I like the bolter better then the stormbolter, I think it just looks more natural then the stormbolter. But, that being said, if the stormbolter is what you're going with then i would also vote for the 3rd pose w/gun facing down.




Do you plan on doing this with the rest of your army?

I sure do have plans. If you want to you can check out my LotD P&M Blog and see the progress I've made so far.
Just follow the link in my signature!



Thanks again guys, more updates will come soon!
Cheers


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My partner just took a picture of me while I was working on the Captain.
Pic related: It's me.

Okay guys, here's where I'm at.

I made a press mould of a little skull so I could have a few lining his shoulder pad separated by studs, added more dripping wax to the candles and fixed up several damaged areas of the model (particularly the SB) with GS too.

I'm thinking I could give him a hood but is that too much?
Also I'm still trying to decide on what to do (if anything) to his other shoulder pad. I could repeat the pattern or do something different.
Suggestions?

This is just a test hood. the final thing would be better sculpted.

C&C welcomed
Cheers

Personally I'm really not digging the hood, also could you possibly take a close up of the head/skull as to me the jaw looks too big but I may be wrong ( at first i thought it was roping around the neck? ) I don't mean to be rude so please forgive me as I am by no means in a position to criticise as your skill far exceeds mine.

I do still really like this conversion

I like the hood personally, it's a little more spooky and weird than the bald skull, which is more tough and fierce looking. Also, I think the chains are cool.

As cool as the hood is, it's not very Legion of the Damned IMO. The models for the legion aren't very keen on hiding their skeleton parts. The hooded skull would be amazing for an interrogator-chaplain, but the normal skull better shows the ghostly thing the LotD have going on

I would scratch the hood, its not very fluff related to LotD, or at least thats what I think, and IMHO it kinda makes him look like the 40K Darth Sidious(no idea how thats spelled.)

I like him though, those points aside, and your modelling skills are way better than mine

The hood is gone
I will more than likely save the hood for a Chaplain or Librarian character... hrmmm Librarian would look pretty nice

 Celtic Warrior wrote:
Personally I'm really not digging the hood, also could you possibly take a close up of the head/skull as to me the jaw looks too big but I may be wrong ( at first i thought it was roping around the neck? ) I don't mean to be rude so please forgive me as I am by no means in a position to criticise as your skill far exceeds mine.

I do still really like this conversion

As for the jaw, I think what you're seeing (or not seeing) is the lower jaw being hidden behind the gorget.
I understand what you're talking about as I too get the feeling the jaw is overly wide. Unusual considering there not even that much jaw showing

So what do we think about the other pauldron? Should I continue the pattern from the other or attempt something different?
I don't feel there's a whole lot more to add to this guy but if you have any ideas don't be afraid to drop a comment

Cheers

what the feth is up with the post system, it is derp!!


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(clears throat) ah, I, what is a "press mold"?
also, the pouldren, perhaps a thin rib-cage design? or a chain attached to a skull?

Wow! Very impressive greenstuff sculpting! Keep up the good work

Ah ha those side profile pics show the jaw a lot better mate.

I'm glad I'm not the only dakkanaut that wasn't keen on the hood.

I personally don't play and therefore not really knowing the fluff In depth I just go on astethics , if I think it looks cool I keep it as they are my mini's after all , but I fully appreciate the advice from the experts on Dakka especially when it comes to what would work from a gaming point of view should I choose to .

What I'm trying to say is I thought the hood reminded me of a Dark angel but I daren't say incase I was wrong

Great work with the green stuff, he is looking seriously cool.

the shrouded lord wrote:what the feth is up with the post system, it is derp!!


Automatically Appended Next Post:
(clears throat) ah, I, what is a "press mold"?
also, the pouldren, perhaps a thin rib-cage design? or a chain attached to a skull?

Press moulding is using GS to take an imprint of some details, allowing the GS to cure, and then make an imprint of the detail by pressing the mould into soft GS.
There are plenty of great tutorials online if you're interested in learning how to do it.

Celtic Warrior wrote:Ah ha those side profile pics show the jaw a lot better mate.

I'm glad I'm not the only dakkanaut that wasn't keen on the hood.

I personally don't play and therefore not really knowing the fluff In depth I just go on astethics , if I think it looks cool I keep it as they are my mini's after all , but I fully appreciate the advice from the experts on Dakka especially when it comes to what would work from a gaming point of view should I choose to .

What I'm trying to say is I thought the hood reminded me of a Dark angel but I daren't say incase I was wrong

It was actually The_Slight_Brigade's comment that helped me realise what to go with. Specifically speaking when he mentioned the hood being "a little more spooky and weird than the bald skull, which is more tough and fierce looking."
While there's nothing wrong with spooky and weird I'm definitely trying to lean more towards though and fierce

Finally round to painting this dude.
I'm gunna follow my usual recipe for painting up these LotD but I'm not sure about what colour to go with for the cape and ropes across his chest.

I was thinking possibly doing the inside of the cape and ropes a deep red and the outside of the cape a muted black.
I'd then detail flames onto the cape so it's not so bland.
Although, I'm not sure about the muted black colour either as it may look too dull.


I'm still pretty noobish when It comes to painting fabrics and cloth so tips and pointers would be much appreciated

Cheers

Am I right in thinking the armour will be black with flames? If so would a black cloak and tabard thingie be too much , don't know if your paint skills are up there but ghosted blue/ grey flames and skulls on the cloth would IMO look badass.

@Xendarc - I'm glad I could help. While I like spooky more, I can see how a 1.3" model might not be the best showcase for "ooh so scary!"

painting scheme brainstorm: one thing you could try is bone details painted on the armor and flame designs on the hem of the cape. The Centurius pic about 75% of the way down this page has bones on his thighs, putting stuff like that on his shins and arms might break up the black a little:
http://warhammer40k.wikia.com/wiki/Legion_of_the_Damned