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 Dr H wrote:

YourIntestines wrote:The autocannon might look less unbalanced if you extended part of it back over the elbow.

Ah yes, I did add some more at the rear since that last photo, but only squaring it off really (see below). but I like that idea, I may add an armour plate sticking out the back. It's the only weapon that has the width to do that on anyway.

shasolenzabi wrote:Plasma cannon was looking "stumpy" maybe a bit longer?

The Twin linked Las-cannon does have a boxy looking main body, but I think some angled edges as opposed to 90 degree box patterning will help

Yeah, the plasma cannon was to be extended back to meet the arm, but the more I added to it, the smaller the plasma coil looked and whatever I did to it, it just didn't click for me. The mouth was off centre as well.

The various Las-weapons seem to have a technology-in-a-box look to them, and I wanted to keep that feel. Will see how it progresses though.

Both the Plasma cannon and the Las cannon have been cut up, ripped apart for pieces and are in the process of being re-built.

Here's some pictures to show the "finished" Heavy Bolter, the nearly finished Auto cannon and many angles of the power fist.
Also notice the added armour plates on the upper arm, these still need some tidying and sharpening of the details, but the added bulk helps with the balance of the whole arm (no longer large blobs on the end of a stick).


Until next time...

All looking brilliant, excellent conversions/ scratches of the weaponry. Magazines are a particular favourite.

First off, I like them all as is.

BUT... If you are overly bothered by the length then change your pivot point. It wont hurt it any to be wider, so cut it off at the elbow, and stick it on the side of the elbow, knocks the whole thing back 10mm makes all the difference. Know this from personal experience.

But I think it looks great as is. The only one I think looks a bit "long" is the hand, but that to me gives it a slight "pink horror" vibe, oh go on paint it bright pink!

I honestly think you are done as is, and should get some paint on it.

 Camkierhi wrote:
All looking brilliant, excellent conversions/ scratches of the weaponry. Magazines are a particular favourite.

First off, I like them all as is.

Thanks Cam.

BUT... If you are overly bothered by the length then change your pivot point. It wont hurt it any to be wider, so cut it off at the elbow, and stick it on the side of the elbow, knocks the whole thing back 10mm makes all the difference. Know this from personal experience.

But I think it looks great as is. The only one I think looks a bit "long" is the hand, but that to me gives it a slight "pink horror" vibe, oh go on paint it bright pink!

I honestly think you are done as is, and should get some paint on it.

Thanks. If it was for my army, I would play about with it and re-sculpt bits and pieces (going back and fourth for months), but this is for sale and I can't take forever with it.
Chopping it back to the elbow would mean re-doing all the weapons, not to mention the upper arm that would invariably need tweaking. There's also the risk of things interfering with his knee there too.
As I said, he's a bit of a knuckle-dragger... I'll probably paint the fist up to represent this...

What have I got to show you today?
The Multi-melta has now got enough bulk to allow me to attach it. There will be more detail added to that top part.

Las Cannon MkII is taking shape (and that shape is largely square, sorry). This is over half a centimetre shorter than before and is now roughly the same length as the AC. Any shorter, and I did look at this, and it just didn't have the bulk to look like a weapon, it was all barrel.

And progress on the combi-bolter attachment for the power fist on this side. Still needs more work, as does everything...


The Auto cannon has the added armour plate, but that needs work before I can show it.
The plasma cannon is still in pieces, but there are less pieces than there were last time (as some have been stuck together).

Onwards...

Much improved so far! awesome to see! he will be scary on the battle field!

Thanks Shas.

Progress...
Continuing from last time, the combi-bolter attachment has had a cable added that helps to centre it on the power fist.

The flamer attachment is built. This time with a nozzle as I have filled the palm-mouth on this power fist. I always thought that those end pieces of sprue were an interesting shape and have found the perfect use for them, a flamer igniter.

And there is the answer to the question that literally ...none... of you asked; what is the lucky owner going to do when they want to run this with only the power fist with no bolter or flamer? I made a thing for that (press mould job).


Also, progress on the weapons.
The Auto cannon has an armour plate. I made it angular and pointed to make it more dangerous looking. It's also curved to match the curvature of the cannon's body.

The Las Cannon has had a few details added, including some optics (also a random piece of sprue that I thought looked interesting).

And the Plasma cannon is now taking shape, again...


Thanks.

All looking amazingly good. Attention to detail as always, great stuff.

Thanks Cam.
And speaking of details, Moar details...

I've added some studs to the power fist. I was going to add spikes/blades to match the original, but the closer to the original I made this one, the more effort I would have to put in to make it identical. That would mean, if I was to add spikes, I would have to add 3 spikes, in the same place, and in the same sizes. Any slight differences in this would then jump out. So by doing something completely different I don't have to worry about that. Only put them on the lower side as that's the bit he'll be hitting people with. This finishes the power fist (except rivets).

The Las cannon has had it's final details (except rivets) and is another weapon ticked off. 2 to go...

The MMelta has had most of it's details added, just a couple more bits left to add.

And the plasma is getting there, but much more to do.



Thanks.

And like that, it is done (almost).


That completes the building of all parts, and laying them out is quite impressive.
The volume of "white" indicates how much work has gone in to completing this model (and you can't see all of it).


The next job will be to prime everything and check for issues, do some final tweaks and then riveting...

Well that is a beast. Hope someone will pay you bulk monies.

A decent wage? What's one of those? I've heard the legends of the decent wage what folks used to get in the before-time. Also ancient tales of sick-pay and pen-sions and job secure-ity, but I feel certain they must be mythical.

Thanks Weety. I hope so too.

I know what you mean. I have had a decent wage as a postdoc research assistant. It didn't come with those other strange things though.

And so, it is done. Riveted, primed and ready to go... on to painting.

You will also notice that I decided on the face... and that it wasn't going to look like a face.
The thought process being, that if I gave this chaos dreadnought a face (however evil I managed to make it) it would be giving it a vulnerable side... I already removed the bare head due to physical vulnerabilities (what's the point in armour if you can shoot it in the head), but any face would make it more "human". I decided that it would be scarier if it had no facial features and would then be causing great violence with a blank look.

"it can't be reasoned with, It doesn't feel pity, or remorse, or fear. And it absolutely will not stop, ever, until you are dead"

The blank area under the slit will be for some free-hand work (as yet undecided).

These pictures should show all the important modelling details. Paint will bring out the rest.


Yes, I know, I haven't riveted the underside of the power fist. I'm going to do that now.

Thanks.

Awesome dred Dr H
Cant wait to see it painted up
Keep up the great work
Grtz
Mark

Excellent work. Now where have I seen that Pose before

You have successfully transformed the sow's ear. No mean feat this. I salute you sir.

The flying shoebox still awaits you. Just Sayin'

You not painting yet! Jeez

JK great stuff.

Lots of work has gone into this, congratz. I hope someone pays you handsomely for it.

I see all the wargear that the dready comes with, and think, "I'm Batman!"

As is usual with how I tend to work; slow to start and speed up as I go... Painting is in progress, but I had to start on the flesh and that is slow to paint.

Thanks Mark. Paint should happen faster than the building... should...

Thanks Red. You may have seen that before, but I hadn't.
The pose is pretty much the same as it was on the original model, I've just changed which foot is raised.
Glad you think it's an improvement, hopefully everyone thinks the same (truest test with be those that actually liked the original).

One day, I'll show what I think the shoebox should look like.

Camkierhi wrote:You not painting yet! Jeez

JK great stuff.

I am, Cam. I am.

I hope so too, Casey. It'll be a good deal for anyone, however much they pay. Good learning experience for me though.

Thanks Shas. Here's progress on Batman then...

As I said, I've started on the flesh and for a while I thought that I had lost the knack of painting as it was looking pretty horrible (that's why you haven't had any updates until now). But now after many layers, the flesh is starting to come together and look like flesh, with shading an' everything...


There is much more to do. More highlights, picking out individual details and then an idea I have had to make it look less squidgy...

Progress as and when...
Thanks.

You know, it never crossed my mind that you'd paint the flesh in a flesh colour. I like a surprise.

That is the bomb. I'm so impressed that if I won the lottery tomorrow I would immediately employ you for my sculptor team. Sadly I'm as poor as a church shrew. But I will buy a ticket and keep my fingers crossed for you.

 Casey's Law wrote:
You know, it never crossed my mind that you'd paint the flesh in a flesh colour. I like a surprise.

It never crossed my mind not to paint it in a flesh colour...
Actually I did consider it, but I don't like what GW did on the "official" scheme, where they have painted the flesh the same as the armour. What's the point of going through the effort of adding all the fleshy details and distinguishing it from the armour plates, and then painting them the same?!

I wanted to keep this as universal as possible, so some colours were out due to their links to the certain chaos gods (green for Nurgle etc...) and pink skin is the most universal (not too green or too blue, etc.), distinguishes the flesh from the armour, and will blend with one of the colours I have chosen for the armour (which shall remain a mystery to maintain some level of intrigue).

However, the plan will (hopefully) make it look less baby-soft, but I need to make it flesh-like first.

All will become clear in time...

Keeping it unaffiliated, good thinking.

 weetyskemian44 wrote:
That is the bomb. I'm so impressed that if I won the lottery tomorrow I would immediately employ you for my sculptor team. Sadly I'm as poor as a church shrew. But I will buy a ticket and keep my fingers crossed for you.

Thanks Weety. Means a lot.
I shall keep my fingers crossed for you too.


Automatically Appended Next Post:
Aye, Casey.

Fleshy parts look great
You gonna create a more bruised flesh effect by adding some purple/red wshes? or will it stay a bit healthier looking flesh?
Keep up the great work DR H
Grtz
Mark

Looking great, and I think he's a J&J babyoil fan, nice smooth skin. Great job so far.

I find the right colored wash also helps with fleshes.

ayoku wrote:Fleshy parts look great
You gonna create a more bruised flesh effect by adding some purple/red wshes? or will it stay a bit healthier looking flesh?
Keep up the great work DR H
Grtz
Mark

Thanks.
Yeah there will be parts that will differ in colour. All the hoses mostly.
and there will be red and sore areas around the attachment points.

This is just the base colour that will be blended/washed into other colours/tones.

Camkierhi wrote:Looking great, and I think he's a J&J babyoil fan, nice smooth skin. Great job so far.

I'm thinking more WD-40 than J&J, wait and see...

shasolenzabi wrote:I find the right colored wash also helps with fleshes.

Yarp.

I've done the highlighting as far as necessary at this point and am about to decide upon what colours the differently coloured areas will be... I think the ribbed areas will be deep blood red to start with and the rest of the hoses will be variations on purples and greens... with some reds and blues... and some yellows... make 'em repulsive...

Blending ahoy!

Looking nice - in its own very particular way - and smooth so far.

But now after many layers, the flesh is starting to come together and look like flesh, with shading an' everything...

Out of curiosity: around how many layers is many? and how many different tones in those layers for the shading? (Still using enamels, right? Not sure if it would apply to acrylics too then, but I could use the reference anyway).

 Littletower wrote:
Looking nice - in its own very particular way - and smooth so far.

Thanks.

But now after many layers, the flesh is starting to come together and look like flesh, with shading an' everything...

Out of curiosity: around how many layers is many? and how many different tones in those layers for the shading? (Still using enamels, right? Not sure if it would apply to acrylics too then, but I could use the reference anyway).

Right, so my typical skin tone goes something like this:
Brown base coat (Humbrol 186) over black so it's on the darker side. Cover everything and make sure to get into all the crevices.
Over that, but not into the deepest of crevices, I paint a light brown (62).
Then a layer of "sand" (63) leaving a little of the previous in all crevices.

Then I start on thin, transparent layers of paint...
Over everything, but not too much in the crevices, a layer of flesh (61) with some red in it (usually Scarlet 60, but this time Crimson 20). I will usually add other colours here for ill-looking etc. flesh here instead of red for healthy flesh.
Over that, but not so deep into the crevices, a layer of flesh. *This is where it was at as you see above*

Then, depending on how light you want to go, highlight layers of flesh and "bone" (Oak 71), adding more bone each time. Usually 3 layers to get a smooth finish, and then a final layer with some white in for the last highlights.

Repeat any and/or all layers to get the desired affect. I can't really give accurate quantities of the mixes or the thinning as I do it all by eye each time.

However, on this occasion, I didn't get the consistency of the paint right for a few of the layers and they had to be done 2 or 3 times... Hence "many".

I've only done 2 passes of highlights on the flesh now (well I did repeat the first layer twice ), the second with a little white in, as I have other plans for the finished piece.

It's a long, laborious process. But I've found that this is the only way I get reasonably good flesh tones. Other colours, for armour etc., I manage with far less work.

Great, crystal clear break up of your process, thanks Your modelling and painting skills I admire, buy your teacher and tutor aspects are what I enjoy - and learn from - the most.

Flesh is the perfect color for it. But as you say, many layers, almost like glazes... That's how Leonardo used to paint, I hear.

Littletower wrote:Great, crystal clear break up of your process, thanks Your modelling and painting skills I admire, buy your teacher and tutor aspects are what I enjoy - and learn from - the most.

Glad to help. I've learnt much from DDakka and like to give some back every now and then. Thanks.

Red Harvest wrote:Flesh is the perfect color for it. But as you say, many layers, almost like glazes... That's how Leonardo used to paint, I hear.

Thanks, Red.
You could say glazes, but I wouldn't know, I haven't used any. I just work with various consistencies of the same paints: Washes are heavily diluted, glazes, less so, undiluted for dry-brushing, etc... There's no messing about with flow-aids, drying retarders, whatever, just paint and white spirit in various ratios. Stuck in my ways or scared to move on to join the acrylic master race... who knows. I know what I'm doing with these and the results speak for themselves, good or bad.

Er, anyway, onwards...

Here's the first lot of changes to the flesh areas.

So, I've added some variation to some of the hoses/cables/whatever they are, and I've added some redness/bruising around the various parts where flesh and metal meet.

Next job is to paint the smaller wires and the metal parts in and around the flesh. Then I'll be able to see where to improve the flesh/metal areas (red wash).

That's starting to look awesome, man. Keep doing what you're doing!