Forum adverts like this one are shown to any user who is not logged in. Join us by filling out a tiny 3 field form and you will get your own, free, dakka user account which gives a good range of benefits to you: No adverts like this in the forums anymore. Times and dates in your local timezone. Full tracking of what you have read so you can skip to your first unread post, easily see what has changed since you last logged in, and easily see what is new at a glance. Email notifications for threads you want to watch closely. Being a part of the oldest wargaming community on the net. If you are already a member then feel free to login now.

Oooh!

This looks interesting! Can't wait to see more!

Subscribed.

subscribed...you blog has been labeled 100% awsomesauce

Wow! What a fantastic model! I would hate to see that coming at me across the battlefield! D:

Did some more sculpting on the Tervigon last night, slowly refining the pose and filling in some gaps so I can start assembly. Pictures incoming as soon as I'm done with work.

Thinking back to last night I just had to wonder: How many other modellers out there actually spend 1 hour working on just one limb for a conversion? Just curious.

Alright, update time.

First up, details of the torso plate. This piece will go between the 2 front legs.





It's made from the leftovers of a chopped Carnifex carapace. The two parts were filed down to get the joining angle and the width just right. As per usual, I tried to use the least amount of GS as possible by cleaning the joint between the two pieces as well as possible since in some cases, the Tamiya extra thin cement makes a better sculpting aid. Put a few big drops of the cement on the zone you want smoothed out, let it seep in and then "sculpt" the joint with a paintbrush as you draw the pool of liquid plastic across the surface.

Voila! No Green Stuff yet seamless



In my previous post I asked if anyone ever spent more than an hour on just one leg of a conversion. Here's the reason behind that.



The left rear leg sorely needed to be reposed so it got chopped in 3. First the "elbow hook" and the throw the joint. The resulting flat surfaces were hollowed out and the exterior surfaces were resculpted so I could insert the elbow hook at a tweaked angle. The two arm pieces were then pinned with brass. The hook was glued into place and allowed to set while I mixed some GS. Finally I added the exposed "tyranid muscles" and rebuilt the bottom edges of the bicep armour.

Now on to the main event.

Before gluing the legs to the body I needed to get the GS down on the joints and the little spiders hiding in the crevices of the belly.





Some of the holes were filled in smooth while others were given a different treatment. I've been wondering why adrenal glands and toxin sacs on a Tervigon get passed on to the nearby gaunts and came up with the idea that the "Big Mother" secretes hormones that inspire the nearby gribblies, driving them on to feats of strength by increasing their desire to protect the tervigon. What better way to explain counterattack other than to imagine gaunts zealously guarding their bigger sibling. All that fluff to say that based on my premise that the Tervigon exhudes chemicals in the air, it should probably have some glands on it's body that actually look like they spew out gases or spores or whatever. So here's where we stand on this project thus far, legs are finished, posed and 80% of the GS is done on the abdomen as well.





Hope you enjoyed the latest installment.

Next up will be progress shots of 2 Dakkafexes as I rework them. They were originally built "sans conversions" and that's just no longer acceptable.

That Tervigon is just....EPIC! I definitely wouldn't want that running full speed at me. Count me as subscribed!

Not to worry, I won't be running towards you. Just be mindful of the large blast landing on you evert turn

Dude. Whoa. Inspiring, unbelievable, beautiful, subscribed.

MOAR!

Edit:
I'd love it if you could jump over to my 'Toolbox' thread and add the Tamiya cement. If you could also put up a shortish write up on how you use it you'd be even more of a king in my books!! Thanks"

Thanks for the kind words and the subs quys.

@ LostSoul: I checked the Toolbox Thread out. Awesome link. I'll work on some quick photos and do a quick(ish) write-up on the Tamiya cement and it's multiple uses. As it turns out I did some work on some Carnifex torsos this weekend which needed some major rebuilding and smoothing, as task where the cement really shines.

awesome

Ok so here we go with the work on the Carnifexes (or is it Carnifexii).

Originally I just threw them together real quick with minimal clean-up which means there were some major gaps. Their stance was low and super hunched over and they also didn't have any conversion work done on them whatsoever. A creature the size of a Carnifex doesn't seem like it would hold it's head at the same height as a terminator, just sayin'. All told, It was interesting to finally see a "normal" Carnifex but honestly, it's just not for me. Even if I don't plan on heavy conversions, considering all my larger creatures have had some level of conversion done to them thus far, the Carnifexes still need to have some type of surgery.

First up were the torsos.



The gaps on the back edges were well gaping and the spore chimneys were also way off. This pic happened after I cleaned those up but as you can see, the rear edges need major help. Cue round needle files and the fastest solution to gap filling, Tamiya extra thin cement. Much like I did with the Tervigon's torso plate earlier in the blog, I started filing down the offending surfaces, kept as much of the plastic dust on the areas as possible then applies a few drops of liquid cement on top. The filings were melted, turning into a liquid plastic could was then dragged across the model and into the gaps where it settled and cured within a minute.



Voila, 15 minute gap filling job, no GS required. Also notice how the cement smoothed out the tail armour plates. If you apply some cement over filed down areas the cement acts as a self-leveling liquid, eliminating scratch marks much more quickly than fine sandpaper.

As for the weapon arms I didn't like using 4 of the stumpy devourer arms. The way they're angled at both the wrist and the elbow makes it really hard to pose them properly. My solution was to bulk up the front pair a bit by using larger arms.



Following some delicate cutting with a bone saw and some precise filing to adjust the fit, Tamiya cement worked it's magic and smoothed everything out.



End result, a taller model with arms that actually match the proportions of the kit (and finally dwarfs a Terminator).

Love it mate. Cant wait to see more!

Just a quick update tonight.

Due to a mishap I had to rework one of the legs on the Tervigon. While waiting for the glue to set I got to testing a few material, DAS clay. As of yet I've never heard anything about so since I couldn't find any milliput, I figured I'd give a try on my long neglected Trigon. So after cutting and laminating two sheets of styrene to make a suitable base for the trigon, I slapped some clay on and created a channel for the monsters tail.



The clay has a very smooth texture although upon close inspection it is actually quite fibrous, as they fine short strands of "something" in the material. It's feel quite wet to the touch but dries within seconds on the hands. Unlike GS it doesn't seem to have any adhesive qualities whatsoever so I'll probably have to seal the clay with some acrylic medium before I handle it too much. Here's the Trigon on the base.



By the time I was done the glue had cured enough that I could get back to work on the Tervigon and proceeded to GS the front torso today. Nothing too complex just filling some gaps, covering up some cut off bits to smooth out a few surfaces just above the front shoulder sockets. Once that was done I sculpted in some "niddy" surface texture.





Thanks for watching, keep the comments flowing.

Having read through this - I'm impressed. Love how you're doing your own swarm up. And the beetle scheme? I wanted to do that so much then they upped and made all the metallic paints disappear.

I was so sad when that happened.

Even the Tamiya Metallics? What part of the world do you live that they would ban acrylic paint with flakes? So not cool!

*edit* Nevermind, just noticed the UK flag by your name after I hit send.

So I wonder, if someone from Canada were to send some metallic paint to the UK as a "gift" would they intercept it and confiscate the delivery?

It's also a case of suppliers. Until about 6 months ago we had no real alternative for modelling supplies or paints and I wasn't going to mail order everything.

There was much sorrow.

I'm enthralled by your Tyranid conversions! the level of customization you are going to is extremely impressive and I have quite happily subscribed to your blog

awesome sculpting skills for your conversions! i really like how you can come up with the awesome weapons and converted heads and arms!

Dark_Gear wrote:
Filing and shaping took just under an hour. Compared to the first design, I'd call it a sizable improvement. Still some GS work to do on it but I'm thinking it's a keeper.


Having now done a fit test with the nearly finished sword arm it becomes clear that the much-maligned first version of the lash whip has to go. More as the story unfolds.

Comments, critique and suggestions (has anyone coined CC&S yet ) welcome as always.

Marc.

Not quite a fan of the green stuffed lash whip...for some reason it doesn't look finished. That bonesword however, I just love...very sleek and deadly! Great job.


Automatically Appended Next Post:

Dark_Gear wrote:After the tedious bits were out of the way I finally could get back to the Tyranid Prime.
Try as I might the original deathspitter mod just wasn'nt working. It was too bulky and took away the focus from the bonesword. Furthermore, the empty lower arm was also in the way of the sword arm so I scrapped that one too. Instead, I opted for a Plain Jane deathspitter with standard feeder arm. This design changed opened up some much needed space on the model for a Lash whip more in keeping with the Sword, something that could make use of the sketch I posted at the start of the weekend.



Starting with a Ripper as a base I figured that since they are small and very simple creatures to breed, maybe they could be used as a base for more than boneswords. Who knows, maybe rippers evolved from some type of voracious sea-dwelling creature. Their biomass was taken in and their DNA was tweaked so that the flowing tentacles has fused into a long bony member or one single large powerful tentacle. If such is the case I figure that one Uber tentacle would still have elements of its previously divided self, hence it would have flesh hooks coming out of a split tip to properly snare meals, uh, I mean opponents. Which lead to this final design.

Now that is a sweet looking lash whip design. Way to take the art concept to physical form.


Automatically Appended Next Post:
Also I like how you converted the legs on your strikes. I see you are using the rending claw hands from the genestealers. If you ever get a chance to post a tutorial on the legs, it would be appreciated.

I love how you say you're no good with GS! Stop beiggn so modest, you are very good

Wanted to say thankyou for the inspiration you've given me since the beginning of the blog. Thanks to you i took the time to make cool boneswords! (Actually, i think you inspired me to start Nids tbh! Ive got 4k now!! )

Wow, words nearly escape me! you have done an absolutely inspirational job with your army, I may not be a Nid lover anymore but I can sure appreciate and enjoy a build of this quality, with this much dedication and this much skill! you have made what is essentially a scary alien army actually look like a scary alien army! those winged beasts are amazing and your tervigon is looking very nice indeed! I can't wait to see what's next! definitely subbed, definitely hooked!


Nerdfest09

@ Wyomingfox: Feel free to copy the bonesword idea. It's why I post all these pics in the first place. As for the lash whip, the final design was the first time I took the time to sketch out the idea before reaching for the bitz and the GS. Normally I kinda "sketch in 3d", building shapes as I go while keeping the door open for happy accidents. I was very pleased with the results.

About the Shrike legs, it just so happens that one of them broke which means I have the opportunity of taking some deconstructed shots so you can see how the thing comes together. Probably won't get to that until the end of the week but a leg tutorial is now on my list.

@ Vitruvian & Nerdfest: Until I can scratch build a whole model I won't consider myself good but thanks for appreciate the time and effort I put into my work. Most of all, thanks for sharing that I was an inspiration. It makes all those times where I get tired of taking progress pics and posting comments seem worthwhile. Did you post pics of your Nids anywhere yet?

As a teaser for the next phase for the Tervigon, I'll reveal some of my inspiration.

DarkStarSabre wrote:Having read through this - I'm impressed. Love how you're doing your own swarm up. And the beetle scheme? I wanted to do that so much then they upped and made all the metallic paints disappear.

I was so sad when that happened.

I live in Scotland and although i haven't been into GW in a wee while(it wasn't that long ago) i'm pretty sure they still sell metallics. In fact the website(with UK selected as country) is selling the metallics. Also ordering online really doesn't take long for delivery, not in this day in age.
Hope you get what you need.

Dark_Gear, i hope theres going to be some double teeth action for the queen of your brood?!

LostSoulCasey'sLaw wrote:
I was so sad when that happened.

I live in Scotland and although i haven't been into GW in a wee while(it wasn't that long ago) i'm pretty sure they still sell metallics. In fact the website(with UK selected as country) is selling the metallics. Also ordering online really doesn't take long for delivery, not in this day in age.

DarkStarSabre wrote:The metallics I mentioned was not the standard golds, silvers, bronzes.

A while back GW produced some other colours - blue, purple, red, green - in metallic tones.
As said, at the time I wasn't looking to hunt for half a dozen different paint suppliers. But I do miss the old metallic colours.

Ah i'm with you now sorry. Keep an eye on my 'Toolbox' thread(linked below) as i have just requested paints to be added to the list. If i get some replies you may see something you like.

Back on topic troops...

Hehe, cant wait after that teaser...

There are a few pics of my nids, some in my gallery and in my randoms thread (in sig). Tbh, i find it difficult to see how people couldnt be inspired looking at your work!

Love the conversions. Subscribed.

LostSoulCasey'sLaw wrote:Dark_Gear, i hope theres going to be some double teeth action for the queen of your brood?!

I don't know but have you noticed that a ripper's jaws are just the right proportions compared to a Trigon's head...

DarkStarSabre wrote:A while back GW produced some other colours - blue, purple, red, green - in metallic tones.
As said, at the time I wasn't looking to hunt for half a dozen different paint suppliers. But I do miss the old metallic colours.

Have you thought of adding some acrylic ink medium, which you could be at an art supply store, into some mithril silver paint to tint it to your desired tone? I'd also suggest you look around for the Tamiya metallics. They have a wide assortment of colourful "candy coat" paints to choose and their metal flakes are much smaller than GW's. Another option might be to approach a car painting shop and ask where they buy their paint. I've found vehicle metal flake to be much finer than the some model metallic paints. Seeing as how these painting shops typically create their own mixes ont he spot you could benefit from getting a) better quality paint, b) larger volumes of paint for roughly the same price as GW paint and c) get your exact colour. Just a thought.

I have sad news, the Tervigon might be taking a bit of a ride to the back burner as I received something in the mail today.



And it just so happens I had a few supplies laying around in anticipation for this arrival.



The magic words for this new project are (as if I needed any more projects..): magnetised modular terrain boards.

Dark_Gear wrote:

DarkStarSabre wrote:A while back GW produced some other colours - blue, purple, red, green - in metallic tones.
As said, at the time I wasn't looking to hunt for half a dozen different paint suppliers. But I do miss the old metallic colours.

Have you thought of adding some acrylic ink medium, which you could be at an art supply store, into some mithril silver paint to tint it to your desired tone? I'd also suggest you look around for the Tamiya metallics. They have a wide assortment of colourful "candy coat" paints to choose and their metal flakes are much smaller than GW's.

Indeed Dark_Gear. That is how I accomplished the blue metalic on sections of my first batch of Long Fang's weapons (my latest longfangs used several washes over a metalic coat instead). I took some Vellajo Game Color Ink and added it to Mitral Silver until I got a lovely metalic blue. For what it is worth, Vallejo also makes colored metalics paints for their Model Air line (meant for air brushes).

Vallejo also makes colored metalics paints for their Model Air line (meant for air brushes)

Good to know. I've yet to find a single store in my area that actually stocks Vallejo paints but I've only ever heard good things about their line of paints.