Dreaming big: does this forum have the expertise to make a miniature?

Hi folks!

I have recently started studying how miniatures come to our tables, from concept ideas to the final model. I was wondering if, as per title, this community featured skills and means sufficient to produce a miniature from start to finish.

The big dream would be, of course, taking part in producing something (maybe kickstarting for 3D print-casting-whatever).

But I would also like to discuss the steps after the 'master sculpt' (phisical or digital) as I don't think I got the whole process.

 

What about the actual casting/3d printing?

 

@Warden is something of an expert in casting and @little-myth and @Unoalazar have been playing around with 3D printing as far as I recall.

Also another good greenstuff sculptor is @Itepixcauh.

I imagine some of them will be able to contribute to this.

 

Definitely. The aforementioned artists, among others, do have the required skills! Shoutout to you, guys! And to every one which was forgotten or unbeknownst to me I'd love to aquire forum sculpted unique lizardmen, but as I am living in germany, it might not ever happen.

 

What does living in Germany have to do with it?

 

This is an excellent community, I really hope we can make something out of this! If we manage to, I would love to draw and paint a few concepts (together with the other drawing artists here), based on ideas gathered in a poll or forum discussion.
Come on, guys! You know the Old Ones want it!

 

Well I'm still a beginner in 3D sculpting, only touching upon it lightly. I still haven't even learned how to pose stuff yet.
But if anyone does any concept art and stuff, I can take a shot with creating a 3D version when I get the time.

 

I'm more than willing to do the concept art, but would like to do it based on ideas gathered here.

 

There are a lot of “what do you want in a new book” or “what new units would be good” threads already on the forum. Sift through those for ideas. [?]

To narrow it down a little, choose a category:

• Something brand new?
• Some alternate sculpt for an existing model?

I think the two most wished for things in the second category are 1) an alternate, much fiercer looking Cold One; 2) an alternate sculpt for Spike Chucking Razordons. So,

Fierce Ones ..........or......... Spikey-Dons ??

 

What I'm about to type will come across as very blunt, but please do not be offended by it;

There is absolutely NO implied rudeness, or maliciousness within.

I have no interest it touching a kickstarter campaign, or gofundme project, in any shape/form.
Glossing over the fact that sculpting for hire nearly permanently killed my interest in sculpting, I'm not even going to give it the opportunity to try again.

The nuts and bolts of the situation are, I don't have the time, even if there was a myriad of people all putting money in so that I could take the required time off work to devote sculpting (don't do, or even offer to do this I cannot stress that part enough), it's an insane amount of pressure to perform within a tight time constraint, which presents it's own problems.

There's a huge difference between doing something you enjoy for no reason beyond enjoyment and doing the same thing but with obligations attached.

I was going to stay quiet on this next matter, but I've still got a rather bad taste left over from the incident in question.

*SNIP*
Too much negativity, section removed.

As for 3D modeling, I am getting reasonable with Blender, it's free, but it's a mess.
I do have Z-brush, but sadly I think this is something where I'm going to have to teach myself how to use it, my biggest issue with 98% of online tutorials, even the apparently "good" ones, is people waste far too much time talking about what can go wrong.

I watched a highly rated video on scripting for skyrim, which I managed to condense into 1.5 - 2 pages of A4, there was about 4-5 minutes of actual information and 20-21 minutes of saying what will go wrong and how it will go wrong if you enter the wrong information. <- This kind of information is irrelevant, it's a bit like describing what will go wrong with baking a cake and what the cake will look like for each and every conceivable mistake you make with the ingredients, oven temperature and time.

So for 3D sculpting, at present my knowledge goes as far as effectively digitally "Kit-bashing" to create custom armours, spells and behavioral packages. (I can post some photos if people are interested).

 

Something brand new appeals to me a bit more.
I'll search trhough the post and gather some ideas.

I see no reason for me to be offended. The only reason behind my idea was to pursue pure enjoyment while doing something 'productive' for this community. I don't know the mechanichs behind model casting, the amount of money required etc. so I have no Idea on how stressful it can be.
If somebody does not feel like it is totally fine.

I don't know much about your story and I'm just catching bits of it here and there. I'm sure you have very good reasons to feel this way.

Well, this is a problem true to many internet tutorials and I run across it every time I look into something new.


I have just checked some your sculpts and they all look fantastic. It is clear you have talent, a lot of passion an that you put a lot of effort in it. Congratulations. I also appreciate your tips and tutorials.

 

I have to say thank you for being very open minded and understanding.

I have a tiny amount of experience with casting, but only really in terms of what you can cast and how (air spaces).
Only other person that I'd recommend contacting is Ed at Troll forged miniatures, he's an amazing individual, if he says he's going to do something, he does it and fast. He's honest, open, he puts other people first, they guy is a saint, a scholar and the kind of friend that makes you feel special and humble all at once.

I'll message him if that would help?

 

Thanks. In case we make anything out of this idea I will ask you to contact him.

 

You do! Chaos Dwarfs online does, as well. It's common knowledge that CDO has grown into a creative hobby hub by virtue of being left out in the cold and having to make its own stuff. Lizardmen were never left out in the cold, and yet I always mention Lustria Online in the same breath as CDO, as examples of what hobby forums should become. You never had to, but you've still pulled off a similar stunt as to what Chaos Dwarf hobbyists did.

From what I've seen, you possess the knowhow for every step of the process. Though, it has to be said, all that arduous casting hassle is best left to the professionals in my experience.

 

I have one (a whole folder really, but if I had to choose the best/difficult-to-convert-otherwise/unseen/usable/not-too-oversized model concept I'd pick this one)
it can be summed up with "scar veteran with backmounted stargate fully clad in old ones' technology, armour and weapons", but it's way more mouthful than the nickname of "starwalker" and doesn't really get through the mental image I have of it that much more effectively.
unfortunately I don't have much time now so I can't (attempt to) draw a picture with clearer details, but if anything it carries across the silhouette, feel and colour, I hope.

Spoiler

drawing from the current range, possible future ramifications of the magitech aspect and old nods to magic items and the underrated special character of the old slann mylkbotyl
[designs of the blades of reality mechanical prosthetic and mirror shield still have to pin down satisfactorily]
still too over the top for the normal range, but with a few rescalings and with things not being just gold I feel confident about making it fit

may do a proper drawing as soon as I can if interested

 

Looks very interesting so far, even if 90% of the details are hard to imagine you stil get the 'feel' of what it should be. I'm coming up with some ideas too, which I will hopefully turn into more or less elaborate drawings in the next weeks.
I woul also like to jam different ideas together and see what different artists come up with.