Tutorial How to sculpt lizardmen: All your base...

Not got a clue,

Timing is never something I pay attention to as you could have an exceptionally good or bad day (the later meaning you have to re-sculpt something numerous times, which adds quite a sizeable chunk in terms of time).

 

It takes me like a billion years to produce even the most rudimentary of green stuff conversions, and sculpting is far beyond my skill level. Your work is unbelievably good!

 

I know this is probably a dumb question but what is the bloat toad even used for? I'm assuming it's for Ripperdactyls right?

 

You're correct, the blot toad is used for the Ripperdactyls. At the start of the game you nominate an enemy unit (and mark it with a blot toad) for each Ripper unit you have in your army. When attacking the marked unit(s) Rippers get D3+1 attacks for their frenzy instead of 1, and can re-roll their failed to hit rolls.

 

Oh cool. I ended up building Terradons so I used the Bloat Toad as a fluff piece on my Carnosaur's base.

 

I'm going to try a new tact with this next one, in so far as I'll keep the info to a very bear minimum. To be honest, if I've done this correctly it should need very little explanations at all, as you can see how stages have been done and then one follows on from the other.

So here is the starter, an armature stage with plenty of green stuff and wire, at this stage finger prints and tools do not matter, push and pull to your heart's content.


After that is dried, I lay down a second layer of Green stuff to thicken things up a little and after it dries, I make a few cuts and remove lumpy edges and thicken the ball part.
- I then start laying down a detail layer and making small cuts, it's important to not it's best doing it bit by bit, don't go too mad or lay down too much.


I then add some tiny pock marks like you'd get on the moon, it's just an additional, something worth playing with, rather than just sticking to, or doing out of necessity.
- I work on the tail, this time I work more on keeping flame like details to a minimum, the speed means you'd get very little flaring.



And finally (because of Sigmar, two tailed comets and all the End Times spoilers) I've added in a second tail. It's worth noting that it's not really 100% finished, but I wanted to get some photos up and tweak a few bits and pieces today before finishing it for good later on.
- Mainly things like smoothing off edges, adding a touch more detail, things of that nature.




I've made some good headway on the Steg, but it's going to take me much longer overall than I originally thought, still haven't quite finished the tail (though I think that is the part that will take the longest time overall).

 

Wow Rickard, you make it look so easy (but I'm well aware that it isn't easy at all for the rest of us). Looks great!

 

I agree 100% with both statements. That comet is beautiful.

 

I like, I like!

I can envisage how did the rest, but I'm not sure how you went about making the pock marks?

 

People like me (who are artistically challenged) are always in awe of how skilled artists can do this stuff and make it look so easy. Whenever I do try real hard to paint/convert something real nice it comes out looking like a 5th grader made it over a 40 min class period. The older I get the more I realize I don't 'belong' in this hobby. However, I do have a great appreciation at looking at other people's great work! Thanks for posting more pictures Rikard! Watching the step-by-step process is more fun than looking at the finished product (which I see a lot of great work at the tournaments I regular...and I realize more and more my puny models don't belong on the same table).

 

Get something which is round (like the end of a paintbrush) and push it into the putty, different sizes of items give different sizes of marks.

The thing is, I didn't (and still don't) believe that for a minute, I honestly think it's about being persistent and confident (the later being something which comes with practice).

For art at GCSE I got a B and for A-level I got a D...yeah a D...
For sculpture on an art foundation course prior to my Degree (which wasn't in art at all), I got a pass, no merit and no distinction, just a pass (and this isn't even taking into consideration my utterly talentless idiot of a sculpture tutor actually wanted to FAIL me, but was out-voted by two other tutors).

You learn what works for you (techniques and tools) and so you fall into a mind set of "how can I create this particular look", even for something you've never sculpted before, kind of like a form of problem solving. Your brain takes concept/idea and instantly uses previous experience to come up with a way of creating that look, both in terms of technique and the number of stages it may require. The thing is (I got a lot of angst on Warseer for saying this), but sculpting IS easy.

Luck is a huge problem/help much of the time, but this should NEVER be written off as being "gifted" or "talentless" (both of which are words I utterly LOATH, they are the cause of a huge number of problems, especially if it means you never give it a real go because you've already decided you can't/are unable to reach that level).


I've been saying this since I first started and my attitude/outlook has not changed since then, the only thing I think/hope that has improved is my coherency on the matter.

Persistence, problem solving and practice, that's all that's needed.

 

Been a little quiet once again, but with any luck things are beginning to move again.

First up I've worked a little more on the comet, I decided the smaller, secondary tale was a little off, so I've added some detail to it as it was a little lacking.


Along with these I've completed four other objective markers/Icons and have nearly finished another 2 (which you can probably see in the background of some of the other photos. I've not added in any additional information of stage shots with these ones though as I want this to be a "have a go for yourself/here's one I made earlier" sequence. What you effectively have is a series of different markers, some easier/requiring fewer stages than others, with a wider scope for skill, but I have added in a few bullet points for each underneath.

Drop Rocks marker (not a good day to be a skaven).

• Make balls of apoxy sculpt and let them dry.
• Cut/sand the back off a skaven or other suitable "to be squashed" mini.
• Cut chunks in rocks to create edges.
• Drill them out.
• Pin them.
• Place them on top of dead skaven.
• Green stuff in some clothes of squashed body parts.

Carnosaur Nest

• Pin bits of wire (armature for taller rocks spikes)
• Make blobs of green stuff + stick green stuff to wire and let dry.
• Cut small shavings off dried green stuff to make rocks.
• Apply thin layer of green stuff to make grass/foliage (and shape it).
• Make leaf bedding, loads of pushing and pulling action to curl leaves.
• Make nest and ensure twigs texture curves round in a pattern.
• Make individual eggs.

Carnivorous plant.

• Add blobs of green stuff to make shape and structure.
• Make thick leaves, allow to harden slightly so they don't flop inwards.
• Make tendrils on base and leaves.
• Make longer tendrils, shape them after it's hardened a bit, but not completely so (you still want to be able to stick them to the plant.
• Thicken the three leaves on the top.
• Make inside of plant (apply texture).
• Add tongue.
• Make outside of three top leaves and texture them.
• Add little spikes + additional base leaves.

Ruins.
I should really cut back some of the softer edges on these to make them look rough.

• Make rough steps/overlaps (you can be rough in this stage)
• Trim back edges with scalpel to give a rough effect and make the tops flat.
• Add thin layer over the top and do one plate at a time for detail (better working for the bottom to the top) - I admit I was running dry on inspiration for this.
• Cut back and roughen edges (something I've not done in this photo)

If you're feeling really eager this should prompt you to have a go for yourself....hintity hint hint....

 

Wel done, once again @Rikard

I do like the little squished Skaven, it's the little details that adds the charm

I really like the objective markers, they remind me of the stuff I made in anticipation of the 2005 Lustria Campaign release (albeit much better than my teenage hands). I love the carnivorous plant, I made a similar looking one primarily using polystyrene balls, wire, and a lot of moss. Unfortunately my imagination got a bit ahead of me and it's far too big to be an objective marker...

 

Awesome stuff as always @Rikard

They all look fantastic but I especially like the carnosaur nest. Absolutely amazing!

 

That one has quickly become my favourite too.

@Slanputin, it would well be worth having another shot I think, just half the amount of material you use and you'll be fine.

 

These are looking amazing

I really want to make me some objective markers and comet marker.

One day... one day...

All my markers are currently some 5 cent coins but they make the battle look messy

 

Sweet lord, I need to buy these tokens...they're beautiful.

 

Why not today?

Do it, you know you should.

Why buy when you can make?



Noticing some hints anyone?
I've been bashing this drum for quite a while now, but I'm becoming more determined than ever to make it happen, so go forth! Sculpt! It does not matter if it's bad, just to do it, remember...

 

Because most of us can't make! You're an exceptional talent my friend.