Author Topic: Argh.... what base? (Read 1445 times)

Avicenna · « **on:** February 21, 2011, 09:57:56 PM »

Hey guys

been working on another Hasslefree miniature, but I have come to a bit of an impasse. I have painted Wolf, and was working on a base specifically for him, and although I really like what I have done, I am now unsure whether it is right for him.

Anyway, here is WOlf (what a superb model by the way!). After seeing how comparatively bland my stuff looked under the lights at Euro Militaire, I went for a high contrast style to really try and make the mini 'pop'. I am pretty pleased with it as it is much more like my old style of painting, but over time, in a bid to get everything much smoother, I had lost a lot of the contrast that I once loved. I have also given a go at the more 'in yer face' NMM style which seems to be popular these days - mainly to try and push myself... I always have to try new stuff

Thats my boy, but here is the base I created. Firstly the base early on with wolf on it:

but this is the base now:

Its meant to be a jungle ruin and I envisage it with a lot of foliage and creepers etc. the large head is meant to be part of a huge statue and will be covered in moss and other greenery. Do you think it will work with Wolf? If you have any ideas for a base, I would be most grateful - I am having a bit of a brain fart

Thanks in advance

Gangrel · « **Reply #1 on:** February 21, 2011, 10:39:24 PM »

Quote from: Avicenna on February 21, 2011, 09:57:56 PM

Its meant to be a jungle ruin and I envisage it with a lot of foliage and creepers etc. the large head is meant to be part of a huge statue and will be covered in moss and other greenery. Do you think it will work with Wolf?

At the risk of sounding totally uncritical; hell, yes! Great concept and I'm sure you can pull it off. Maybe (not for me to say) you're just having a temporary lack of confidence. I reckon you'd nail it. Go for it and see where you end up.

Best,
Mike

PS That Wolf is a stunner, and the paint job is well up to the high quality of the figure.

SteveB · « **Reply #2 on:** February 21, 2011, 10:45:38 PM »

Righty, first up, Wolf is looking awesome and so is the base. Yeah, they don't quite gel yet but I think there are a few things throwing out the visual. First up, and most obvious is that the base is a big lump of flesh colour against a painted, high contrast, figure and it's not helping. I've put a pic below where I've increased the contrast on the base and also put everything into greyscale and it immediately helps. I then think that the base is a little large for him. On my pic I've also made the base a little smaller as I think it's overwhelming a little. All the shaving is from the right and the top. I'd guess about 5mm off each. Then I'd be using some wet and dry to sand each of the outer surfaces until they are as close to machined perfection as you can get. Will give a more professional finish to the professional quality of sculpting that's already there. There's already more detail on the base and that's going to help yet more. The one last thing I might suggest, and I can't easily do this via photoshop so haven't, is that I think Wolf should be placed a little further to the right. At the moment, his sword pommel will just break the lefthand edge of the base and I don't think anything should break the boundaries. This will also draw more attention to him against the backdrop without obscuring the scenery. Probably only needs to be moved 3-4mm as the off centre look is great.

Last thing is there's a great Frazetta vibe to the whole scene (and I'm guessing that's the intent). I'm hoping you'll and a little greenery via flock and whatever natural materials to give that rich textured greenery he has in his works.

Oh, and the pic

Lots of little ideas and changes but the big question of 'does it work?' For me an overwhelming yes. I think it's going to be magnificent.

The Duke · « **Reply #3 on:** February 21, 2011, 11:24:40 PM »

Big fan of the high contrast you have used – excellent work!
Base is wonderful, but I wouldn't judge it until you consider the colour scheme you are going to use.

gi6ers · « **Reply #4 on:** February 22, 2011, 05:53:43 AM »

Base works for me, I think the foliage will make it come together.

As for the PJ

rampantgoat · « **Reply #5 on:** February 22, 2011, 07:35:30 AM »

Quote from: gi6ers on February 22, 2011, 05:53:43 AM

Base works for me, I think the foliage will make it come together.

As for the PJ

weareblind · « **Reply #6 on:** February 22, 2011, 08:27:54 AM »

My Gods... he is IGNORANT, for sure... I LOVE HIM!

Lonewolf · « **Reply #7 on:** February 22, 2011, 08:46:03 AM »

so perfect!
oh god i love what you've done with him soooo much, the hairy chest/arms are perfection.

i'd agree with Steve regarding the base positioning

ballistic_bro · « **Reply #8 on:** February 22, 2011, 02:28:27 PM »

Wow, that pj is

The base works for me with the trimming by Steve, with a bit of paint and flock on, I'm sure it'll look
great with Wolf on.

There's some great ivy available, if you don't want to make your own, if I can find the site, I'll post it up here.

Ajsalium · « **Reply #9 on:** February 22, 2011, 03:17:48 PM »

I'm amazed at the quality of your painting. And now, of your sculpting, also.

Only minor complaint is that you haven't painted acne on his skin. And you should. Because he's an steroid (ab)user. He already sports the male pattern baldness, and you've added the hirsutism. Acne is likely the third more typical side effect of steroids.

agentmolar · « **Reply #10 on:** February 22, 2011, 06:25:14 PM »

That paintjob is fantastic. I still can't get over you painting the chest and arm hair on him! Just wow.

Penfold · « **Reply #11 on:** February 22, 2011, 07:17:00 PM »

go with the base looks realy good. and if you don't like it you can send me the finished model lol.

PhilH · « **Reply #12 on:** February 22, 2011, 07:41:41 PM »

Just incredible

I'm really very excited to see this finished.

DRAGON · « **Reply #13 on:** February 22, 2011, 07:53:44 PM »

Wow !

How did you achieve the hair effect - looks like you used an HB pencil.........?

beefcake · « **Reply #14 on:** February 23, 2011, 03:15:52 AM »

It's absolutely awesome

Avicenna · « **Reply #15 on:** March 18, 2011, 08:35:00 PM »

Thanks for your replies guys!

It really gave me more confidence to carry on with where I was going with this. I cut the base down a tad as per SteveB's comments, and in the end made the sides out of plasticard. Here are some new pics:

And now that I have added some colour:

I have added no foliage or weathering yet, this is the next step in the process. First some lichen, moss and slime and then some ferns and other plants... much happier witht he size of the base now btw - thanks Steve!

SteveB · « **Reply #16 on:** March 18, 2011, 10:59:59 PM »

Aah, looks much better, composition is good and will get yet better when there's less masking tape

I'd go with deeper shading on the statue. Bring out a little more of it's shape. Can't wait to see the latter stages

Pic is a little overexposed but I might be tempted to darkline Wolf a bit more just to really make the contrasts pop. The general highlighting and shading is perfect but it could do with fine darklining between different sections.

caerban · « **Reply #17 on:** March 18, 2011, 11:46:12 PM »

This is making me weep slightly with joy already.

DRAGON · « **Reply #18 on:** March 19, 2011, 06:34:25 AM »

Looking good !

Brummie · « **Reply #19 on:** March 19, 2011, 08:10:31 AM »

WOW your Painting is awesome love it all

weareblind · « **Reply #20 on:** March 19, 2011, 08:45:28 AM »

Please, hints for your shining metals...

Penfold · « **Reply #21 on:** March 19, 2011, 10:10:26 AM »

love it so far

gi6ers · « **Reply #22 on:** March 19, 2011, 08:37:57 PM »

Can you finish this before Salute please Pete?

Are you and the ball and chain entering the painting contest this year?

Avicenna · « **Reply #23 on:** March 20, 2011, 12:10:31 AM »

I reckon I'll have him finished for salute.... thats the plan anyway! Not sure if Toosh is intending to bring anything for the comp though...

Here are todays efforts:

Firstly a shot with some more groundwork added - tea leaves and some tiny bark chippings as well as some vine-like things that I bought at a show

And here are a few shots of it now, with some brass etched additions which are just on for show atm, they'll be painted up and made to look not quiet so brassy before i attach them

Mr Teufel · « **Reply #24 on:** March 20, 2011, 01:56:59 AM »

It's coming along extremely well! Can't wait to see the finished product.

Quote from: DRAGON on February 22, 2011, 07:53:44 PM

Wow !
How did you achieve the hair effect - looks like you used an HB pencil.........?

I'd love you to answer the above question, though.

News:

Author Topic: Argh.... what base? (Read 1445 times)

rampantgoat