Author Topic: Daargrim's dwarf-like-paced project log  (Read 162269 times)

Offline Alxbates

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Re: Daargrim's dwarf-like-paced project log
« Reply #165 on: February 28, 2012, 11:18:16 PM »
Can't wait to see those "wacky Alaskan birds" painted up (I'd like to hear your thoughts on them, too - feel free to be brutal!  I like them a lot, but even I'm not 100% happy with the sculpts...)

Your Stygian army is coming together VERY nicely!
Wan Chew Tree Faw!

Offline Daargrim

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Re: Daargrim's dwarf-like-paced project log
« Reply #166 on: February 29, 2012, 10:22:30 AM »
Can't wait to see those "wacky Alaskan birds" painted up (I'd like to hear your thoughts on them, too - feel free to be brutal!  I like them a lot, but even I'm not 100% happy with the sculpts...)

Your Stygian army is coming together VERY nicely!

man, would really love to paint them up!  I think they look great!  Instead of painting stygian, I almost decided to paint all my dwarf totems -- but I just had to start a new army.

Forge of Ice should really do a Wolf Totem!  I cant find any proxies that I am 100% happy with.

Offline Daargrim

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Re: Daargrim's dwarf-like-paced project log
« Reply #167 on: February 29, 2012, 12:17:31 PM »
On to STEP 2:

First, identify which minis need some special basing attention:



1) The hammerhead I have previously added a base, but I don't really like the look of it.  Its a bit big, and too "blocky" I think.  I'm going to trim it down, and add some contours.
2) Venom Spawn needs a base added
3) Great Warriors need bases - existing ones are just too small.
4) Excelsior spearmen - I'm probably not going to paint this anytime in the near future, but I'm going to re-based them so they dont tip as easily.

1-3 will be handled using some plastruct board.  4 will be handled by trimming some metal off the mini so it sits further back in the base slot.

Offline Alxbates

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Re: Daargrim's dwarf-like-paced project log
« Reply #168 on: February 29, 2012, 02:47:25 PM »

Forge of Ice should really do a Wolf Totem!  I cant find any proxies that I am 100% happy with.

I'd love to, but the costs involved with making a model of that size are a bit prohibitive (and such a limited market for it, too...).

I've got WAY more ideas than I have money to invest in the venture!

Looking forward to seeing your Totems whenever you get them done - the Stygian are coming along very nicely.

-Alex
Wan Chew Tree Faw!

Offline joshuaslater

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Re: Daargrim's dwarf-like-paced project log
« Reply #169 on: March 01, 2012, 06:05:42 PM »
I'm using a plastic Cerberus model from Papo toys for my Wolf Totems!!   Super cheap, and the right size, and the third head ain't so terrible.  I just throw them in a bag and can travel easily with them.
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Offline Daargrim

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Re: Daargrim's dwarf-like-paced project log
« Reply #170 on: March 02, 2012, 09:49:30 AM »
I'm thinking of using Reaper's Moor Hound.

http://www.reapermini.com/OnlineStore/65113/sku-down/65113

Yes, I know...its only got one head.  But I like the look.  And I could "justify" it by saying the Wolf Totem has one head, but gets 2 attacks per turn with it.

It looks about the right size for a size 2 model (1st ed rules).

hmmmmm....

Offline joshuaslater

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Re: Daargrim's dwarf-like-paced project log
« Reply #171 on: March 02, 2012, 01:27:49 PM »
Go for it.  I've always loved that model, and who says there aren't some mutations amongst the Totems????
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Offline Daargrim

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Re: Daargrim's dwarf-like-paced project log
« Reply #172 on: March 11, 2012, 09:44:20 AM »
Nearly 2 weeks later, the Stygian in need of basing are now complete...



Time to go through and de-flash, clean up, etc.  This part shouldn't take too long, I think I might have done one pass of this the first time I tried to kick-start my Stygian painting.

Offline joshuaslater

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Re: Daargrim's dwarf-like-paced project log
« Reply #173 on: March 12, 2012, 06:15:12 AM »
That's original.  I've never seen the Stygian based that way.  Looks good.
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Offline Daargrim

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Re: Daargrim's dwarf-like-paced project log
« Reply #174 on: March 12, 2012, 06:29:51 AM »
That's original.  I've never seen the Stygian based that way.  Looks good.

Not quite sure what you mean?  I just added bases to the hammerhead and the venom spawn -- and enlarged the great warriors base?  maybe you are referring to the fact that the hammerhead/venom spawn have bases at all??  That's the route I prefer to go with my Chronopia minis that don't have a true base as part of the model.
« Last Edit: March 12, 2012, 06:31:24 AM by Daargrim »

Offline Daargrim

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Re: Daargrim's dwarf-like-paced project log
« Reply #175 on: March 15, 2012, 06:26:56 PM »
Another basing step under my belt.  After some minor clean-up and deflashing, I have now glued scattered rocks to all the Stygian.  Up next, adding sand.



Hey, who are these guys crashing the party?

« Last Edit: March 15, 2012, 06:28:43 PM by Daargrim »

Offline Manic _Miner

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Re: Daargrim's dwarf-like-paced project log
« Reply #176 on: March 20, 2012, 10:52:09 AM »
 Nice to see you have some of the Cauldron Born Dwarves.Looking forward to seeing them all painted up.

 Stygian are taking shape too.

Offline luckyone

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Re: Daargrim's dwarf-like-paced project log
« Reply #177 on: March 20, 2012, 05:12:18 PM »
Like the assembly line looking forward to seeing them painted
Always look out for number one, but don't step in number two.
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Offline Daargrim

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Re: Daargrim's dwarf-like-paced project log
« Reply #178 on: March 23, 2012, 10:51:21 AM »
STEP 3 COMPLETE

I now have all my Stygian completely based.  I've added a coating of sand to all the models that needed it.  I do 3 layers.  One base layer covering everything.  A second pass where I try to "build up" sections to make the base irregular.  Then a 3rd pass to touch up, or create a little more height in selected spots.

A sample of what I end up with:



For years I did the priming method of setting a cardboard box on its side, and placing the minis in the box.  Hitting all the areas and rotating the minis was always a pain.  Over the years I had tossed around several better options, and I went ahead and built one of them over the last couple of days:



I cut a bunch of 1.5"x1.5" wooden blocks, and used a 1" spade bit to create a mini-base-sized indentation in each.  Then I attached each of them to the side of a 2x4 with a screw...not tight, so that they could easily spin.  Now a standard based mini can sit on each block, and be spun easily to hit all sides with primer.  Mount the 2x4 on a sawhorse, surround with cardboard and old blankets, and I have myself a portable, easily-stored, mass-mini-priming-and-sealing workstation.  Can do up to 20 minis at once.

For larger minis, I will build some small "platforms" that snugly fit on top of the 1.5" blocks.

In action, priming up a bunch of Drugged and Starved:









At this point, I'm ready to paint.  I decided to start with the Drugged and Starved since they will be very easy and fast to crank out.  Very few colors, and not a ton of detail.  Plus, my son is getting painting lessons!  So these are great figures to start out with.  Hopefully have some progress after the weekend!

Offline Manic _Miner

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Re: Daargrim's dwarf-like-paced project log
« Reply #179 on: March 23, 2012, 12:14:39 PM »
Nice update and I like your idea for spraying the miniatures.I used to put mine on an upturned bucket in the yard then go around it.I still missed certain parts of the miniatures though.Your idea looks much better and allows you to get under them easier too.