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I'd like to try my hand at sculpting miniatures! Suggestions?

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ThisIsMyBoomstick
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I've tried once before without ANY knowledge of what to do or how to do it, and that attempt wasn't all that great. I used nothing but green stuff and a toothpick.

Regardless, I'd like to seriously try, and do it correctly.

I'd prefer to use green stuff because I know of a couple of places that distribute it and I like the options provided.

I really don't know much else, and I can't find any tutorials that really help me out with what I want.
Nothing that really suggest good starting points for newbie sculptors.

Is there anyone with experience here that can help me get an idea of where to start (aside from buying the tools and other items)?

I'd like to know how to actually go about sculpting the green stuff, and perhaps a good place to start sculpting?

Corsaire
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I've worked with Sculpey,

I've worked with Sculpey, other modelling materials, and 3d modeling for many years. In looking for what green stuff is, I found this link that I think is pretty solid for your interest: http://ironmammoth.blogspot.com/2011/09/figure-sculpting-epoxy-putties.html

His process matches how I think of any art: Move Out, then Move In.

Meaning you do skeleton and layout work first and commit to your design direction, then you add generalized form, and finally make your detail. It may be useful to work with Sculpey or something more time forgiving to develop your sense of technique.

Thanks to your question, I'm going to add green stuff to my raw material collection for makin stuff. Though I doubt I'd do miniatures, maybe twenty years ago my eyes might've been more forgiving than now.

McTeddy
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Here you

Here you go.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d-bor7koo_Q

I haven't tried it myself, but I've watched through this set of videos. They had plenty of useful information.

ThisIsMyBoomstick
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Wow, both of those links are

Wow, both of those links are actually extremely helpful. Exactly the kind of stuff I was looking for. Thanks a lot :D!

ThisIsMyBoomstick
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Blah

Are there any sculptors on the forum I can maybe get a word with too?

I tried my hand at it the other day and actually made a really good looking head. I'd say the quality of it was on par with a few popular mini-products. It was just a head though.

I tried again today, and my luck seems to have run out. I am taking on a much more difficult project, but to be fair, I didn't even make it past the first couple of steps I took before I was beginning to feel really discouraged.

The thing I'm working on is a miniature for Anthony Carmine to go with my Gears of War boardgame.
http://th00.deviantart.net/fs70/PRE/f/2011/298/d/a/anthony_carmine_by_de...

I have the pose I want (not the one above), and a couple of sketches. I have all of the reference material I need. I can't get a decent form though and I really don't where to start on the model. Bottom up like the above video tutorial suggests seems good, but I can't seem to get any kind of stability in the figure. It bugs the crap out of me.

Corsaire
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Based on other sculpting I

Based on other sculpting I do, like Sculpey, I make a strong skeleton before I add any bulk. In Sculpey or clay that is usually with aluminum wire or aluminum foil. It sounds like that approach might help you, but with the green stuff you can make a strong skeleton without any other material by letting it cure before you add bulk. You should be able to play with the yellow blue mix to get one that lets the base cure quicker.

Stormyknight1976
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In your sketches,

Where did you start drawing your sketches for the pose you wanted? Did you start with the head or the chest or the feet as per the video you watched? If you started with the head in your sketch, the do the same with your sculpture. If not do the same with the chest and work outward. You can do it. Don't let it get you down.

ThisIsMyBoomstick
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Ah yes, it's not the skeleton

Ah yes, it's not the skeleton I'm entirely worried about. While I have difficulty getting the sculpt to stand, it's actually the form I have the largest problem. I can't proportion it. The wiring I used works fine. It's when I began to add the green stuff that it really started to take its toll on my sanity. Should I avoid using wiring with green stuff altogether?

Also, stormyknight, my sketches vary. I start with various parts of the body. Occasionally it's the head, occasionally the feet, occasionally the chest. It all just depends on what piece I focus on detailing. For the sketch I'm currently working on, I started with the legs because I was picking out all of the details on one of the models already supplied with the board game.

I won't lose hope, I'm just seeking help. All of your comments and advice is very helpful indeed too! So I appreciate it.

Stormyknight1976
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I try to help.

Your welcome.

Corsaire
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Wasn't sure how far you were

Wasn't sure how far you were with it. Again I haven't used that Epoxy mix nor followed the videos. In my mind, at that scale, I'd think the wire would make it more awkward. I know other two part Epoxies like jb weld and plumber putty are pretty solid and reach a state where they are firm but pliable.

I picture rolling it out into like a 1.5 to 2mm snake and forming the skeleton when it hits that holds its form state. Then once that set adding a thin layer to create the bluk and musculature shape. Then I'd get the torso on in bulk, then the arms like the legs. Finally I'd add a thin layer to work the details in a section at a time. Again all in my head for the miniatures. My process may be tainted by too much time with Sculpey as the bulk white Sculpey is much cheaper than the colors and I use the colors rather than painting.

ThisIsMyBoomstick
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I see

So

1. Roll out the Stuff and let it firm before creating the skeleton
2. Bulk out the skeleton
3. Further bulk out the torso, followed by the limbs (head?)
4. Add a thin layer for detailing, taking it a section at a time

Now, how do you suggest doing something like a gun? Same process? Should I do it separately or attach it to the dominant arm to start with?

laperen
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serious miniature sculpting

serious miniature sculpting isnt a hobby many people take up. the craft requires a large investment on time and effort, both for its difficulty and danger.

the video link from Mcteddy is pretty much everything you need to know for miniature sclupting, if you watch through all the parts.

sometimes people would rather customise a miniature than make one from scratch. for this a stockpile of plastic kits is very helpful. the selected kits are bashed up, with the parts you want reconstructed with epoxy clay/putty into your desired miniature. miniature customisation is less demanding compared to making a miniature from scratch due to most details already in place from the kit, although it has its own host of problems like cutting, and the danger there is getting cut.

ThisIsMyBoomstick
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I'm willing

Building models from the ground up is extremely appealing to me. At the moment, I lack patience, but I was the same way when I started painting miniatures too, and as I already proved to myself, I'm not bad on at least heads. And if I can get good at it, I might consider freelancing.

I thought about customizing one of our Battletech mechs since my dad wants to see if I can eventually sculpt my own iterations of some of the mechs, but I haven't done it yet. I still might just to get the hang of detailing a little more.

Corsaire
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ThisIsMyBoomstick wrote:So1.

ThisIsMyBoomstick wrote:
So

1. Roll out the Stuff and let it firm before creating the skeleton
2. Bulk out the skeleton
3. Further bulk out the torso, followed by the limbs (head?)
4. Add a thin layer for detailing, taking it a section at a time

Now, how do you suggest doing something like a gun? Same process? Should I do it separately or attach it to the dominant arm to start with?


That's how I see it. Leaving head for last, because I think the head position and expression really bring something alive. Probably bring in a gun as you do the arms, because otherwise you might have cut stuff away to make it fit. Ymmv

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