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

[Rikard]

Hey everyone, REALLY sorry about the lack of updates (I know, sounds like a broken record).


I had a really bad few weeks, last week in particular was terrible, it saw the loss of a family member (Won't go into details here). Anyways, things have been slow as I'm sure you might have guessed.

I am still working at it, but I'm thinking of either skipping, or removing the salamander altogether (at least for the near future and until I can get a lot of other pieces finished), hope no-one minds, please all of you, let me know your thoughts.

Thanks.

 

[n810]

Sorry for your loss man.

 

[Caprasauridae]

My condolences for your loss. Ultimately, you should work on whatever makes you feel the best. And at a pace you are comfortable with. Hopefully you won't toss the Salamander, though. Maybe shelf it out of sight for an undetermined period, and who knows, maybe you'll start feeling like continuing with it. And hopefully the life will win for you and your family.

 

[Rikard]

Thank you all for the support, it means a great deal.

Got a nasty exam this week and one two weeks further on, it's putting a slow up on everything, but I am hopefully that when I have things to post in here it will be quite a bit and varied too.

 

[Rikard]

Hello everyone!

So sculpting like mad, trying to finish so many bits and pieces at once, including a lot of none LM pieces.

I have sort if finished the Razordon, realistically (and very likely) will be smoothing/sorting out a lot of rough edges and areas before doing the detailed segment on finishing him.


However I have also attached some other bits and pieces I've been working on, including all 3 Krox variant heads (though some more completed than others) and my version of Gor Rok.

Next update on those heads will be when they've all been finished.

 

[NexS1]

Very VERY nice work! Always an inspiration!

Do you intend to cast that model?

 

[Rikard]

Very VERY nice work! Always an inspiration!

Do you intend to cast that model?

Which one? If all goes to plan, there's going to be five minis there.
The Razordon....mmm, possibly, depends on how much trouble it would cause, I don't intend to work for GW as moving would cause far too many problems (and the wage is worse than what I'm already on).

The Gor-Rok one, no, I have a slight selfish streak on that one and want to keep it for myself. >>

 

[NexS1]

I was referring to the razordon actually. You didn't have to sell the casts to GW, you could use them to make more razordons for yourself, or sell the casts at tournaments etc for a little pocket money

I'm curious as to how gor-rok will come out (and your interpretation of his wargear)

 

[Rikard]

I was referring to the razordon actually. You didn't have to sell the casts to GW, you could use them to make more razordons for yourself, or sell the casts at tournaments etc for a little pocket money

I'm curious as to how gor-rok will come out (and your interpretation of his wargear)

Casting the Razor could be good, but that's what I meant about the difficulty, especially with some of the things that go on, it probably sounds rather defeatist of me, but if I can do it without upsetting anyone, or causing problems, then yes, probably.

 

[NexS1]

What ever could you mean? I'm sure that model is called a Rikardosaurus that could be used in any game system

 

[Rikard]

What ever could you mean? I'm sure that model is called a Rikardosaurus that could be used in any game system

You sir, are a highly sneaky individual...I approve!

I'll have a word and see, no promises though, don't want to start anything that can't be done.


I will be trying to work in more conversions in here too, full scale sculpts are nice, but it occurs to me that regardless of skill, conversions are much quicker for everyone, especially if you already have models, they're also easier too.

Which is why I will be cutting up two GW Razordons I already own and making some changes, hopefully it will help more so than my complete scratch build and get more people converting.


Also, any questions as always, just ask, especially if any of you have photos of what you're doing/attempting and you wants some advice or a critique.

 

[NexS1]

To be honest, I don't know laws and things of that nature so my ideas are probably evil haha

I'll be working on a scar vet soon so I might get your opinion once I've started on that

 

[Caprasauridae]

Very nice to see some progress on the Razordon. I really like the jaw, it looks kinda over-opened, like a snake's or some monitor lizard's, very cool! Would be happy to purchase a bunch of these if they come available.

 

[Rikard]

Very nice to see some progress on the Razordon. I really like the jaw, it looks kinda over-opened, like a snake's or some monitor lizard's, very cool! Would be happy to purchase a bunch of these if they come available.

Until recently I'd been left feeling a little put out when it came to sculpting lizardy faces, more of a want to make things different, still am. I think there's enough potential for anyone to come up with some really interesting ideas.

Watch this space I'm going to be tinkering with all kinds of heads a lot more often, even if they don't progress beyond that, I think it's something worth exploring.

 

[woogity]

these are really great! esp considering what a pain in the ass greenstuff can be as a medium! ok back to lurking!

 

[Rikard]

these are really great! esp considering what a pain in the ass greenstuff can be as a medium! ok back to lurking!

Thanks mate!

Any other questions, just ask.


What next?

So, thought I'd get things moving a little more in here, first off, just to let you all know, I hope each and every one of you had an awesome Christmas and you all have some good plans for the new year. Secondly, aside from other race/40 work I'm inter cutting with my Lizards, I thought I'd give you a rough idea of what is on the cards at the moment.


The conversion work is more for an all rounder benefit, something to try and coax more people into sculpting. I haven't included the sculpts or conversions for other armies that I play (includes necrons, wood elves, new chaos sister of battle character, Amelia, red terror, etc...)

Gor-Rok
Bastilodon - Conversion work. (still need to finish him)
Razordons - Conversion work.
Kroxigor.
Salamander - Conversion work.
Carnosaur - Conversion work, spinosaur head.
Slann
Ripperdacytl - Conversion work.
Stegadon - Huge conversion project.
Dread saurian - an idea at the moment, may not end up doing, depends on feasibility.
Lotl (super sculpey firm) - This one could well change position on this list, though it's more likely to be moved further away.

This is a rough idea/plan, especially as I seem to have the attention span of a sugar drunk ferret, there will almost certainly be tweaks, changes and new projects making appearances, such as a salamander sculpt, but it's just a rough guide for the moment.

 

[NexS1]

Hey Rikard, I've posted up on my thread some nee sculpting work that I'd ve interested in getting your thoughts on if you have a moment

 

[Rikard]

Hey Rikard, I've posted up on my thread some nee sculpting work that I'd ve interested in getting your thoughts on if you have a moment

Not a problem, just had a look through your project log, but before I give you any comments, what sort of feedback level would you like?

I'll do my upmost regardless to make sure it's helpful, but I think it's also helpful to work on a intensity (if that's the right word) scale, for example a level 3 crit for a first timer who only wants to do little bits and pieces in his army could be a bit disheartening, or simply too full on.


The same goes to anyone else who would like a crit/some advice, just ask and I'll be happy to help.

1. Mild, fairly basic crit
2. A bit more in-depth, basic anatomy advice given, where applicable.
3. much heavier, the sort of crit companies would give you if you were trying to get work cast.

 

[NexS1]

Level 3 for sure!
I'm not doing full scale sculpts from scratch, but I do a lot of heavy conversions in changing poses creating weapons etc.
Also, I'd love to get your advice on how to start the cold one riding feet... Ive either got to sculpt "gripped' feet from scratch or cut out some get from pleb CoR.

Love to hear from you!

 

[Rikard]

Sculpting slabs and rocky formations.
Rule 1: Cheat.

Yup, it's as simple as that, cheat.
Green stuff is notorious for being sticky and troublesome, so with areas/textures like rock it can be a nightmare, best bet as a result is to make your shapes and structures and get them as close to the final result as possible, this means less work later on.

The textured surface was completed first on a flat surface and then removed when dry only to be placed on top of the base underneath. I should point out though that I did let several of the stages underneath dry first, this was to stop it sagging too much as it dries.



Next stage is when the base structure has completely set (this means an overnight sit) and then using a fresh scalpel blade to cut here and there (working on keeping the cuts as smooth as possible to prevent flaking around the structure). This helps give some strong shapes and a more realistic look.



I can then move on to cut away little sections of the detail layers, this also helps to remove any softness to the edges and shapes, even if it cuts little bits of detail away.




I have also done a quick section on sculpting scales too, if you'd like to see it, I can always save it for later.