67 replies to this topic

[Hellbeard]

For the next guy I want to do modern military/historical so here's a head - the new technique, as instructed by master Gene is to have a nub and then make the whole face in one go. Very excruciating. The third one came out alright. The first was too small (if you can believe it) the second too big.

Despite my most heartfelt efforts the macro photography still reveals some scrummy looking details. I guess it really all boils down to having a bunch of experience. And eye pain.

First sitting (on the third try).


Comparison with the previous head.


Macro photography reveals not so great looking eye lids.




My secret plan is I want to make both a 28mm and a 15mm (1:64 and 1:100 respectively) so expect to read about my untimely demise sometime soon.

[joshuaslater]

You're really going strong on sculpting faces from movies and history. I saw these on facebook but didn't know who it was. The second one is much better than the first. Keep on sculpting.

[evhorne969]

Good work! A couple more tricks for you. When you're sculpting your face in one go, make sure to sculpt from the general to the specific. Spend 3/4 of your time working on the overall shape of the head and face, and the remainder of your time adding details. The main reason for this is because if you don't have your basic form or shape right then it doesn't matter how good your details are, it won't look right. Another good reason for this is to allow the putty enough time to cure before cutting in your details. You'll get cleaner, sharper details when your putty has setup a little more.

As for eyes I'm going to give you the Super Secret to sculpting them. You ready? Here it goes...

( . . . . )

Followed by,

( <> <> )

"So what does all this mean?" you ask. I'll tell you...

As in the first illustration, you make four dots with a needle on your sculpt. These will be the corners of your eyes. Then following the second illustration, you will make horizontal diamond shapes with a fine, very sharp tool. Something like the point of a scalpel blade works best. You'll LIGHTLY cut in the diamond shapes in the following manner for each eye.

1 2
< >
3 4

Start at number one and work your way around in the diamond pattern following the numbers. Make sure to start and end the diamond pattern on the dots you made for the corners of your eyes. You can then repeat the top of the pattern above the eye for the upper lid. Add a couple lines for eyebrows and you're good to go. :-D

Gene

[Hellbeard]

Good work! A couple more tricks for you. When you're sculpting your face in one go, make sure to sculpt from the general to the specific. Spend 3/4 of your time working on the overall shape of the head and face, and the remainder of your time adding details. The main reason for this is because if you don't have your basic form or shape right then it doesn't matter how good your details are, it won't look right. Another good reason for this is to allow the putty enough time to cure before cutting in your details. You'll get cleaner, sharper details when your putty has setup a little more.

As for eyes I'm going to give you the Super Secret to sculpting them. You ready? Here it goes...

( . . . . )

Followed by,

( <> <> )

"So what does all this mean?" you ask. I'll tell you...

As in the first illustration, you make four dots with a needle on your sculpt. These will be the corners of your eyes. Then following the second illustration, you will make horizontal diamond shapes with a fine, very sharp tool. Something like the point of a scalpel blade works best. You'll LIGHTLY cut in the diamond shapes in the following manner for each eye.

1 2
< >
3 4

Start at number one and work your way around in the diamond pattern following the numbers. Make sure to start and end the diamond pattern on the dots you made for the corners of your eyes. You can then repeat the top of the pattern above the eye for the upper lid. Add a couple lines for eyebrows and you're good to go. :-D

Gene

Awesome. Thank you. I will try it immediately! Fourth time's a charm.
Really, this is amazing.
Awesome.
Thank you thank you thank you thank you.

[evhorne969]

You're welcome. It's nice to see someone so excited about sculpting miniatures. Glad to help. :-D

[Hellbeard]

I hope you keep helping because whenever you write something the next thing that happens is my sculpting takes a quantum leap forward.


Take 4, Maj. Gen. Sharon -

Had this idea to have the head armature be a skull- so I can have the right masses where I need them. Worked out pretty good. I'll slightly modify this technique on the next one.


The final head should be about 4.3mm so the skull is smaller than that.


Getting the general shapes down.





Sort of screwed up with your eye method. (came out nice anyway)
Next one should be better, it's nerve wracking to say the least.







And a comparison with the previous head:

[Hellbeard]

15mm head for 1:100 Arik.

3mm tall.



Comparison.



Close ups.

[Hellbeard]

Added head dressing and hair to both. Ears to 15mm guy.

[joshuaslater]

You'll be at fifty sculpts well before retirement. Keep going. These are really good.

[Hellbeard]

You'll be at fifty sculpts well before retirement. Keep going. These are really good.

Thanks! But it is quite slow going...


Decided on a pose. Posed the armatures. added some GS to hold them in place.






Edit: discovered Ariel Sharon was 1.6m tall so I'm redoing the pose now. Will update.

[joshuaslater]

You are hard core with your exacting measurement. No scale creep for you.

[Hellbeard]

You are hard core with your exacting measurement. No scale creep for you.

Not that exacting but the man was 1.60m so I can't really depict him as 1.80. Anyway, here's the re-posed guys. The green looks crummy because the baby had a crying marathon. I'll carve it down and re-do some of the masses when it cures.

[joshuaslater]

Baby comes first. Carry on when you can.

[Hellbeard]

Yeah.
Turns out he was 1.70.

[Hellbeard]

Had a moment of quiet. Made legs. The scale is right now- 1.70 meters.



He looks so smug from this angle.



15mm is adorable.