Back in the Saddle

       One of my brothers was kind enough to give me his "old" Mac computer (it's about 6 years old), allowing me to get back on line. A big thanks to my brother, Mike.

    I bought some new rubber and made a mold of one of my sculpts. I wanted to see if the green stuff would handle being pressed into the clay I use. The figure held up to the abuse, and I am happy with the end result. Unfortunately, I ran out of metal after 3 figures. Unlike in the past,   I ordered new metal instead of melting down old figures or using scrap metal. The new metal came in yesterday, however, right now I don't see myself casting anymore of the figures, as I don't think I will have use for them.

   Little else has been done with wargaming, except a few games and trying to get motivated on some project; so far little luck.

Finished casting of my original sculpt.

Figures painted as cavemen.

I added a spear to one of the figures.

20mm Sculpture

First attempt at a 20mm sculpture. It was made in under an hour. The original plan was just to cover the entire armature in putty. At first I was going to try to make the skirt look like a fur; however it started looking like an ancient wrap . 

I took the measurements off this Airfix figure.  The figure is more "animated" than I had planned. After an hour, I liked the look of the figure and decided to stop at this point.

At first I wanted a stone age figure. In this position I could see the figure throwing rocks, or fighting with spears.

Originally I was going to just put a nose for the face and a couple of indents for eyes. While playing with the face, it came out looking something like a barn owl face; I liked the look of it so left it as is. I could  also see it as a Greek style helmet.

If used as a master, it would be easy enough to add shields, armor and swords or other weapons to create new figures. 

I want to create generic figures for "No Brain Wargames".

 An Airfix Indian used for NBW, compared to my figure. I can now see why metal figures tend to be stockier than plastics; the legs can't be too thin as they will be too fragile.

My work tray. I try to assemble a new armature while working on a figure, so as to not slow down sculpting. I have spent over $30 on different tools. However, the tool I have used most are regular toothpicks, which cost $3.50 for 400 of them!

Original 40mm Sculpture

I wanted to do a practice figure to try to match my Britains 40mm figures. The 40mm Britains don't have combat poses, so I wanted to try to create my own.

Originally I had planned to cut a head off one of the Britains which was wearing a home service helmet. At this point in making the figure, I decided I wanted to make a completely original figure of my own, so a head was added.

Sideview of the figure. The exceptionally long right arm was so I could use it to create the rifle. The head has a skull shape. That wasn't a bit of clever planning on my part; I didn't even notice it until looking at the photograph!

Right arm added. with the rifle and left hand positioned.

I was going to make the figure with an ACW kepi; however I went with a shako. I am thinking of using this figure for a  master.  The shako is larger than used at the beginning of the war. I figure I could file down the shako into different styles of hats, including kepis. As can be seen in this shot, I need to master the green stuff  and learn how to smooth it better.

The figure with ammo box, haversack, canteen and belts added.

Back of the completed figure. The cross belt looks more like a blanket roll!

The completed figure next to one of the Britains 40mm. He needs only to be based.

Completed Green Stuff Figure

I finally finished my first sculpture using professional techniques found on Youtube (although without the same results of being miniature works of art) .  I am happy with the figure and hopefully will reach a point when I can sculpt and cast my own figures.

  As for my swordsman, with his quick paint job he is now ready to be retired to a shelf with other toy soldiers.

The completed figure.

Finishing My New Sculpture.

     While looking at the sculpture I did using "green stuff", the figure's stance struck me as a swordsman's pose.  Since the figure was only a practice piece, I decided to finish the figure. I wasn't sure if it should be a historical figure, or more of a "Hollywood" swashbuckling figure. In the end it's more Hollywood than historical. Still, I am quite happy with the result, for a first try.

    As I based the new figure, I had a large amount of green stuff  mixed, which I didn't want to go to waste. Yesterday I had made an armature, which I tried to make at 30mm. My plan is to cast an armature which can be used as a base figure, which can be posed and dressed to be used as masters. I put a thin coat of green stuff on the figure to bulk it out. It's not pretty, but hopefully it'll do the job.

The original pose.

The completed "Swashbuckler"

The swordsman on his new base. The alien looking fellow on the right is my armature.I made the head pointy, as that's where I plan to put the pouring spout. Also, as I might be putting shakos or other large hats on the figures, this would make a good base.

New Sculpture

      I have not posted recently, simply because I have done little in the field of wargaming. I did find on a paid site a book; "Battles of the Dark Ages" by Peter Marren. I was reading it at work on my cell phone, however it proved difficult to read such small print. I did find a inexpensive copy of the book and ordered it. I received it today, and look forward to reading it. What I did read inspired me to play a couple of wargames singly Peter Laing Vikings and Normans.

    My last post was on carving a wood figure. I had planned to do more wood carving while camping. Unfortunately, when we arrived at the campsite and sit up our camper, I was having bad pain in my right hand.  By the next day my thumb was badly swollen and I ended up in the emergency room. Needless to say, I was unable to do any carving. I did, however, watch several videos on Youtube by Tom Mason on sculpting figures. I decided to try my hand using his techniques. Below are some shots of my first attempt. I had no design for the figure and not sure exactly what I plan to do with it.

The figure with the first layer of "green stuff". Already I've noticed the need to get the wire armature correct.  As can be seen the left knee is lower than it should be.

The back of the figure. The left shoulder is lower than it should be.

The figure next to a 30mm figure.